Our Companies
500+ EMployees | 25 Locations
Thermo Systems is a global, full-service automation and control systems integrator serving customers in high-cost-of-failure environments, including data centers, district energy, and life sciences end markets. The company partners with mission-critical operators to design, implement, and support complex automation solutions where reliability, precision, and uptime are essential.
Founded in 1998 by David Musto and Greg Smith, Thermo Systems has grown from a two-person startup into an international industry leader with more than 500 employees operating across four countries. From its earliest days, the company was built around empowering technical leaders, fostering a strong team culture, and delivering best-in-class service to customers. In 2022, Thermo Systems partnered with Carlson Private Capital to support founder David Musto’s vision of Empowering the Next Generation of leaders at Thermo. The partnership enabled the founders to transition out of day-to-day operations while positioning the next generation of leadership to guide the business forward. As part of this transition, David appointed longtime Thermo employee Eric Silk, who began his career at the company as a junior engineer, to Chief Executive Officer in 2023. Under new leadership and with the support of Mason Point and Carlson Private Capital, Thermo Systems has continued to invest in its people, professionalize its operations, and strengthen the foundation for long-term scalable growth. Today, Mason Point remains an active owner and partner to Thermo Systems. David continues to serve on the company’s board, providing strategic guidance and mentorship to the leadership team as the organization builds on its strong legacy and pursues future growth opportunities.
"I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with Dave and the Mason Point team, and the experience has been outstanding. Dave brings a rare combination of strategic insight and partnership to every engagement. Management teams are fully empowered while benefiting from thoughtful guidance and perspective, creating the conditions for effective growth and long-term success. Dave's experience leading businesses gives him a unique perspective to be a true value added partner who's deeply invested in lasting results."
-Eric Silk, CEO, Thermo Systems LLC
130+ Employees | 131,000+ Sq FT Facility
Independence Premium Foods is a USDA-licensed premium food co-manufacturer in Independence, Iowa. IPF produces human-grade food products for brand partners that require USDA certification and legally defensible quality claims. With 200M+ lbs of annual capacity and a ~131,000 sq ft facility, IPF is built for brands ready to scale.
IPF was founded in 2023 by Chafia Capital in partnership with Mason Point LLC to bring jobs back to Independence, IA. When the facility was closed by General Mills and more than 200 local employees were laid off, the partners stepped in to restart the facility. The vision was clear: Empower a handful of motivated junior managers to restart the facility, provide coaching and financial backing, and build a best-in-class co-manufacturing company serving the human grade pet food market. Today, IPF operates a 131,000+ square-foot manufacturing facility and employs more than 130 local individuals. Located in Independence, Iowa, the company takes pride in fostering the growth of the local communities it serves while building lasting partnerships with leading pet food companies. Since inception, Mason Point has been actively involved in the development of IPF, making significant investments to revitalize the facility, build a strong leadership team, and empower the next generation of leaders as vested stockholders guiding their own future.
"I was recruited by David to step in and lead IPF as they transitioned from a start up to a scaling operation. David actively practices what he preaches around empowering leaders. He is engaging and supportive, but proactively provides us the space to steer the business and execute on our own ideas. As a CEO that reports to the board, I can say that David brings a refreshing and rewarding approach to board leadership."