Drew Cotten

C-Suite Operator · Private Equity & M&A · Power & Distributed Energy

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I’m a private equity and M&A operator with over 15 years across deal execution and hands-on operating roles. I build businesses, step into complex situations, and compound cash flow through disciplined execution.

Over the last five years, my work has concentrated on energy and power: distributed generation, microgrids, storage, EPC oversight, and asset operations.

My strengths sit at the intersection of transactions and operations: deal sourcing, diligence, financial modeling, capital structuring, carve-outs, integrations, and turnarounds.

Want to talk about working together? Click here to email me!


Experience

Sundog Solar Colorado

Founding Partner · 2025 – Present · Colorado

Founder and operator of a residential and distributed solar EPC business. Responsible for strategy, operations, sales systems, and project execution, with an emphasis on scalable processes and asset-quality outcomes.

  • Distributed energy systems and storage
  • EPC oversight and execution
  • Operations, sales, and digital strategy

Primary functional skills: Project management, digital strategy, renewable energy systems, operations management

Lucknow-Highspire Terminals, LLC

Manager of Risk · 2021 – 2025 · Denver

Led risk, analytics, and reporting functions for petroleum storage and terminal operations.

  • Automated executive reporting, reducing review time ~30% year-over-year
  • Built sales projection systems improving inventory risk accuracy ~40%
  • Developed inventory status and forward-projection models used across teams

Primary functional skills: Commodity risk management, financial risk management, Tableau, Excel, presentation skills

America’s Auto Auction (acquired by Brightstar Capital Partners)

C-Suite Advisor · 2018 – 2021 · Dallas, then moved to Denver and Remote

Advised executive leadership across M&A, operations, analytics, and internal systems for a multi-location operating business.

  • M&A due diligence and transaction support
  • Operational data analytics and reporting automation
  • Multi-store budgeting, payroll, and forecasting systems
  • Special projects and internal media production

Primary functional skills: M&A due diligence, operational analytics, reporting automation, multi-store budget modeling, payroll systems management

Montgomery Capital Advisers

Investment Associate / Deal Manager · Senior Financial Advisor · 2015 – 2018 · Plano, TX

Held progressively senior roles spanning investment execution and hands-on portfolio company operations within a diversified private investment firm.

Investment Associate / Deal Manager

2017 – 2018

  • Interim CRO for distressed portfolio companies; owned liquidity, vendor negotiations, and turnaround execution
  • Originated and underwrote debt investments; led diligence and analyst teams
  • Built restructuring strategies and executed asset recoveries across receivables, real estate, and fixed assets

Senior Financial Advisor

2016 – 2017

  • Led analyst modeling, benchmarking, and operational analysis across portfolio companies
  • Drove initiatives improving contribution margin and net income by 15%+
  • Supported restructurings, creditor negotiations, and investor materials for $40MM+ in combined debt and equity raises

Financial Advisor (Financial Analyst)

2015 – 2016

  • Conducted due diligence on debt and equity investments, including financial audits and collateral analysis
  • Built 3-statement GAAP models and 13-, 26-, and 52-week cash flow forecasts for distressed portfolios
  • Produced investor reporting and supported loan documentation and portfolio tracking

Primary functional skills: Distressed operations, restructuring, debt underwriting, analyst leadership, creditor negotiations

Fantasy eSports

Founding Partner · 2012 – 2015

Co-founded a startup focused on becoming a centralized fantasy platform for competitive eSports.

  • Business planning and branding
  • Website design and frontend support
  • Traffic growth and content strategy
  • Fantasy league data and statistics presentation

Primary functional skills: Product strategy, branding, web design, growth marketing

Cotten’s Cooling Company

Owner & Operator · 2007 – 2012 · Richardson, TX

Founded and operated a residential services business focused on insulation and radiant barrier installation.

  • Designed service offerings and installation systems
  • Managed crews and field operations
  • Direct-to-homeowner sales
  • Marketing, advertising, and operations documentation

Primary functional skills: Field operations, team leadership, sales, customer service