“It is never easy getting a deal to the closing table, especially one that takes two years to complete!  Jonathan Wilfong, Regional Managing Partner at FOCUS LLC, was instrumental in the execution and closing of our recent complex healthcare M&A transaction.  Mr. Wilfong’s tenacity and active management of the process, as well as a full array of financial, tax, and accounting expertise, led to an exceptional result for our client (the seller) while fulfilling a strategic need for a diligent buyer.  Focus receives our highest endorsement.” Billy Ching, Chair of the Private Equity Practice Group Nelson Mullins

“After five years in business providing “dependent eligibility” services to employers, it was time to merge our start-up operation into a larger organization to take advantage of operational synergies and growth opportunities. We interviewed a number of investment banking firms and Jonathan Wilfong stood out as the most experienced and professional. We later learned that the professionalism and commitment to high quality service were consistent across the entire FOCUS team. We were also delighted when Jonathan’s research identified HMS, a public company operating in a related field, who had an interest in entering our service line. Jonathan provided invaluable wisdom and assistance throughout the due diligence process and right through to the closing day. We cannot recommend FOCUS highly enough.” Alan Rose, Co-Founder and Principal, Verify Solutions, LLC

“TestPlant’s appointment of Spectrum Systems as our US distributor followed an extensive review of government resellers by FOCUS’ Managing Directors Gerald Turner and Eric Oganesoff.  Being based in London made it difficult for us to select the right distributor on our own.  FOCUS was always available and quick to respond; they led a team which began by researching the technical market into which TestPlant wanted to sell its product.  From a long list of resellers, a short list was prepared based on email and telephone dialogues and supported by FOCUS’ corporate due diligence. The FOCUS team then arranged a series of face-to-face meetings between the top candidate firms and TestPlant’s management.  At the end of a five month process, Spectrum was judged as best positioned in experience and quality of service to partner with TestPlant.  FOCUS was hugely helpful.  They were wise counsellors and sounding boards.  It made financial sense for us to engage FOCUS.”

George Mackintosh, Chief Executive, TestPlant

“The electronic manufacturing services industry was significantly impacted in the past year, but FOCUS helped us present our business and financial results to highlight our strong track record even in this difficult recessionary environment.  In today’s extremely difficult lending environment, FOCUS’ assistance was critical in closing this loan.”

Jim Trummer, President and CEO of Nextek, Inc.

“After 29 years of building a successful business, we were ready to retire and pursue personal interests. We wanted to put GeoCentral under the wing of a larger organization with the financial resources required to realize the opportunities of our strong brand and reputation in the industry. Given their proven M&A expertise, FOCUS was the ideal firm to help us find the best acquirer and negotiate excellent terms that met our expectations.”

Elizabeth Bush, President and
Ken Niehaus, Co-founder of GeoCentral

“I had decided it was time to put Avialec under the wing of a larger progressive organization with financial firepower to realize the many opportunities before us. Given their cross border transaction experience and their broad U.S. coverage, FOCUS was the perfect firm to help us realize our goals. The transaction was managed in a timely manner with little disruption to our business. I could not have done it without them.”

Barrie Prescott, CEO of Avialec

“FOCUS’ familiarity working with entrepreneurs and its ability to tap into a seasoned Senior Advisor network were essential in assisting Agentek on its journey from a great technology to a great business model that was attractive to numerous investors. In this transaction, the lead banker for FOCUS invited a Senior Advisor, who was the retired CEO of Mapics, Inc. and a senior executive with IBM to help consult with the Company. This investment validates Agentek’s vision and we appreciate FOCUS’ assistance.”

Jeff Jarvis, CEO of Agentek

“We spent more than a decade building our business and knew how to run it at a level of performance well above others in our industry, but we had no experience selling a company.  For that depth of expertise, we partnered with FOCUS because of their skilled team and track record of middle market M&A successes.”

Ray Daly, President and Co-Founder, Vertex Solutions

“This acquisition will allow Pradot to grow in ways never before possible.  By purchasing GroupOne HealthSource, Pradot now has a strong U.S. presence, and we are increasing our service offering and revenue in both countries.  We will continue to pursue both organic and acquisitive growth strategies.”

Arun Murali, President of Pradot Technologies

"When I first considered recapitalizing Integrity, I thought of Jonathan Wilfong at FOCUS LLC. I have had a relationship with Jonathan for almost 20 years and knew he understood our firm's mission and business, as well as the media industry. Even during this time of troubled markets, FOCUS was able to secure a credit facility for Integrity with far better terms, and at a substantial savings in debt service costs. I am very pleased with the transaction and our new relationship with JP Morgan/Chase."

Mike Coleman, Chairman and CEO of Integrity Media

“The FOCUS team did a highly professional job in representing ACS in the sale of our business. From their Confidential Information Memorandum on our firm, which was well received by buyers, to successfully managing the entire sales process with numerous interested parties from all over the world, FOCUS became an invaluable partner to ACS in this important initiative.” 
John Muench, Chairman and Founder of
Advanced Control Systems

“FOCUS has been a wonderful partner.  We are looking forward to working with Focus through a series of planned global acquisitions and expansions in the months ahead.” 
Steven Bederman, CEO of TouchStar

"With the award of a major new contract that will more than double our company size, our investor group and management team decided to look for a large acquisition partner. At the time of our decision, we knew of several candidates, but we needed help identifying additional acquisition partners in order to maximize shareholder value. We turned to Marshall Graham at FOCUS Investment Banking for help. Within four months we completed the sale transaction with the best partner for our company and at the best price and terms."
Leonard Metheny, Jr., President and CEO of AY Recruiting

"LSSI was founded in 1981; since that time, our firm has been providing total library management services to government and public libraries.  Today, we are the industry leader in providing outsourced library management. Our initial market was the U.S.Federal Government where we managed multiple agency library locations. In the late 1980s, we were introduced to Marshall Graham, the founder of FOCUS. Based, in part, on his guidance, our firm accepted the challenge of extending our total library management concept into the public library sector. By early 2006, our firm had a client list of more than 45 public libraries as well as numerous government agency clients including the Library of Congress, Smithsonian Institution, US Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation.  As my wife and I approached retirement age, we once again called on Marshall to represent us in acquiring outside investors. We needed a financial partner who would acquire a significant stake in LSSI while providing the increased working capital needed to fuel our company's growth. Marshall introduced us to Islington Capital Partners, a Boston-based private equity firm that made the investment. The professional approach, deep research capability, and our long relationship with Marshall Graham of FOCUS proved to be a winning combination, resulting in a very successful transaction."

Frank A. Pezzanite
CEO and Co-Founder, LSSI

Judy Pezzanite
COO, Chairman of the Board and Co-Founder, LSSI

"We are very thankful to FOCUS and Managing Director, Eric Oganesoff for his expertise in executing our sales transaction. It was a complicated sale to orchestrate, dealing with a family run business and a minority shareholder in a small niche market. This deal would not have come together without Eric's high level knowledge of business management, manufacturing, accounting and finance. He took special care to make certain that all partners were kept informed at all stages of the transaction process. He dealt professionally with the group as a whole and handled individual issues as needed. He was always available to answer questions and offer professional advice. Eric kept our outside costs to a minimum by bringing in outside legal and accounting counsel only as required. He always had each party's best interests in mind. I can't imagine anyone more qualified to handle a sale or acquisition than Eric Oganesoff."
Robert Bohn, Founder and Former President of AGC Engineering

"FOCUS partners Manan Shah and George Shea were instrumental in finding us the right partner when I decided to look for strategic alternatives for my IT services company. We were primarily looking for a larger partner to help us grow to the next level while creating liquidity for our shareholders. We received several offers from the domestic buyers but it turned out that our best partner was in the International market. In FOCUS, we found a partner with an exceptional capability to find candidates not confined to geographical boundaries."
William Dunn, CEO of Dunn Solutions Group

"The acquisition of Benefits Marketing Solutions was very important to the future of Alliance and was too important not to involve professionals who could ensure that the acquisition closed. From initial negotiation of the transaction terms to the deal closing, FOCUS professionals were there to assist us. They ensured that all of the necessary steps, from LOI to due diligence to agreement execution, were completed and successfully managed. The value FOCUS added was significant."
Robert Garces, Chairman of Alliance HealthCard

"I decided to sell my company to a larger organization to keep pace with industry research and development. I needed an investment banking partner to help me find a buyer who would allow me to stay involved after the close. John Bradshaw at FOCUS held my hand throughout every phase of our 8 month transaction. The end result of John’s strategic advisory services was more money than I had anticipated and a position as the CFO of the combined company."
Dave Steil, former CEO of SigmaWorx and current CFO of Touchstar Software Corporation

"FOCUS brought me 7 potential buyersfor my holdings in Western Shower Door.  Ultimately, they helped me negotiate the best opportunity, a sale to the minority shareholder in the firm.  And they helped find the financing for the buyer.  I consider them a full service firm, indeed."
Craig McCarty, former CEO, Western Shower Door, Inc.

“FOCUS' Investment Banking track record provided us with the necessary confidence during the deal process.  Gianpiero (JP) Balestrieri, Partner and the FOCUS team were creative in advising on the optimal capital formation strategy and astute at executing the transaction to closure. They also have extensive knowledge of the dry bulk shipping market and the marine industry,” said
Randy Janey, Managing Director and CEO of BOCS and BMS.

“FOCUS has seasoned investment bankers that know the market.  They set aggressive yet realistic expectations throughout the process of selling our company.  They suggested a price range and timeline within which our company should sell, and as a result of the FOCUS process the company sold on schedule and at the top end of the price range. I am happy to recommend FOCUS to business owners seeking a transaction.”
Paul Kaub, Former CEO and Owner of Intelex Corporation