Adam Epstein, Finance Expert in Los Angeles, CA, United States
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Adam Epstein

Verified Expert  in Finance

Finance Expert

Location
Los Angeles, CA, United States
Toptal Member Since
April 30, 2020

Adam has 10+ years of experience in finance across PE (Lion Capital), debt financing (Oaktree), and investment banking. He has executed over $2 billion in M&A transactions for both early-stage companies and large enterprises. Having engaged in all aspects of a deal process from sourcing to due diligence to portfolio management and board representation, Adam enjoys the new challenges and relationships associated with freelance work.

Career Highlights

Principal
Lion Capital
Associate
Oaktree Capital Management
Analyst
Berenson & Company, LLC

Education Highlights

MBA
Stanford Graduate School of Business

Case Studies

Work Experience

Principal

2015 - 2020
Lion Capital
  • Led or co-led three acquisitions and conducted valuation and negotiation of select opportunities through definitive documentation.
  • Advised four portfolio companies, aiding with analysis of results, annual forecasting, development of strategic initiatives, and preparation of management presentations.
  • Spearheaded due diligence efforts on over 40 potential investments across the consumer brand sector, including evaluation through comprehensive financial models, industry analyses, and presentation of findings to senior management.
  • Implemented a cross-portfolio data-sharing initiative to generate additional digital revenue streams and improve big data analysis.
  • Negotiated a $650 million refinancing of Bumble Bee’s capital structure by marketing the company to potential debt investors and leading coordination of due diligence and negotiation of documentation. I was selected to represent Lion Capital on the board of directors.
  • Quarterbacked the $400 million acquisition of Global Franchise Group, a franchisor and shared services platform that owns five restaurant brands, in partnership with Serruya Private Equity.
  • Spearheaded the $155 million purchase of Paige, LLC, a lifestyle apparel company, including due diligence, purchase negotiations, documentation, and debt financing. I was selected to represent Lion Capital on the board of directors.
  • Assisted management of John Varvatos, a men's clothing company, in the development of its financial plan to return to profitability. The plan included the elimination of >$15 million of annual expenses, and I led a $35 million refinancing and negotiation of strategic alternatives.
Focus areas: Acquisitions, Financing, Investing, Legal Documentation, Portfolio Management, Deal Advisory, Due Diligence, Sourcing

Associate

2011 - 2013
Oaktree Capital Management
  • Conducted diligence on over 50 potential subordinated debt investment and equity co-investment opportunities. I presented key findings including potential risks and returns, along with investment recommendations, to the investment committee.
  • Wrote seven investment committee memoranda to gain final investment approval.
  • Advised six portfolio companies, including evaluation of add-ons and potential exits as well as restructurings and associated amendments.
  • Completed a $40 million investment in ILC Dover, including diligence on four separate divisions, negotiating debt terms, and providing legal documentation.
  • Negotiated out-of-court restructuring of Provo Craft, a consumer products company, and assisted in the build-out of the subsequent management team, budget, and product launch.
  • Ranked top-tier in the associate class.
Focus areas: Legal Documentation, Portfolio Management, Due Diligence, Debt Financing

Analyst

2009 - 2011
Berenson & Company, LLC
  • Participated in financial and business due diligence for mergers and acquisitions (buy-side and sell-side) and restructuring transactions.
  • Created detailed financial models to conduct various valuation analyses including leveraged buyout, discounted cash flows, sum-of-the-parts, 13-week cash flow, comparable companies, and precedent transactions analyses.
  • Organized and participated in the analyst training program and recruited four first-year analysts to join the firm.
  • Counseled SDI Media Group, Inc. in the $150 million restructuring of its balance sheet, including the construction of a 5-year projection model and a 13-week cash flow statement.
  • Advised the Special Committee of Boston Generating, LLC in the $1.1 billion sale of its assets to Constellation Energy under Section 363 of the US Bankruptcy Code.
  • Ranked top-tier in the analyst class.
Focus areas: Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Financial Modeling, Due Diligence, Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs), Leveraged Buyout (LBO), Restructuring
2013 - 2015

MBA in General Management

Stanford Graduate School of Business - Palo Alto, California

2005 - 2009

Bachelor of Science Degree in Applied Mathematics – Economics

Brown University - Providence, Rhode Island

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