Meet the Board: David Bonrouhi, Managing Director, Calabasas Capital

Introduce us to your day job, title and responsibilities.  

I am co-founder and Managing Director of Calabasas Capital, a boutique investment banking advisory firm focused on sell-side M&A, private equity and debt capital raising and buy-side M&A.  I am responsible for sourcing opportunities to meet with owners of lower mid-market ($10MM - $100MM in revenue) who are considering selling all or part of their business or who are seeking capital for growth or acquisitions and then leading the execution of our engagements.

What inspired you to pursue a job in this industry? 

I began my career as a CPA with Price Waterhouse in New York City after graduating from Miami of Ohio with a Masters in Tax. After two years of tax accounting, I realized all of my friends who worked on Wall Street were having more fun and making more money so I became very interested in investment banking.  Soon thereafter, one of my friends helped me break into investment banking with Merrill Lynch where I worked on large M&A and capital markets transactions in the media and telecom industries.  I later moved to L.A. to attend UCLA’s Anderson School of Management where I earned my MBA and worked in private equity with UnionBanCal Equities before eventually getting back into investment banking.  I’ve been in investment banking and private equity for 25 years.

Provide a short bio (or a link to it on your company website)

http://calabasascapital.com/team/

Why was it important for you to be involved in ACG 101 at the Board level?  

When I get involved with organizations, I’m not the type of person to be a passive participant.  I prefer to play a role in shaping the organization and getting others involved from my network who can also add value to the group. 

Describe your current responsibilities on the Board, if applicable. 

My primary role with ACG 101 is Sponsorship Chairman, although I am also involved with programming to some extent.

What is your favorite thing about ACG 101? 

Meeting with other professionals and with business owners and executives from the region.

What excites you most about the direction of ACG 101, and how will you contribute to it?

ACG 101 is always looking for dynamic ways to evolve and stay relevant to its members.  We have also been able to attract a number of well-respected business executives to join our Board and participate in our events.  This is one of the ways ACG 101 stands apart from other ACG chapters.

3 Fun Facts

• I like to cook.
• I play ice hockey and got my two boys into playing hockey as well.
• I’m originally from Buffalo, NY so I’ve been a frustrated Sabres and Bills fan for many years.

David Bonrouhi
Managing Director
Calabasas Capital
Middle Market Investment Banking
David@CalabasasCapital.com
213-500-4135