Get To Know Us Better

Jeff Presley is the Founder and Chairman of SouthWorth Capital Management, the family office. As the architect of the firm’s investment strategy, Jeff has led the vision, discipline, and long-term approach that define SouthWorth’s platform-building model.
Under his leadership, SouthWorth has successfully completed more than 100 acquisitions, building and scaling operating companies across multiple industries with a focus on long-term value creation, operational excellence, and responsible growth. Jeff serves as a director across the firm’s investment platforms, partnering closely with leadership teams to guide strategy, capital allocation, and governance.
Beyond SouthWorth, Jeff is deeply committed to the Memphis community. He serves on the board of the Memphis Zoo, the Memphis Chamber of Commerce, and the University of Memphis Foundation. A graduate of Memphis State University, Jeff and his wife are proud parents of two children and grandparents to three grandchildren.

Clay Presley is CEO at SouthWorth Capital Management, where he leads operations and strategic initiatives across a diverse portfolio of privately held companies. He plays a key role in driving the firm’s mission to build generational wealth, create jobs, and invest in the communities where SouthWorth operates. A Memphis native and University of Memphis alumnus, Clay holds both a B.S. and MBA from the university and was a member of the Memphis football team. He co-founded and served as Executive Director of 901 Fund, the official NIL collective supporting Memphis student-athletes through community partnerships, and is also a board member of the Memphis Athletic Foundation. Clay and his wife Ashley are proud parents to Jack and Caroline.

Laura Presley recently stepped into the Director of Community Relations role leading SouthWorth’s community investment initiatives. Laura initially joined SouthWorth as Portfolio Liaison in 2015. In this role, she managed the office and day-to-day business of SouthWorth. Prior to SouthWorth, Laura worked in varied industries including retail, telecommunications, and logistics. Laura attended Arkansas State University. Laura has one daughter, Ashlynn.

Brennon Martin joined SouthWorth as CFO in 2022, after 10 years at Eastport Holdings, a SouthWorth portfolio company. He joined Eastport after 2 years of professional baseball. Brennon served as Controller for AdStaff and Mindstream Media before elevating to Controller of Eastport. Brennon has assisted in the structure and completion of acquisitions for several Eastport companies.  He also has participated in the acquisition process for a number of SouthWorth investments outside of Eastport. Brennon graduated from the University of Memphis in 2010 with a BA in Business Management. Brennon is married with 3 children.

Jim Howard joined SouthWorth Capital in 2018 as Managing Director, and in 2023 elevated to Executive Managing Director.  He has held various positions in the corporate and middle market segments of Goldman Sachs, Fifth Third Bank and First Horizon Corp, mainly in the areas of business development, credit risk management and leveraged buyout portfolio management.  Prior to banking, Jim served 12 years as a US Navy SEAL between 1998 and 2013.  During his Special Operations career Jim deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa and Europe in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.  In addition to completing level 2 of his CFA, Jim has a B.S. from the University of Kentucky and an MBA from the University of Colorado. Jim is married with two children.

Phil Rogers joined SouthWorth in 2022 and serves as President of Business Services. He brings more than 20 years of leadership experience driving business turnaround, operational excellence, revenue growth, and enhanced customer satisfaction.  Prior to SouthWorth, Phil built his career in the health and fitness industry, leading organizational transformation, and performance improvement initiatives across the private, municipal, and medical sectors.  Phil holds an MBA from Union University and a B.S. from the University of Mississippi.

Lee Harkavy joined SouthWorth at the beginning of 2026 as Senior Vice President, Mergers and Acquisitions (“M&A”).  He started out as a transactional and M&A attorney for a predecessor firm to Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs law firm (“Wyatt”).  He left the practice of law and spent 9 years as a business executive primarily leading the acquisition or capital markets department for Storage USA, a publicly traded company, and it successors acquirors GE and then Extra Space.  He then returned to the practice of law as an M&A attorney for Wyatt for the next 18 years, including representing SouthWorth and its various platforms in their M&A strategies.  Lee received his BBA in finance and accounting from the University of Michigan Business School and his JD from Vanderbilt University.

BenReed joined SouthWorth Capital in 2016 as Managing Director and has 20 years ofprior commercial banking experience.  He has held various positions in thecorporate and middle market banking segments mainly in the areas of credit riskmanagement, special assets and portfolio management. His banking careerincluded Hibernia National Bank (now Capital One Bank), SunTrust Bank and FifthThird Bank.  Prior to banking, Ben spent a few years as a steamship agentin New Orleans and is a former officer in the U.S. Navy.  Ben has his B.A.from Loyola University of New Orleans and his MBA from the University of NewOrleans. Ben is married with three children.

Garland Robeson joined Southworth in 2018 as Managing Director after spending 16 years in corporate banking (US Bank and Fifth Third).  Most recently, Garland led a team for Fifth Third, responsible for advising, lending, and arranging capital to privately held companies and financial sponsors.  Garland’s experience has spanned the large corporate and middle market spaces across a comprehensive range of industries.  He’s deeply experienced in arranging and structuring a variety of capital; including senior secured & unsecured, mezzanine, asset based, bonds/TLB’s, and securitizations.  Garland has his BA from the University of Cincinnati. Garland is married with 3 boys.

Will Frazier joined SouthWorth Capital in 2023 and currently serves as Vice President.  Prior to SouthWorth, Will co-founded Memphis Research Group in 2011, where he served as Vice President, Director of Research.  MRG managed a concentrated, short-only portfolio of public securities for institutional endowments and long/short hedge funds.  He held various positions in equity research at Wellspring Management and Morningstar prior to founding MRG.  Will received his Bachelor of Arts in English and Philosophy from Wheaton College in 2008.

Brad Silver joined SouthWorth in 2026 to help develop the firm’s presence in healthcare and wellness. He began his career as an aide in the U.S. Senate, then moved to the private sector, managing international business for MacLean Power Systems, a supplier to electric utilities. He later joined Thomas & Betts, where he held leadership roles across the company’s international, utility, and communications divisions. Brad subsequently led and capitalized a biometric technology startup and later founded a software company applying AI to healthcare analytics and data management. He earned a B.A. from Boston University.

Charles joined SouthWorth in 2020. He served as Portfolio Coordinator, supporting several Ascension acquisitions, before moving into a Director role and leading the Charter Vista Landscaping platform.  Clay and Jeff met Charles during his tenure at the University of Memphis as a development coordinator following his star-studded football career. Chuck twice led the Tigers in tackles, won, conference academic player of the year as well as earning Academic All-American honors.  Following the completion of his bachelor’s degree, Chuck re-enrolled at the University of Memphis and received his MBA in 2018.

Kendal Fioresi joined SouthWorth in 2024 as an Associate. She brings extensive transaction and valuation experience to the team. Prior to SouthWorth Capital, Kendal was an M&A Associate at PwC in Chicago, IL, where she focused on providing financial due diligence advisory services to private equity clients across a range of industries. Through her experience, she developed strong expertise in transaction analysis, financial modeling, and deal execution. Kendal earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Gabe Lipson joined SouthWorth in 2025 as an Associate on the deal team, following seven years at UBS Financial Services. During that time, he held various roles across Private Wealth Management and the UBS Investment Bank, with a primary focus on Capital Markets. At SouthWorth, he has supported due diligence efforts across the firm’s platforms and assisted with a number of BrightPoint Auto Body acquisitions. A Nashville native, Gabe earned his B.B.A. in Finance from Middle Tennessee State University, where he also completed his MBA. He is married and enjoys spending time with his wife and traveling together.