Meet the Houlihan Capital Team at Industry Events
Direct Conversations. Informed Perspective.
Houlihan Capital participates in select industry conferences and private forums across M&A, valuation, private equity, and emerging asset classes. These settings allow for direct conversations with business owners, investors, and executives evaluating complex financial and strategic decisions.
Industry events provide an opportunity to discuss priorities, test assumptions, and understand current market conditions without obligation.
If you are attending an upcoming conference, we welcome the opportunity to connect.
What We Discuss at Industry Events
When meeting with Houlihan Capital at an industry event, discussions often focus on:
Valuation drivers buyers and investors are prioritizing
Market conditions affecting transaction timing and outcomes
Readiness of financials, operations, and leadership teams
Interpreting unsolicited offers and assessing enterprise value
Considerations in emerging and alternative asset classes
Conversations are practical and grounded in transaction experience
Current Focus Sectors
Crypto & Digital Assets | Cannabis | Facility Services | Private Equity & Venture Capital
Upcoming Industry Events
Houlihan Capital attends industry conferences throughout the year.
Additional engagements are scheduled on a rolling basis.
If you would like to meet at a future event, please let us know which conference you are attending or request an introduction in advance.
Meet Houlihan Capital at an Industry Event
Clients value industry events as a low-pressure way to gain early insight into market shifts, validate strategic assumptions before committing resources, and build trusted advisory relationships ahead of major decisions. For many, these initial conversations become the foundation for long-term advisory partnerships.
Connor Fabian
Meet Connor Fabian at Global Pet Expo.
Connor Fabian is a Senior Associate in the Investment Banking practice at Houlihan Capital, where he supports mergers and acquisitions and strategic advisory engagements for middle-market companies. He develops financial models, conducts market and industry research, and prepares presentation materials that help clients evaluate opportunities and execute complex transactions.
At Global Pet Expo, Connor looks forward to connecting with pet industry leaders and entrepreneurs to discuss growth strategies, transaction readiness, and the evolving opportunities within the consumer and pet sectors. His experience analyzing companies and industries enables him to help business owners evaluate strategic options as their companies scale.
Connor began his career with Houlihan Capital as an investment banking intern, where he contributed to pitch materials, valuation analyses, and client reports. He also completed internships with Independence Financial Partners and Archer Daniels Midland.
Connor earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Providence College, where he was a Division I student-athlete and academic tutor. He holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licenses.
Joe Brennan
Meet Joe Brennan at the Digital Asset Summit.
Joe Brennan is a Director in Houlihan Capital’s Valuation and Financial Advisory practice, where he provides valuation services for financial reporting, tax planning, and transaction-related opinions. He works closely with investment managers and corporate clients to address complex valuation challenges.
At the Digital Asset Summit, Joe looks forward to engaging with digital asset fund managers, investors, and industry leaders to discuss valuation considerations and evolving best practices within the cryptoasset ecosystem. His work frequently focuses on helping hedge funds, venture capital firms, and private equity funds navigate the unique valuation challenges associated with emerging digital asset investments.
Prior to joining Houlihan Capital, Joe spent more than three years at Cohen & Company, where he specialized in cryptoasset valuation and advisory services for investment funds. Earlier in his career, he also provided fairness opinions for buy-side and sell-side transactions and performed valuation updates for ESOP-owned companies.
Joe earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance from Marquette University and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
Ted Frecka
Meet Ted Frecka at the ICI Investment Management Conference.
Ted Frecka is a Managing Director and Co-Head of Houlihan Capital’s Valuation and Financial Advisory practice. In this role, he oversees the execution of valuation engagements and helps guide the strategic direction of the firm’s valuation practice.
At the ICI Investment Management Conference, Ted looks forward to connecting with asset managers, fund professionals, and industry leaders to discuss valuation considerations affecting investment funds and alternative assets. With more than 20 years of experience in financial services, he has extensive expertise valuing equity securities, derivatives, fixed income instruments, and structured finance products for a variety of purposes including financial reporting, tax, and strategic planning.
Prior to joining Houlihan Capital, Ted spent six years with Charles River Associates, where he evaluated economic damages in complex commercial disputes and developed valuation models used in litigation matters.
Ted holds a Master of Science in Finance from Boston College and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Notre Dame. He is a CFA® Charterholder and Certified Valuation Analyst.
Michael Norton
Meet Michael Norton at the ICI Investment Management Conference and the Miami BOSS Summit.
Michael Norton is Director of Business Development at Houlihan Capital, where he builds relationships with clients, investors, and industry partners to connect them with the firm’s advisory and valuation services. Since joining the firm in 2014, he has focused on developing long-term relationships across the alternative investment and corporate finance communities.
At the ICI Investment Management Conference and Miami BOSS Summit, Michael looks forward to meeting with investment managers, entrepreneurs, and capital providers to discuss industry trends and opportunities for strategic advisory support. His international client base includes private and public companies as well as private equity, venture capital, hedge funds, and other alternative investment vehicles.
Michael has also helped cultivate Houlihan Capital’s presence in emerging sectors such as cannabis and digital assets.
Before joining the firm, Michael practiced law at Jackson Lewis, P.C. and began his career as a Teach For America corps member. He holds a BS from Marquette University and a JD from the University of Minnesota.
Frank Martinez
Meet Frank Martinez at Global Pet Expo.
Frank Martinez is a Director in the Investment Banking practice at Houlihan Capital, where he advises companies on mergers and acquisitions, recapitalizations, and other strategic transactions. He manages day-to-day engagement execution and works closely with leadership teams to guide companies through complex transaction processes.
At Global Pet Expo, Frank looks forward to meeting with pet industry executives and entrepreneurs to discuss growth strategies, strategic partnerships, and transaction opportunities within the consumer and pet sectors. His experience spans a broad range of industries including business services, manufacturing, consumer products, and healthcare.
Prior to joining Houlihan Capital, Frank served as a Vice President at Quantum Funds Legal Solutions, a private investment firm providing bespoke financing solutions.
Frank earned a Bachelor of Science in Business from Miami University with a focus in Finance and Entrepreneurship. He is a CFA® Charterholder and holds FINRA Series 79, 63, and 24 licenses.
Rodger Howell
Meet Rodger Howell at the Miami BOSS Summit.
Rodger Howell is the Chief Executive Officer of Houlihan Capital, where he leads the firm’s strategic direction, oversees operations, and cultivates long-term client relationships. Under his leadership, the firm focuses on delivering high-value advisory services to middle-market companies, investors, and entrepreneurs.
At the Miami BOSS Summit, Rodger looks forward to connecting with founders, executives, and investors to discuss growth strategy, capital markets, and opportunities for businesses navigating expansion and strategic change. His experience advising companies on mergers and acquisitions, deal structuring, and corporate strategy allows him to provide practical insight to leaders managing complex financial decisions.
Prior to joining Houlihan Capital, Rodger held partnership roles at PricewaterhouseCoopers and PRTM Management Consultants, where he also chaired the firm’s finance committee.
Rodger serves on the Board of Directors of The Executives’ Club of Chicago. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Michigan and an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh.
Jake Kimpler
Meet Jake Kimpler at Global Pet Expo.
Jake Kimpler is a Senior Associate in the Investment Banking practice at Houlihan Capital, where he supports mergers and acquisitions and strategic advisory engagements for middle-market companies. His work includes building financial models, analyzing industry trends, and preparing materials that help clients evaluate strategic opportunities and transactions.
At Global Pet Expo, Jake is excited to meet with pet industry operators, investors, and business leaders to discuss growth opportunities and strategic transactions within the consumer and pet sectors. His experience analyzing industries and evaluating companies allows him to help business owners understand how strategic planning and capital markets can support expansion and long-term value creation.
Prior to joining Houlihan Capital, Jake worked as an Analyst in the Valuation Advisory Services group at Duff & Phelps in Seattle. He also completed an internship with PricewaterhouseCoopers in the Technology Consulting practice.
Jake earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of South Carolina and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licenses.
Samuel Chaffee
Meet Samuel Chaffee at the Miami BOSS Summit.
Samuel Chaffee is a Vice President in Houlihan Capital’s Investment Banking practice and serves as the firm’s Chief Compliance Officer. He manages day-to-day engagement execution while also overseeing the firm’s regulatory compliance framework.
At the Miami BOSS Summit, Sam looks forward to connecting with founders, executives, and investors to discuss strategic transactions and financial advisory solutions that support growth and capital formation. His experience includes mergers and acquisitions, buyouts, and corporate financial advisory assignments for middle-market companies.
Sam began his investment banking career as an intern at KeyBanc Capital Markets, where he supported the M&A team by preparing valuation models and transaction materials.
He graduated summa cum laude from Case Western Reserve University, earning a Master of Finance, a Bachelor of Science in Finance, and a Bachelor of Arts in Music. Sam holds FINRA Series 24, 27, 63, and 79 licenses and is also a CFA® Charterholder.
Andy Smith
Meet Andy Smith at the Miami BOSS Summit.
Andrew Smith is President and Co-Founder of Houlihan Capital and has more than 25 years of experience advising middle-market companies on mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, and valuation matters. Over the course of his career, he has completed more than 200 M&A and financing assignments.
At the Miami BOSS Summit, Andy looks forward to connecting with founders, investors, and business leaders to discuss strategic transactions, capital markets, and growth planning for middle-market companies. His experience advising both private and public companies enables him to help organizations evaluate strategic opportunities and navigate complex financial decisions.
Prior to co-founding Houlihan Capital, Andy was a Senior Vice President at EVEREN Securities where he founded and co-led the firm’s Mergers & Acquisitions Group. Earlier in his career, he worked at Geneva Capital Markets and began his career as an auditor at Ernst & Young.
Andy holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Ohio Wesleyan University and is a Certified Public Accountant.
Monica Blocker
Meet Monica Blocker at the Digital Asset Summit.
Monica Blocker is a Director of Business Development at Houlihan Capital, where she focuses on building relationships within the alternative investment community and connecting fund managers with the firm’s valuation and advisory services.
At the Digital Asset Summit, Monica looks forward to meeting with digital asset fund managers, investors, and industry professionals to discuss valuation considerations and emerging trends in the digital asset ecosystem. Her work frequently involves helping hedge funds, private equity firms, venture capital funds, and registered investment funds navigate valuation challenges associated with complex and illiquid assets.
Prior to joining Houlihan Capital, Monica served as Institutional Sales and Marketing Manager at Geneva Advisors, where she focused on raising external capital for investment strategies. She previously worked at Nuveen Investments as an Internal Advisor Consultant.
Monica earned both her MBA and Bachelor of Science in Finance from DePaul University and holds the FINRA Series 7 license.
Request a Meeting
If you are attending an upcoming industry event and would like to meet with Houlihan Capital, please submit your details below. A member of our team will follow up to coordinate availability.
This request does not obligate you to a meeting and is intended to facilitate advance introductions.
Let’s Connect
Whether you’re attending an upcoming conference or planning ahead, we’re happy to coordinate time to meet.