Who We Are
Our Values
Customer-Centric Approach: Our organization places the customer at the heart of everything we do, ensuring their needs, satisfaction, and feedback are our top priorities.
Continuous Improvement: We are committed to ongoing learning and enhancement, constantly seeking ways to innovate, streamline processes, and deliver even better service.
Transparency and Trust: Building trust through open communication, transparency in operations, and accountability is fundamental to our values.
Team Collaboration: Collaboration and teamwork are key drivers of our success, fostering an environment where diverse perspectives and skills combine to achieve excellence.
Adaptability and Resilience: We thrive in an ever-changing landscape, embracing change and demonstrating resilience in the face of challenges, ensuring we remain agile and effective.
Our Team
Ray Bednar
Founder and Partner
With over four decades of leadership experience, Raymond Bednar has built a career rooted in service, strategy, and impact. Beginning his journey at the United States Military Academy at West Point and as a cavalry officer, he developed a deep commitment to excellence, leading teams through complex challenges and fostering collaboration under high-stakes conditions. Transitioning to the private sector after attending Harvard Business School, Raymond applied this disciplined approach to executive leadership, strategic consulting, and business development.
His expertise spans market research, brand positioning, marketing ROI and government contracting, where he has advised organizations on data-driven decision-making, optimizing brand architecture, and navigating public-sector opportunities. A mentor to future leaders and an advocate for mission-driven businesses, Raymond remains committed to delivering transformative strategies that drive measurable success.
Matt Bednar
Partner
Matt Bednar brings a powerful combination of military discipline, financial expertise, and strategic brand insight to Blackhorse Management. A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, he honed his leadership skills as a U.S. Army Artillery Officer before earning an MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management.
With a background in investment banking, marketing strategy, and business development, Matt has worked with leading firms to analyze market trends, structure high-impact deals, and build compelling brand strategies. His ability to synthesize financial and market data into actionable insights makes him an invaluable resource for businesses looking to optimize brand positioning, develop NIL strategies, and capitalize on government contracting opportunities.
Doug Ausenbaugh
Partner
A strategic thinker and problem-solver, Doug Ausenbaugh combines military leadership experience with top-tier business acumen and experience. As a graduate of United States Military Academy at West Point and the Kellogg School of Management, Doug developed a passion for helping organizations unlock growth through market intelligence, strategic brand development, and operational excellence.
After serving eight years as an infantry officer—including three combat deployments—he transitioned to consulting at McKinsey & Company and later to private equity at Vista Equity Partners. In these roles, Doug worked closely with Fortune 500 companies and government agencies to tackle complex strategic challenges, optimize operations, and drive business transformation. His expertise in data-driven market research, brand strategy, and NIL execution helps organizations develop scalable, high-impact solutions that align with their long-term goals.