William Spell has been involved in the investment banking industry since 1981. He has extensive knowledge and expertise in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, raising capital and financial management.

Mr. Spell was vice president and director of corporate finance from 1981 to 1988 at a regional investment banking firm located in Minneapolis. Since 1988, Mr. Spell has invested as a principal. As the president of Spell Capital Partners, he has significant experience in all aspects of managing investment partnerships and private equity investing.

Mr. Spell has served on the board of directors of a number of public and private companies, including several non-profit organizations. He has a bachelor of science (BS) degree from the University of Minnesota and a master of business administration (MBA) degree from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota.

Dobson West, Senior Managing Director

Dobson West has been involved in mergers, acquisitions and their financing for over 20 years. He has experience and expertise in evaluating acquisition opportunities, due diligence, structuring and financing deals, and consummating transactions.

Prior to joining Spell Capital Partners, Mr. West was in the private practice of law with Fredrikson & Byron, P.A. in Minneapolis where he was head of the Mergers and Acquisitions Group.

Mr. West has served on the board of directors of several public and private companies, including several non-profit organizations. He has a bachelor of arts (BA) degree from Williams College and a juris doctor (JD) degree from the University of Minnesota.

Bruce A. Richard, Managing Director

Bruce Richard has been investing as a principal with Spell Capital Partners since 1992 and has extensive experience in analyzing, financing and closing leveraged acquisitions. As the former president and chief operating officer of Xcel Energy, Inc., a $2.5 billion public company, he brings substantial operating management expertise to the firm. Mr. Richard also has been actively involved in directing and monitoring portfolio investments.

Mr. Richard serves on the board of directors of several public and private organizations. He has bachelor of science (BS) degrees in electrical engineering and economics from the University of Minnesota.

Steve P. Jones, Senior Managing Director

Steve Jones has been involved in finance and accounting for more than 25 years. He has experience in both public accounting as a manager servicing a portfolio of privately owned companies, and in private industry serving as a chief financial officer. 

Prior to joining Spell Capital Partners, Mr. Jones was at the international accounting firm of  PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP with an emphasis serving privately owned companies, including several private equity owned companies in the manufacturing sector.

Mr. Jones has a bachelor of science (BS) degree from Tusculum College and a master of business administration (MBA) degree from Indiana University.  

James W. Rikkers, Managing Director

Jim Rikkers has been involved in the financing of mergers and acquisitions for over 10 years. Prior to joining Spell Capital Partners, Mr. Rikkers was a Vice President with the Mezzanine Capital group of Wells Fargo where he was active in deal origination, structuring and portfolio investment management. Prior to that he had experience in Wells Fargo's Leveraged Finance unit. Jim was also involved in the early stage development and growth of a successful technology company.

He has a bachelor of arts (BA) degree in Economics and Finance from the University of St. Thomas.

Andrea R. Nelson, Managing Director

Andrea Nelson joined Spell Capital Partners in 2007 with significant experience serving private equity funds and their related portfolio companies. Her background includes over 14 years of tax and accounting experience.

Prior to joining Spell Capital Partners, Ms. Nelson held a tax director position at the accounting firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in their financial services practice. As a tax director, she was involved with structuring, due diligence, tax consulting and compliance.

Ms. Nelson holds a bachelor of science in business (BSB) degree from the Carlson School of Management - University of Minnesota and is a licensed CPA. She also serves as a board member on nonprofit and private organizations.