Our Team

Cary Musech, Managing Principal cmusech@tonkabayequity.com (952) 345-2035 Cary was the founder of Tonka Bay’s inaugural private equity fund in 1998. He gained valuable operating experience as the CFO of Wright Products, a leading manufacturer of builder’s hardware. He previously worked in the leveraged and structured finance groups of US Bank and Wells Fargo. He began his career at Ernst & Young and is a CPA. Cary graduated from Saint John’s University and attended the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota.

Peter W. Kooman, Managing Principal pkooman@tonkabayequity.com (952) 345-2022 Peter is the co-founder of Tonka Bay. His operating experience came from managing a portfolio of private companies for the Cargill/MacMillan family office. He previously worked in the leveraged finance and merchant banking groups of US Bank. He began his career at Fleet Bank. Peter is a graduate of Wheaton College, Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, and the American Graduate School of International Management (Thunderbird).

Michael J. Smiggen, Principal msmiggen@tonkabayequity.com (952) 345-2027 Mike has been a member of the Tonka Bay team since 1999. He previously worked in the leveraged finance group of US Bank where he gained expertise in financing management buyouts, acquisitions, and other complex transactions. Mike began his career at Chase Manhattan Bank in New York. He earned a degree in finance and an MBA from the University of Notre Dame.

Stephen B. Soderling, Principal ssoderling@tonkabayequity.com (952) 345-2031 Steve joined Tonka Bay in 2005 after spending seven years on the buyout team of Norwest Equity Partners. At Norwest he was involved in originating and closing management buyout and growth equity investments. He began his career at Arthur Andersen in their economic and financial consulting group. Steve earned a degree in finance from the University of Notre Dame.

Shane D. Slominski, Director sslominski@tonkabayequity.com (952) 345-2032 Shane joined Tonka Bay in 2006. He was previously a manager in the Minneapolis office of Deloitte & Touche, where he worked on financial statement audits, SEC filings, and due diligence projects for his clients. Shane began his career with Arthur Andersen in their audit practice. He earned an accounting degree and a minor in finance from the University of Notre Dame and is a CPA.

Nancy Ortloff, Director of Administration nortloff@tonkabayequity.com (952) 345-2028 Nancy joined Tonka Bay in 1999 and is responsible for general office management and human resources. She was previously with Wells Fargo where she worked in various commercial lending divisions. Nancy brings more than fifteen years of administration, documentation and supervisory experience to Tonka Bay.