Our Team
Veterans leading veteran families into business ownership.
Leadership Team
Three principals united by service, driven by mission, and committed to changing veteran family trees.
Jonathan Bates
Founder & CEO
Jonathan served 26 years in the U.S. Navy as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) officer. After retiring as a Lieutenant, he built over 16 years of experience in private equity and mergers & acquisitions. Jonathan founded PGC to combine his passion for veteran empowerment with his expertise in acquiring and scaling lower middle-market businesses.
Zack Knight
Principal & Chief Impact Officer
Zack is a U.S. Army combat veteran and the founder of ATL Vets (Atlanta Veterans), PGC's strategic training and recruitment partner. An award-winning speaker and published author, Zack leads PGC's veteran operator pipeline — identifying, training, and preparing the next generation of veteran business owners through ATL Vets' proven programs.
Jeff Barnes
Principal & Chief Investment Officer
Jeff served in the U.S. Navy's submarine fleet before building a distinguished career in capital formation and investment management. As CEO of Angel Investors Network, Jeff brings deep expertise in structuring deals, raising capital, and building investor relationships. He oversees PGC's financial strategy, capital allocation, and investor relations.
Jayson Potts
Principal & Chief Operating Officer
A transformational executive leader with over two decades of experience building, scaling, and repositioning enterprises for growth and strategic exit. Jayson brings private-equity discipline, hands-on operational mastery, and proven M&A expertise across energy, logistics, manufacturing, construction, healthcare, and technology sectors. His track record includes 20+ acquisitions totaling $6B+ in transaction value, enterprise transformations delivering 200% revenue growth, and operational infrastructure supporting IPOs, strategic exits, and sustained value creation.
Our Core Values
Three pillars that guide every decision we make.
Deep Relationships
We build trust-based partnerships with sellers, veterans, investors, and communities. Every deal starts with a relationship.
Doing Well by Doing Good
Financial performance and social impact aren't competing goals — they reinforce each other. We prove it with every acquisition.
A-Players Only
We recruit the top 1% of veteran talent and surround them with world-class mentors, advisors, and operators. Excellence is non-negotiable.
Ready to Join the Mission?
Whether you're an investor, veteran family, or business owner — there's a place for you at Patriot Growth Capital.