John J. Darguzas

John J. Darguzas, Principal, joined Merit in 2018. From 2011 to 2018, John was a Vice President at Antares Capital Sponsor Finance Group in Chicago. At Antares John worked on the Underwriting Team evaluating senior debt investment opportunities across a broad range of industries, on the Originations Team reviewing new investment opportunities and on the Credit Advisory Team working on troubled loans all while maintaining an active role in helping establish Antares as a standalone company after it was spun out of GE Capital. While attending Kellogg part time from 2012 to 2014, John founded MyMenu, an app based platform that helps people with food allergies find restaurants that meet their dining requirements. From 2005 to 2011, John was a Director in KPMG’s Transaction Service Group, overseeing financial buy-side due diligence of middle market acquisitions for private equity clients.

John Received an M.B.A. from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management in 2012 with concentrations in Marketing and Entrepreneurship. In 2005, he received a B.S. from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business with concentrations in Accounting and Finance. John is a registered CPA.

John is actively involved with Engendren, Manitowoc Tool & Machining, MicroPrecision, LLC, Revision Military, LTD and U.S. Minerals.