FOREST, VA.—NanoTouch Materials, a leading provider of self-cleaning surfaces that transform dirty, high-traffic touchpoints into continuously self-cleaning surfaces, announced that John Harris, former Carlyle Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer, has joined the firm as an investor and senior advisor.
From 1997 to 2007, Harris served as Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer at Carlyle, a global private equity firm based in Washington, D.C., that currently manages more than $200 billion in assets. A partner of the firm and member of the firm’s Management Committee and Operating Committee, he also served as Managing Director and Senior Advisor from 2008 to 2011. Harris was responsible for assisting in the raising of tens of billions of dollars of capital for Carlyle’s private equity funds, establishing reporting systems and internal controls and maintaining the firm’s SEC compliance.
“We can’t emphasize enough how much John’s vision and expertise has helped guide our firm as we bring our proven technology to more and more customers all over the world,” said Dennis Hackemeyer, co-founder of NanoTouch Materials. “His track record speaks for itself, and his insights will be a tremendous asset for our growth as cleanliness and hygiene are more of a concern now than ever.”
Added Harris, “While the technology behind the self-cleaning surfaces is intriguing, the fact that these are very practical products that a wide variety of industries were using even before the pandemic really appealed to me. It told me that these are products that work and are ubiquitous. I’m impressed with what NanoTouch Materials has accomplished and excited for the many opportunities that lie ahead.”
Continuously Self-Cleaning Surfaces
NanoTouch Materials, founded in 2012, invented and produces a line of pioneering self-cleaning surfaces—NanoSeptic Self-Cleaning Surfaces—that are used in medical, hospitality, healthcare, corporate, sports, education, commercial cleaning and facility management, across the globe. The non-toxic surfaces turn dirty, high-traffic touchpoints into continuously self-cleaning surfaces by using nanocrystal technology that creates a powerful oxidation when exposed to any visible light.
“As operations manager during these crazy times, John’s help with our rapid growth has been immeasurable,” said Mark Sisson, co-founder of NanoTouch Materials. “Having an experienced finance and private equity professional on the team has helped us to strategically grow the business, spending millions of dollars to double the size of our manufacturing facility and create custom automation equipment.”
Before arriving at Carlyle, Harris served as a Vice President at Golub Capital and a Senior Manager at Arthur Andersen. In addition, he served on the board for global educational travel company, WorldStrides, and is an investor and Board Observer for Locus Health, a health care firm that focuses on remote patient monitoring.
Harris has served as a Board Member and Past Chairman of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Virginia, the University of Virginia Alumni Assn. and The Barker Adoption Foundation, as a Trustee and Finance Chairman of the Jefferson Trust and as an advisory board member of the Virginia Film Festival.
