Paul Huffman, Finance Expert in Nashville, TN, United States
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Paul Huffman

Verified Expert  in Finance

Finance Expert

Location
Nashville, TN, United States
Toptal Member Since
November 6, 2019

Paul has completed 90 investment banking assignments with an aggregate value of over $3 billion during a 20-year investment banking career. Paul is also the founder and manager of several start-ups, including driving growth to the INC 500 list at Commodore Leasing, LLC from formation to #193 in 2016. As a freelancer, Paul brings clients his investment banking experience combined with start-up and operating background.

Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)Real EstateCommercial Real EstateInsuranceInvestment Banking

Career Highlights

Founder and President
Commodore Leasing, LLC
Managing Director
Morgan Joseph & Co.
Director
SunTrust Equitable Securities

Education Highlights

Master of Business Administration (MBA) Degree
Vanderbilt University
Bachelor's Degree
Vanderbilt University

Case Studies

Work Experience

President

2011 - PRESENT
Commodore Advisory Partners LLC
  • Founded firm to provide high level financial and strategic advisory services.
  • Originated and executed transactions in the retail and restaurant industry.
  • Issued fairness opinions for going-private and reverse merger transactions.
  • Advised privately-held restaurant chain on its sale to the current management team.
  • Advised airport-based retailer on the potential sale to a strategic buyer in the industry.
Focus areas: Financial Advisory, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)

Founder and President

2011 - PRESENT
Commodore Leasing, LLC
  • Founded company and selected locations for expansion.
  • Coordinated all details of site selection and acquisition, design, and construction.
  • Raised financing from outside equity, debt, and real estate sources.
  • Manage all day-to-day operations, marketing, and strategy for the business.
  • Manage all financial control, reporting, and planning.
Focus areas: Operations Analytics, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Strategy, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)

Managing Director

2009 - 2011
Hadley Partners
  • Originated and executed transactions in the consumer, retail, and restaurant sectors.
  • Issued a fairness opinion for a small, publicly-traded company receiving a major investment from a shareholder.
  • Advised the board in connection with a going-private transaction.
  • Advised a privately-held restaurant chain with its financial restructuring and debt refinancing.
  • Advised an emerging restaurant brand on the potential sale to a strategic buyer in the industry.
Focus areas: Financial Advisory, Fairness Opinion Reports, Capital Raising, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)

Managing Director

2001 - 2009
Morgan Joseph & Co.
  • Worked as a member of the founding investment group of this investment banking firm.
  • Relocated from Nashville to Los Angeles to develop and manage the firm's presence on the West Coast.
  • Originated and executed numerous transactions in the retail, restaurant and consumer sectors.
  • Advised an entrepreneur in the acquisition and financing of a privately-held restaurant chain.
  • Issued a fairness opinion and defended it through litigation related to a major investment from a board member.
Focus areas: Financial Advisory, Fairness Opinion Reports, Capital Raising, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)

Director

2000 - 2001
ING Barings
  • Worked with two other senior professionals to found the firm's Nashville, TN investment banking office.
  • Worked on transactions in the healthcare, entertainment, and technology industries.
  • Developed numerous financial projections, analyses, and pitch materials in numerous industries.
  • Advised owner of a privately-held business in the sale of most of its assets to a strategic buyer in the industry.
  • Advised a media company in connection with a strategic investment or sale to international buyers in its industry.
Focus areas: Financial Advisory, Capital Raising, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)

Director

1993 - 2001
SunTrust Equitable Securities
  • Worked on numerous significant transactions for the firm, including originating and executing the firm's first-ever lead-managed public equity offering.
  • Originated and executed transactions in the manufactured housing, nontraditional finance, retail, restaurant, and healthcare industries.
  • Led the firm's financial analyst recruiting and training program for several years.
  • Presented as an industry expert at annual conventions of two rental industry trade associations.
  • Advised regional rent-to-own company in connection with its IPO, follow-on offering and subsequent merger.
Focus areas: Financial Advisory, Fairness Opinion Reports, Initial Public Offerings, Capital Raising, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)
1992 - 1993

Master of Business Administration (MBA) Degree in Finance

Vanderbilt University - Nashville, TN

1988 - 1992

Bachelor's Degree in Economics

Vanderbilt University - Nashville, TN

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