Ches Riley is a founder and Managing Director of BlackArch. He has over 20 years of experience in middle-market mergers and acquisitions transactions.

Mr. Riley is co-head of BlackArch's Consumer & Retail practice group, including significant transaction experience in Food, Beverage & Agribusiness, and a wide cross-section of additional industries, including Distribution & Supply Chain Management; Industrial Growth & Diversified Manufacturing; Applied Technology & Digital Media and Real Estate.

Prior to helping found BlackArch, Mr. Riley was a founder of Edgeview Partners and was with First Union Securities Mergers and Acquisitions Group, formerly Bowles Hollowell Conner.

Mr. Riley earned a bachelor of arts degree from Furman University, where he was on the Dean's List. He was a four-year starter on the varsity soccer team, where he received a scholarship and earned all-conference accolades. Mr. Riley received a master's degree in business administration, with a concentration in finance, from the Robinson School of Business of Georgia State University.

He lives with his wife, son, and daughter in Charlotte.