About Us
About ZSP Capital
Our journey into the private equity investment space began in 2009 when we invested in a small bio-tech company called ZS Pharma.
Through our relationship with the Guillem Family Office, based in Dallas, Texas, we were presented with the opportunity to invest in a company founded by Dr. Al Guillem, the co-inventor of Mucinex.
We were open to exploring the opportunity due to the success realized by Dr. Guillem and his investment office. HIs brilliant leadership, vision and experience gave us great confidence. We did what Ralph Waldo Emerson said 150 years ago, 'Hitch your wagon to a star!'
In 2015, ZS Pharma was acquired by Big Pharma company Astra Zeneca for $2.7B. Needless to say, we were extremely excited and were off and running.
Shortly after the ZS Pharma deal closed, Dr. Guillem and his partner, Dr. Jeffrey Keyser(co-inventor of Mucinex) founded a new company, Renibus Therapeutics. We invested in a seed money round into Renibus in February 2016, with a new respect for private equity investing and a high level of confidence in this team.
Over the past eight years, we have been introduced to a small number of exclusive and hand-selected bio techs and have diversified our personal portfolios in the bio pharma space.
Since 2020, we have helped various companies in advancing their therapeutics toward their ultimate goal of approval for commercialization. Building relationships, offering opportunities and expanding our network of potential investors allows us to continue to make a difference in the lives of people in a positive way.
We feel very fortunate to have been associated with this unique and highly successful group over the past 15 years, and now want to assist others with these same opportunities.
The private equity space has opened an entirely new world for us and, while you may have not previously considered private equity or had the chance to invest in it, we would like you to join us in learning more about this exciting arena.
That is our passion and our mission and it's what motivates us every day!
Meet the Team
Winston Hubbard
Founder/Managing Partner
Winston graduated from the University of Georgia in 1990 with a degree in Business.
He moved to Texas shortly thereafter and managed a small company for five years. He then began a 20-year career as a real estate broker and investor, owning his own brokerage and investing in properties in the Dallas/Fort Worth area before moving to Costa Rica for a year.
In 2017, he founded a small electronics company that he currently owns and runs. He is also a partner in a real estate development firm in Orlando, Florida specializing in the construction of luxury homes. Winston was blessed with two amazing daughters. He spends a lot of time with family and friends, working out, reading, hosting a weekly bible study, traveling and studying the private equity investment space.
Erick Barnett
Founder/Managing Partner
When not investing in Real Estate, Oil & Gas, and the Bio-Tech space Erick is the CEO and Founder of Odyssey Staffing, a national medical staffing firm specializing in physicians and CRNAs, since 2005.
Erick graduated from the University of Oklahoma, in 1999, and is a huge fan of all things OU.
Erick and his wife Missy have two wonderful daughters, who are both attending OU, three dogs, and two cats. Erick enjoys spending time with friends and family, running, lifting weights, attending bible study, and traveling.
Jerod McCloud
Managing Member, ZSP Capital
Jerod is a Managing Member for ZSP Capital, where he brings a unique blend of leadership, experience, and dedication to his role. He graduated from the University of Missouri - St. Louis in 1998 with a bachelor’s degree in education and has since spent 27 years making a profound impact in the field of public education.
Currently, Jerod serves as the Director of Athletic Development for Denton ISD, in Denton, TX—a role he has excelled in for the past 10 years.
In addition to his educational career, Jerod is the owner of Anytime Fitness in Denton, where he continues to foster a commitment to health and wellness. He is also an event coordinator and presenter for Boardroom Breakout, working with companies to design and facilitate corporate team-building activities that help improve organizational dynamics and foster collaboration.
Outside of his professional endeavors, Jerod enjoys spending quality time with his three children and three grandchildren. An avid outdoorsman, he finds fulfillment in hunting, fishing, mountain biking, and exercising.
With a passion for development—both personal and professional—Jerod continues to thrive in a variety of roles, constantly looking for new ways to make a difference in his community and beyond.
Matt Helton
Managing Member, ZSP Capital
Matt Helton is a Fort Worth, Texas native and an accomplished entrepreneur and investor. He is a graduate of the University of North Texas, where he earned degrees in History and Business Administration and demonstrated early leadership by leading an international research program in Southeast Asia, focused on International Business and Marketing.
After graduating in 2007, Matt launched his career in the medical device industry, a trajectory that ultimately led him to San Antonio, Texas. There, he founded and scaled a multimillion-dollar medical distribution company, successfully expanding operations across the state of Texas and establishing a strong reputation for execution, growth, and relationship-driven leadership.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Matt is deeply engaged in international travel and strategic investing, with a strong interest in identifying opportunities across multiple industries. He is widely recognized for his ability to build trust, create alignment, and cultivate long-term partnerships.
As a Managing Member of ZSP Capital and a close personal friend of the Gillium family, Matt plays a critical role in capital formation and growth strategy for ZSP’s ventures. His ability to connect with stakeholders and lead with conviction has made him a key driver of the firm’s continued success.
Outside of business, Matt is an avid golfer and enjoys hunting and fishing with family and friends. He resides in San Antonio with his longtime partner, Karleigh, an attorney, and maintains a disciplined focus on excellence in both his professional and personal life.
Chad Shirley
Managing Member, ZSP Capital
Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Chad is a serial entrepreneur and investor who currently manages Sovereign Ventures LLC, a real estate development company. In addition to real estate, he brings over 14 years of experience in crypto investing and fintech operations. Prior to his current ventures, Chad built and led a technology operations consulting practice for 12 years, successfully exiting the business in 2022.
Chad earned his degree in Finance from the University of North Georgia in 1997.
He and his wife, Brandy, are raising their three daughters in the metro Atlanta area. As a family, they love to travel, with Chad’s favorite destination being Rome, Italy — a city he admires for its unparalleled depth of history. Outside of work, Chad enjoys coaching travel softball, building meaningful relationships, hunting, and staying active.
Tony Phansana
Managing Member, Phansana Management | Partner, ZSP Capital
Tony Phansana is a veteran healthcare entrepreneur and private equity manager with 10 years of experience in private equity management and over 25 years of clinical and operational expertise in the surgical field. As the Managing Member of Phansana Management, LLC, and a strategic partner to ZSP Capital, Mr. Phansana specializes in identifying, capitalizing, and scaling high-growth life science and medical technology companies.
Private Equity & Capital Formation (Since 2016) With a decade of dedicated private equity management, Tony has spearheaded strategic oversight and capital-raising efforts for a portfolio of cutting-edge healthcare ventures. His track record includes leading and strategically raising capital for industry leaders such as:
• Renibus Therapeutics
• OncoNano Medicine
• Nanoscope Therapeutics
• Secretome Therapeutics
• CAGE Bio
• DYME Medical
His unique ability to bridge the gap between clinical efficacy and investor value makes him a sought-after partner for growth-stage Biotech and Medtech investments.
Founding & Clinical Leadership A serial entrepreneur, Tony is the Founder of North Texas Surgical Assistants and Operation Billing, where he successfully navigated the complexities of medical staffing and revenue cycle management.
As a licensed surgical assistant with 25 years of hands-on experience, he is recognized as a leader and preceptor in his field. His clinical expertise spans complex specialties, including Trauma surgery, Total Joint Replacements, Sports Medicine, Neurosurgery, Spine surgery, and Reconstructive Plastic Surgeries.
Education & Credentials * Education: University of North Texas; CAAHEP accredited Meridian Institute of Surgical Assisting (in conjunction with Vanderbilt University).
• Certifications: National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA); Licensed through the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners.
• Memberships: Association of Surgical Technologists (AST); Association of Surgical Assistants.
Tony Phansana
Managing Member, Phansana Management | Partner, ZSP Capital
Tony Phansana is a veteran healthcare entrepreneur and private equity manager with 10 years of experience in private equity management and over 25 years of clinical and operational expertise in the surgical field. As the Managing Member of Phansana Management, LLC, and a strategic partner to ZSP Capital, Mr. Phansana specializes in identifying, capitalizing, and scaling high-growth life science and medical technology companies.
Private Equity & Capital Formation (Since 2016) With a decade of dedicated private equity management, Tony has spearheaded strategic oversight and capital-raising efforts for a portfolio of cutting-edge healthcare ventures. His track record includes leading and strategically raising capital for industry leaders such as:
• Renibus Therapeutics
• OncoNano Medicine
• Nanoscope Therapeutics
• Secretome Therapeutics
• CAGE Bio
• DYME Medical
His unique ability to bridge the gap between clinical efficacy and investor value makes him a sought-after partner for growth-stage Biotech and Medtech investments.
Founding & Clinical Leadership A serial entrepreneur, Tony is the Founder of North Texas Surgical Assistants and Operation Billing, where he successfully navigated the complexities of medical staffing and revenue cycle management.
As a licensed surgical assistant with 25 years of hands-on experience, he is recognized as a leader and preceptor in his field. His clinical expertise spans complex specialties, including Trauma surgery, Total Joint Replacements, Sports Medicine, Neurosurgery, Spine surgery, and Reconstructive Plastic Surgeries.
Education & Credentials * Education: University of North Texas; CAAHEP accredited Meridian Institute of Surgical Assisting (in conjunction with Vanderbilt University).
• Certifications: National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA); Licensed through the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners.
• Memberships: Association of Surgical Technologists (AST); Association of Surgical Assistants.
About ZSP Capital
Our journey into the private equity investment space began in 2009 when we invested in a small bio-tech company called ZS Pharma.
Through our relationship with the Guillem Family Office, based in Dallas, Texas, we were presented with the opportunity to invest in a company founded by Dr. Al Guillem, the co-inventor of Mucinex.
We were open to exploring the opportunity due to the success realized by Dr. Guillem and his investment office. HIs brilliant leadership, vision and experience gave us great confidence. We did what Ralph Waldo Emerson said 150 years ago, 'Hitch your wagon to a star!'
In 2015, ZS Pharma was acquired by Big Pharma company Astra Zeneca for $2.7B. Needless to say, we were extremely excited and were off and running.
Shortly after the ZS Pharma deal closed, Dr. Guillem and his partner, Dr. Jeffrey Keyser(co-inventor of Mucinex) founded a new company, Renibus Therapeutics. We invested in a seed money round into Renibus in February 2016, with a new respect for private equity investing and a high level of confidence in this team.
Over the past eight years, we have been introduced to a small number of exclusive and hand-selected bio techs and have diversified our personal portfolios in the bio pharma space.
Since 2020, we have helped various companies in advancing their therapeutics toward their ultimate goal of approval for commercialization. Building relationships, offering opportunities and expanding our network of potential investors allows us to continue to make a difference in the lives of people in a positive way.
We feel very fortunate to have been associated with this unique and highly successful group over the past 15 years, and now want to assist others with these same opportunities.
The private equity space has opened an entirely new world for us and, while you may have not previously considered private equity or had the chance to invest in it, we would like you to join us in learning more about this exciting arena.
That is our passion and our mission and it's what motivates us every day!
Meet the Team
Winston Hubbard
Founder/Managing Partner
Winston graduated from the University of Georgia in 1990 with a degree in Business.
He moved to Texas shortly thereafter and managed a small company for five years. He then began a 20-year career as a real estate broker and investor, owning his own brokerage and investing in properties in the Dallas/Fort Worth area before moving to Costa Rica for a year.
In 2017, he founded a small electronics company that he currently owns and runs. He is also a partner in a real estate development firm in Orlando, Florida specializing in the construction of luxury homes. Winston was blessed with two amazing daughters. He spends a lot of time with family and friends, working out, reading, hosting a weekly bible study, traveling and studying the private equity investment space.
Erick Barnett
Founder/Managing Partner
When not investing in Real Estate, Oil & Gas, and the Bio-Tech space Erick is the CEO and Founder of Odyssey Staffing, a national medical staffing firm specializing in physicians and CRNAs, since 2005.
Erick graduated from the University of Oklahoma, in 1999, and is a huge fan of all things OU.
Erick and his wife Missy have two wonderful daughters, who are both attending OU, three dogs, and two cats. Erick enjoys spending time with friends and family, running, lifting weights, attending bible study, and traveling.
Jerod McCloud
Managing Member, ZSP Capital
Jerod is a Managing Member for ZSP Capital, where he brings a unique blend of leadership, experience, and dedication to his role. He graduated from the University of Missouri - St. Louis in 1998 with a bachelor’s degree in education and has since spent 27 years making a profound impact in the field of public education.
Currently, Jerod serves as the Director of Athletic Development for Denton ISD, in Denton, TX—a role he has excelled in for the past 10 years.
In addition to his educational career, Jerod is the owner of Anytime Fitness in Denton, where he continues to foster a commitment to health and wellness. He is also an event coordinator and presenter for Boardroom Breakout, working with companies to design and facilitate corporate team-building activities that help improve organizational dynamics and foster collaboration.
Outside of his professional endeavors, Jerod enjoys spending quality time with his three children and three grandchildren. An avid outdoorsman, he finds fulfillment in hunting, fishing, mountain biking, and exercising.
With a passion for development—both personal and professional—Jerod continues to thrive in a variety of roles, constantly looking for new ways to make a difference in his community and beyond.
Matt Helton
Managing Member, ZSP Capital
Matt Helton is a Fort Worth, Texas native and an accomplished entrepreneur and investor. He is a graduate of the University of North Texas, where he earned degrees in History and Business Administration and demonstrated early leadership by leading an international research program in Southeast Asia, focused on International Business and Marketing.
After graduating in 2007, Matt launched his career in the medical device industry, a trajectory that ultimately led him to San Antonio, Texas. There, he founded and scaled a multimillion-dollar medical distribution company, successfully expanding operations across the state of Texas and establishing a strong reputation for execution, growth, and relationship-driven leadership.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Matt is deeply engaged in international travel and strategic investing, with a strong interest in identifying opportunities across multiple industries. He is widely recognized for his ability to build trust, create alignment, and cultivate long-term partnerships.
As a Managing Member of ZSP Capital and a close personal friend of the Gillium family, Matt plays a critical role in capital formation and growth strategy for ZSP’s ventures. His ability to connect with stakeholders and lead with conviction has made him a key driver of the firm’s continued success.
Outside of business, Matt is an avid golfer and enjoys hunting and fishing with family and friends. He resides in San Antonio with his longtime partner, Karleigh, an attorney, and maintains a disciplined focus on excellence in both his professional and personal life.
Chad Shirley
Managing Member, ZSP Capital
Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Chad is a serial entrepreneur and investor who currently manages Sovereign Ventures LLC, a real estate development company. In addition to real estate, he brings over 14 years of experience in crypto investing and fintech operations. Prior to his current ventures, Chad built and led a technology operations consulting practice for 12 years, successfully exiting the business in 2022.
Chad earned his degree in Finance from the University of North Georgia in 1997.
He and his wife, Brandy, are raising their three daughters in the metro Atlanta area. As a family, they love to travel, with Chad’s favorite destination being Rome, Italy — a city he admires for its unparalleled depth of history. Outside of work, Chad enjoys coaching travel softball, building meaningful relationships, hunting, and staying active.
Tony Phansana
Managing Member, Phansana Management | Partner, ZSP Capital
Tony Phansana is a veteran healthcare entrepreneur and private equity manager with 10 years of experience in private equity management and over 25 years of clinical and operational expertise in the surgical field. As the Managing Member of Phansana Management, LLC, and a strategic partner to ZSP Capital, Mr. Phansana specializes in identifying, capitalizing, and scaling high-growth life science and medical technology companies.
Private Equity & Capital Formation (Since 2016) With a decade of dedicated private equity management, Tony has spearheaded strategic oversight and capital-raising efforts for a portfolio of cutting-edge healthcare ventures. His track record includes leading and strategically raising capital for industry leaders such as:
• Renibus Therapeutics
• OncoNano Medicine
• Nanoscope Therapeutics
• Secretome Therapeutics
• CAGE Bio
• DYME Medical
His unique ability to bridge the gap between clinical efficacy and investor value makes him a sought-after partner for growth-stage Biotech and Medtech investments.
Founding & Clinical Leadership A serial entrepreneur, Tony is the Founder of North Texas Surgical Assistants and Operation Billing, where he successfully navigated the complexities of medical staffing and revenue cycle management.
As a licensed surgical assistant with 25 years of hands-on experience, he is recognized as a leader and preceptor in his field. His clinical expertise spans complex specialties, including Trauma surgery, Total Joint Replacements, Sports Medicine, Neurosurgery, Spine surgery, and Reconstructive Plastic Surgeries.
Education & Credentials * Education: University of North Texas; CAAHEP accredited Meridian Institute of Surgical Assisting (in conjunction with Vanderbilt University).
• Certifications: National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA); Licensed through the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners.
• Memberships: Association of Surgical Technologists (AST); Association of Surgical Assistants.
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The information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer, solicitation, or recommendation to sell or an offer to buy any securities or investment products or services. In making any investment decision, investors should rely solely on information contained in the offering materials (such as the private placement memorandum or other disclosure document(s) and related subscription documents) for the relevant investment and any related periodic reports related thereto. Offers and sales of any securities may only be made in those jurisdictions permitted by law and only to certain eligible investors pursuant to the relevant offering materials and related subscription documents prepared by the offeror of such securities. Such offering materials contain more complete information on the applicable issuer, fund, or securities, including fees, conflicts of interest, and risk factors. You should read all offering materials carefully before making any investment decision. Prospective investors must make an independent assessment of such matters in consultation with their own professional advisors. Nothing on this Website should be construed as investment, legal, tax, regulatory, or accounting advice. ZSP Group, LLC is not an investment advisor and does not provide financial advice or management services. ZSP Capital is not a broker-dealer and does not provide any brokerage-related services. ZSP Group, LLC solely provides administration services with respect to the required documentation for collective investments in privately held companies engaged in private offerings. All potential investors must be “accredited investors” as defined under Regulation D of the Securities Act of 1933.