From left: Rod Essen, Doug Reynolds and Sue Field
FORBES, March 30, 2009
Investment bankers can often take a businesslike approach to getting a deal done, with service-level decisions that over-emphasize their bottom line. Doug Reynolds left his prior firm for the opportunity to “do the right thing.” In 2008, he founded Reynolds Advisory Partners, a firm that specializes in mergers and acquisitions, capital raising and related financial advisory services for middle-market clients nationwide. Reynolds Advisory Partners takes a client-centric approach by putting clients’ needs first.
“We believe that by focusing on the client first and foremost, the money will follow. When you have the client’s interests at heart, you work harder to find the right deal,” Reynolds explains. “You do your diligence, understand client objectives and provide senior-level service at every stage of the deal. And as a result of those extra efforts, the deal is more likely to be successful and you have a happier client. And happy clients are more likely to refer others to you. Everybody wins.”
Major Firm Experience.
Middle-Market Expertise.
Doug Reynolds and the firm’s other Managing Directors, Sue Field and Rod Essen, have a wide range of experience across the full spectrum of investment banking. “We’re a middle-market firm but you won’t find a senior banker here that doesn’t have extensive experience at a major firm. That translates into better, more knowledgeable service,” Reynolds says.
Reynolds, Essen and Field have completed a combined 240 transactions, with more than $64 billion in proceeds under their belts. The firm’s resume includes as many public deals as private, a number of them worth billions of dollars. “Most middle-market firms can’t offer experience of that magnitude,” he says.
Reynolds Advisory Partners also offers additional services on both the front and back ends of its transactions. “We have the experience to provide clients with specialized upfront operational consulting,” Reynolds explains. “Sue Field, former senior Merrill Lynch M&A banker and also an experienced public company CFO, can efficiently evaluate operational or other issues that may hinder the successful completion of a transaction.”
And once the transaction closes, the firm also helps clients transition into the next phase of their life. “We’re completely holistic in approach,” Reynolds says. “It’s not enough for us to just finish the deal. We want to make sure clients are able to enjoy every penny of their after-tax proceeds. Gretchen Lium, a Harvard MBA with significant Wall Street experience, leads the firm’s Wealth Management Introductory Service, matching clients with reputable independent, third-party wealth management firms that best meet their needs.
“It’s part of the same philosophy,” Reynolds continues. “If we allow a client to partner with a buyer, financing source or wealth manager that’s not a good match, they’re not going to be as happy with the outcome. When we go that extra mile and ensure everybody is on the same page, the client is happier and, in the end, the deal is more lucrative for everybody involved.”
Reynolds Advisory Partners’ Services
- Sell-side Advisory
- Buy-side Advisory
- Financing and Capital Raising
- Fairness Opinions
- Special Committee Representation
- IPO Advisory
- Operations Consulting
- Wealth Management Introductory Services