ACG Detroit | Saving Deals from the Brink

Justin Hanna is an attorney in Jaffe’s Mergers & Acquisitions and Emerging & Growth Business practice groups. He has dedicated his practice to empowering entrepreneurs and businesses of all sizes to grow through effective strategic planning and analysis. His expertise centers on corporate law, with a strong emphasis on middle-market mergers and acquisitions in which he has advised clients on transactions from $1 million to over $1 billion in aggregate consideration. Among other areas, his corporate focus extends to contract analysis and negotiation, corporate governance, business planning and other corporate matters. He also advises real estate owners, developers, and investors on matters relating to acquisitions and sales, development, and leasing.Justin has been recognized for achievements both within and outside of his practice, and is active in serving the community where his leadership has directed countless hours in Jaffe pro bono legal services to community members in need. He also was a founder of and continues to be involved with the Jaffe Transactional Law Competition, an M&A focused, skill-based program held at Wayne State University Law School which continues to be a mainstay for business-minded law students throughout the region. 

Ellen Clark is a Managing Director of PMCF and co-leads the firm’s Industrials team. She has over 27 years of transaction advisory experience, having advised public and private companies on mergers, acquisitions, corporate carve-outs and divestitures, capital raising, financial advisory, and cross-border transactions. Her clients span across various industries, including automotive, industrial, specialty chemical, software, and business services. In total, Ellen has completed more than 100 transactions totaling more than $4.8 billion in value during her investment banking career.

Ellen was previously a Managing Director and one of the founding partners of Greenwich Capital Group. Here she focused on mergers & acquisitions, capital raising, and financial advisory. Prior to Greenwich Capital Group, Ellen worked at Deloitte Corporate Finance, where she led the US Automotive group, was a leader of the Global Automotive team, and was the lead Managing Director of the Detroit office. She has authored numerous automotive M&A industry publications and a frequent speaker at various industry events. Ellen currently serves on the Advisory Board for the Department of Finance at the Mike Ilitch School of Business at Wayne State University.

Ellen earned a BA with an emphasis in economics and management from Albion College and recently completed Deloitte’s Board Ready Women Program. She is a licensed securities representative holding her Series 7, 24, and 63 registrations.

Shankar Kiru is responsible for working with both current portfolio companies on operational matters as well as new acquisition targets.  Shankar joins Stellex from George Industries, an aerospace and defense supplier, where he was CEO.  Prior to that, he was President of ATS Automation, a leading supplier of factory automation systems, and a Managing Director at Madison Capital Partners, a Chicago-based investment firm.  He also held the position of CFO at Diversified Machine where he completed eight acquisitions over a six-year horizon, establishing a strong compelling global presence and exceptional shareholder value.

He is currently a director of the board of George Industries, Families in Defense of Youth and Chinmaya Mission Ann Arbor.

Shankar received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Anna University, an M.S. in Manufacturing Systems Engineering from Oklahoma State University, an M.S. in Manufacturing from Northwestern University, and an M.B.A. from Northwestern University.

Steve LaBarre brings over 20 years of investing, executive management and corporate restructuring experience to Leelanau Private Capital.  Steve is responsible for all facets of the transaction process including sourcing, negotiating, structuring, financing and closing transactions.  Once investments are made, he works closely with management to set overall strategic vision and identify new avenues for growth.  Prior to founding Leelanau Private Capital, Steve spent 14 years with Strength Capital Partners – a local Private Equity firm.  While a Partner at Strength, Steve oversaw more than 40 transactions across 8 different platform investments.  Before joining Strength Capital, Steve was the CFO/Controller of a general contracting enterprise operating in the residential construction market in Southeast Michigan. Steve started his career at Stout, a global advisory firm with a focus in investment banking, restructuring, and valuation advisory.  Steve completed his MBA at University of Michigan’s Ross Business School in 2006.  Steve met his wife Kimberly while attending Michigan State University where he studied finance.  Steve and Kim reside in Birmingham, MI with their three sons – 19, 17, and 12.

Matthew Murphy is an attorney in Jaffe Raitt Heuer & Weiss' Mergers & Acquisitions, Emerging & Growth Business, and Securities & Corporate Governance practice groups. Matt advises both public and private entities in all aspects of formation, governance, and operation. His securities law practice includes the preparation of registration statements for initial public offerings, secondary offerings and mergers, proxy statements and other filings, as well as 1934 Act compliance matters. His general business practice includes the documentation and negotiation of mergers, acquisitions, sales, and purchases of businesses and financings, structuring corporations, partnerships, and limited liability companies. He is experienced in developing creative solutions to solve immediate problems while establishing insightful strategies for the future and maximizing value for his clients.