Dedication & Support
Our Team
Cypress Legacy Partners is led by a team combining operating leadership with experienced capital and strategic partnership.
Mike Emokpae
Co-Founder & Partner
Mike Emokpae was born and raised in Miami, Florida, in a family of hardworking immigrants who came to the United States in pursuit of the American dream. His father, an entrepreneur, founded his own CPA firm, instilling in Mike the values of perseverance, business acumen, and community impact. Watching his father build and grow his practice inspired Mike to one day own and operate a business that provides stability for his family and meaningful employment for others.
Mike founded Cypress Legacy Partners with the vision of acquiring and operating a small business that serves a critical need in the community while fostering long-term growth. His goal is to build upon an existing company’s success, ensuring continuity for employees, customers, and stakeholders while implementing strategic improvements for sustainable expansion.
Before launching Cypress Legacy Partners, Mike spent over a decade in business analytics, strategic decision-making, and operational leadership across the healthcare and medical device industries.
Axogen, Inc. (2018 – Present): Mike plays a key role in revenue growth initiatives, business intelligence, and financial modeling. He works closely with executive leadership to identify market opportunities, optimize pricing strategies, and enhance operational efficiency. His expertise in data-driven decision-making and process automation has led to improved commercial performance and long-term scalability.
RTI Surgical, Inc. (2009 – 2018): During his tenure at RTI Surgical, Mike led strategic planning and pricing initiatives, focusing on revenue optimization and market expansion. He spearheaded business analytics efforts, developed financial models, and implemented data visualization tools to drive profitability and corporate decision-making.
Mike earned his Bachelor’s degree from Florida State University and a Master’s degree from the University of Florida. He is deeply involved in the Florida community and is passionate about fostering small business growth. A dedicated fitness enthusiast, Mike actively competes in extreme mud obstacle races and enjoys pushing himself in endurance and strength challenges.
Through Cypress Legacy Partners, Mike is committed to identifying and acquiring a strong, stable business where he can apply his expertise in operations, analytics, and leadership to drive long-term success.
At Cypress Legacy Partners, Mike partners with Luis and Gus to identify, acquire, and grow the right business – contributing financial analysis, strategy, and operational support while Luis leads day-to-day operations.
Snapshot
- Based in Florida
- 15 years of experience
- Expertise in financial modeling, process optimization, and strategic growth
- Focused on acquiring and scaling a local small business
Luis Llanos
Co-Founder & Operating Partner
Luis Llanos is Co-Founder and Operating Partner of Cypress Legacy Partners, where he will lead the day-to-day operation of the businesses we acquire. Born in Lima, Peru, and raised in Miami, Florida, Luis shares the entrepreneurial foundation of his brother and partner, Gus – shaped by parents who built careers in civil engineering, construction, and the arts, and who instilled a deep respect for hard work and enterprise.
Luis brings more than 24 years of experience across sales, operations, and construction, including leadership roles at State Farm, Brighter Image Awnings, Firestone, and Krispy Kreme, where he consistently drove team performance and operational results. He also spent 12 years in heavy highway construction, giving him hands-on insight into large-scale project execution and managing people in the field.
At Cypress Legacy Partners, Luis draws on his strengths in operations, team building, and client relationships to lead acquired businesses with a focus on continuity, culture, and steady growth. He holds an Associate in Arts degree from Miami-Dade College. Outside of work, he enjoys basketball, barbecuing, and home improvement projects.
Snapshot
- Based in Florida
- 24+ years of experience
- Expertise in operations, sales, and construction
- Leading day-to-day business operations
Gus Llanos
Co-Founder & Partner
Gus Llanos is Co-Founder and Partner of Cypress Legacy Partners, where he brings a disciplined, analytical approach to investment strategy, financial oversight, and long-term value creation. Born and raised in Miami, Florida, Gus is the son of immigrant entrepreneurs – his father in civil engineering and construction, his mother in the arts – which gave him an entrepreneurial perspective and a strong work ethic from an early age.
With 18 years in structural engineering, Gus has built deep expertise in project execution, financial management, and organizational leadership. He spent 17 years at BCC Engineering and has since advanced to Vice President at Raymat Engineering, where he leads the design of complex transportation structures while managing teams, overseeing profit-and-loss performance, and driving business development into new markets.
At Cypress Legacy Partners, Gus applies his technical background and business judgment to evaluate opportunities, strengthen performance, and support disciplined, sustainable growth. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Florida State University and a master’s degree from the University of Florida. Outside of work, he enjoys basketball, following sports, and woodworking.
Snapshot
- Based in Florida
- 18 years in structural engineering
- Expertise in financial analysis and project management
- Supporting investment strategy and oversight