Rob has over 25 years experience in private equity, real estate, and public equity fund-raising. Prior to joining O2, he was with CleanBridge, a capital placement services firm. Before joining CleanBridge, Rob was Managing Director and co-head of Investor Relations at Levine Leichtman Capital Partners for three years. Preceding that, he spent 6 years with H.I.G. Capital where he was instrumental in raising capital for both flagship and first-time funds – including lower middle market and middle market buyout funds in the U.S. and Europe, real estate, distressed debt, and growth equity. Prior to H.I.G., Mr. Hays spent 12 years with Franklin Templeton Investments in a variety of strategic, management, and capital-raising roles.

He holds an MBA from the Darden School at the University of Virginia, a BBA degree in Computer Information Systems from James Madison University and is a CFA charterholder.