Washington (March 30, 2009) – FOCUS LLC, a national middle market investment banking firm providing merger, acquisition, divestiture and corporate finance services, announces John Schmidt has joined FOCUS as a Senior Advisor in the Chicago office. Mr. Schmidt brings over twenty years of experience as a senior executive with a proven record of accelerated sales and profitable growth, business turnaround and increased shareholder value. His diverse background includes industry expertise in health sciences, aerospace and defense, and environmental services.
Mr. Schmidt was most recently President, UL Life and Health Sciences – a $55 million global safety testing and certification business. He directed and delivered customer-focused services and developed industry strategies to meet the changing needs of the global marketplace. Mr. Schmidt brings over twenty years of experience working in complex business environments, building and leading world class teams and delivering profit improvement and market share gains. His primary areas of industry expertise are health sciences, aerospace and defense, environmental services and business services.
From 2005 to 2008, he served as Chief Development Officer and Senior Vice President for Underwriters Laboratories Inc. He was responsible for global strategy, mergers & acquisitions, alliances and new business development. Concurrently, he was responsible for UL’s venture businesses representing $129 million in global P&L. He successfully stabilized the businesses, accelerated growth, upgraded talent, and improved management processes and cost structures. In 2008 he successfully directed the transition and integration of these global businesses into viable operating companies. Mr. Schmidt was also responsible for launching the UL Environment Services business in 2008.
Prior to joining UL, Mr. Schmidt was a Partner at Accenture with 18 years of experience developing strategies, leading engagements, and managing consultant teams for Fortune 500 client companies. His areas of expertise centered on large scale business transformation including process change, IT solutions and organizational improvements. Client companies include Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, GE Healthcare, Hawker Beechcraft, Honeywell, Molex, Airbus, EADS, and Exostar. At the time he moved to UL, he was serving as the Managing Partner of the Communications and High Tech Industry in the Midwest region.
According to Fred Floberg, FOCUS Regional Managing Director, “We are delighted John has joined FOCUS as a Senior Advisor. He brings a wealth of experience and relationships in industries where we already have presence as a firm. We expect that his contribution to the firm and its clients will be immediate and significant.”
About FOCUS LLC
FOCUS LLC provides a range of middle market investment banking services with an emphasis on mergers, acquisitions, divestitures and corporate finance. FOCUS is headquartered in Washington, D.C. with regional offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco. FOCUS specializes in business units with transactions or revenues in the $5-300 million range, serving entrepreneurs, corporate owners and various types of investors across a broad range of industries, throughout the U.S. and worldwide. FOCUS bankers are seasoned operating and financial executives with extensive transaction experience. Securities transactions conducted by Wm. H. Murphy & Co., Inc. registered Broker Dealer member FINRA/SIPC. For more information on FOCUS, visit www.focusbankers.com.
