Aaron is available for hire
Hire AaronAaron Handler
Verified Expert in Finance
Finance Expert
Location
Dallas, TX, United States
Toptal Member Since
July 15, 2020
Aaron is an experienced private equity professional whose leadership and strategic assessments have enabled companies to exceed forecasts and remain profitable despite tough economic climates. He identified a unique opportunity in the durable medical equipment space, recruited management, acquired and opened new locations, grew top and bottom lines, and exited the investment for a significant return on capital. Aaron enjoys a collaborative environment and is driven by values and purpose.
Career Highlights
Partner
Elm Creek Partners
Senior Associate
Red River Ventures
Senior Associate
Southwest Securities
Education Highlights
Master of Business Administration (MBA) Degree
Texas Christian University
Bachelor of Arts Degree
Boston University
Case Studies
Expertise
Work Experience
Partner
2008 - PRESENT
Elm Creek Partners
- Founded and raised the initial and follow-on capital base for the firm.
- Set the firm's strategic direction and sourced a majority of the firms' investment opportunities.
- Invested in multiple platforms and numerous add-ons.
- Valued partner-to-partner management teams having navigated multiple economic cycles and platform-specific challenges.
- Exited the majority of the platforms with attractive returns to limited partners.
Focus areas: Market Risk, Team Development, Business Development, Growth Strategy, Finance Strategy, Strategy, Acquisitions, Recapitalization, Leveraged Buyout (LBO), M&A (Buy-side)
Senior Associate
2000 - 2007
Red River Ventures
- Sourced and led the growth stage investment in IntelliPack, a disruptive entrant into the foam-in-place packaging market. Red River Ventures exited the IntelliPack investment in a sale to Pregis at a substantial return on investment.
- Sourced and led the recapitalization of Fiber Systems International out of a court receivership, a manufacturer of harsh environment fiber optic connectors. Red River exited the investment for a substantial return on capital.
- Led the investment in Tax Refund Express, which was the catalyst for TRE to acquire its largest supplier, renegotiate key contracts and drive materially higher returns to owners. Red River exited TRE with a significant internal rate of return.
Focus areas: Growth Equity, Buyouts
Business Development
1999 - 2000
ServiceLane
- Developed channel partners in media and other verticals for this emerging reverse marketplace for services.
- Participated in the plan B strategy team during the post-dot com bubble.
- Identified and nurtured the company's eventual merger partner.
Focus areas: Business Development
Senior Associate
1997 - 1999
Southwest Securities
- Took part in numerous teams that raised capital on behalf of early-stage companies.
- Participated in the deal with multiple public offerings and M&A transactions developing memorandums, models, and other materials.
- Developed and led a core analyst recruiting program that ultimately produced numerous senior bankers, C-level execs, entrepreneurs, and investment bankers.
Focus areas: Fairness Opinion Reports, Private Placements, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Initial Public Offerings, Finance
Education
1995 - 1997
Master of Business Administration (MBA) Degree in Finance
Texas Christian University - Fort Worth, Texas, USA
1990 - 1994
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology
Boston University - Boston, Massachusetts, USA