It is no surprise that middle market M&A has not escaped the current economic crisis—as it is filled with companies across a wide array of industries that have been seriously impacted by the country’s abrupt slowdown. However, the effect has not been uniform across industry sectors and the stage in the process. Some sectors continue to press ahead while others have halted altogether.
FOCUS Investment Banking has been asked by several partners to provide insight and perspective on the current state and future outlook for middle market M&A given the current market environment. FOCUS gathered the questions and then engaged with its team of over 40 bankers and senior advisors, across its ten industry practices, gathering responses to the questions posed.
Douglas E. Rodgers, FOCUS Chairman Emeritus, served as CEO and Managing Partner from 2001 until late 2018. During his time as CEO, he led the firm’s growth from one office in Washington, DC, to three offices across the US. He has C-level management experience in software, aerospace, e-commerce, manufacturing and distribution, real estate and construction, serving both commercial and government clients. He has served FOCUS clients across many industries emphasizing merger and acquisitions opportunities. As FOCUS Chairman he currently develops and manages relationships with strategic partners and clients.
Before joining FOCUS Mr. Rodgers served as the President and CEO of Corcentric, Inc, an e-commerce services provider spin off from Litton Enterprise Solutions. As the first CEO of the company, he raised both venture and debt capital and led the company to achieve 500,000 electronic transactions annually with a transaction volume of $180 million, including over 30 Fortune 1000 trading partners. As CEO of Global Software Corporation, which served the government public safety market, Mr. Rodgers raised venture and debt capital, guided the development of initial software products and sales to reference clients. As President and CEO of Perfection Equipment Company, a distributor and manufacturer of industrial goods to the oilfield services and transportation industry, he was instrumental in the merger and IPO into a NYSE industry consolidation play. Mr. Rodgers is also a founding director of a National Bank and a manufacturing company. Prior to Perfection Equipment, he was Vice President of business development for a $150 million real estate developer.
Mr. Rodgers is a pilot, with ATP and jet ratings, a BS in Aerospace Engineering and MBA coursework. He was educated at the U.S. Air Force Academy and the University of Kansas; he has been a member of the Young Presidents Organization, (YPO) since 1988, served as the president of the Oklahoma City Chapter in 1996, and is currently a member of the Washington Baltimore YPO Gold chapter.
It is no surprise that middle market M&A has not escaped the current economic crisis—as it is filled with companies across a wide array of industries that have been seriously impacted by the country’s abrupt slowdown. However, the effect has not been uniform across industry sectors and the stage in the process. Some sectors continue to press ahead while others have halted altogether.
