A legacy of strategic partnership.
At MAE, we believe the greatest investment we can make is in the lasting relationships we build with our clients. Trust, confidentiality, and integrity are the foundation of every interaction—and the key to delivering exceptional outcomes.
With a senior partner leading every engagement, we bring a highly personalized and focused approach to each transaction. Working closely with company management, boards of directors, legal counsel, and accounting teams, we meticulously manage every detail to ensure a seamless process and outstanding results.
Our areas of expertise include:
- Mergers, acquisitions, sell-side and buy-side advisory services, and fairness opinions
- Corporate finance and strategic advisory services, including business valuations, capital formation guidance, and balance sheet restructurings
- Industry research and insights, such as demographic market analysis and access to exclusive data
For over 30 years, we’ve advised hundreds of clients through the challenges of dynamic markets and evolving economic landscapes. From manufacturing and service-based companies to private equity sponsors and venture capital groups, clients rely on us to guide them through complex transactions.
Clients typically represent enterprise values between $10 million and $300 million. Over the decades, we’ve had the honor of helping them unlock billions of dollars in value while supporting their growth, transitions, and long-term success.
At MAE, we are exceptionally proud to serve as trusted advisors at the table, helping businesses make some of the most significant decisions of their journey. Let’s work together to create a legacy of success for your organization.
Partners
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James M. Mann
Partner, Managing Director
With over three decades of experience in investment banking and accounting, Jimm has a proven track record of guiding clients through complex financial transactions. He has played a key role in numerous exclusive sale assignments, buy-side transactions, public company defenses, and various strategic advisory projects. Well-versed in all areas of corporate finance, Jimm specializes in assisting clients through the merger and acquisition process, offering expertise in the financial, legal, and tax aspects involved.
Prior to co-founding MAE, Jimm served as Senior Vice President at Wheat, First Securities Inc., where he led the Merger and Acquisition Group for 13 years. His background also includes time as a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and as a Certified Public Accountant with Ernst & Young.
Jimm holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Virginia Commonwealth University.
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W. Howard Armistead
Partner, Managing Director
Howard has a deep understanding of assisting corporations and shareholders in navigating the complexities of corporate ownership transitions. He has worked extensively with small and mid-cap public companies, handling transactions such as “going private” tender offers, advising special committees, providing valuations and fairness opinions, and structuring corporate sell-side mandates. Howard also dedicates considerable time to advising family businesses on ownership transitions.
Before co-founding our firm, Howard served as Senior Vice President at Wheat, First Securities Inc., and Craigie Incorporated. He began his career as a CPA with Ernst & Young. During his 15-year tenure with the firm he rose to the partner level, served as Director of Healthcare Services in the Mid-Atlantic Region, and spent three years as a Medical Group Administrator at Duke University Medical Center.
Howard holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Virginia Tech.
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Wallace “Jerry” W. Epperson, Jr.
Partner, Managing Director
Jerry leads our research efforts with over fifty years of experience publishing in-depth analyses focused on demographics, consumer products, and the furnishings and mattress industries, both residential and contract. His research in the furnishings and mattress sectors is internationally renowned, offering comprehensive insights into suppliers, manufacturers, and retailers.
Several industry, research, and Wall Street associations have recognized his expertise. In fact, Jerry’s contributions to the field have earned him a place in the American Furniture Hall of Fame, making him the only investment banker and research professional to achieve this honor. Additionally, the U.S. State Department has frequently invited Jerry to travel to the Pacific Rim and Europe to help these regions better understand the furnishings and mattress industries.
Before co-founding MAE, Jerry spent fifteen years at Wheat, First Securities, Inc., and five years at Scott & Stringfellow, Inc. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce from the University of Virginia, an MBA from the College of William & Mary, and is a Chartered Financial Analyst.
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Michael B. Watson, Jr.
Partner, Managing Director
Mike is a global business expert who most recently served as Chief Executive Officer and Director of a privately owned multi-national enterprise with 16 global manufacturing facilities and approximately 4,500 employees in the United States, Asia and Europe. As CEO, he oversaw all aspects of the enterprise’s key operating companies in multiple industries, including home furnishings, jet aircraft management, data/co-location facilities and cloud services, retail, financial services, and insurance.
Previously, as the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of a large privately-owned home furnishings company, Mike gained extensive experience working in international environments. He actively managed the company’s global financial operations across China, Vietnam and the United States. Mike also spent 17 years at MAE, successfully rising to the position of Managing Director.
Mike holds a degree in Economics and Business with a minor in Government and Law from Lafayette College. He started his career in the Merchant Banking / Corporate Finance areas of Bankers Trust in New York.
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Jin Ko
Senior Research Associate
Jin is a long term and dedicated fellow professional and senior research associate at Mann, Armistead & Epperson, Ltd. Since joining our firm in 2006, after his prior tenure at Wachovia Bank in the commercial and retail banking arena, he has been an invaluable team member in the production of certain specialized industry research publications such as import studies, retail price point analysis, demographics and other unique and in-depth studies specially related to the furnishings industry, produced by Mann, Armistead & Epperson, Ltd. Additionally, Jin plays a vital role in the research and production of “The Furnishings Digest”, the specialized furnishings industry publication that our firm, under the leadership of Jerry Epperson, has produced since the inception. The Furnishings Digest over the years has gained a large following including, but not limited to, manufacturers, retailers, financing sources, investors and other interested parties.
Jin earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Financial Planning from Virginia Commonwealth University.
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Christopher Sawyer
Senior Analyst
With experience in investment banking, Chris has developed strong expertise in executing mergers and acquisitions (M&A) transactions, financial modeling, and valuation analysis. During his time in the industry, he has contributed to due diligence processes, prepared comprehensive financial analyses, and collaborated with senior bankers to provide strategic advisory services to clients across various industries.
Prior to joining MAE, Chris served as an Investment Banking Analyst at KippsDeSanto & Co., where he worked on several successful transactions across the Aerospace & Defense, Government Technology Solutions, and Enterprise Technology sectors. His experience spans both buy- and sell-side transactions, providing him with a solid foundation in navigating complex financial transactions and delivering value to clients.
Chris holds a Bachelor of Science degree with a dual concentration in Corporate Finance and Investment Management from Virginia Tech.