Mike Leavitt is the Investment Committee Chairman of Leavitt Equity Partners. Mike is also the founder of Leavitt Partners where he helps clients navigate the future as they transition to new and better models of care. In previous roles, Mike served in the Cabinet of President George W. Bush (as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and Secretary of Health and Human Services) and as a three-time elected governor of Utah.

Mike grew up in Cedar City, Utah, where his upbringing was rooted in the values of the American West, with its emphasis on hard work and common sense. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business while working in the insurance industry. In 1984, he became chief executive of The Leavitt Group, a family business that is now the nation’s second largest, privately held insurance brokerage.

In 1993, Mike was elected governor of Utah. He served three terms (1993-2003). In 2003, he joined the Cabinet of President George W. Bush, serving in two positions: first as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (2003-2005) and then as secretary of Health and Human Services (2005-2009). At HHS, he administered a $750 billion budget — nearly 25 percent of the entire federal budget — and 67,000 employees.

He led the implementation of the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Program. The task required the design, systematization, and implementation of a plan to provide 43 million seniors with a new prescription drug benefit. By the end of the first year, enrollments exceeded projections, prices were lower than projected, and seniors expressed high levels of satisfaction.

Mike’s strategic ability can be seen in his redesign of the nation’s system of quality and safety standards for imported goods. In the spring of 2006, President Bush assigned him to lead a government-wide response. Within months, he commended a major strategic shift in U.S. policy on import regulation and trade.

A pattern of innovation runs throughout Mike’s career. When he was elected governor, Utah’s major freeway system was dangerously inadequate. Taking what some thought was a significant political and financial risk, Mike instigated a design-build system, creating cost and quality incentives between the state and its contractors. The project was finished in half the originally projected time and well under budget.

Mike is, at heart, an entrepreneur. As governor, he organized a group of his colleagues to form Western Governors University. At WGU, degrees are earned based on competency rather than credit hours. WGU now has more than 60,000 students who reside in each of the 50 states and several foreign countries. Enrollment is growing at 35 percent a year. In November 2008, TIME magazine named WGU “the best relatively cheap university you’ve never heard of.”

Collaborator is a word that comes up repeatedly when one examines Mike’s background. His skill led his colleague governors to elect him as chairman of the National Governors Association, the Republican Governors Association and Western Governors’ Association. His book—Finding Allies, Building Alliances—was released in September 2013 by Jossey-Bass Publishers and chronicles his expertise and passion for collaboration.

Mike is a seasoned diplomat, leading U.S. delegations to more than 50 countries. He has conducted negotiations on matters related to health, the environment, and trade. At the conclusion of his service, the Chinese government awarded him the China Public Health Award – the first time this award has ever been given to a foreign government official.

Taylor Leavitt is Managing Partner and CEO of Leavitt Equity Partners. Mr. Leavitt brings nearly 20 years of healthcare and finance experience and has been responsible, as LEP’s chief executive, to manage and execute the overall mission of LEP, its investment activities, and subsequent performance—including directing the management of the firm’s investment decisions, portfolio holdings, due diligence processes, and relationships with its investors and Partner Funds. Taylor sat or currently sits on the Board of Directors of several LEP portfolio companies. He has managed LEP since inception, overseeing the fundraising of its two prior funds and their deployment into 30+ portfolio companies.

Before Leavitt Equity Partners, Taylor launched and led Leavitt Partners’ (the consulting firm) Equity Practice which advised both private equity and hedge funds on healthcare investment opportunities and industry dynamics. Additionally, Taylor managed Leavitt Partners’ internal equity portfolio holdings which included Health Equity (NASD:HQY), RSA Medical, Independent Living Systems, Cogent Healthcare, and others.

Prior to joining Leavitt Partners, Taylor worked for ZARS Pharma, a venture capital funded pharmaceutical company, engaged in corporate acquisitions, licensing and business development operations. While at ZARS, he identified and executed strategic corporate transactions on a global basis, including merger and acquisitions, national and international product licenses, IP and technology licenses, and R&D alliances.

In other capacities, Taylor has worked with Epic Venture Capital, The Park City Center for Public Policy, SAIC, and Keystone Global Investment LLC. He received an MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Business and graduated magna cum laude from Utah State University with degrees in finance, economics and international business.

Andrew Croshaw is a member of the LEP Investment Committee. He is also the chief executive officer of Leavitt Partners where he is responsible for overseeing the operational and strategic activities of all Leavitt Partners enterprises.

Andrew joined Leavitt Partners at its inception in 2009 and was appointed to his current role in April 2017. He has played an instrumental role in positioning Leavitt Partners as one of the nation’s leading health care intelligence firms.

Previously, Andrew served as the President of Leavitt Partners Consulting where he oversaw the delivery of consulting services to clients across the country. Prior to joining Leavitt Partners, Andrew was a senior executive advisor to Secretary Mike Leavitt at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services where he managed the overall implementation of a signature department initiative to improve the connectivity, transparency, and value of America’s health care system. Prior to serving in the federal government, Andrew worked at Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation and Eli Lilly and Company where he provided leadership for the corporate Medicare and Medicaid business segments.

Andrew earned a master’s degree in business administration from Harvard University, where he pursued interests in health care innovation and leadership.

Craig Omer is the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer at Leavitt Equity Partners. Craig is also a member of the LEP Investment Committee. He brings decades of financial experience to the firm and its clients.

Craig worked for 36 years as an auditing and accounting services professional, primarily at KPMG where he served as Managing Partner of the firm’s Salt Lake City office from 1997 to 2009. He has provided services to a variety of publicly traded and privately held companies, performing auditing, financial reporting, and Securities and Exchange Commission compliance services. Currently, he serves on the board of directors for Savage Companies and CRS Engineering.

His professional and civic activities include having served as Board Chairman of Junior Achievement of Utah, Board Treasurer of Habitat for Humanity, Board Treasurer of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, President of the Utah Association of Certified Public Accountants, member of the Brigham Young University and Weber State University National School of Accountancy Advisory Boards, member of the Utah Association of Certified Public Accountants, member of the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce Board of Trustees and Executive Committee, and member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Governing Council.

Craig graduated from University of Utah with a bachelor’s degree in accounting.

Kerry Weems is a member of the LEP Investment Committee. He is also Executive Chairman of the Value Based Healthcare Investors Alliance, LEP strategic partners devoted to “moving the needle” on value-based care. Kerry joined the Investment Committee in 2021. He brings deep expertise in health services and government finance to the firm and its clients.

Kerry served in the Federal Government for nearly 30 years holding a number of key positions in the Department of Health and Human Services, including Deputy Assistant Secretary for Budget and Chief Financial Officer. He also led the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services under then Secretary Mike Leavitt. Along with Secretary Leavitt, he was instrumental in establishing and sustaining the foundations of the HHS health information technology initiative. Since his government career, Kerry has led several large health organizations, both public and sponsor-backed.

He holds a BA in Philosophy and a BBA in Management from New Mexico State University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of New Mexico.

Andrew Clark is a Managing Partner of Leavitt Equity Partners and has been with the fund since its inception in 2014. From its beginning, Andrew has led the diligence teams for all deal activity and transaction closings, totaling 30+ successful closings and over 200+ due diligence processes. Additionally, he has managed most of the internal back-office operations for LEP, serves on the compliance committee, manages Limited Partner relationships (fundraising and reporting), works closely with key Partner Funds and portfolio investments, and serves as a Board Member or Board Observer on several Fund I and Fund II companies.

Andrew originally joined Leavitt Partners in 2010 and worked directly with Leavitt Partners’ private equity clients to evaluate investment opportunities, identify new market segments, and make investment decisions in healthcare markets. Including leading Leavitt Partners’ participation in ReposiTrak, TAV Health, OFSG, and ProLung / IONIQ Sciences. Prior to joining Leavitt Partners, Andrew spent 3+ years as a case manager consultant for Investor Group Services, LLC in Boston, Massachusetts (a former Ernst & Young business). There he provided M&A and Transaction Advisory Solutions to private equity funds and their portfolio companies, including financial and economic modeling, as well as market sizing and segmentation, and company performance. Andrew advised PE and Corporate M&A clients on over 50 transactions during this period, including several healthcare deals. Before his time at Investor Group Services, Andrew was a financial analyst at Zions Bancorporation, working directly under CEO Harris Simmons where he provided analytical support to several areas of the bank. Andrew also spent time in Santiago Chile working with a boutique investment bank, ASSET Chile.

Andrew earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Harvard College, where he was a member of the winning 2001 Ivy League Championship football team. He also earned his MBA from the Harvard Business School.

Sierra Smith is the Senior Vice President of Operations for Leavitt Equity Partners. Sierra leads all non-investment activities, including internal operations and finance. Additionally, she oversees portfolio company support activities and supports fundraising and limited partner relationship management.

Sierra started her career as a management fellow with the Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA). After the two-year program, she was hired as a manager and worked extensively with the CEO to monitor impact of U.S. health policy changes and network with key politicians. She most recently served as Chief of Staff to the President and CEO before returning to business school. As Chief of Staff she directed key enterprise-wide strategic initiatives and ensured business performance. During business school, Sierra launched a company called Zorpads, that designs and manufactures a proprietary odor-eliminating shoe insert. This company was featured on Shark Tank with bids from four of the five Sharks to invest.

Sierra earned her MBA from the Harvard Business School and a bachelor’s degree in science from the University of Notre Dame.

John Smith is a Principal with Leavitt Equity Partners and is based in Salt Lake City. John is responsible for leading diligence for LEP’s deal activities and transaction closings, as well as deal sourcing, overall portfolio management, fund reporting, and limited partner relationships.

Prior to joining Leavitt Equity Partners, John was a Vice President at Comvest Partners where he led diligence for new investments and served on the boards of several portfolio companies, including a provider of behavioral health services. Prior to Comvest, John spent four years at Monitor Clipper Partners, a former affiliate of Monitor Deloitte, where he evaluated potential investments and provided operational and strategic support to portfolio companies. During his time at business school, John also enjoyed interning with Davita Healthcare Partners.

John earned his MBA from the Harvard Business School and a bachelor’s degree in finance from Brigham Young University.

Hilary is a Vice President at Leavitt Equity Partners and has been with the firm since 2019. Hilary is responsible for sourcing deals, leading diligence on prospective deals, closing transaction processes, working closely with select portfolio companies, and fund reporting. 

At LEP, Hilary has led the diligence processes for 8+ successful investments across healthcare providers, payors, and technology and attends board meetings for portfolio companies in women’s care, hospice, primary care, and urgent care. 

Prior to LEP, Hilary was an Associate at Sorenson Capital Partners where she dedicated her time to deals across both healthcare and technology. She closed three platform and four add-on deals across the dermatology and B2B SaaS markets. Prior to Sorenson Capital, she was based in Los Angeles, CA as an Associate Consultant on 30+ engagements at L.E.K. Consulting, where most of her work consisted of diligence and value creation projects for private equity clients across healthcare and technology. 

Hilary earned a bachelor’s degree in business strategy and economics from Brigham Young University. Hilary also serves on the board of national nonprofit Young People in Recovery.

Daxton is an associate for Leavitt Equity Partners. In this role, Daxton performs diligence on prospective transactions and provides value-add services and monitoring to several portfolio companies.

Prior to joining Leavitt Equity Partners, Daxton was a summer analyst at GPS Capital Markets where he worked on corporate hedging strategies for multinational companies. He also completed an internship with ProSky where he worked on the product management team.

Daxton earned a bachelor’s degree in Finance from Brigham Young University.

Jaxson is an Associate for Leavitt Equity Partners. In this role, Jaxson performs diligence on prospective transactions and provides analysis for portfolio companies.

Prior to joining Leavitt Equity Partners, Jaxson was an analyst at Fifth Partners where he worked on analyzing prospective transactions and as an operator within Fifth portfolio companies. While at Fifth, he participated in one closed transaction and 10+ due diligence processes as an analyst and built/led the field marketing team for Pop Zero Popcorn, a portfolio company of Fifth Partners, leading a 600% increase in sales for the Company in stores across the U.S. Jaxson also completed an internship with Piper Jaffray where he worked with the company’s investment banking team in New York City.

Jaxson received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Accounting from Brigham Young University while also being a Healthcare Industry Scholar and a founding member/leader of the Healthcare Industry Association, an organization connecting business grad students pursuing careers in healthcare.

Stormy Goeckeritz is an Executive Assistant based in Salt Lake City.

As Executive Assistant, Stormy Goeckeritz provides critical administrative support and office management. Her extensive experience and professional demeanor allow her to collaborate well with internal staff and management, as well as interface with high-profile external stakeholders.