Lincoln International Announces Global Managing Director Promotions

CHICAGO, Feb. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Lincoln International, a leading global, mid-market investment bank, today announced the promotion of six directors to managing director.  Tony Crisman (Chicago), Ben Farris (Chicago), Ross Gordon (Chicago), Scott Hebbeler (Chicago), Takayuki Ishihara (Tokyo) and Damon McLaren (Los Angeles) are now managing directors.  Together, the group has over 80 years of experience in financial advisory services.  They will further strengthen Lincoln's global industry coverage in healthcare, industrials, chemicals and building products, as well as coverage of North American financial sponsors and North American privately held businesses.

Jim Lawson, Chairman of Lincoln International, said, "These promotions underscore our goal – providing clients with unmatched industry expertise, broad global reach and deep knowledge of financial sponsors and private businesses.  Tony, Ben and Ross are experts in their respective industries, Takayuki has intimate knowledge of the Japan market, and Scott and Damon are dedicated to developing relationships with private business owners and financial sponsors, respectively. We are pleased to recognize these individuals for their leadership and continued dedication to Lincoln's growth and success."  

Tony Crisman
Tony Crisman joined Lincoln International's Chicago office in 2010 as a vice president and has been integral to the growth and success of the firm's Healthcare Group.  Mr. Crisman has over 16 years of investment banking advisory experience in the healthcare space across numerous sectors, including diagnostics, research tools, laboratory services, outsourced pharmaceutical services and medical technology.  Prior to joining Lincoln International, Mr. Crisman was a vice president in the healthcare investment banking practice of GCA Savvian Advisors.  Mr. Crisman began his investment banking career as an analyst at Dain Rauscher Wessels and then RBC Capital Markets before moving to Vector Securities where he was promoted to associate.  Mr. Crisman earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota.

Ben Farris
Ben Farris joined Lincoln International's Chicago office in 2007 as an associate and is a leader in the firm's Industrials Group.  Mr. Farris specializes in industrial technology companies and manufacturers of plastics, metals and other engineered industrial components.  Mr. Farris began his career at McDonald Investments Inc. (now KeyBanc Capital Markets) and also worked for Danaher Corporation.  Mr. Farris holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from DePauw University.

Ross Gordon
Ross Gordon joined Lincoln International's Chicago office in 2010 as a vice president and has been integral to the growth and success of Lincoln's Healthcare Group.  Mr. Gordon has experience across a broad range of sectors within the healthcare industry, with a primary focus on the medical technology sector. Prior to joining Lincoln International, Mr. Gordon was a vice president in the healthcare investment banking practice of GCA Savvian Advisors. Previously, he was a director of strategy at American Express, where he focused on corporate partnerships, acquisitions and divestitures. Prior to this role, he was with the private equity units of American Express and General Electric. Mr. Gordon began his career as an investment banking analyst at Vector Securities, eventually serving as an associate for Vector's successor, Prudential Securities.  Mr. Gordon earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Columbia Business School and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with Highest Honors and Bronze Tablet distinction.

Scott Hebbeler
Scott Hebbeler joined Lincoln International's Chicago office in 2006 as an associate and now leads the firm's Private Company Group, supporting private and family-owned companies in M&A and capital raising transactions.  Mr. Hebbeler has significant merger and acquisition advisory experience having executed numerous transactions for Fortune 500 companies, leading private equity firms and privately-held businesses.  Prior to joining Lincoln International, Mr. Hebbeler served for five years as an officer in the United States Air Force where he separated at the rank of Captain. During his tenure in the Air Force, Mr. Hebbeler worked on the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program, the Air Force's next generation space launch platform. He also served overseas. Mr. Hebbeler holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Harvard Business School and is a Distinguished Graduate of the United States Air Force Academy where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree.

Takayuki Ishihara
Takayuki Ishihara joined Lincoln International's Tokyo office in 2012 as a vice president and has since been a leader in the continued growth of the firm's Asia footprint.  Mr. Ishihara has managed and executed various strategic advisory assignments, including mergers & acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, divestitures, restructurings, joint ventures and valuations. His expertise spans a broad range of industries, including industrials, technology, chemicals, healthcare, consumer and financial institutions.  Prior to joining Lincoln International, Mr. Ishihara was a vice president in Citigroup's M&A group in Japan.  Previously, he was with Daiwa Securities SMBC.  Mr. Ishihara earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Boston University and a Bachelor's degree from Yokohama National University.

Damon McLaren
Damon McLaren joined Lincoln International's Los Angeles office in 2013 as a director and is a key member of the firm's Financial Sponsors Group.  Mr. McLaren leads Lincoln's coverage of financial sponsors on the West Coast and Texas, and works closely with Lincoln's industry and product bankers to provide M&A, capital raising, restructuring and valuation/opinion services.  Prior to joining Lincoln International, he was a director at Wells Fargo Securities and led the firm's coverage of middle-market financial sponsors on the West Coast.  Mr. McLaren worked at Wells Fargo Securities and its predecessor, Barrington Associates, for over 13 years.  During that period, he managed and executed a significant number of M&A transactions across a variety of industries, including consumer, industrial, business services, healthcare and technology.  Mr. McLaren earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale University.

About Lincoln International
Lincoln International specializes in merger and acquisition advisory services, debt advisory services, private capital raising and restructuring advice on mid-market transactions. Lincoln International also provides fairness opinions, valuations and pension advisory services on a wide range of transaction sizes. With sixteen offices in the Americas, Asia and Europe, Lincoln International has strong local knowledge and contacts in key global economies. The firm provides clients with senior-level attention, in-depth industry expertise and integrated resources. By being focused and independent, Lincoln International serves its clients without conflicts of interest.
More information about Lincoln International can be obtained at www.lincolninternational.com  

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SOURCE Lincoln International LLC