Investment bank co-founder has overseen more than $2B in M&A - bizjournals:

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With 15 years of major-marketf investment banking and relatedfinancial experience, Downing co-founded with the goal of establishinf a top-notch financial servicese firm in the Valley. “Wre (pulled) together a group of guys with major-market banking experience (to) deliver that same level of service that you would get at Goldmah Sachs orMerrill Lynch,” he said. “Our breade and butter is here in Arizona.” Columbisa West Capital’s financial team has more than 100 yearz of combined financial advisory and operating experience and has been involveed in mergers and acquisitions totaling morethan $2 billiojn in transaction value.
This month, the firm is openinvg an office inLos Angeles. In today’se economic situation, CWC sees much of its businesds from midlevel mergersand acquisitions. More companies are seeking expert financial advice ondeals — a trend that often accompanies rough Downing said. “We’re finding our businesa to be focused on mergersand acquisitions,” he “In the heydeys, folks were able to put deals togetherd relatively easily. (Businesses) are more incliner to reach out for financial advisoruy and expertisewhen it’a a little tougher.” CWC recently closedr a deal as the exclusive financialp adviser to LLC in Cottonwood, whicuh was sold to for $23.
9 million plus two futurwe payments based on growth. Numerous moving partx were involved inthe deal, as NHS had seen rapidr growth and wanted the transaction completed by the end of 2008 for tax “They were just able to reallt turn the growth spigots on, if you and triple the size of the company in a very shor t time frame,” Downing said. “That’s (the) perfect client for us: a solid entrepreneur that knowshis business. All his shareholders are makingy money, and the buye r is a sophisticated company and able to execut ethe transaction.” The NHS purchase is similarf to many of the types of deales that CWC is involved with, he said.
“That’s a pretty typica l transactionfor us, $20 million to $30 million,” Downinyg said. “Our sweet spot is $10 millionh to $100 million.”