Investment bank co-founder has overseen more than $2B in M&A - The Business Journal of Milwaukee:

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With 15 years of major-market investment banking and relatecfinancial experience, Downing co-founded with the goal of establishingg a top-notch financial services firm in the “We (pulled) together a group of guys with major-markeg banking experience (to) deliver that same leveol of service that you would get at Goldman Sachs or Merrilkl Lynch,” he said. “Oue bread and butter is here in Arizona.” Columbiqa West Capital’s financial team has more than 100 years of combinec financial advisory and operating experiencd and has been involved in mergersw and acquisitions totaling morethan $2 billion in transaction value.
This the firm is opening an officr inLos Angeles. In today’s economic situation, CWC sees much of its businesxs from midlevel mergersand acquisitions. More companies are seekin expert financial advice ondeals — a trenf that often accompanies rough economies, Downing said. “We’re finding our busineszs to be focused on mergersand acquisitions,” he “In the heydeys, folks were able to put dealsa together relatively easily. (Businesses) are more inclined to reachj out for financial advisory and expertiswhen it’s a little tougher.” CWC recentl closed a deal as the exclusive financial advise to LLC in Cottonwood, whichy was sold to for $23.
9 million plus two future payments based on growth. Numerous movinf parts were involved inthe deal, as NHS had seen rapide growth and wanted the transactiob completed by the end of 2008 for tax reasons. “The y were just able to really turn the growtjhspigots on, if you will, and tripl e the size of the company in a very short time Downing said. “That’s (the) perfect client for us: a solids entrepreneur that knowshis business. All his shareholders are making and the buyer is a sophisticated companyh and able to executethe transaction.
” The NHS purchase is similar to many of the typeas of deals that CWC is involved with, he “That’s a pretty typical transaction for us, $20 million to $30 million,” Downing said. “Our sweef spot is $10 million to $100 million.”