GlobalAutoIndustry.com’s latest Audio Interview “How Do Private Equity Firms Help Their Portfolio Companies Grow Internationally?” with Ron Hesse features Gerald O’Dwyer. Mr. O’Dwyer is Founder and Managing Director of Blackmore Partners, a Chicago-based executive-first private equity family office. He also leads Latin America expansion and strategy.
Gerald is a senior executive, business leader, and strategic advisor with over 25 years of experience across private equity, Fortune 500, family-owned, and venture-backed companies, spanning startup, growth, turnaround, and mature environments. He is recognized as a pioneer at the intersection of private equity and artificial intelligence, building SignalMate™, an AI-driven contextual intelligence system that transforms how executives, investors, and portfolio companies align and scale. His expertise bridges capital markets, deal sourcing, AI-powered decision frameworks, talent acquisition, and change management.
Gerald is a trusted advisor to C-level executives, boards of directors, and operating partners, and he is widely respected for advancing the role of AI in private equity through the Blackmore Connects conference platform—a leading executive-PE community that equips leaders for global expansion, board readiness, and value creation.
Audio Interview Guest:
Mr. Gerald O’Dwyer
Founder & Managing Director, and Managing Director – Latin America
Blackmore Partners LLC
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In the 11-minute Audio Interview, Mr. O’Dwyer discusses these questions:
• Let’s discuss Strategic Intent: From your perspective, what drives private equity firms to pursue international expansion in their portfolio companies, and how does this align with overall value creation strategies?
• RE Market Entry Decisions: How do PE firms evaluate and decide which international markets are most viable for a portfolio company to enter?
• How about Support Mechanisms: What types of resources, expertise, or networks do private equity firms typically provide to help portfolio companies succeed in new international markets?
• What are the Challenges & Risks: In your experience, what are the biggest challenges portfolio companies face when expanding abroad under PE ownership, and how do firms work to mitigate those risks?
• RE Trends & Outlook: Looking ahead, how do you see private equity’s approach to international expansion evolving given shifting global trade, regulatory, and geopolitical dynamics?
• And provides Final Thoughts.
About Gerald O’Dwyer:
Founder & Managing Director, and Managing Director – Latin America, with Blackmore Partners LLC
Gerald is Founder and Managing Director of Blackmore Partners, a Chicago-based executive-first private equity family office. He also leads Latin America expansion and strategy. Gerald is a senior executive, business leader, and strategic advisor with over 25 years of experience across private equity, Fortune 500, family-owned, and venture-backed companies, spanning startup, growth, turnaround, and mature environments.
He is recognized as a pioneer at the intersection of private equity and artificial intelligence, building SignalMate™, an AI-driven contextual intelligence system that transforms how executives, investors, and portfolio companies align and scale. His expertise bridges capital markets, deal sourcing, AI-powered decision frameworks, talent acquisition, and change management.
Gerald is a trusted advisor to C-level executives, boards of directors, and operating partners, and he is widely respected for advancing the role of AI in private equity through the Blackmore Connects conference platform—a leading executive-PE community that equips leaders for global expansion, board readiness, and value creation.