People

Experienced advisors with operating, investment banking and infrastructure backgrounds.

Dale McIvor

Founding Partner

Deep background in digital infrastructure and software development, including electrical engineering and programming roles within the National Security Agency, strategic consulting experience with the Boston Consulting Group and multiple M&A lead executive positions at publicly traded technology companies. Founded and led Southport Partners to become a trusted financial advisor to leading companies including IBM, GE, Siemens, Plessey, Gillette and McDonald’s Corporation. Two engineering degrees and an MBA from Harvard.

Katherine Watts

Founding Partner

Investment banking professional with big-bank and technology boutique experience, as well as a lead M&A executive role at a publicly traded investment conglomerate. Co-Founder of Southport Partners. Principal, M&A, L. F. Rothschild, Unterberg, Towbin. Manager, M&A and Planning for Norton Simon Inc. Merrill Lynch, Corporate Finance and Securities Research. B.A. Economics, summa cum laude, Washington University; MBA, New York University.

William McIvor

Managing Partner

A clean energy technology and infrastructure finance professional with development, investment and banking experience. Joined Southport Partners in 2025, representing a new generation of leadership for the firm. Led project financing for energy storage technologies at Arevon Energy, with investment roles at Industrial Development Funding and M&A and Project Finance roles at HSBC and Morgan Stanley. B.A. Environmental Economics, Hamilton College.

David Baskerville

Senior Advisor

Represents Southport Partners’ interests in Asia, especially Japan. Speaks fluent Japanese, is a member of Keizai Doyukai, and was only the second foreigner to serve on its Board of Trustees. Worked in Japan for over thirty years for Weyerhaeuser and then Seicor. Holds three Masters degrees, including an MBA from Harvard Business School.

A.D. Mayes

London Affiliate

Represents Southport Partners in Europe, especially the U.K. Retired Board member of Plessey Company PLC, a London-based technology company traded on the London Stock Exchange and the NYSE, responsible for corporate development activities.

Todd Becker

Telecom Affiliate

Building successful technology businesses for over twenty years. Successful venture investor, entrepreneur, management executive, technologist, and board member. Experienced management consultant and advisor serving clients in media technology and telecommunications. Advanced degrees in engineering and business from M.I.T.

Katherine Elizabeth

Vice President

Investment and management consulting background with institutional investors and alternative asset managers. Data systems technology analyst at key research facilities. B.A. Linguistics, Washington University.