Leadership

The Wipfli Corporate Finance team has over 75 years of combined transaction experience. Our goal is to understand your objectives, interests and success first and then your culture, business and strategy so that we can deliver above and beyond your expectations.

Learn more about our team:

Kevin Janke

Managing Director

Kevin Janke

Managing Director

Kevin Janke has spent over 30 years assisting clients to acquire a business or to sell their closely held businesses. His time is spent exclusively doing business sell-side brokerage, buy-side brokerage, valuation, and related engagements. Kevin is highly sought after for his easy-going demeanor and technical skills. Kevin has assisted in the successful sale of a wide range of clients in an array of industries including financial institutions, manufacturing, distribution, and automobile and truck dealerships.

Specializations

Merger and acquisition assistance
Sell-side business brokerage
Buy-side brokerage
Business valuations

Past Experience

Worked exclusively in the corporate finance and valuation field since 1993
Prior to 1993, performed financial audits, corporate tax returns, and other traditional accounting work

Education

Bachelor of science degree in accounting

Certifications

Certified Public Accountant
Accredited in Business Valuation
Accredited Senior Appraiser
Licensed real estate broker in Wisconsin
Series 79 Securities License (Limited Representative - Investment Banker)
Series 63 Securities License (Uniform Securities agent)
Qualified as an Expert Witness

Colin Johnson

Managing Director

Colin Johnson

Managing Director

Colin brings over 15 years of investment banking and consulting experience to his clients and focuses on advising private middle market companies and their shareholders on mergers and acquisitions, valuation, transition, and strategic planning matters. He has advised on transactions across the manufacturing and distribution, consumer packaged goods, engineering and design, software as a service (SaaS), health care and market research industries.

Specializations

Merger and acquisition advisory
Business transition planning
Strategic planning
Financial analysis and valuation

Past Experience

Director at boutique investment bank specializing in sell-side advisory services for private middle market businesses
Founded and led strategic advisory consulting practice
Manager at top 20 regional accounting firm

Professional Memberships and Activities

Association for Corporate Growth (Minnesota) - Member

Education

Master of Business Administration (MBA) – Corporate Finance and Strategy
Bachelor of Science (BS) degree – Finance
Bachelor of Science (BS) degree – Economics

Certifications

Series 79 Securities License (Limited Representative – Investment Banker)
Series 63 Securities License (Uniform Securities Agent)

Gregory Lafin

Managing Director

Gregory Lafin

Managing Director

Greg has provided M&A advisory services to small and mid-sized businesses for more than 30 years. He has extensive experience in providing investment banking services in various industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, distribution, business services and technology.

Professional memberships and activities

2015 & 2010 President Elect for the Midwest Business Brokers and Intermediaries Association (MBBI); Current Board Member

Education

Keller Graduate School of Management, DeVry University

Master of Business Administration (MBA) – Finance

DePaul University

Bachelor of Science (BS) degree – Accounting

Certifications

Series 7 Securities License (General Securities Representative)
Series 66 Securities License (Investment Adviser Representative)
Series 79 Securities License (Investment Banking Representative)
Series 63 Securities License (Uniform Securities Agent)
Series 99 Securities License (Registered Operations Professional)
Licensed Illinois Independent Business Broker

Paul Ouweneel

Managing Director

Paul Ouweneel

Managing Director

Paul Ouweneel is a Partner at Wipfli LLP and Managing Director at Wipfli Corporate Finance Advisors. With extensive expertise in business strategy, transaction advisory, and valuation, Paul provides comprehensive advisory and consulting services to ownership. He specializes in guiding clients through complex financial decisions, offering strategic insights and tailored solutions to enhance business value. Paul holds the prestigious CFA, CPA, and CFP® designations and is an investment banker licensed with FINRA, holding Series 79 and 63 licenses. Paul works tirelessly to consistently produce outstanding outcomes for his clients’ key stakeholders, including their employees, customers, community, and shareholders.

Specializations

Merger and acquisition advisory services
Valuation
Financial modeling
Capital structure analysis and advisory services
Industry and macroeconomic analysis
Capital markets

Past Experience

Robert W. Baird & Co., Inc.
Deloitte Investment Advisors LLC

Professional Memberships and Activities

CFA Institute - Member
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) - Member
CFP Institute - Member
Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity – Past board member and treasurer

Education

Master of professional accountancy degree with an emphasis in finance
Bachelor of business administration degree in accounting

Certifications

Series 63 Securities License (uniform Securities Agent)
Series 79 Securities License (Limited Representative – Investment Banker)
Chartered Financial Analyst
Certified Public Accountant
Certified Financial Planner™ Professional

Anthony Gullickson

Vice President

Anthony Gullickson

Vice President

Anthony Gullickson is a vice president at Wipfli Corporate Finance focused on supporting the firm’s transaction execution and business development activities. Anthony has been providing M&A services since 2016 and has advised on transactions across a diverse set of industries, including manufacturing and distribution, business services, construction and healthcare.

Education

University of St. Thomas

Bachelor of Science (BS) - Finance
Bachelor of Arts (BA) - Economics

Specializations

Sell-side investment banking
Strategic planning
Business transition planning
Financial analysis and valuation

Certifications

Series 79 Securities License (Limited Representative – Investment Banker)
Series 63 Securities License (Uniform Securities Agent)

Cody Hedstrom

Vice President

Cody Hedstrom

Vice President

Cody Hedstrom is a Vice President with over 8 years of experience in finance, consulting, M&A, and investment banking advisory. He has supported more than $1B of investment banking transactions across a diverse set of industries including healthcare, technology, software-as-a-service (SaaS), consumer, and diversified industrials. Cody focuses on advising private, middle-market companies and their shareholders on mergers and acquisitions, valuation, transition, and strategic planning matters.

Areas of Focus

Merger & Acquisition Advisory
Strategic Planning
Business Valuations
Transition Planning

Past Experience

Head of Finance | ixlayer
Investment Banking | Piper Jaffray (Piper Sandler)
Strategy & Operations Consultant | Deloitte Consulting

Certifications

Series 79 Securities License (Limited Representative – Investment Banker)
Series 63 Securities License (Uniform Securities Agent)

Education

Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management – Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Finance
St. Olaf College – Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Philosophy & Management Studies

James Inman

Vice President

James Inman

Vice President

James Inman is a Vice President at Wipfli Corporate Finance focused on supporting the firm’s transaction execution and business development activities. James has five years of mergers and acquisitions experience, focusing on privately held businesses, and has advised on transactions across a diverse set of industries; including manufacturing and distribution, business services, construction, and consumer products.

Education

Saint John’s University – Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Accounting, emphasis in Finance

Specializations

Sell-side investment banking
Strategic planning
Business transition planning
Financial analysis and valuation

Certifications

Series 79 Securities License (Limited Representative – Investment Banker)
Series 63 Securities License (Uniform Securities Agent)

Adam Herman

Managing Director of Business Development

Adam Herman

Managing Director of Business Development

For 30+ years, Adam Herman has provided valuation and merger and acquisition advisory services to small and midsize businesses. He has extensive experience working with various industries, including manufacturing, distribution, professional services, Orthotics & Prosthetic (O&P) Labs and Dental Labs. Adam’s clients value his creativity, knowledge and resourcefulness.

Specializations

Mergers and acquisition assistance
Transaction advisory services
Financial analysis and business valuation
Negotiation support
Purchase Price Allocation/Personal Goodwill Valuations

Past Experience

Partner and Chief Visionary Officer at Mueller Prost

Awards

St. Louis’ Best M&A Providers, Small Business Monthly – Mar 2022
MOCPA Outstanding Visionary Award – Dec 2017
100 St. Louisans You Should Know, Small Business Monthly – Jun 2011
40 Under 40 St. Louis Business Journal – Jan 2007

Education

Bachelor of science degree in accounting and finance

Certifications

Series 79 Securities License (Limited representative – Investment Banker)
Series 63 Securities License (Uniform Securities Agent)
Certified Public Accountant
Accredited in Business Valuation
Certified in Financial Forensics
Certified Valuation Analyst
Accredited Senior Appraiser
Certified Fraud Examiner