NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan 27, 2026--
Gen II Fund Services, LLC (“Gen II”), a leading independent private capital fund administrator, today announced that Leslie DeRoss and her specialist team have joined the firm to lead and expand the firm’s Private Credit offering. This strategic hire underscores Gen II’s continued investment in best-in-class talent and capabilities to support the increasingly complex needs of private capital managers.
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Ms. DeRoss joins Gen II from a major global financial institution, bringing decades of experience in credit fund operations, complex debt instruments, and specialized reporting. By integrating her veteran team’s deep domain expertise with Gen II’s institutional-grade infrastructure, the firm is uniquely positioned to support a broad range of private credit strategies, including direct lending, opportunistic credit, and structured products.
“I am incredibly excited to join Gen II, a firm that has consistently distinguished itself as the premier market leader in private capital fund administration services,” said Leslie DeRoss. “Gen II’s reputation for excellence and its unwavering focus on client service provide the perfect platform for our team. We look forward to leveraging our collective experience to deliver the sophisticated, high-touch credit solutions that today’s managers demand.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Leslie and her talented team to Gen II,” said Steven Millner, CEO and Co-Founder of Gen II. “Their addition strengthens our market-leading platform and reinforces our commitment to investing in talent and technology that empowers clients to achieve their investment and operational goals.”
The expansion of the Private Credit group further solidifies Gen II’s status as a comprehensive partner for private capital sponsors, offering an end-to-end service model that spans private equity, credit and real assets.
About Gen II Fund Services
Gen II is a leading independent tech-enabled fund administration provider for private capital asset managers and investors. Distinguished by its bespoke service offerings and robust technological infrastructure, the company has grown to become one of the largest independent private capital fund administrators since its inception in 2009, now overseeing $1 trillion+ of private fund capital.
Gen II serves a full spectrum of fund managers, from emerging managers to large funds operating across multinational jurisdictions. Its transatlantic operational reach redefines excellence in the fund administration sector, enabling unparalleled service capabilities to fund managers and investors globally. The company helps GPs navigate complex international markets and regulations while effectively managing their operational infrastructure, financial reporting, and investor communications. Gen II is powered by sophisticated proprietary technologies, including Sensr Solutions, a software suite designed to elevate fund management, analytics and investor experience. For more information, please visit gen2fund.com.
Leslie DeRoss, Head of Credit Operations and Strategy at Gen II Fund Services
MEMPHIS, Tenn, (AP) — A Tennessee man pleaded guilty on Friday in the shooting death of Young Dolph during a daytime ambush at a Memphis bakery, marking an end to courtroom battles stemming from the rapper and music label owner’s shocking killing in his hometown more than four years ago.
Cornelius Smith Jr., 36, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in a Memphis courtroom under an agreement with prosecutors that dropped other charges against him, according to a press release from the district attorney's office. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison as part of the plea deal.
Smith and another man, Justin Johnson, were charged with first-degree murder in the November 2021 killing of Young Dolph at his favorite cookie shop, located near his childhood home in a working-class Memphis neighborhood.
Smith was the main witness in the trial of Johnson, who was convicted of first-degree murder in 2024 after Smith named him as the second shooter. Johnson was sentenced in September 2024 to life in prison. Johnson was later sentenced for two other convictions from the trial: conspiracy to commit murder and possession of a gun as a felon.
Smith also testified at the trial of Hernandez Govan, who was acquitted in August of charges that he organized the killing.
Young Dolph, whose legal name is Adolph Thornton Jr., was a rapper, independent label owner and producer who grew up in Memphis and was admired in the city for his charitable works. The 36-year-old was in his hometown to hand out Thanksgiving turkeys to families when he was killed.
The shooting stunned the entertainment world as another death of a rap star killed in their prime, like Tupac Shakur, Notorious B.I.G. and Nipsey Hussle.
Authorities said two men exited a white Mercedes-Benz and began shooting at the rapper at the bakery. He died after being shot about 20 times, according to a medical examiner’s report.
After the killing, the bakery, Makeda’s Homemade Cookies, turned into a memorial to Young Dolph. He was also honored at a Memphis Grizzlies game and the city named a street after him. Murals of the rapper have been painted around the city.
Prosecutors have portrayed the killing as part of an effort by Anthony “Big Jook” Mims to get revenge on Young Dolph for diss tracks aimed at Big Jook and the record label he helped run for his brother, rapper Yo Gotti. Smith has testified that Big Jook put out a $100,000 hit on Young Dolph as well as smaller bounties on all the artists at Young Dolph’s record label, Paper Route Empire.
At the trial of Justin Johnson, a prosecutor told jurors that Cocaine Muzik Group (now known as Collective Music Group), a rival record label founded by Yo Gotti, wanted Young Dolph to work for them, but he turned them down.
Big Jook was shot and killed outside a restaurant in January 2024. No arrests have been made in his death, and he was never charged in Young Dolph’s killing.
Smith has testified that, “I didn’t know anything about Paper Route having no hits,” before Govan told him about them. He said Govan hired him to “do the hits” and was going to take $10,000 as his cut.
But the jury in Govan’s trial was not convinced that he organized the killings.
After Young Dolph’s death, social media was filled with messages of respect and love for the rapper, whose music discussed Memphis street life and his crack-addicted parents, alongside hard-earned lessons of strength and perseverance in the face of difficult circumstances. His legacy as a fiercely independent artist and businessman was cemented in the hip-hop universe.
Young Dolph began his career by releasing numerous mixtapes. His studio albums include his 2016 debut, “King of Memphis.” He also collaborated on other mixtapes and albums with fellow rappers Key Glock, Megan Thee Stallion, T.I., Gucci Mane and 2 Chainz, among others. Young Dolph had three albums reach the top 10 on the Billboard 200, with 2020′s “Rich Slave” peaking at No. 4.
FILE - Young Dolph performs at The Parking Lot Concert in Atlanta on Aug. 23, 2020. (Photo by Paul R. Giunta/Invision/AP, File)
