About Us
Meet the Team
David Mann
David’s background includes leadership, operations, entrepreneurship, and investment experience. Prior to co-founding The Firefly Group, David co-founded Spring Mill Venture Partners, a venture capital firm. Previously, he worked with ServiceMaster Ventures and served as a founding member of the ServiceMaster Home Service Center, a joint venture between Kleiner Perkins and ServiceMaster. David began his career as an officer in the U.S. Navy. He serves on a number of non-profit boards and is an adjunct faculty member at Indiana University, Kelley School of Business (Indianapolis).
Education:
MBA, Harvard Business School
BS, U.S. Naval Academy
dmann@thefireflygrp.com
317-306-9792
Indianapolis Office
Derrick Smith
Derrick’s background includes entrepreneurship, leadership, operations, and investment experience. Prior to co-founding The Firefly Group, Derrick led the launch of a family office where he served as the Managing Director. In this role, he led a team focused on acquiring and operating lower-middle market businesses in the Midwest. Derrick began his career with CHV Capital, the healthcare venture capital arm of Indiana University Health. While at CHV Capital, Derrick helped start and lead Indiana University Health’s international management company. He also serves as an executive business advisor at Rise Sports Advisors.
Education:
MBA, Indiana University
BA, Indiana University
dsmith@thefireflygrp.com
(317) 358-6483
Indianapolis Office
Mark Sneider
Mark’s background includes principal investing, management consulting, entrepreneurship, and investment banking experience. Prior to co-founding The Firefly Group, Mark worked in venture capital and private equity at Oak Investment Partners and Roark Capital Group. Previously, he served as a management consultant with McKinsey & Co. Mark began his career as an investment banking analyst at Goldman Sachs & Co. and as a senior executive of a start-up restaurant and entertainment venture.
Education:
MBA, Harvard Business School
AB, Harvard College
msneider@thefireflygrp.com
(314) 255-5416
St. Louis Office
Advisor
Drew McCuiston
Indianapolis Office
Drew’s background includes private equity, corporate development, investment banking, executive leadership, and public sector experiences. Drew currently serves as a Director at Periculum Capital, a leading investment and merchant bank serving the middle and lower middle market. Previously, Drew was the CFO at EOS Worldwide, a partner company of The Firefly Group. He also was a co-founder of The Firefly Group. Earlier in his career, Drew led deal origination and transaction services for a family office and worked in corporate development roles at Indiana University Health. Drew began his career serving in Indiana’s Office of Management and Budget during the administration of former Governor Mitch Daniels.
Our Story
Why did we choose the name Firefly?
Several reasons. First, we enjoy eating at the Firefly Grill in Effingham, Illinois, a regular meeting place for us conveniently located between St. Louis and Indianapolis. The food is terrific! (http://www.ffgrill.com/). Second, fireflies evoke fond summertime memories of exploration and fascination from our childhood. Third, with their bioluminescence, fireflies light the way in the evening and light signifies warmth, compassion, insight, and hope – characteristics we strive to demonstrate.