Our People

For us, it’s all about forming exceptional partnerships. That begins with the talent we bring to the table – a team with significant experience and expertise spanning every stage and discipline of the brand growth journey.

Brian France

Founder & Brand Visionary

Brian France is a business leader and executive with more than 20 years of experience in the motorsports industry.

A member of the NASCAR-founding France family, he has dedicated much of his professional career to NASCAR, helping establish the company as a leader in the sports entertainment industry. During his 15 years as Chairman and CEO, Brian revolutionized NASCAR’s marketing, enacted the sport’s most extensive safety standards, introduced the largest sustainability program in U.S. sports, grew diversity efforts within the industry and expanded NASCAR’s philanthropic involvement. Along with his pursuit of excellence for NASCAR, Brian has championed entrepreneurs across an array of industries as an investor, partner and mentor.

He has been recognized for his professional achievements by publications including Sports Business Daily and AdAge. In 2006, TIME Magazine named him one of the 100 Most Influential People in America. In 2007, he was inducted into the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame.

In addition to his business leadership experience, Brian has partnered with many non-profit organizations through his work with the NASCAR Foundation and his two foundations, The Luke and Meadow Foundation and The Amy and Brian France Foundation.

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Experience

  • Sports Entertainment
  • Marketing
  • Sustainability
  • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Austin Tate

Managing Partner

Austin Tate brings over 15 years of sales, marketing, operations and executive management experience to Silver Falcon Capital, where he oversees all aspects of company business.

He joined NASCAR in 2007, serving in operational leadership roles in the Licensing, International, and Racing Operations Divisions. He has been advising the France Family on their non-motorsports portfolio companies since 2011.

Austin began his career at General Electric in the Commercial Leadership Program and later as a National Account Manager in the Advanced Materials Division. He speaks English, Spanish, and Portuguese, and is a Certified Global Business Professional by the National Association of Small Business Trade Educators.

A graduate of the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, Austin holds a B.S. in International Politics and lives in Charlotte, North Carolina with his wife and three young children. He is an avid soccer player, Tarheels/Hoyas fan, toddler wrangler, and global traveler, always searching for the next great adventure.

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Experience

  • Finance & Investment
  • Operational Leadership
  • Executive Management
  • Sales & Marketing

Paul Funkhouser

Vice President

Paul Funkhouser’s broad skill set and array of complementary experience drives much of the behind-the-scenes success of Silver Falcon Capital’s partner brands.

Prior to joining SFC, Paul worked in the Consumer and Retail Investment Banking group at both Houlihan Lokey in New York and Piper Sandler in San Francisco, where he focused on sell-side M&A transactions.

Paul made the transition to investment banking after working as a market development manager at AtriCure, Inc., an innovative medical device company, and as a tax associate in Ernst and Young’s Asset Management Tax Group.

Paul holds a B.A. in History from the University of Virginia, an M.S. in Management from Wake Forest University, as well as an M.S. in Accounting and an MBA from Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. When he’s not working, hiking or playing golf, you can probably find Paul watching college basketball or college football. He lives in Charlotte, NC with his wife.

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Experience

  • Investment Banking
  • Market Development
  • Tax Accounting

Katie McKay

Director of Brand Development

Katie McKay brings deep expertise having worked for one of the most enduring and recognizable brands on the planet, Coca-Cola, in brand development and marketing across the iconic beverage company’s ecosystem.

She began by innovating and scaling challenger brands in Coca-Cola Consolidated’s beverage incubation subsidiary. After The Coca-Cola Company bought the subsidiary, Katie led the brand integration into the Coca-Cola system. She then joined Coke’s Venturing and Emerging Brands (VEB) group to develop and incubate new beverage brands to fill whitespace opportunities.

Katie brings additional experience and perspective to Silver Falcon Capital from a variety of roles at marketing, media, and e-commerce companies.

Katie holds a B.A in Communications from Wake Forest University and lives in Charlotte, North Carolina with her husband.

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Experience

  • Brand Development & Integration
  • Brand Incubation & Innovation
  • Strategic Marketing

Angelique Carreon

Executive Assistant & Office Manager

Angelique Carreon is an operational expert, providing executive support as well as administration and office management for the Silver Falcon team from the SFC headquarters in Charlotte, NC.

Angelique joined Silver Falcon Capital after leading efforts to increase efficiency, improve prioritization and streamline administrative operations for executive leadership teams at Deutsche Bank, Sony and Sapient Razorfish. A certified ESL instructor, she also taught Business English in San Francisco for two years.

Angelique earned a B.A. in English and Political Science from the University of Southern Mississippi. She enjoys working as an English tutor when she’s not spending time with her husband and two young children.

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Experience

  • Executive Leadership Support
  • Administrative Operations
  • Office Management

How We
Add Value

Brand Strategy. Innovation. Leadership. Capital.

We bring uncommonly keen insight and expertise to all facets of your business as you grow, adding value to your brand without diluting your voice or compromising your vision.

Our APPROACH