Kevin Charlton
Kevin Charlton is the Chief Executive Officer of NHIC II, the fifth SPAC in which he has held a leadership role. He was the CEO of NHIC I, which completed its business combination with Evolv Technology (NASDAQ: EVLV) in August 2021, and continues to serve on the EVLV Board. Prior to NHIC, Mr. Charlton served in leadership roles at three SPACs: Hennessy Capital I, Hennessy Capital II, and Hennessy Capital III. From January 2014 through February 2015, Mr. Charlton was the President and Chief Operating Officer of Hennessy Capital Acquisition Corp., a $115 million NASDAQ-listed SPAC that merged with the school bus manufacturer Blue Bird Corporation (NASDAQ: BLBD). From July 2015 through February 2017, he served as President, Chief Operating Officer and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Hennessy Capital Acquisition Corp. II, a $200 million NASDAQ-listed SPAC that merged with Daseke, Inc. (NASDAQ: DSKE), in February 2017. From July 2017 through October 2019, Mr. Charlton served as President, Chief Operating Officer and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Hennessy Capital Acquisition Corp. III, a $275 million NYSE-listed SPAC that merged with NRC Group (NYSE: NRCG) in October 2018.
In addition to EVLV, Mr. Charlton is a member of the Boards of Spirit Realty Capital (NYSE: SRC), a triple net commercial REIT that he took public in 2012. NHIC II is affiliated with NewHold Enterprises, an investor in private industrial companies that Mr. Charlton co-founded in 2017. He is on the Boards of three portfolio companies of NewHold Enterprises: American AllWaste, F&S Tools, and Macro Energy.
Prior to NewHold, Mr. Charlton was with JPMorgan (NYSE: JPM), Investcorp, and Macquarie (ASX: MQG). Mr. Charlton has served on more than 25 Boards of Directors in all relevant roles, and in almost all cases as Chairman or Lead Director on behalf of the majority owner. Prior to his career in private equity, Mr. Charlton was with McKinsey and Company in New York and NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. Mr. Charlton received his Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering cum laude from Princeton University in 1988, his Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering with Distinction from the University of Michigan in 1990, and his Master of Business Administration with Honors from the Kellogg School at Northwestern University in 1995.