Episode DescriptionMary Rachide, Operating Partner at ICV Partners, and Bob Hund, Operating Partner at Iridium, join Sean Mooney, Lloyd Metz, and Doug McCormick to explain how operating executives help turn private equity value creation plans into results. They discuss how operating partners engage in diligence, align with founders and deal teams, and support portfolio companies through execution without losing trust. The conversation also covers process discipline, management assessment, stakeholder alignment, and the art of knowing when to coach versus when to push. This is a practical look at how modern private equity firms build better businesses—hit play.Episode Highlights1:52 - Mary Rachide’s path from McKinsey and executive roles into PE operations3:33 - Bob Hund’s engineering, manufacturing, and process background before Iridium6:45 - How operating partners support diligence, strategy, and execution9:59 - Aligning founders and investors around realistic value creation plans18:52 - Using process assessments to identify risk and unlock improvement opportunities26:50 - Mary’s “glue, grease, grit, and glitter” framework for operating partner impact41:06 - Why the best operating executives take joy in helping others succeedFor more information on the podcast, visit bestbutneverfinal.buzzsprout.com and embark on your journey to private equity excellence today.Visit us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-but-never-final-podcast/Visit us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/bestbutneverfinal/For information on Oridian Capital Partners, go to https://oridiancapital.com/For information on ICV Partners, go to https://www.icvpartners.comFor information on BluWave, go to https://www.bluwave.net

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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