F. Gary Valdez

Gary Valdez founded Focus Strategies Investment Banking, a firm specializing in Mergers and Acquisitions, Private Placements of Debt and Equity, and Corporate Finance Advisory, in 1999 after 24 years in a highly successful commercial banking career. Valdez began his career in 1975 with Texas Commerce Bank. After managing the Metropolitan Banking Group, he became a founding shareholder and President/CEO for Cattlemen’s State Bank in 1986. During his tenure at Cattlemen’s, assets grew from $2MM to $110MM in nine years. Later, upon Cattlemen’s acquisition, Valdez assumed the position of president at Norwest Bank/Wells Fargo and Managing Officer for the Austin Region Business Banking Group until forming Focus Strategies.  Some of his current board positions include Ascension Health Ventures, Stewart Title Austin Inc., Seton Healthcare Network, and St. Edward’s University.  Gary earned a BA from Texas Lutheran University in Business Administration and Accounting and a MBA from St. Edward’s University.  Mr. Valdez holds Series 62 and 63 securities licenses.

Lathrop Smith, CFA

Lathrop Smith joined Focus Strategies Investment Banking in 2003 upon completion of an MBA from The University of Texas at Austin - McCombs School of Business, with a concentration in Finance and Accounting. His graduate work included internships with the Harbert Private Equity Fund and the Texas Venture Capital Fellows Program.  Prior to graduate school, Smith worked in management for a family owned regional engineering and distribution company which was sold to the Kaman Corporation (KAMNA), and for Emerson Electric Corporation (EMR) for the Industrial Automation Group in Chicago.  Mr. Smith earned his undergraduate degrees from Vanderbilt University in Engineering Science and Business Administration and is a CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) Charterholder.  Lathrop serves as Treasurer on the Board of Directors at KIPP Austin College Prep (www.kippaustinprep.org) and President for the Association of Corporate Growth Central Texas Chapter (www.acg.org).  Mr. Smith holds  Series 62 and 63 securities licenses.

Britt Kauffman

Britt Kauffman joined Focus Strategies in 2008. He has extensive senior management experience as both a CEO and CFO of middle market companies. From 2007 to 2008, Britt was Senior Vice President of DocuData Solutions in Dallas, Texas. During his tenure at DocuData, he developed management infrastructure for this rapidly growing middle market business and helped market the company to potential investors. The company was successfully sold to a strategic buyer in 2008. From 1996 to 2007, Britt was President and CEO of Hart InterCivic in Austin, Texas. While at Hart, the Company grew from $13 million to over $100 million in revenue. He transitioned the company from a primarily manufacturing-based business to one providing technology-focused products and services, and raised over $50 million in investor capital from multiple private equity firms. From 1988 to 1996, Britt was Executive Vice President and CFO of Hart Graphics in Austin, Texas. Britt holds a B.A. and an M.P.A from The University of Texas at Austin. He currently serves on the advisory board of Climate Controlled Containers.

John Malnar

John Malnar joined Focus Strategies Investment Banking in 2009.  Previously, he was a Director in BlackRock Inc.'s Corporate Ventures Group in New York. At BlackRock, he was responsible for analyzing and executing direct investments on behalf of BlackRock while also providing financial and strategic advice to public and private companies worldwide across a range of various industries.  Prior to that, Mr. Malnar was a member of Merrill Lynch's investment banking team in New York, focusing on mergers and acquisitions in the financial and business services industries.  In this capacity, he assisted clients in all stages of transaction execution, including marketing, due diligence, analysis and closing.  While at Merrill Lynch, Mr. Malnar was invited to attend the Wharton/Merrill Lynch Investment Banking Institute, an executive education program covering advanced valuation concepts.  Mr. Malnar earned his undergraduate degree in Finance from the University of Texas at Austin and is a CFA charterholder.

Larry Hester

Larry Hester joined Focus Strategies in 2009 after thirty years of progressive experience with three Fortune 500 companies, Emerson Electric Corporation (EMR), Teledyne Technologies, Inc. (TDY) and Halliburton Company (HAL). He led Mergers & Acquisitions and Strategic Planning during the past 10 years for Emerson Process Systems & Solutions contributing to segment sales growth to over $6B in 2008. Larry drove the closure of several middle market engineering and software acquisitions during the period, earning him an APMAA M&A Advisor certification. Larry has excelled in other disciplines, which serve him well in investment banking, including alliance structuring and management, marketing management, business development, project management software development management, and applied research and development. Larry has traveled extensively advising industrial clients on five continents. He has been active in ISA, ASME, and SPE. He earned a MBA from Oklahoma City University with honors. He holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin with a focus on energy systems. Larry holds two US patents and is a registered professional engineer (Texas).

S. Austin Pfiester

Austin Pfiester joined Focus Strategies Investment Banking in 2005 upon completion of an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin – McCombs School of Business. His graduate work included internships with G-51 and Sentient Ventures, two Austin-based Venture Capital firms. Prior to graduate school, Austin served as a Surface Warfare Officer in the United States Navy on board the USS Mt Whitney and the USS Nassau. He earned a B.A. from Vanderbilt University in Economics.  Austin holds Series 62 and 63 securities licenses.

John C. Scanio

John Scanio joined Focus Strategies Investment Banking in 2007 upon completion of an MBA from Southern Methodist University, Cox School of Business in Dallas. He concentrated in Finance with an emphasis in Investments and he served as co-CIO for the Nancy Chambers Underwood Student Managed Fund. He completed his graduate internship with Focus Strategies. Prior to graduate school, John worked as an Export Credit Analyst with International Paper Company. He earned his BBA in Finance from the University of Texas at Austin and worked as a Financial Intern for Smith Barney.

And our valuation services affiliate, Financial Valuation Services:

Edward Fowler, CFA, ASA

Edward is President of Financial Valuation Services (FVS), an 12 year old firm based in Austin, Texas.  Mr. Fowler began his career at Andersen Consulting, Tenneco Gas, and Arthur Andersen & Co. working in the areas of consulting, financial reporting, and business valuation.  Prior to Financial Valuation Services, Edward was an investment banking associate at Alex Sheshunoff & Co.  Mr.  Fowler earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin in Finance and his MBA degree from Texas A&M University.  Edward is an ASA (Accredited Senior Appraiser in Business Valuation) and a CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) Charterholder.  Mr. Fowler has written and contributed to several publications and presentations pertaining to business valuation.  Edward can be reached at 512-476-8866 or at edward@fvsvaluations.com.

Securities offered through Westlake Securities, LLC, a member of FINRA and SIPC.

Gary Valdez, Daryl Swarts, Lathrop Smith, Austin Pfiester Austin TX Corporate Finance Advisory and Investment Banking