--- title: Our Firm - Covington Associates --- [![covington-logo-horizontal (1)-1](https://www.covllc.com/hubfs/covington-logo-horizontal%20(1)-1.png)](https://www.covllc.com/?hsLang=en) ![](https://f.hubspotusercontent30.net/hubfs/3397234/logo-4.png) # Our Firm Superior client service and customized strategies for the middle market. ## Superior Client Service and Customized Strategies for the Middle Market. Covington Associates is an investment banking firm offering advisory services in the areas of M&A, capital raising, strategic advisory, fairness opinions, and valuations to middle-market companies across the Healthcare, Business Services, Consumer & Industrial, and Technology verticals. Covington’s mission has remained unchanged since its founding in 1991 - advice driven and results focused with the highest caliber of senior-level attention. ![our-firm2](https://www.covllc.com/hubfs/our-firm2.png) ## The right team makes all the difference. Covington Associates is a premier boutique investment banking firm with offices in Boston. Founded in 1991, our mission has remained the same for over 30 years – provide our clients with the highest caliber of senior-level attention based on an advice driven and results focused set of principles. ![covi131-ourfirm2](https://www.covllc.com/hubfs/covi131-ourfirm2.jpg) - ### Senior-Level Attention - ### Commitment to Clients - ### Industry Adeptness - ### Tailored Strategies ## Meet The Team. Covington Associates provides 24/7, senior-level attention throughout all phases of the transaction process. The team’s industry adeptness, commitment and passion to clients allows them to deliver superior client service and customized marketing strategies on a client-by-client basis. ![Cibotti, Tom_Crop](https://www.covllc.com/hubfs/Cibotti%2c%20Tom_Crop.jpg) ###### Managing Director #### Tom Cibotti View Full Bio ![Cibotti, Tom_Crop](https://www.covllc.com/hubfs/Cibotti%2c%20Tom_Crop.jpg) × #### Tom Cibotti ###### Managing Director Having joined Covington Associates in 1993, Tom Cibotti has over 20 years of transaction related experience working with public and privately-held businesses encompassing a broad range of industries including business services, healthcare, and technology. In addition to significant M & A advisory experience, Tom has focused on arranging and structuring leveraged acquisition finance transactions. Since 2002, Tom has been actively focused on the buy side arena completing well over 30 transactions for one of Covington Associates’ clients whose business has grown from $40 million in revenue to approximately $2 billion in revenue. Tom has been a key part of the Covington team involved in the [$1.3 billion sale of Inverness Medical Technology to Johnson & Johnson](http://www.covingtonassociates.com/news/press-release-november-21-2001/) and the $1.8 billion acquisition of Biosite, Inc. Tom has worked closely with companies such as Abbott Laboratories, General Electric, Johnson & Johnson, Medtronic, and Procter & Gamble. ##### **Background** Prior to Covington Associates, Tom Cibotti was an Associate Director of Barclays de Zoete Wedd (“BZW”) where he worked from 1989 to 1993. At BZW, Tom focused principally in the areas of structured acquisition finance and private placements. Before joining BZW, Tom was an Associate at Chase Manhattan Bank. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Economics from Boston College and an MBA from New York University. ##### **Personal** Tom Cibotti lives with his wife in Boston, MA. They spent many years in Norwell, MA where they raised their two sons. Tom enjoys skiing and other outdoor sports. ![e242ff5b14601a004c76339cb182087a@2x](https://www.covllc.com/hubfs/e242ff5b14601a004c76339cb182087a@2x.png) ###### Managing Director #### Chris Covington View Full Bio ![e242ff5b14601a004c76339cb182087a@2x](https://www.covllc.com/hubfs/e242ff5b14601a004c76339cb182087a@2x.png) × #### Chris Covington ###### Managing Director Chris founded Covington Associates in 1991. He has over 40 years experience in mergers & acquisitions and investment banking at some of the country’s leading financial institutions. This weight of experience and highly developed contact base are powerful assets in the M & A process. Chris has advised on hundreds of transactions to both public and privately held companies as well as family run businesses. He has significant expertise in the healthcare and technology sectors. Chris has led numerous strategic mergers and acquisitions with healthcare companies in the diagnostics, disease management, medical devices and healthcare informatics fields. Chris has established a long standing relationship with Inverness Medical Innovations Inc., a major global developer, manufacturer and marketer of advanced, pioneering consumer and professional medical diagnostic products, and has advised Inverness on close to 30 transactions totaling more than $6 billion in transaction value over the past decade. **Background** Before founding Covington Associates, Chris was a co-founder and managing partner of Volpe & Covington, a full service technology- and healthcare-focused investment banking firm based in San Francisco. Previously, Chris was a Managing Partner at Robertson, Coleman & Stephens, a prominent technology and health care investment banking firm, also based in San Francisco. Before Robertson, Chris spent roughly 15 years at Shearson/American Express, and its predecessor companies, in New York City. In his last position at Shearson, Chris served as Head of Industrial (generalist) Investment Banking. He is a graduate of Williams College and Harvard Business School. **Personal** Chris lives in Boston and Gloucester with his wife and two sons. He and his family are avid tennis players. A private pilot for many years, Chris actively participates in the Angel Flight program, flying patients in need to area hospitals. ![3feeec697051b68957a4cf92c9eaa490@2x](https://www.covllc.com/hubfs/3feeec697051b68957a4cf92c9eaa490@2x.png) ###### Managing Director #### Ben Dunn View Full Bio ![3feeec697051b68957a4cf92c9eaa490@2x](https://www.covllc.com/hubfs/3feeec697051b68957a4cf92c9eaa490@2x.png) × #### Ben Dunn ###### Managing Director For over 25 years Ben has provided financial advisory services in the area of mergers & acquisitions to companies in the healthcare sector. Ben has successfully orchestrated over 100 transactions involving medical technology companies.  Having represented and consummated deals with clients from Asia, Europe and North America, Ben understands the global nature of medical technology. Ben is a frequent speaker at healthcare conferences and author of numerous articles, including *“A Strategic Review of Outsourced Manufacturing for Medical Devices”*, *“Valuation Considerations for Medical Device Companies, “Trends and Developments in Pharma Services” and “The Globalization of the Medical Supply Chain”*. **Background** Prior to Covington, Ben was a Strategic Planning Manager at Arbitration Forums, Inc. a leading provider of business-to-business dispute resolution services, where he evaluated acquisition and joint venture opportunities. Ben received his undergraduate degree from the University of Vermont and his MBA and Masters degrees from the University of New Mexico. **Personal** Ben lives in Ashland with his wife and four children. He is an avid skier, a competent pianist, and enjoys exploring far away places. ![5d2b4bb5cdf20704a3dd1a507ba88494@2x](https://www.covllc.com/hubfs/5d2b4bb5cdf20704a3dd1a507ba88494@2x.png) ###### Managing Director #### Scott Fisher View Full Bio ![5d2b4bb5cdf20704a3dd1a507ba88494@2x](https://www.covllc.com/hubfs/5d2b4bb5cdf20704a3dd1a507ba88494@2x.png) × #### Scott Fisher ###### Managing Director Scott joined Covington Associates as a Managing Director in 2013. He has over twenty-five years of M&A, corporate development, principal investing, and corporate strategy experience, primarily in the healthcare and life sciences sectors. At Covington, Scott focuses on Pharmaceutical Services & Technology, working extensively with CROs, CDMOs, and related technology businesses, as well as Healthcare IT. **Background** Prior to joining Covington in 2013, Scott was a co-founder of Centerstone Partners, a life sciences investment and advisory firm. At Centerstone, Scott helped build and finance several life sciences companies as a founder, investor, operator, and advisor, including Amerigen Pharmaceuticals, Theorem Clinical Research, and Cuda Pharmaceuticals, among others. Scott has served on the Boards of and advised numerous private companies, and his experience spans both domestic and emerging markets. Previously, Scott was the Director of Corporate Development at Fisher Scientific International, where he led mergers and acquisitions for Fisher’s healthcare and diagnostics businesses. Prior to Fisher Scientific, Scott worked at Bain & Company, focusing on growth strategies and private equity engagements. Scott began his career at First Union Capital Partners, where he executed middle-market leveraged buyout and growth equity investments. Scott holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA in Economics from Duke University. In addition to his role with Covington, Scott also serves as a Managing Director at Pleasant Bay Capital Partners, a lower middle market private equity firm co-founded with Covington in 2012.  **Personal** Scott lives in Hingham with his wife and two children. He is an avid world traveler and college basketball fan. ![1722f9a378bda59e44455651afc98dc3@2x](https://www.covllc.com/hubfs/1722f9a378bda59e44455651afc98dc3@2x.png) ###### Managing Director #### Grant Grava View Full Bio ![1722f9a378bda59e44455651afc98dc3@2x](https://www.covllc.com/hubfs/1722f9a378bda59e44455651afc98dc3@2x.png) × #### Grant Grava ###### Managing Director Grant joined Covington Associates in 2010 and brings over two decades of diversified M&A and strategic advisory experience serving middle-market and emerging growth companies. **Background** Prior to joining Covington Associates, Grant held positions at a number of middle-market investment banking firms including Jefferies & Company, SG Cowen and Prudential Securities where he was responsible for executing M&A and capital raising transactions across a variety of industries, including healthcare services, media, technology, and telecom. Earlier in his career, Grant worked overseas in a corporate finance advisory role at Coopers & Lybrand in Riga, Latvia. Grant earned his Bachelor of Arts from Columbia College and his MBA from Columbia Business School. **Personal** Grant and his family live in Metrowest Boston. He enjoys hiking, skiing, and other outdoor pursuits throughout New England. Grant and his family members are fluent in Latvian. ![Johnson, Andrew resize](https://www.covllc.com/hubfs/Johnson%2c%20Andrew%20resize.jpg) ###### Managing Director #### Andrew Johnson View Full Bio ![Johnson, Andrew resize](https://www.covllc.com/hubfs/Johnson%2c%20Andrew%20resize.jpg) × #### Andrew Johnson ###### Managing Director Andrew joined Covington Associates in 2015 and has more than ten years of transaction related and client advisory experience, primarily across the healthcare, business services and technology sectors. **Background** Prior to Covington, Andrew was a Vice President at LP Capital Advisors (now Mercer), where he provided private equity advisory services to institutional investors. Previously, Andrew spent four years at General Electric where he completed GE’s Financial Management Program and worked with GE Asset Management’s private equity portfolio which included fund investments and direct investments across a variety of industries and strategies. Andrew graduated from Providence College with a Bachelor’s degree in Finance. **Personal** Andrew lives in Norfolk with his wife, two children and dog. He enjoys spending time with family, coaching kids sports and playing golf. ![7102db6a2ec9c28bf53ab9d877fe9a96@2x](https://www.covllc.com/hubfs/7102db6a2ec9c28bf53ab9d877fe9a96@2x.png) ###### Managing Director #### Tim McMahon View Full Bio ![7102db6a2ec9c28bf53ab9d877fe9a96@2x](https://www.covllc.com/hubfs/7102db6a2ec9c28bf53ab9d877fe9a96@2x.png) × #### Tim McMahon ###### Managing Director Tim joined Covington Associates in 2005. He is a long-time investment banker experienced in the technology, healthcare, and consumer & industrial sectors with a particular focus in business services. He brings over 20 years of experience in investment banking for leading middle market and growth companies. **Background** Prior to joining Covington, Tim was President and CEO of Adams Harkness Inc. During his tenure at Adams Harkness, he oversaw the expansion of the Investment Banking division and helped the firm to develop top ranked practices in middle markets. McMahon has personally advised on over 100 client engagements. Tim was also responsible for the establishment of the Adams Harkness Wealth and Asset Management Divisions and the expansion of the firm’s Equities group in San Francisco and New York.  Tim received a BS/BA from Boston University and an MBA from Babson College. **Personal** Tim lives in Marblehead with his wife Mindy and three children. He enjoys golfing, skiing, and sports in general with family and friends. ![d94935fa7da6573418f942065be53f1d@2x](https://www.covllc.com/hubfs/d94935fa7da6573418f942065be53f1d@2x.png) ###### Managing Director #### Chris Tashjian View Full Bio ![d94935fa7da6573418f942065be53f1d@2x](https://www.covllc.com/hubfs/d94935fa7da6573418f942065be53f1d@2x.png) × #### Chris Tashjian ###### Managing Director Chris joined Covington Associates in 2009, and has spent his entire twenty year career in lower middle-market, sell-side M&A advisory, with a specific focus on healthcare, business services and software/technology industry verticals. Chris is focused on new business development, client engagement and transaction execution. Chris enjoys advising clients on their strategic alternatives including mergers, acquisitions, sales, divestitures and majority / minority recapitalizations. **Background** Prior to joining Covington, Chris spent nine years at Provident Healthcare Partners. Chris received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Colby College. **Personal** Chris lives in Winchester with his wife and two children. In his free time, he enjoys coaching his kids sports, traveling, and spending time with family.   ![Vandervelden, James Crop](https://www.covllc.com/hubfs/Vandervelden%2c%20James%20Crop.jpg) ###### Managing Director #### James Vandervelden View Full Bio ![Vandervelden, James Crop](https://www.covllc.com/hubfs/Vandervelden%2c%20James%20Crop.jpg) × #### James Vandervelden ###### Managing Director James joined Covington Associates as a Managing Director in 2012.  He has over 30 years of private equity, M&A and financial advisory experience in the healthcare, software and tech-enabled business services sectors.  In addition, James, together with Covington Associates, co-founded Pleasant Bay Capital Partners, a private equity firm, and has been its Managing Partner since formation.   Pleasant Bay Capital Partners has completed 20+ equity investments in lower middle market companies.   **Background** Prior to Covington, James served as co-founder and general partner of Ticonderoga Capital.  At Ticonderoga, James focused on equity and subordinated debt investments in profitable, growth stage healthcare, software and business services companies. Throughout his career, James has been an active Board member in many companies and has assisted portfolio companies in management recruitment, strategic and operational issues, raising equity and debt financings, identification and due diligence on acquisition targets, and sale/merger discussions. Prior to Ticonderoga, James worked at Dillon Read & Co.’s venture capital group, making growth equity investments for its funds. Prior to Dillon Read, he worked at TA Associates where he focused on management buyouts, recapitalizations, and minority growth capital investments of lower middle market technology and service-related businesses. James received a B.A. in Economics and Organizational Behavior & Management, with Honors, from Brown University. **Personal** James lives in Sudbury, MA with his wife and two children.  He enjoys golf, tennis, pickleball (or any sports related activity), traveling and hanging out relaxing with his family and friends. ![Sean Rondeau, Director](https://www.covllc.com/hubfs/502a88a8a4b85b6b83347c6d357bdd7a@2x.png) ###### Director #### Sean Rondeau View Full Bio ![Sean Rondeau, Director](https://www.covllc.com/hubfs/502a88a8a4b85b6b83347c6d357bdd7a@2x.png) × #### Sean Rondeau ###### Director Sean joined Covington Associates in 2017 and has worked his way up the ranks from Analyst to Vice President. During his time at Covington, Sean has been a part of 40+ completed transactions across the healthcare, technology, and business services sectors. Prior to joining Covington Associates, Sean held positions with Boston Scientific and Provident Healthcare Partners. Sean graduated Magna Cum Laude from Bentley University in 2017 with a Bachelor’s degree in Corporate Finance and Accounting. **Personal** Sean currently lives in Natick with his wife and their dog. He enjoys staying active and likes to go skiing. ![8daa41abcb397e236c99dd87f81bde69@2x](https://www.covllc.com/hubfs/8daa41abcb397e236c99dd87f81bde69@2x.png) ###### Director of Finance #### Sandra Deveau View Full Bio ![8daa41abcb397e236c99dd87f81bde69@2x](https://www.covllc.com/hubfs/8daa41abcb397e236c99dd87f81bde69@2x.png) × #### Sandra Deveau ###### Director of Finance Sandra joined Covington Associates as Director of Finance in 2009. **Background** Sandra is responsible for all aspects of Covington’s financial activities. Previously, she was a consultant to several Boston-area companies. Before her years as a consultant, Sandra was the Director of Finance & Accounting at Century Capital Management. She also worked as a Senior Associate at PricewaterhouseCoopers and a Senior Auditor at New England Financial. Sandra is a Certified Public Accountant and received her Bachelor of Science from Bentley University. **Personal** Sandra lives in Waltham with her three children. She is the Treasurer of the PTO at her children’s school. Sandra enjoys traveling, cycling and hiking with family and friends.  ![49beb2b83602918453e3678b8abf2c12@2x](https://www.covllc.com/hubfs/49beb2b83602918453e3678b8abf2c12@2x.png) ###### Vice President #### Perry De Fazio View Full Bio ![49beb2b83602918453e3678b8abf2c12@2x](https://www.covllc.com/hubfs/49beb2b83602918453e3678b8abf2c12@2x.png) × #### Perry De Fazio ###### Vice President **Background** Perry joined Covington Associates in 2013. Prior, he was at Partners Healthcare where he was General Manager of translational research programs in the fields of microfluidics, rare cell isolation and aesthetic dermatology in their Research Ventures & Licensing office. Prior to Partners Healthcare, he spent several years performing healthcare technology patent research and analysis for a boutique research and advisory firm. Perry was previously part of Tyco Healthcare (now Covidien), leading programs for their organic growth initiatives and serving as the technical lead for M&A activities in the operating room products business unit. He also has startup experience from his work at Ortheon Medical where he developed arthroscopic soft tissue fixation systems, as well as at Tissuelink Medical, where he led the launch of the company’s flagship radiofrequency energy device. Perry received his BS in Biomedical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1995 before joining Boston Scientific as a Research and Development engineer in the company’s gastrointestinal endoscopy business unit. **Personal** Perry and his family live in Southern New Hampshire. He enjoys cooking, coaching youth sports, and contemplating picking up his long-neglected Stratocaster. ![b66b3ee1ef84f9970d33554dc348d59b@2x](https://www.covllc.com/hubfs/b66b3ee1ef84f9970d33554dc348d59b@2x.png) ###### Vice President #### John Lucey View Full Bio ![b66b3ee1ef84f9970d33554dc348d59b@2x](https://www.covllc.com/hubfs/b66b3ee1ef84f9970d33554dc348d59b@2x.png) × #### John Lucey ###### Vice President John joined Covington Associates in 2020 as an analyst and was subsequently an associate before being named Vice President in 2024. While at Covington, John has focused on the execution side of transactions, successfully seeing 15+ M&A deals to a close. He has experience across a number of industries including healthcare, technology and business services.  ##### **Background** Prior to joining Covington Associates, John started his career as an Associate at PwC and graduated from Elon University in 2019 with a BSBA in Finance and a minor in Economics. John has passed Level I of the CFA Program. ##### **Personal** John currently lives in Boston. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, skiing and following the Patriots.   ![2f176998e351a7d3a5038a3993f54af7@2x](https://www.covllc.com/hubfs/2f176998e351a7d3a5038a3993f54af7@2x.png) ###### Vice President #### Alexander Ross View Full Bio ![2f176998e351a7d3a5038a3993f54af7@2x](https://www.covllc.com/hubfs/2f176998e351a7d3a5038a3993f54af7@2x.png) × #### Alexander Ross ###### Vice President ##### **Background** Alex joined Covington Associates in 2018 and has completed numerous M&A, strategic advisory, and capital-raising engagements with middle-market companies. He is responsible for all aspects of deal execution, including go-to-market strategy, marketing material preparation, company and financial analysis, due diligence management, and buyer communications. Before joining Covington, Alex worked as an Equity Research Associate in the Healthcare coverage group at Hedgeye Risk Management, an independent sell-side equity research firm based in Stamford, CT. While at Hedgeye, he provided fundamental analysis and investment recommendations on publicly traded Healthcare companies to the firm’s institutional investor client base. Alex graduated from Saint Anselm College in 2016 with a B.A. in Finance and Economics. ##### **Personal** Alex lives north of Boston with his wife and son. He enjoys traveling, playing sports, and being outdoors in his free time. ![Gozdeck, Gordon-1](https://www.covllc.com/hubfs/Gozdeck%2c%20Gordon-1.jpeg) ###### Analyst #### Gordon Gozdeck View Full Bio ![Gozdeck, Gordon-1](https://www.covllc.com/hubfs/Gozdeck%2c%20Gordon-1.jpeg) × #### Gordon Gozdeck ###### Analyst Gordon joined Covington Associates in 2025. Prior to joining Covington Associates, he interned at Mirus Capital Advisors and Dunn Rush & Company, where he supported sell-side advisory engagements for family- and founder-owned businesses across a range of industries. Gordon graduated from Bowdoin College in May 2025 with a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Computer Science. While at Bowdoin, Gordon was a member of the varsity lacrosse team and captain of the football team. **Personal** Gordon currently lives in Boston and enjoys snowboarding, golfing, and traveling with friends in this free time. ![Nelson, Dylan-1-1](https://www.covllc.com/hubfs/Nelson%2c%20Dylan-1-1.jpeg) ###### Analyst #### Dylan Nelson View Full Bio ![Nelson, Dylan-1-1](https://www.covllc.com/hubfs/Nelson%2c%20Dylan-1-1.jpeg) × #### Dylan Nelson ###### Analyst Dylan joined Covington Associates in 2026. Prior to joining Covington Associates, he worked as an Investment Banking Analyst at Harris Williams, specializing in deal execution and material preparation for middle-market companies seeking secondary liquidity solutions. Dylan holds a B.S. in Finance from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. **Personal** In his free time, Dylan loves watching college lacrosse and college football, along with following the New York Football Giants. ![Thang Nguyen](https://www.covllc.com/hubfs/Nguyen%2c%20Thang-1.jpeg) ###### Analyst #### Thang Nguyen View Full Bio ![Thang Nguyen](https://www.covllc.com/hubfs/Nguyen%2c%20Thang-1.jpeg) × #### Thang Nguyen ###### Analyst **Background** Thang joined Covington Associates in 2025. He previously worked as a Senior Analyst at Bowen Inc., where he specialized in deal execution and business development for growth-stage technology companies. Thang brings deep domain expertise in Data & AI, Cloud Infrastructure, Cybersecurity, and Healthcare Tech. He earned his B.A. in Finance from Northeastern University. **Personal** Outside of the office, Thang is an avid soccer and tennis player with a keen interest in financial history. ![0cbd82f9b5c6b857b2219c1349bf52cc@2x](https://www.covllc.com/hubfs/0cbd82f9b5c6b857b2219c1349bf52cc@2x.png) ###### Executive Assistant & Office Manager #### Abby Churchill View Full Bio ![0cbd82f9b5c6b857b2219c1349bf52cc@2x](https://www.covllc.com/hubfs/0cbd82f9b5c6b857b2219c1349bf52cc@2x.png) × #### Abby Churchill ###### Executive Assistant & Office Manager Abby joined Covington Associates in 2017 and serves the company in dual roles as the Executive Assistant and Office Manager. Abby is responsible for a variety of tasks including ensuring that all aspects of the office are running smoothly. **Background** Before joining Covington, Abby was the Office Manager at a Certified Public Accounting Firm in Scottsdale, AZ where she directed daily operations and assisted with bookkeeping. Prior to that, she was the Administrative Assistant in the Dean of Student Life Office at Simmons College. Abby graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree from Providence College. **Personal** Abby lives in Canton, MA with her husband and daughter. She enjoys spending time in Maine and visiting with family.  #### Quick Links #### Our Transactions #### Get in touch ** ** 99 Summer Street, Suite 200 Boston, Massachusetts 02110 617-314-3950 [![footer-linkedin](https://www.covllc.com/hubfs/footer-linkedin.png) ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/covington-associates) Broker Dealer Services Provided Through Covington Associates, LLC. Member FINRA/SIPC. ![](https://www.covllc.com/hubfs/footer-logo%20(1).png) © 2026 Covington Associates All Rights Reserved.