Conversations with Thought Leaders from the M&A Community

Stephen Frey - Noted Author and Private Equity Dealmaker

Posted on November 30, 2007

 
 Steve Frey - Noted Author and Private Equity Dealmaker: Play Now | Play in Popup

Steve Frey If you spend much time frequenting airport bookshops (and if you’re reading this you probably do) you’re familiar withThe Vulture Fund Steve Frey, who pioneered the “financial thriller” and is still the leading author in that genre.  With such titles as The Vulture Fund, Shadow Account and The Chairman, Steve shares with us a world of intrigue and adventure in the world of high finance that we can only dream about in our everyday world.  This year SteveShadow Account has been particularly prolific with two new titles, The Successor, which carries forward the saga of fictional private equity titan, Christian Gillette, Chairman of Everest Capital, and The Fourth Order, which introduces Steve’s financial universe to a different kind of intrigue and danger in the clandestine world of Washington, DC.The Chairman

In this interview Steve tells us how he transcended the sometimes mundane world of investment banking to become a world renowned author.  He also shares with us insight into his “day job” as a Managing Director of the private equity firm, Albion Investors of New York City and The Fourth OrderRichmond, VA.  Albion focuses on what Steve describes as “MicroCap” deals, which I frequently describe as “people sized companies”.  As an experienced dealmaker Steve shares his advice for business owners who are considering the sale of their businesses.The Successor

Steve is a Wahoo, having graduated from my alma mater, the University of Virginia at Charlottesville, with both an undergraduate degree and an MBA from the Darden School.

Click Here to purchase books by Steve Frey on Amazon.

 Length: This interview is about 22 minutes.

Michael Hollingsworth - 2007 ABA Deal Points Studies

Posted on November 20, 2007

 
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Michael HollingsworthAnyone who has spent much time in the M&A business has witnessed this scenario.  The Earps and the Clantons head to the OK Corral for the ultimate showdown that will seal the fate of the West.  Well actually its not often that dramatic, but very frequently counsel for buyers and sellers will face off over issues such as indemnifications, baskets, warranties, etc., etc., etc.  For the other deal participants and particularly for those paying the bills, this can be a very frustrating, time consuming and expensive process.  And sometimes the outcome can be just as fatal for the deal.

Recently an enterprising group of attorneys, members of the Committee on Negotiated Acquisitions of the American Bar Association’s Section of Business Law, decided it was time to take action.  By creating the Private Targets Mergers and Acquisitions Deal Points Study and a companion Private Equity Buyer/Public Target Mergers & Acquisitions Deal Points Study, they have taken much of the guesswork out of the negotiating process.  Knowing that fewer than 15% of acquisition agreements contain indemnification caps above 50% of purchase price saves a lot of time when seller’s counsel is arguing with an intransigent buyer’s counsel who claims with great sincerity “that’s the way its always done”.

Michael Hollingsworth participated in producing both the the Private Targets and Private Equity Buyer Deal Points Studies and shares his knowledge of how they can be used to make the negotiating process more efficient.  Michael is a Partner in the Atlanta office of the Nelson Mullins Law Firm and one of the leading M&A attorneys in the Southeast.

 Length: This audio interview is about 24 minutes.  

Mark Jones - 2008 ACG Intergrowth Chairman

Posted on November 4, 2007

 
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Mark JonesMark Jones is one of the most visible personalities in the middle market M&A community. In 2008 Mark will chair Intergrowth 2008, the national annual meeting of the Association for Corporate Growth. Intergrowth 2008 is expected to attract over 2000 attendees, including private equity firms, strategic buyers, intermediaries and other professionals.

In this interview Mark gives us a preview of Intergrowth 2008. He also provides a glimpse into his world as a partner in River Associates Investments, LLC, one of the leading private equity groups focused on the lower middle market. Mark shares with us some very valuable insights into what makes a company attractive to a private equity buyer and advice to business owners considering the sale of their business.

 Length: This audio interview is about 41 minutes.