Paul Huffman, Management Consultant in Nashville, TN, United States
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Paul Huffman

Verified Expert  in Management Consulting

Finance Expert

Nashville, TN, United States

Toptal member since November 6, 2019

Expertise
FP&AM&AReal EstateCommercial Real Estate AnalysisInvestment Banking
Bio

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.

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

Industry Expertise

  • Commercial & Residential Construction
  • Finance
  • Healthcare Services
  • Restaurants
  • Insurance
  • Real Estate
  • Retail
  • Public Companies

Other Expertise

  • Capital Raising
  • Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)
  • Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)
  • Pro Forma Financial Statements
  • Strategic Planning & Execution

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)

Education

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

Skills

Finance

Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Pro Forma Financial Statements, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Fairness Opinion Reports, Reverse Mergers, Capital Raising, Financial Advisory, Financial Options

Industry Expertise

Retail & Wholesale, Restaurants & Dining, Financial Services, Public Companies, Home Construction, Healthcare, Insurance, Real Estate, Real Estate Development, Commercial Real Estate

Geographic Expertise

United States

Output Software

Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint

Data & Analysis Software

Capital IQ

Other

Strategic Planning & Execution, Strategy, Operations Analytics, Initial Public Offerings, Negotiation, Deal Structuring

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