Investment Banking Team

Managing Director
Chief Operating Officer and Director of Investment Banking

Steve Booth is Baird’s Chief Operating Officer and the Director of Investment Banking overseeing Baird's global corporate finance and M&A activities. Steve also co-manages Baird's Equity Capital Markets Group and is a member of the board of directors and Executive Committee of Robert W. Baird & Co. Steve has extensive experience originating and directing M&A and equity financing transactions in a wide variety of industries.

Before heading Baird's Investment Banking Group, Steve had previously led its Global M&A business and prior to that, its Industrials Group. Prior to joining Baird in 1994, Steve was at Kidder, Peabody & Co. in its Chicago Corporate Finance Office. Steve received his MM degree, with distinction, from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and holds a BBA in Finance and a BA in Economics, magna cum laude, from Southern Methodist University.

Managing Director
Chairman of Baird International

John joined Baird in September 2000 and has worked in the financial services industry for over 30 years. Prior to joining Baird, he was the London Corporate Finance Partner for William Blair. He was a Managing Director and head of European Investment Banking at Alex. Brown from 1993 to 1998, and was a Managing Director and head of M&A at Hill Samuel Bank, where he worked from 1981 to 1991.

Since the early 1980s, John’s principal focus has been cross-border acquisitions between the United States and Europe. In October 2001, John was appointed CEO of Baird’s European ECM business, which comprises Investment Banking, Equity Sales, Trading and Research. In January 2003, he relinquished the CEO position to focus actively on Baird’s transatlantic M&A effort, and was also appointed Chairman of Baird International.

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Vice Chairman, Robert W. Baird & Co.

Randy is a Vice Chairman of Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated and a member of Baird’s Executive Committee. He also is a member of the Management Committee of Baird’s Investment Banking group. Before joining Baird in 2006, he was a Managing Director and Head of Chicago Investment Banking for Lehman Brothers. Prior to that he was head of the Chicago offices of JPMorgan & Co. and The First Boston Corporation. Randy worked for First Boston in New York and London before moving to Chicago in 1982. Randy has acted as financial advisor to companies in a broad range of industries and has extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions and a wide range of debt and equity transactions for clients.

A graduate of Princeton University and The Darden School at The University of Virginia, Randy is a member of The Commercial Club of Chicago and The Economic Club of Chicago. He currently serves as a Director of Teach for America-Chicago and a Trustee of Woodberry Forest School. In addition, Randy is a member of the United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Community Impact Cabinet. He is a former Trustee of both The Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association and Ravinia Festival Association.

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Vice Chairman, Robert W. Baird & Co.

Dick joined Baird in 2002 as Vice Chairman. In that capacity, he supports Baird's Capital Markets businesses, particularly Investment Banking and Private Equity. With over 30 years of Wall Street corporate finance experience, Mr. Waid most recently served as a Managing Director in the Investment Banking Department of Robinson-Humphrey, now part of SunTrust in Atlanta.

He joined Robinson-Humphrey in 1992 and served as head of the firm's National Real Estate, Energy and Industrial practice groups within the Investment Banking Division. While there, he helped initiate and complete more than 75 public offerings and numerous M&A and private capital assignments.

Previously, Dick was with Kidder, Peabody in New York for more than 20 years, last serving as a Senior Vice President of Corporate Finance.

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Managing Director
Head of Consumer and Industrial Group

Paul joined Baird in 1995 and is the Head of the Consumer and Industrial Group. Paul has more than 25 years of Investment Banking experience and has been involved in a wide variety of financing and M&A transactions. Before joining Baird, he was a Partner at Vector Securities International. Earlier, he was a Senior Vice President in the Investment Banking group at Kidder, Peabody & Co. in Chicago.

He received an MBA with distinction from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University and his JD cum laude from Northwestern’s School of Law. He earned his undergraduate degree with high honors from the University of Notre Dame.

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Managing Director

Jason joined Baird's San Francisco office in 2012 and focuses on capital markets and M&A advisory services in the Consumer sector, with primary focus on restaurants and retailers. Prior to joining Baird, Jason was Managing Director of Corporate Development for The Vincraft Group, a private equity fund focused on the wine industry, where he managed the sourcing, acquisition and operations of portfolio companies. Prior to The Vincraft Group, Jason was a senior banker at Cowen & Company, where he advised restaurant, specialty retail, apparel and e-commerce companies. Jason also spent several years at Credit Suisse, Banc of America Securities, Great Western Bank and the Resolution Trust Corporation. Jason’s clients include: Backcountry.com, Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, Celebrate Express, Gary Farrell Winery, Gordon Biersch, Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Rubio's Restaurants and Wingstop Restaurants. Jason earned an MBA in Finance from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a B.S. in Finance from Arizona State University.

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Managing Director

Before joining Baird in 2008, Joachim was managing partner at two Frankfurt-based investment banking firms, Drueker & Co. from 1997 to 2005 and at Doertenbach & Co. He has advised German and international clients on merger and acquisition transactions, initial public offerings and delistings. Joachim has lived and worked in the US for many years. As an executive for General Motors, he was responsible for acquisitions and divestitures, both in the US and internationally. From 1993 to 1997 he was Chief Financial Officer of Linde AG. Joachim graduated as an engineer from Darmstadt Technical University and holds an MBA from the Harvard Business School.

Managing Director

Vinay is a Managing Director within Baird’s European Investment Banking team with a particular focus on the Industrial and Consumer sectors. He joined Baird in 2011, bringing extensive experience in acquisitions, disposals and capital raisings for both private equity and public companies across a wide range of sectors. Prior to joining Baird, Vinay spent eight years at Hawkpoint and was previously a Vice President, European M&A, at Goldman Sachs and earlier at Deutsche Bank. Vinay has a first class degree from Imperial College in London and is a qualified Chartered Accountant.

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Managing Director

Andrew joined Baird’s Charlotte Investment Banking office as a Director in 2009, and focuses on capital markets and M&A advisory services in the Consumer sector, with particular focus in the branded consumer products, sports and leisure, footwear and apparel sectors.

Prior to joining Baird and since 2003, he worked as a Director in the Consumer Mergers and Acquisitions practice for Wachovia where he executed numerous high profile assignments involving VF Corporation, Oakley, Bushnell, Shimano, Timberland, Volcom and Jarden. Additionally, Andrew was intricately involved with many prominent financial sponsors as they evaluated and effected transactions in similar sectors. From 2000 to 2003, he was a member of the European Corporate Finance practice for Lehman Brothers in London. Andrew began his career at Merrill Lynch in their Global Capital Markets and Investment Banking program in New York. He received his MBA from the Fuqua School at Duke University and his BS from Wake Forest University.

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Managing Director

Nick is a senior member of Baird’s Consumer Investment Banking team with a focus on Household Products. Prior to joining Baird in 2000, Nick was with Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom where he represented private equity funds and companies in connection with leveraged acquisitions and private financings. He has led high-profile Consumer M&A transactions for Provo Craft (Sorenson Capital), Technical Concepts (Liberty Partners) and Wilton Industries; those deals, which took place in 2010, 2008 and 2007, were each recognized as “Consumer Deal of the Year” by M&A Advisor magazine. He has also led transactions involving Ames True Temper, P&G, Bosch, Stanley Black & Decker, World Kitchen and numerous consumer-focused private equity firms. Nick received his MBA and JD degrees from the University of Chicago and his BA degree from Haverford College.

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Managing Director

Joe joined Baird’s Charlotte Investment Banking office as Managing Director in 2008, and focuses on capital markets and M&A advisory services in the Consumer sector, with particular focus in retail, branded apparel, outdoor products and footwear segments.

Prior to joining Baird, he worked as Retail Group Head for Wachovia where, since 2003, he was responsible for the Retail and Soft Goods investment banking practice. From 2000 to 2003, Joe led the middle market Consumer and Retail practice for Lehman Brothers, and from 1991 to 2000 he was a member of the Consumer and Retail group at Robertson Stephens. Since 1991, Joe has executed numerous high-profile investment banking transactions in the branded apparel and retail sectors, including Under Armour, North Face, VF Corporation, Spyder Active Sports, SmartWool Corporation, Volcom, Bushnell, Pure Fishing, Easton, Oakley Inc., and Zumiez. Prior to entering the investment banking industry, he spent seven years in the NFL, playing for the New York Jets and the Atlanta Falcons. Joe received his MBA from Columbia University and his BA from Harvard.

Director

Kurt joined Baird's Chicago Investment Banking office in August 2007 and focuses on Strategic Advisory services, including M&A and Equity, in the Consumer sector. Prior to joining Baird, he was co-founder and Partner at Intercap Merchant Partners, a merchant banking firm. At Intercap, Kurt led several sell-side and buy-side transactions. Previous to Intercap, Kurt was with Banc of America Securities (formerly Montgomery Securities) in San Francisco, serving as a member of the Consumer M&A team. Kurt has advised several category-leading Consumer companies such as PepsiCo, Fender Musical Instruments, Bass Pro Shops, Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Roundy’s, Savage Sports, Liberty Safe, Gordon Biersch, Applica Consumer Products, Tanimura & Antle, Ames True Temper and SRAM. Kurt is a member of the Economic Club of Chicago. He earned a BA with honors in Economics at the University of California at Berkeley.

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Managing Director

Chris has extensive experience advising corporate clients and executing public and private financing and M&A transactions. Chris focuses on the Consumer Products and Services marketplace, and has advised a number of branded consumer companies including those in the Leisure, Retail, Apparel, Food and Restaurant sectors.

Before joining Baird in 2005, Chris worked in the Investment Banking group at A.G. Edwards & Sons. Earlier, he worked in the Audit and Corporate Finance groups at KPMG. Chris received an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis and a BS in Accounting from Indiana University. He is a Certified Public Accountant.

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Managing Director
Head of Asia Investment Banking

Prior to joining Baird, Anthony was a Director of Corporate Advisory at Standard Chartered Bank, responsible for cross-border M&A transactions in China. Before joining Standard Chartered, he was a Senior Vice President at Daiwa Securities SMBC. Anthony also previously worked at Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein and Schroders where he was involved in a variety of M&A and capital market transactions. Anthony received his Executive MBA degree from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). He holds a B.A. degree from Pomona College and is a certified CPA in California.

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Managing Director
Head of Corporate Restructuring Group

Bill joined Baird in 2006 as head of the Corporate Restructuring group. His focus is primarily on leveraged finance, out-of-court debt restructurings, refinancings and distressed M&A transactions as well as in-court bankruptcy reorganizations and Section 363 sales. During his career, Bill has led numerous higher profile Middle Market Restructuring engagements throughout the United States.

He is the author of Price Allocations in Section 363 Sale Asset Purchase Agreements published in the October 2006 issue of The Journal of Corporate Renewal. Before joining Baird, he was a principal of Starshak Welnhofer & Co., a Chicago investment-banking boutique, which he founded in 1990.

Before that, he was a partner in the Chicago law firm of McBride, Baker & Coles (since merged into Holland & Knight). He received his JD, MBA and BA with distinction from Northwestern University.

Managing Director
Co-Head of Energy Group

Curtis joined Robert W. Baird in April 2010. Previously, he had been with A.G. Edwards since August 1995 and joined Wachovia Securities upon its acquisition of A.G. Edwards in October 2007 and Wells Fargo Securities upon its acquisition of Wachovia in December 2008. During his tenure at A.G. Edwards, Curtis co-founded the firm’s Oil & Gas Investment Banking practice, helping to grow it into one of the most active on Wall Street in terms of both transactions managed and dollars raised. He primarily focuses on providing capital raising and financial advisory services to E&P companies and master limited partnerships (MLPs).

Prior to joining A.G. Edwards, Curtis worked in the corporate finance departments of both Lehman Brothers and Salomon Brothers. Curtis holds an MBA from the University of Chicago, with concentrations in finance, accounting and economics, and a BS degree in finance from Indiana University.

Managing Director
Co-Head of Energy Group

Director
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Managing Director
Chairman, Equity Capital Markets

Managing Director
Head of Technology Group
Co-Head of Equity Capital Markets

Managing Director
Co-Head of Equity Capital Markets

Peter is Co-Head of Equity Capital Markets for Robert W. Baird & Co. He is also a member of Baird’s Capital Commitment Committee and a Director of the Baird Foundation. Peter is responsible for overseeing the origination and execution efforts of Baird’s Equity Capital Markets practice. Prior to assuming joint leadership of the capital markets effort, Peter built and led several investment banking industry efforts and, over the past 20 years, has directed mergers, acquisitions and equity transactions in a wide range of industries, including the Consumer, Industrial, Services, Technology and Utility sectors.

Since joining Baird in 1992, he has served the firm in numerous capacities, including Chairman of the Investment Banking and firm-wide Recruiting Committees and as a member of the Investment Committee of the Baird Venture Fund. Prior to joining Baird, Peter was a Director of Investments for The Equitable and on the staff of former Governor Tommy Thompson. He received his BBA and MS from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Managing Director

Gary is head of Baird’s Syndicate Department, and has worked at Baird in this capacity since 1990. Before joining Baird, he was the head of Corporate Finance for the Milwaukee Company. Gary holds a BBA with a concentration in Accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

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Managing Director
Head of Financial Services Group

Mark joined Baird Investment Banking in 2005 as head of its Financial Services group to provide both equity and debt financing and M&A advisory services to banks and thrifts, specialty finance organizations, including business development and insurance companies, along with other companies in the financial services sector.

Before joining Baird, Mark was with Legg Mason for more than 21 years, including the last 10 years serving as head of Legg Mason’s Financial Services Investment Banking group. Mark graduated cum laude from Virginia Tech and received his MBA there.

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Managing Director
Head of Financial Sponsor Group

Chris is head of Baird’s Financial Sponsor Group, Co-head of the Chicago office and a member of the firm’s Investment Banking Management Committee and M&A Fairness Opinion Committee. He has over 20 years of Investment Banking experience. Since joining Baird in 1994, Chris has provided financing and advisory services to companies in the Business Services, Telecommunications, Consumer and Industrial sectors.

He was previously a Vice President with the Kidder, Peabody & Co. Midwest investment banking group. Chris received his MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University and holds a Bachelor of Honors in Financial Management and Commerce from the University of Cape Town.

He is also a Chartered Accountant and a Certified Public Accountant, and has six years of experience in public accounting with Grant Thornton in the United States and Ernst & Whinney in South Africa.

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Managing Director

Jonathan joined Baird’s European Investment Banking team in October 2012 to lead the coverage of Financial Sponsor clients in Europe. Prior to Baird, he spent eleven years at the mid-market, Pan-European private equity firm AAC Capital, where he was a Partner and member of the Engagement and Investment Committee. He was responsible for originating and executing new investments as well as managing a portfolio of companies and executing a number of successful exits. He has experience at board seat level across a variety of businesses in the services, consumer and industrial sectors. He also has extensive experience of leveraged finance which he gained during his time as a Director at Credit Suisse First Boston and from Natwest Markets in the Acquisition and Leveraged Finance Group. Jonathan has an Economics degree from Hull University.

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Managing Director

Leslie joined Baird in 2005 as a Managing Director to open Baird’s Boston office and to serve as a senior member of Baird’s Financial Sponsor Group. Before joining Baird, Les spent almost six years at SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, most recently as a Managing Director in its business and technology services group. Before his time at SunTrust, Les worked as an Investment Banker at Tucker Anthony (now part of RBC Securities) in Boston for seven years. He received a BA from Harvard College.

Managing Director

Tom is a Managing Director in Baird's Financial Sponsor Coverage and Industrial and Consumer Groups. Since joining Baird, he has participated in equity financing and mergers and acquisitions transactions totaling more than $13 billion and has led a variety of transactions in the commercial and specialty vehicle, heavy truck and automobile supply, and vehicle aftermarket and distribution sectors.

Prior to joining Baird in 1997, Tom received an MBA from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business Administration, was a financial analyst with Goldman Sachs & Co., and graduated with honors in English Literature from Boston College.

Managing Director

John joined Baird in December 2007 as a Managing Director and Head of Baird’s Palo Alto Investment Banking office. Prior to joining Baird, he spent 13 years in the investment banking group at AG Edwards (now Wachovia Securities) and established AG Edwards’ West Coast Technology Investment Banking practice. During his tenure at AG Edwards, John led his clients in a variety of transactions including public and private equity financings, convertible securities offerings, buy- and sell-side merger and acquisition assignments and other financial advisory activities. From 1989 to 1992, he worked for KPMG Peat Marwick where he was a senior level auditor responsible for public and private company financial audits.

John received a B.S. degree in Accounting, cum laude, from Georgetown University, and a M.B.A. in Finance and Marketing from The Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University. He is also a graduate from the Securities Industry Institute at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Managing Director

Jeff is a Managing Director in Baird’s Financial Sponsor Group with responsibility for managing the firm’s relationships with a number of leading private equity firms. In addition, Jeff is Co-Head of Baird’s Investment Banking recruiting efforts focused on undergraduate, MBA and lateral hires. Prior to joining Baird in 2008, he served as Senior Managing Director in the Financial Sponsor Group at Bear Stearns & Co. Inc. Jeff also spent 15 years with Lehman Brothers Inc., serving in a variety of investment banking positions, most recently as Managing Director in the Global Financial Sponsor Group. He holds an MBA in Finance from Northwestern’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management and a BBA in Finance and a BA in Political Science from Southern Methodist University. Jeff is an active member of the Chicago community, serving on the Board of Directors of SGA Youth & Family Services.

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Managing Director
Head of European Investment Banking

David joined Baird in 1998 and leads Baird's Business Services effort in Europe. He is a founding member of Baird’s M&A team in Europe and has extensive experience advising private equity clients, corporations and entrepreneurs in the United States and Europe within the industrial and business services sectors. Before joining Baird, David practiced as a corporate and banking lawyer at Berwin Leighton. He earned an MBA with distinction from London Business School and a law degree from Leeds University.

Managing Director

David is a Managing Director in Baird’s Financial Sponsors Group. Since joining Baird in 1995, David has participated in a wide variety of advisory assignments representing both buyers and sellers of public and private companies. In addition, David has executed numerous public and private debt and equity financings.

Before joining Baird, he spent five years at Coopers & Lybrand (now PriceWaterhouseCoopers), primarily focused on Corporate Finance and mergers and acquisitions advisory assignments. David received a BS magna cum laude in Accounting from Valparaiso University. He is also a Certified Public Accountant.

Managing Director
Head of Services and Healthcare Groups

Brian is a Managing Director and Head of Baird’s Services and Healthcare groups. In addition to serving as group head, Brian covers a wide range of services sectors, including BPO, Customer Care, Human Capital, Information and Professional Services, and is a member of Baird’s Investment Banking Management Committee.

Before joining Baird in 2004, Brian worked 14 years at Credit Suisse First Boston where he was co-head of the Global Services group. From 1992 to 1994, Brian worked for the Corporate Finance group of General Electric Capital Corporation, where he was responsible for making equity investments and loans to highly leveraged companies.

Brian received a BA in Economics from Northwestern University and an MBA in Finance from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Director

Director

Managing Director
Head of Consumer and Industrial Group

Paul joined Baird in 1995 and is the Head of the Consumer and Industrial Group. Paul has more than 25 years of Investment Banking experience and has been involved in a wide variety of financing and M&A transactions. Before joining Baird, he was a Partner at Vector Securities International. Earlier, he was a Senior Vice President in the Investment Banking group at Kidder, Peabody & Co. in Chicago.

He received an MBA with distinction from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University and his JD cum laude from Northwestern’s School of Law. He earned his undergraduate degree with high honors from the University of Notre Dame.

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Managing Director

Managing Director

Before joining Baird in 2008, Joachim was managing partner at two Frankfurt-based investment banking firms, Drueker & Co. from 1997 to 2005 and at Doertenbach & Co. He has advised German and international clients on merger and acquisition transactions, initial public offerings and delistings. Joachim has lived and worked in the US for many years. As an executive for General Motors, he was responsible for acquisitions and divestitures, both in the US and internationally. From 1993 to 1997 he was Chief Financial Officer of Linde AG. Joachim graduated as an engineer from Darmstadt Technical University and holds an MBA from the Harvard Business School.

Managing Director

Joel is a Managing Director in Baird’s Consumer and Industrial Group and is responsible for Baird’s Global Test & Measurement practice; he is also a member of Baird’s Fairness Opinion Committee. Joel provides mergers and acquisition and financial advisory services to clients in a variety of sectors, including Analytical Instrumentation, Process Technology, Automation and Testing services.

Before joining Baird in 1994, Joel was a member of the Kidder, Peabody & Co. Investment Banking Group. He received his MBA with high honors from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business, and holds a BS in Applied Mathematics and Economics from Brown University.

Director

Christian is a Director in Baird’s Industrial Group and has over 10 years of investment banking experience focused on M&A advisory and capital raising for middle market and large capitalization companies in the industrial sector. Prior to joining Baird, Christian was a Vice President in the Industrial Group at Deutsche Bank Securities and earlier an Associate in the Global Industries Group at Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. in New York and began his investment banking career as a Financial Analyst in the M&A group at Banc of America Securities. Christian earned an MBA with high honors and an A.B. degree in Economics, both from the University of Chicago.

Managing Director

Chris joined Baird’s Industrial Investment Banking practice in 2004 and assists in public and private equity financings, merger and acquisition assignments, and other financial advisory services for clients in a number of industries.

Prior to joining Baird, Chris was in investment banking at A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc., where he provided analytical support on transactions primarily in the Energy sector. He received his MBA, with honors, from the University of Chicago. Prior to attending graduate school, Chris worked in various capacities at ABN Amro and LaSalle Bank. He received his BBA from the University of Notre Dame

Director

Adam is a member of Baird’s Vehicle Supply Group. Since joining Baird in 2000, he has participated in numerous equity financings, mergers and acquisitions and other financial advisory services in roles of increasing responsibility. Mr. Czaia received an MBA from the J.L. Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and graduated, with honors, from Marquette University with a BS degree in Finance.

Managing Director

Vinay is a member of Baird’s European Consumer & Industrial Investment Banking team. He joined Baird in 2011, bringing extensive experience in acquisitions, disposals and capital raisings for both private equity and public companies across the Consumer, Services, Leisure, Healthcare and Industrials sectors.

Prior to joining Baird, Vinay spent eight years in the Hawkpoint Corporate Advisory team and was previously a Vice President, European M&A, at Goldman Sachs and earlier Senior Associate, European M&A, at Deutsche Bank. Vinay has a first class degree from Imperial College in London and is a qualified Chartered Accountant.

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Managing Director

Steve is a Managing Director in Baird’s Industrial and Clean Tech Investment Banking practices. Since joining Baird in 2000, Steve has advised on a variety of mergers and acquisitions and equity financings, including 17 transactions totaling more than $2.0 billion in the process treatment / filtration sector.

Before joining Baird, Steve was a Vice President at Tucker Anthony. Prior to graduate business school, he provided corporate tax and other advisory services for Price Waterhouse (now PriceWaterhouseCoopers). Steve earned an MBA with distinction from the University of Michigan Business School and graduated with a BA in English Language and Literature from the University of Virginia. He is also a Certified Public Accountant.

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Managing Director

Trish is a Managing Director in Baird’s Consumer and Industrial Group. Since joining Baird in 2000, she has assisted in public and private equity financings, buy-side and sell-side mergers and acquisitions, and other advisory services for private equity-backed, public and privately owned companies in industrial, consumer product and niche manufacturing sectors.

Before joining Baird, Trish spent six years with Arthur Andersen, where she provided business, tax advisory and consulting services. She received her MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University and graduated with a BBA in Accounting and Finance from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She is also a Certified Public Accountant.

Managing Director

Jason joined Baird in July 1998 and is a member of the distribution and supply chain technology team within Baird's investment banking group. He has extensive M&A and capital markets experience working with distribution clients on both sides of the Atlantic. Jason was a founder member of Baird's M&A team in Europe and was based in Baird's London office for five years.

Jason received an MBA from the University of Cambridge, where he was a Gates Cambridge Scholar, and graduated with a BS degree in Finance, with highest honors, from the University of Florida..

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Managing Director
Head of Distribution Group

Tom joined Baird in January 1996, and is the leader of the distribution and supply chain technology team within Baird’s investment banking group. Since 2000, Baird has completed financing and advisory transactions generating over $13 billion on behalf of Baird distribution and supply chain clients.

Prior to joining Baird, Tom was a partner in the securities and mergers and acquisitions practice of the law firm of Foley & Lardner. He is a member of the State Bar of Florida and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Tom graduated, magna cum Laude, from Notre Dame Law School, and received a BBA degree with concentration in Accounting, cum laude, from the University of Notre Dame. He began his career in the Chicago office of Ernst & Whinney. .

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Managing Director
Head of Global Mergers & Acquisitions

Chris is a Managing Director focusing on the Industrial sector. He is Head of Baird's Global Mergers & Acquisitions activities, co-head of the Chicago office and a member of the firm's Investment Banking Management Committee and M&A Fairness Opinion Committee.

Chris has over 25 years of investment banking experience and joined Baird in 2002. He previously served as a Managing Director in the Mergers & Acquisitions group at Credit Suisse First Boston, which he joined as part of CSFB's November 2000 acquisition of Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette. Previously, Chris served as a Managing Director and Head of the Industrial/Capital Goods Group at ABN Amro.

He received his MBA from the University of Chicago and his BS from Babson College.

Managing Director

Joe is a Managing Director in Baird’s Consumer and Industrial Group. Since joining Baird in 1998, he has participated in nearly 50 completed equity financings and mergers and acquisitions transactions. Joe has deep experience in executing public and private company transactions within the general industrial, process controls, vehicle supply, capital equipment and consumer product sectors.

Prior to joining Baird, Joe was an accountant at Deloitte and Touche, LLP, where he provided audit and advisory services. He received a BS degree in Accounting from Marquette University and an MBA, with honors, from the J.L. Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

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Managing Director
Co-Head of European Investment Banking

Nicholas qualified as a chartered accountant with Peat Marwick in South Africa. He spent 10 years at Barings in domestic and international corporate finance (North America and South Africa) and capital markets. Nicholas joined Baird in 1996, became a Director in 1998, a Managing Director in 2003 and co-head of European Investment Banking in 2004.

He has wide experience in company sales and acquisitions, public offers, bid defenses and capital raisings. Nicholas focuses on Industrial and Consumer mergers and acquisitions, working with clients in both North America and Europe.

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Managing Director
Head of Asia Investment Banking

Prior to joining Baird, Anthony was a Director of Corporate Advisory at Standard Chartered Bank, responsible for cross-border M&A transactions in China. Before joining Standard Chartered, he was a Senior Vice President at Daiwa Securities SMBC. Anthony also previously worked at Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein and Schroders where he was involved in a variety of M&A and capital market transactions. Anthony received his Executive MBA degree from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). He holds a B.A. degree from Pomona College and is a certified CPA in California.

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Managing Director

Before Michael joined Baird in 2003, he worked for Deutsche Bank in Frankfurt for nine years, primarily executing public and private merger and acquisition transactions. At Deutsche Bank, he focused on Chemicals, Automotive, Industrials and private equity transactions. Michael completed transactions involving German, European and U.S. private and public companies as well as private equity firms and their portfolio companies.

Earlier, Michael worked at Roland Berger Management Consultants and Arthur Andersen & Co. He graduated as a Diplom-Kaufmann from the University of Bayreuth and holds an MBA with high distinction from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor.

Managing Director
Head of Global Mergers & Acquisitions

Chris is a Managing Director focusing on the Industrial sector. He is Head of Baird's Global Mergers & Acquisitions activities, co-head of the Chicago office and a member of the firm's Investment Banking Management Committee and M&A Fairness Opinion Committee.

With 22 years of investment banking experience, Chris most recently served as a Managing Director in the Mergers & Acquisitions group at Credit Suisse First Boston, which he joined as part of CSFB's November 2000 acquisition of Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette. Previously, Chris served as a Managing Director and Head of the Industrial/Capital Goods Group at ABN Amro.

He received his MBA from the University of Chicago and his BS from Babson College.

Managing Director
Co-Head of Mergers & Acquisitions

Brian is a Managing Director and Co-Head of Baird's overall M&A practice. In addition, he plays a senior banker role with many of Baird's key industrial clients and is Chairperson of the firm's Fairness Opinion Committee. Brian has over 25 years of experience in the global M&A market, through which he has developed extensive experience in originating and executing a broad range of strategic transactions for publicly-traded, sponsor-owned and privately-owned middle market companies across a wide variety of industries.

Prior to joining Baird in 2008, Brian spent almost 13 years at Wachovia Securities in Charlotte, NC serving as Head of the Industrial Growth M&A Group and a member of the firm's Fairness Opinion Committee. He also spent over a decade in New York in the Global Mergers & Acquisitions Group of a predecessor firm to JPMorgan Chase, ultimately leading the origination and execution of domestic and cross-border advisory transactions with the firm's key industrial clients in his role as Co-Head of the Global Industrial M&A effort.

Brian received his undergraduate degree from Haverford College.

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Managing Director
Debt Advisory

Howard is a Managing Director in Baird's Mergers & Acquisitions group. He serves as a senior M&A execution specialist and heads the firm’s M&A Debt Advisory practice. Howard has over 15 years of experience originating and executing financing and M&A advisory assignments in a diverse range of industry sectors including industrial, consumer products, for-profit education, corporate training, human capital services, and healthcare services. His clients have ranged from public multinational corporations to private, growth-oriented middle-market firms.

Prior to Baird, Howard was an Associate in the investment banking departments of Credit Suisse First Boston and Merrill Lynch. Howard received an MBA degree with honors from The University of Chicago Graduate School of Business. He also graduated Phi Beta Kappa and summa cum laude from the University of Notre Dame where he received a BA degree in history and German.

Managing Director
Director of Japan M&A

Satoshi Matsumoto is a Managing Director and Director of Japan M&A based in Baird’s Chicago office. In his role, Satoshi leads the firm's cross-border M&A origination and execution efforts involving Japanese companies, working across all of Baird's industry groups and geographies. Satoshi has an extensive background in cross-border M&A involving Japanese companies. Prior to joining Baird in 2012, Satoshi was a Managing Director and Head of Japan Consumer Retail at Barclays Capital. Prior to joining Barclays in 2009, he was a Managing Director at Nomura Securities, which had acquired Lehman Brothers' former Asian & European operations. Prior to Nomura, Satoshi spent 11 years at Lehman Brothers in Tokyo and New York. In 2006 he was asked to build the Japan Consumer/Retail Coverage team at Lehman, which became one of the most successful Consumer/Retail teams in Japan with a leading position in cross-border M&A in the Consumer/Retail sector. Prior to joining Lehman Brothers in 1997, Satoshi worked at Long-Term Credit Bank of Japan for 4 years. Satoshi has a B.A. in Economics from Keio University, Tokyo.

Managing Director
Head of Services and Healthcare Groups

Brian is a Managing Director and Head of Baird’s Services and Healthcare groups. In addition to serving as group head, Brian covers a wide range of services sectors, including BPO, Customer Care, Human Capital, Information and Professional Services, and is a member of Baird’s Investment Banking Management Committee.

Before joining Baird in 2004, Brian worked 14 years at Credit Suisse First Boston where he was co-head of the Global Services group. From 1992 to 1994, Brian worked for the Corporate Finance group of General Electric Capital Corporation, where he was responsible for making equity investments and loans to highly leveraged companies.

Brian received a BA in Economics from Northwestern University and an MBA in Finance from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Director

Dan joined Baird in 2004 and is a Director in the Business Services Group. Prior to joining Baird, he spent six years in valuation advisory and strategy consulting at A.T. Kearney and McKinsey & Co. covering the retail and consumer services sectors. Previously, he worked for a real estate and transaction advisory firm providing financial structuring and advisory services. Dan received his MBA degree from Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, and a BBA with highest distinction in Real Estate and Finance from the University of Michigan Business School.

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Managing Director

Jonathan is a member of Baird's European Business Services Investment Banking team. He joined Baird in 2008, bringing extensive experience in a range of subsectors including Facilities Services, Infrastructure Services, Environmental Consulting, Logistics, Security and Testing, Inspection and Certification.

With nearly 12 years of experience in the Investment Banking industry, as well as a background as an auditor and economist, Jonathan has long-established relationships with many large corporations and private equity firms, and has executed a number of flagship transactions for his client base. Most recently, Jonathan worked at Deutsche Bank where he was responsible for the firm’s Business Services franchise across EMEA. He has a first class degree in Economics and a Master of Philosophy in Finance.

Managing Director

Chris is a Managing Director in Business Services Investment Banking at Baird, where he provides mergers and acquisition advisory and capital-raising services to corporate clients. Prior to joining Baird in 2005, he spent approximately five years in Business Services Investment Banking at Deutsche Bank Securities in New York, where he worked on a variety of financing and M&A transactions.

Before entering investment banking, he worked as a CPA for Ernst & Young in Indianapolis. Chris received a BS and MBA with distinction from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University.

Managing Director

John joined Baird in 2000. He spent his first year in Baird’s Investment Banking Group and then worked as a research analyst for two years in the Equity Research Department. He rejoined Investment Banking in 2003. Prior to joining Baird, John was an investment banking associate with Prudential Securities in New York.

John's experience also includes five years as an auditor with Deloitte & Touche where he ultimately reached the level of manager. He received an MBA degree from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business Administration. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland College Park where he was an honors student. He is also a CPA.

Managing Director

Kiran joined Baird in 2004 and is a member of Baird's Business Services Group. He spends the majority of his time with companies in the Business Process Outsourcing / Outsourced Customer Care industries.

Prior to joining Baird, Kiran spent three years as an Associate at Salomon Smith Barney, where he provided financial and advisory services to corporate clients primarily in the energy industry. He received his MBA degree from The University of Chicago Graduate School of Business and graduated with a BS degree in Accounting from the University of Illinois. He is also a CPA.

Managing Director

Bret manages the Human Capital Services practice within the Business Services sector covered by Baird. Since joining Baird in 1992, he has been active in a variety of private and public financing, and buy- and sell-side strategic financial advisory assignments, primarily for clients in services industries.

Before joining Baird, Bret worked in the Commercial Banking Department at the American National Bank of Chicago. He received an MBA from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business and a BA in Economics from DePauw University.

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Managing Director

Judith joined the Business Services Investment Banking team after a distinguished 20-plus-year career as a research analyst largely focused on covering Human Capital Services for Baird. Judith pioneered the coverage of the Staffing Industry with the first comprehensive industry report in 1986 and was voted a member of the First Team of the All-America Research Team in the Business Services/Staffing category of Institutional Investor Magazine in 1999.

Other honors included recognition by Reuters in its Mid-to-Smaller Company Research survey as the second-highest ranking analyst for Services (Commercial & Consumer) in 1998. Before joining Baird in 1980, Judith taught at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., and currently serves on the board of the Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Milwaukee.

She earned a BA from Stanford University, where she was elected to Phi Beta Kappa; an MS in Italian Literature from the Catholic University of America; and an MBA from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with Beta Gamma Sigma honors.

Managing Director

Head of European Investment Banking

David joined Baird in January 1998 and leads Baird's business services effort in Europe. He is a founding member of Baird’s M&A team in Europe, and has extensive experience advising private equity clients, corporations and entrepreneurs in the United States and Europe within the Industrial and Business Services sectors. Prior to Baird, David practiced as a corporate and banking lawyer at Berwin Leighton. He earned an MBA with distinction from London Business School and a law degree from Leeds University.

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Managing Director

Andrew is a Managing Director focusing on the Business Services sector, where he has coverage responsibility for both the Education and Marketing and Information Services industries. Before joining Baird in July 2004, Andrew spent nine years at Credit Suisse First Boston, in both New York and Chicago.

At CSFB, he was a senior member of its Business Services group, working with a variety of Marketing, Information and Education services companies. Andrew received a BA cum laude from Middlebury College and an MBA from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business.

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Managing Director

Ross joined Baird in 1998 and is a member of the Business Services group. Since joining the firm, he has participated in numerous equity offerings, mergers and acquisitions and other financial advisory services in roles of increasing responsibility. Recent transaction experience includes the sale of a school bus operator to Macquarie, the sale of Financial Dynamics to FTI Consulting and equity financings for RSC Equipment Rental and Williams Scotsman.

Ross received his MBA with distinction from the J.L. Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and his BA with honors from the University of Wisconsin, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa.

Managing Director
Head of Technology Group
Co-Head of Equity Capital Markets

Managing Director

John joined Baird in December 2007 as a Managing Director and Head of Baird’s Palo Alto Investment Banking office. Prior to joining Baird, he spent 13 years in the investment banking group at AG Edwards (now Wachovia Securities) and established AG Edwards’ West Coast Technology Investment Banking practice. During his tenure at AG Edwards, John led his clients in a variety of transactions including public and private equity financings, convertible securities offerings, buy- and sell-side merger and acquisition assignments and other financial advisory activities. From 1989 to 1992, he worked for KPMG Peat Marwick where he was a senior level auditor responsible for public and private company financial audits.

John received a B.S. degree in Accounting, cum laude, from Georgetown University, and a M.B.A. in Finance and Marketing from The Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University. He is also a graduate from the Securities Industry Institute at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and is a Certified Public Accountant.

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Vice Chairman

Dick joined Baird in 2002 as Vice Chairman, and in that capacity, he supports Baird's Capital Markets businesses, particularly Investment Banking and Private Equity. With more than 30 years of Wall Street corporate finance experience, Mr. Waid most recently served as a Managing Director in the Investment Banking Department of Robinson-Humphrey, now part of SunTrust in Atlanta.

He joined Robinson-Humphrey in 1992 and served as head of the firm's National Real Estate, Energy and Industrial practice groups within the Investment Banking Division. While there, he helped initiate and complete more than 75 public offerings and numerous M&A and private capital assignments.

Previously, Dick was with Kidder, Peabody in New York for more than 20 years, last serving as a Senior Vice President of Corporate Finance.

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Managing Director

John joined Baird in 2000. He spent his first year in Baird’s Investment Banking Group and then worked as a research analyst for two years in the Equity Research Department. He rejoined Investment Banking in 2003. Prior to joining Baird, John was an investment banking associate with Prudential Securities in New York.

John's experience also includes five years as an auditor with Deloitte & Touche where he ultimately reached the level of manager. He received an MBA degree from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business Administration. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland College Park where he was an honors student. He is also a CPA.

Managing Director
Head of Asia Investment Banking

Prior to joining Baird, Anthony was a Director of Corporate Advisory at Standard Chartered Bank, responsible for cross-border M&A transactions in China. Before joining Standard Chartered, he was a Senior Vice President at Daiwa Securities SMBC. Anthony also previously worked at Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein and Schroders where he was involved in a variety of M&A and capital market transactions. Anthony received his Executive MBA degree from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). He holds a B.A. degree from Pomona College and is a certified CPA in California.

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Managing Director

Before joining Baird in 2008, Joachim was managing partner at two Frankfurt-based investment banking firms, Drueker & Co. from 1997 to 2005 and at Doertenbach & Co. He has advised German and international clients on merger and acquisition transactions, initial public offerings and delistings. Joachim has lived and worked in the US for many years. As an executive for General Motors, he was responsible for acquisitions and divestitures, both in the US and internationally. From 1993 to 1997 he was Chief Financial Officer of Linde AG. Joachim graduated as an engineer from Darmstadt Technical University and holds an MBA from the Harvard Business School.

Managing Director

Before Michael joined Baird in 2003, he worked for Deutsche Bank in Frankfurt for nine years, primarily executing public and private merger and acquisition transactions. At Deutsche Bank, he focused on Chemicals, Automotive, Industrials and private equity transactions. Michael completed transactions involving German, European and U.S. private and public companies as well as private equity firms and their portfolio companies.

Earlier, Michael worked at Roland Berger Management Consultants and Arthur Andersen & Co. He graduated as a Diplom-Kaufmann from the University of Bayreuth and holds an MBA with high distinction from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor.

Managing Director
Chairman of Baird International

John joined Baird in September 2000 and has worked in the financial services industry for more than 30 years. Immediately before joining Baird, he was the London corporate finance partner for William Blair. Previously, he served as a Managing Director and head of European Investment Banking at Alex Brown from 1993 to 1998, and was a Managing Director and head of mergers and acquisitions at Hill Samuel Bank, where he worked from 1981 to 1991. Since the early 1980s, John’s principal focus has been cross-border acquisitions between the United States and Europe.

In October 2001, John was appointed CEO of Baird’s European ECM business, comprising investment banking, equity sales, trading and research. In January 2003, he relinquished the CEO position to focus on Baird’s transatlantic M&A effort and was also appointed Chairman of Baird International.

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Managing Director

Paul joined Baird’s European M&A team in February 2012 where he provides debt advisory expertise gained from over 12 years of lending and advising on leveraged finance transactions. Prior to Baird, Paul was with Investec Bank plc where he ran debt advisory for private equity-based transactions from January 2009. Previously Paul worked for Barclays Bank plc as a Senior Director in 2005, rising to Head of the Financial Sponsors Leveraged Finance team in 2007. Paul started his career at Hill Samuel as a corporate banker before moving to a head office strategic development role at parent TSB Group and then spent 8 years at Bank of America principally within their European leveraged finance team. Paul has an Economics degree from Cambridge University.

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Managing Director

Jonathan joined Baird’s European Investment Banking team in October 2012 to lead the coverage of Financial Sponsor clients in Europe. Prior to Baird, he spent eleven years at the mid-market, Pan-European private equity firm AAC Capital, where he was a Partner and member of the Engagement and Investment Committee. He was responsible for originating and executing new investments as well as managing a portfolio of companies and executing a number of successful exits. He has experience at board seat level across a variety of businesses in the services, consumer and industrial sectors. He also has extensive experience of leveraged finance which he gained during his time as a Director at Credit Suisse First Boston and from Natwest Markets in the Acquisition and Leveraged Finance Group. Jonathan has an Economics degree from Hull University.

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Managing Director

Vinay is a Managing Director within Baird’s European Investment Banking team with a particular focus on the Industrial and Consumer sectors. He joined Baird in 2011, bringing extensive experience in acquisitions, disposals and capital raisings for both private equity and public companies across a wide range of sectors. Prior to joining Baird, Vinay spent eight years at Hawkpoint and was previously a Vice President, European M&A, at Goldman Sachs and earlier at Deutsche Bank. Vinay has a first class degree from Imperial College in London and is a qualified Chartered Accountant.Accountant.

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Managing Director

Jonathan is a member of Baird's European Business Services Investment Banking team. He joined Baird in 2008, bringing extensive experience in a range of subsectors including Facilities Services, Infrastructure Services, Environmental Consulting, Logistics, Security and Testing, Inspection and Certification.

With nearly 12 years of experience in the Investment Banking industry, as well as a background as an auditor and economist, Jonathan has long-established relationships with many large corporations and private equity firms, and has executed a number of flagship transactions for his client base. Most recently, Jonathan worked at Deutsche Bank where he was responsible for the firm’s Business Services franchise across EMEA. He has a first class degree in Economics and a Master of Philosophy in Finance.

Managing Director
Co-Head of European Investment Banking

Nicholas qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Peat Marwick in South Africa. He spent 10 years at Barings in domestic and international corporate finance (North America and South Africa) and capital markets. Nicholas joined Baird in 1996, became a Director in 1998, a Managing Director in 2003 and co-head of European investment banking in 2004.

He has wide experience in company sales and acquisitions, public offers, bid defences and capital raisings. Nicholas focuses on consumer and industrial mergers and acquisitions, working with both North American and European clients.

Managing Director
Chief Operating Officer – European Investment Banking

Peter is a Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer of Baird’s European Investment Banking division. Peter originally joined Baird in 1998 and has participated in advising clients on IPOs, takeovers and defences, capital-raisings, acquisitions and disposals. Prior to joining Baird, Peter spent 14 years with NatWest Wood Mackenzie.

From 2003 to 2006, Peter co-founded and led Watson Macneill, a recruitment firm dedicated to independent director search. He rejoined Baird in 2006. Peter graduated from the University of St. Andrews, Scotland, with an honors degree in French Language and Literature, and then qualified as a Chartered Accountant with PriceWaterhouseCoopers in London.

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