Blue River Welcomes Four New Team Members and Announces Promotion

July 26, 2024 – Blue River Financial Group welcomed four new team members in Q2 of 2024 and announced a promotion. Matthew Kanterman joined Blue River as Research Director, and M. Martin Hession came aboard as a Research Analyst. The Buy-Side Division welcomed Niall Garrahan as its newest M&A Advisor. Lisa Koo, an attorney and professional writer, brings her skills and insights to enhance Blue River’s outreach to business owners on behalf of buy-side clients.

After quickly distinguishing himself as an M&A super talent, Matthew Feldman was promoted to lead Blue River’s Sell-Side Division.

Matthew Kanterman joined Blue River as Director of Research. Matt holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. Previously, he was the Director of Business Development at Supersocial Inc., a company making boundary-pushing virtual worlds for brands and IP owners on the Roblox platform. Before his time at Supersocial, Matthew was the Director of Research at Roundhill Investments, an established provider of thematic ETFs with $1 billion of assets under management.

Connect with Matt on LinkedIn or reach out @ mkanterman@goblueriver.com.

Martin Hession joined Blue River as a Research Analyst. He brings ten years of experience in data and financial analysis, customer service, and process improvement. Martin earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology and communications.

Connect with Martin @ mhession@goblueriver.com.

Niall Garrahan joined Blue River as Vice President. He brings over ten years of experience in Mergers & Acquisitions and Private Equity. Niall earned his B.A. in Economics and Environmental Science from the College of William and Mary. Before joining Blue River, Niall founded and led investments for Bear Grass Labs. From 2017 to 2022, he was a Vice President of Long Point Capital’s investment team with full responsibility for sourcing, due diligence, deal structuring, and post-close value creation.

Connect with Niall on LinkedIn or reach out @ ngarrahan@goblueriver.com.

Lisa Koo joined Blue River as a Marketing/Communications Associate. She earned a BA in English at Pomona College and her J.D. from UCLA School of Law. Lisa previously worked as a litigation associate at law firms in California and Ohio before stepping away from her career to homeschool her children.

Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn or reach out @ lkoo@goblueriver.com.

Sara Clevenger, Partner, stated, “We are exceptionally proud of Blue River’s growing team, and to see their respective contributions and leadership. Their enthusiasm for delivering above the bar in every capacity of their roles has already made a tremendous impact across the team and for Blue River’s clients.“

Matthew Feldman was promoted to lead Blue River’s Sell-Side Division. He brings over fifteen years of investment banking experience in all aspects of deal execution and deal management. Matthew has been involved in transactions totaling over $30 billion in enterprise value during his career. The Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) recognized him as a 2020 M&A Rising Star. Matthew earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree with an emphasis in Finance and a minor in Political Science from the Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan, graduating with high distinction. He maintains Series 7, 63, and 79 licenses with FINRA.

Connect with Matt on LinkedIn or reach out @ mfeldman@goblueriver.com.

William Loftis, Blue River’s co-founder and Managing Partner, said, “Blue River has a secret formula for its success. We begin with amazing clients and add talented employees with impeccable values who understand their needs at deep levels. Then, we apply and constantly enhance proven systems to generate remarkable M&A outcomes. Success draws more quality clients who demand advanced services requiring more talent. The relationship between our clients and employees is symbiotic, and neither exists without the other.

‘Our announcement of new employees and promotions is an outward expression to our clients that we want to be an integral part of your growth. Apart from you, we could do nothing. With you and our remarkably talented team, there are no boundaries to what we can accomplish together. Each of those who recently joined Blue River is smart, capable, honorable, and hard-working. Their assimilation from new hires to trusted teammates took no time at all. Because of the people we serve and employ, we are extraordinarily optimistic about the future.”

“Matthew, Martin, Niall, Lisa and Matthew epitomize the commitment and passion we strive to deliver in every aspect of our services. We look forward to supporting them along the path of leadership, and to celebrating their future successes,” added Sara.

About Blue River

Blue River Financial Group is a middle market merger and acquisition advisory firm. We assist corporations, private equity groups and individuals in the sale and acquisition of businesses and have completed assignments in multiple business segments. With over 20 years of experience spanning across 50 global industries, Blue River provides a suite of services to middle market clients including corporate development, private equity support, valuations, and transaction consulting, placing a premium on relationship-centered transaction counsel and client focus.

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