Stenning is available for hire
Hire StenningStenning Schueppert
Verified Expert in Finance
Management Consulting Expert
Location
Austin, United States
Toptal Member Since
April 23, 2019
A Stanford MBA, Stenning has sourced, executed, and integrated deals at leading private equity firms such as GTCR and H.I.G. Capital. A Bain-trained strategy consultant possessing extensive operational experience, his passion is to partner with businesses to evolve via strategic guidance and acquisitions. Stenning has focused across middle market sectors for over 20 years, working directly with executives, boards, and investors to enhance value.
Career Highlights
Partner
Evolution Strategy
Managing Director
CenterGate Capital
Education Highlights
Semester At Sea
Colorado State/ISE
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Stanford University
Bachelor's Degree
Northwestern University
Case Studies
Industry Expertise
Other Expertise
Work Experience
Partner
2018 - PRESENT
Evolution Strategy
- Conducted boutique strategy consulting focused on buy-side strategic acquisition execution aligned with client incentives.
- Consulted on the sale of companies as well as financing preparation and counseling, strategic marketing services, and facilitation.
- Conducted deal sourcing, diligence, and negotiations for private equity clients and their portfolio companies.
- Counseled clients on sell-side transactions as well as debt and equity capital raises.
- Conducted strategic market research for clients, formulating proper risk and reward strategies with actionable diligence to create go-forward plans.
- Developed industry overview presentations and comprehensive market maps for new markets, contacted potential acquisition targets, and managed the acquisition pipeline from sourcing through execution.
Focus areas: Investments, Market Research, Private Company Valuation, Private Equity, Leveraged Buyout Modeling, Cross-border M&A, M&A Earn-out Agreements, M&A Modeling, M&A Reporting, Capital Structuring, Capital Raising, M&A (Buy-side), Due Diligence, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)
Managing Director
2014 - 2018
CenterGate Capital
- Co-founded and managed a $365 million private equity firm focused on opportunistic equity investments of $10-30 million in underperforming lower middle market companies.
- Managed, along with other partners, all firm activities including sourcing, negotiating, executing, and managing deals.
- Recruited staff and established firm infrastructure.
- Closed and managed two of the three deals in the portfolio as well as four additional strategic tuck-ins.
- Partnered closely with portfolio companies in all operations and projects establishing dashboards as well as acquisition target lists.
- Managed and executed organic and inorganic growth strategies.
- Led an investment in AC Photonics, a $60 million fiberoptic component designer and manufacturer servicing the telecom industry with responsibilities that included co-leading all aspects of the acquisition including diligence, negotiation, structuring, financing, and execution; industry diligence; management of third-party advisors; the creation of all presentation materials; managed all critical operational initiatives including tuck-in acquisitions and recruitment of the CFO and Head of Sales; and the establishment of a Chinese subsidiary and vertically integrated local vendors.
- Led an investment in Vision Media, a $75 million physical and digital asset management and fulfillment leader for Hollywood studios including co-leading all aspects of the acquisition including diligence, negotiation, structuring, financing, and execution; conducting all primary industry diligence and establishing the firm standard for depth and presentation going-forward; sourcing and executing four strategic acquisitions; and being involved in all strategic operational initiatives including cost rationalization and non-core asset divestitures.
- Closed an investment in the Oil & Gas Asset Clearinghouse, an innovative $15 million oil and gas acquisition and divestiture services firm including co-leading all aspects of the purchase including diligence, negotiation, structuring, and execution; working on-site with management to execute the 100-day plan including senior management upgrades and material cost rationalization; and helping to manage the successful sale process.
Focus areas: 13-week Cash Flow, Cash Flow, Cash Flow Modeling, Leveraged Buyout Modeling, Private Company Valuation, Private Equity, Portfolio Analysis, Due Diligence, M&A Earn-out Agreements, M&A Reporting, M&A Modeling, M&A (Sell-side), M&A (Buy-side), Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)
Senior Vice President – Strategy, Marketing & Corporate Development
2010 - 2014
Total Safety
- Served as a senior executive at a 4,500-person $450 million global safety services provider focused on the industrial and energy markets.
- Led strategic initiatives and all M&A activity as a single-person department managing proprietary sourcing, negotiating, and execution.
- Led the company’s global marketing efforts for two years.
- Sourced deals in ten countries and executed transactions in four while evolving a deal pipeline of 350+ proprietary prospects.
- Crafted the go-forward strategy leading executive as well as sales strategy retreats and presented to the board of directors.
- Closed six deals in one year and 11 in total comprising ~$160 million in enterprise value and driving 80% growth in EBITDA, singularly leading and managing all aspects of the acquisition strategy including conducting sourcing, due diligence, negotiations, execution, and integration.
- Provided support for the company's successful sell-side process including the preparation of the CIM, presentation, and helping manage diligence.
- Represented strategy and corporate development for the company and was one of four executives engaged in the roadshow for the 2011 sale process from DLJ to Warburg Pincus for $500+ million.
- Supported accretive valuations to the market, creating over $54 million in equity value in one year from arbitrage alone.
Focus areas: Free Cash Flow (FCF), Cash Flow Modeling, Leveraged Buyout Modeling, Marketing Strategy, Finance Strategy, Marketing, Service, Post-merger Integration, Cross-border M&A, M&A Earn-out Agreements, M&A Modeling, M&A Reporting, M&A (Sell-side), M&A (Buy-side), Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)
Principal
2006 - 2010
H.I.G. Capital
- Served as a principal of a $2 billion lower middle market private equity firm with 45 portfolio companies, investing $5-40 million in a variety of transactions including leveraged buyouts, corporate carve-outs, growth equity, tuck-in acquisitions, bankruptcy reorganizations, Chapter 11 restructurings, and debt investments.
- Closed nine acquisitions accounting for 40% of the firm’s total during that period including five platforms as well as two sales.
- Led successful sell-side auction process, dividend recapitalization, business divesture, and indemnification suit.
- Led an investment in Total Safety, successfully negotiating and consummating an asset purchase of the leading industrial and oilfield safety services provider. Responsible for accounting, customer, environmental, financial and industry due diligence. Acquired their next largest competitor, a division of a publicly-held corporation, effectively doubling their business and achieving dominant market share, and led the integration committee that merged the two competitors. Individually negotiated and managed every aspect of the sales process for a non-core division, managing the company, buyer, and deal intermediaries. Acted as primary liaison with C-suite, lender, and legal counsel management. Managed a $55 million dividend recapitalization, a material return within two years while retaining full ownership. Later served as the firm’s lead for the auction sale process with multiple bidders and a 5x+ return in three years.
- Led an investment in Rotorcraft, managing the financing and the closing process for an $80 million transaction. Drove amicable resolution to contentious creditor financing while achieving very favorable points to the firm’s benefit. Led subsequent financing for two tuck-in acquisitions, successfully negotiating zero additional equity commitment.
- Led an investment in APS Healthcare, successfully procuring an important bank advance and amendment despite a difficult lender relationship. Led the firm's efforts to resolve a shareholder indemnification lawsuit, helping to determine appropriate strategy with the firm's counsel. Restructured divisions and focused the firm's strategy with the new CEO to lead a successful auction sale process.
- Led the financing and closing process for a difficult corporate carve-out from Werner, serving as the primary firm contact with daily company responsibility including helping to lead new CEO and CFO searches. Coordinated integration, negotiated supplier contracts, engaged consultants, developed a budget and instituted dashboard metrics. Led all aspects of the tuck-in acquisition of a carve-out from a large public company.
- Navigated through six closings to merge two competitors forming Personal Optics. Purchased one company’s debt and managed it through a controlled bankruptcy while recapitalizing a family-run competitor. Consolidated both operations and management. Worked in true partnership with both management teams on the development of financing materials, an operating budget, integration planning, cost savings, audit preparation, financial scorecard, and a post-bankruptcy roadshow.
- Purchased Supra Telecom in a controlled Chapter 11 process that settled lasting ILEC disputes. Negotiated critical documents including the joint venture with the co-investor and network provider Interconnect Agreement, exceeding expectations.
Focus areas: 13-week Cash Flow, Free Cash Flow (FCF), Cash Flow Modeling, Due Diligence, Market Research, Leveraged Buyout Modeling, Equity Financing, Debt Raises, M&A Earn-out Agreements, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), M&A (Sell-side), M&A (Buy-side), M&A Modeling, M&A Reporting
Principal
2006 - 2010
Eos Partners
- Involved in deal sourcing, marketing, recruiting, and investment strategy as a dealmaker at a ten-person, $1 billion middle market private equity firm that made equity and debt investments of $30-$100 million in growth-stage and distressed transactions across industries.
- Developed and managed the firm’s deal sourcing/pipeline and CRM database.
- Focused on portfolio management, cost rationalization, restructuring, and turnaround operations.
- Led investment in Greenstar Services, a $600 million general contractor focused on infrastructure and government construction. Partnered with management in a minority growth investment to expand the bonding line more than $1 billion. Completed job-level and industry diligence, forensic accounting, and complex transaction structure.
- Led investment in Silver State Helicopters, the $100 million helicopter pilot training leader. Executed proprietary majority growth equity recapitalization with entrepreneurs and refinanced all debt. Acted as on-site CRO, restructuring budgeting, cost controls, and dashboards and eliminated material expenses including payroll and ongoing corporate expenses by 33%+. Recruited a new CEO, interim CFO, and vice president.
- Closed various senior first-lien debt purchases targeting superior returns with restructuring potential. Sourced, analyzed, modeled, monitored, and managed credit opportunities across industries and trading desks.
Focus areas: Cash Flow Modeling, Free Cash Flow (FCF), 13-week Cash Flow, Debt Restructuring, Debt Structuring, Leveraged Buyout Modeling, M&A Earn-out Agreements, M&A (Sell-side), M&A Modeling, M&A Reporting, M&A (Buy-side), Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)
Associate
1999 - 2001
GTCR Golder Rauner
- Served as an investment professional at a $4.5 billion private equity firm which partnered with veteran management of 68 portfolio companies and provided equity investments of $50-200 million for LBO, growth equity, and consolidation transactions.
- Selected for a deal team that closed a $900 million go-private transaction. Represented the company and firm to bankers and lawyers regarding the transaction, fiscal, and ownership matters.
- Served as lead deal sourcing associate, uncovering deals and executives through personal diligence and proprietary relationships.
- Supported thirteen acquisitions while managing portfolio companies.
- Served as an interim senior financial analyst for one company which grew from zero to $70 million in revenue.
- Developed sector leadership within the firm’s proactive deal-sourcing efforts.
- Generated 250+ executive relationships and uncovered 75+ potential marketing services transactions.
- Assessed and modeled potential investments as well as managed relationships with financiers, legal counsel, and management.
Focus areas: Valuation Multiples, Valuation Modeling, Financial Modeling, Cash Flow Modeling, Leveraged Buyout Modeling, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), M&A Earn-out Agreements, M&A (Sell-side), M&A Modeling, M&A Reporting, M&A (Buy-side)
Senior Associate Consultant
1996 - 1999
Bain & Company
- Ranked at the top of the tenure group based on financial modeling, strategic foundation, and other critical metrics.
- Selected as one of two finalists for Sydney’s Individual Client Impact Award.
- Re-engineered billing and collections for Optus, an integrated telecommunications company. Personally delivered immediate cash impact of A$33 million and annual savings of more than A$57 million.
- Advanced material purchasing strategy for Ford, isolating $31 million (16% of total scope) in savings.
- Led client-supplier alliance taskforce for HB Fuller, a specialty chemicals company, cutting supply base 80% and realizing $4 million in annual savings.
Focus areas: Order to Cash (O2C), Supplier/Vendor Selection, Billing & Collections, Market Entry, Due Diligence, Finance Shared Services Management, Operational Finance, Three-statement Modeling, Cash Flow Modeling, Market Research, Market Models
Education
2018 - 2018
Semester At Sea in Philosophy, Global Studies, Religion
Colorado State/ISE - Global
2001 - 2003
Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Finance
Stanford University - Palo Alto, CA
1992 - 1996
Bachelor's Degree in Economics and Political Science
Northwestern University - Evanston, IL
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