OceanM19 LLC Research
Investment Approach & Firm Nature
IMPORTANT DISTINCTION: OceanM19 LLC is a single-family investment office (family office) that makes direct private equity investments, NOT a traditional M&A advisory firm. They are CAPITAL PROVIDERS and BUYERS of companies, rather than sell-side advisors representing business owners. The firm was established in 2020 by Rocco Martino and Roxanne Martino as the Martino family office, concentrating allocations to direct private equity investments, hedge funds, venture capital, and real estate.
OceanM19 operates with a patient capital philosophy, affording substantial transactional flexibility and the ability to make decisions quickly. The firm's thesis centers on partnering with entrepreneurial business owners and operating teams to accelerate growth and build scalable business models while preserving existing culture and legacy. Their investment approach is hands-on, working closely with management in strategy formulation, operational improvement, product line growth, strategic acquisitions, and financing structures.
The firm's roots run deep in private equity—Rocco Martino co-founded LaSalle Capital in 2004 and served as a General Partner through 2021, building a $330 million AUM lower middle market private equity fund. This institutional pedigree, combined with the agility of a family office, enables OceanM19 to move faster than traditional PE firms while maintaining rigorous investment discipline.
Sector Focus
OceanM19 concentrates on three primary sectors, with particular depth in niche manufacturing:
Niche Manufacturing: The firm has extensive experience across precision machining, contract metal fabrication, tubular steel products, aerospace components, and industrial equipment. Notable investments include Precision Products Group (industrial tubular products and pharmaceutical packaging), EZ Fabricating and Washington Metal Fabricators (ISO9001:2015 certified metal fabrication platforms), National Metalwares (fabricated tubular steel products), and Simplex Manufacturing (aerial application systems). They target manufacturers with defensible market positions, high operating leverage, and significant barriers to entry.
Business Services: OceanM19 invests in tech-enabled services, revenue cycle management, payments/fintech, testing/inspection services, and healthcare services. Key investments include Revco Solutions (healthcare revenue cycle management, acquired 2019, exited 2024), Utility Revenue Services (utility billing auditing for multi-family real estate), NGC US (digital and physical prepaid payment solutions), and Phenix Solutions (unmanned heavy-lift helicopter manufacturer). They seek business models with recurring revenue, diversified customer bases, and scalable operations.
Food & Ingredients: The firm has deep expertise in food manufacturing, particularly private label and artisan quality products. Portfolio companies include Joseph's Gourmet Pasta (premium frozen pasta manufacturer), Sokol & Company (wet-fill manufacturer of B2B ingredients and retail food products), and EZ International (sewing and craft products). They look for companies with strong brand equity, manufacturing excellence, and growth potential in both foodservice and retail channels.
Investment Track Record
OceanM19 has completed 17+ direct investments since inception, spanning control acquisitions, minority investments, and venture capital seedings. The firm targets companies with $10-100 million in revenue and $2-10 million in EBITDA, typically seeking control positions but also making strategic minority investments.
Recent Activity (2024-2025):
- Utility Revenue Services: Acquired June 2025 — Independent third-party auditor of utility billing vendors
- Phenix Solutions: Growth capital July 2024 — Unmanned heavy-lift helicopter manufacturer
- EZ Fabricating: Minority investment November 2024 — Custom metal fabricator for commercial/industrial projects
- Washington Metal Fabricators: Minority investment February 2024 — ISO9001:2015 engineering-first contract metal fabricator
- Frontier Waste Solutions: Acquired October 2022 — Independent provider of solid waste services
Notable Prior Investments:
- Revco Solutions: Acquired August 2019, exited 2024 — Healthcare revenue cycle management (merger of PRC + CBCS)
- Andrie Inc.: Acquired February 2019, exited 2024 — Bulk barge transporter of specialty products throughout Great Lakes
- Bojangles: Take-private January 2019 — Franchisee and operator of Southern-style fast-casual restaurants
- NGC US: Acquired July 2018, exited 2020 — Leading provider of digital and physical prepaid payment solutions
- Sokol & Company: Acquired August 2022, exited 2025 — Wet-fill manufacturer of B2B ingredients and retail food products
Earlier Track Record (LaSalle Capital Era): Rocco Martino's investments at LaSalle Capital included National Metalwares LP (acquired 1995, exited 2019), Wm E. Wright LP (acquired 1989, exited 2000), and EZ International (acquired 1992, exited 2000), demonstrating decades of consistent investment in the lower middle market.
Investment Criteria & Process
OceanM19 seeks businesses with $10-100 million in revenue and EBITDA ranging from $2-10 million. The firm targets companies with significant barriers to entry, diversified customer bases, stable and recurring cash flow, and high operating leverage. They prefer controlling investments to align incentives but will make strategic minority investments.
The firm's investment process is designed for speed and efficiency—unlike institutional PE funds that require investment committee approval and can take months to close, OceanM19 can make decisions rapidly. Once engaged, they work collaboratively with management to execute on growth initiatives, providing operational support without disrupting day-to-day operations.
Team & Background
The investment team is led by co-founders Rocco Martino and Roxanne Martino, with Dan Martino serving as Chief Investment Officer and Alli Purcell Hayes as CFO. The firm employs approximately 8-10 professionals across investment, operational, and administrative functions.
Rocco Martino, Co-Founder: 30+ years investing in lower middle market companies. Previously co-founded LaSalle Capital (2004-2021), a $330 million AUM private equity fund. BBA Finance (Notre Dame, 1976), MBA (Loyola Chicago, 1978), CPA (Illinois). Serves on boards of Precision Products Group, Utility Revenue Services, and Phenix Solutions.
Roxanne Martino, Co-Founder: Former CEO of Aurora Investment Management (28 years), a hedge fund investment firm. Serves as Lead Independent Director of Ventas, Inc. (NYSE: VTR), an S&P 500 REIT. BBA (Notre Dame, 1977), MBA (University of Chicago, 1988). Board positions at Morgan Street Holdings, University of Chicago Booth Council, and Lurie Children's Hospital.
Dan Martino, CIO: Responsible for portfolio management, deal generation, due diligence, and deal structuring. Former analyst at Achievement Asset Management and Silver Point Capital. MBA (University of Chicago Booth), BBA Finance (Notre Dame). Serves on boards of Utility Revenue Services, Pienso, and observer roles at Washington Metal Fabricators and EZ Fabricating.
Geographic Coverage
OceanM19 is based in Hinsdale, Illinois (Chicago suburb) at 19 W. Chicago Avenue. The firm focuses primarily on the United States, with investments concentrated in the Midwest and broader North American market. Their portfolio includes companies across Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and other manufacturing-intensive regions.
Notable Characteristics & Differentiation
Family Office Advantages: As a single-family office, OceanM19 operates without the fundraising pressure, limited partner constraints, or rigid investment committees that slow down traditional PE firms. This enables faster decision-making, flexible deal structures, and the ability to hold investments longer-term.
Operational Expertise: The team has deep operating experience across manufacturing, financial management, and business building. Rocco Martino's background as a CPA and former PwC partner, combined with his 30+ years of PE experience, provides unique insight into operational value creation.
Long-Term Partnerships: OceanM19 emphasizes partnership over transaction, often allowing founders and management to retain operational control and invest alongside the firm. This approach has led to multiple investments spanning decades (e.g., reacquiring Precision Products Group in 2020 after initially investing in 1992).
Not a Fit If
OceanM19 typically does NOT invest in:
- Early-stage pre-revenue companies (except select venture capital seedings)
- Businesses outside their target sectors (manufacturing, business services, food)
- Companies requiring significant turnaround or distress situations
- Real estate development projects or passive real estate investments
- Businesses lacking defensible market positions or barriers to entry
Important Disclosure
OceanM19 LLC is an INVESTOR and BUYER of companies, not a sell-side M&A advisor. Business owners seeking to sell their companies should approach OceanM19 as a potential acquirer or capital partner, not as a representative that will shop the business to multiple buyers. The firm does not run formal sell-side processes or represent sellers in finding third-party buyers—they deploy their own capital to acquire control or minority stakes in attractive businesses.