OUR TEAM | Fortis

Meet Our Team

Behind Fortis is a team of experienced professionals with a shared commitment to precision, relationships, and results. We bring decades of expertise in private equity, M&A advisory, and deal origination — united by a passion for helping our clients win.

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Meet the Team

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Founder- Managing Partner

Blake Collins

Blake is the co founder and managing partner of Fortis, where he leads client engagement and drives proprietary deal sourcing through the firm’s DealForge platform. With a career spanning strategic advisory, private equity sourcing, and high-net-worth client solutions, he has executed middle-market transactions across agriculture, waste management, logistics, manufacturing, business services, and finance & insurance.

Previously, Blake served in advisory roles at Merrill Lynch, Bank of America, and MML Investor Services before founding Collins Capital and contributing to Bright Path Ventures. Known for his disciplined, relationship-driven approach, he combines Midwestern discipline with Wall Street acumen to uncover high-alignment, off-market opportunities for private equity firms, independent sponsors, and family offices.

Blake is a graduate of the Foster College of Business and holds a Certificate in Private Equity from the Wharton School of Business. Based in Indianapolis, he brings sharp sector expertise and hands-on execution to every engagement.

Co- Founder- Partner

Bernard Reed

Bernard is the Co Founder of Fortis and brings 15+ years advising ultra-high-net-worth and high-net-worth clients while leading wealth management teams. Participated in $400M of EV in business transitions. Former VP/Director at Charles Schwab, Regions Bank, KeyBank, and BMO Harris Bank; founder of a successful RIA. Kelley School of Business graduate with a Certificate in Private Equity from Wharton.

Managing Director

Kyle Mugica

Kyle brings nearly a decade of experience in M&A business development, with a focus on sourcing, cultivating, and executing strategic partnerships. Over his career, he has built a strong track record of identifying high‑fit opportunities and fostering relationships that create long‑term value.

At Fortis, Kyle leads a team in designing and executing targeted sourcing strategies while also driving engagements directly with private equity clients. His blend of disciplined execution, market insight, and relationship‑driven approach enables Fortis to uncover proprietary, high‑alignment opportunities in competitive markets.

Based in the Los Angeles area, Kyle combines strategic vision with hands‑on execution, ensuring both his team and his clients achieve exceptional results.