James M. Mann
Jimm is one of our founders and a Managing Director of Mann, Armistead & Epperson, Ltd. Jimm brings over thirty years of investment banking/accounting experience to our client base and has advised clients on numerous exclusive sale assignments, buyside transactions, public company defenses and a wide variety of strategic advisory situations. Although capable in many aspects of corporate finance, Jimm’s focus is assisting clients through the merger and acquisition process and the related financial, legal and tax issues. Prior to forming our firm, Jimm spent thirteen years at Wheat, First Securities Inc. as a Senior Vice President where he was in charge of the Merger and Acquisition Group. He also spent time at the Department of Justice as a Special Agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation and as a Certified Public Accountant with Ernst & Young.
Jimm earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Contact Jimm at: jmm@maeltd.com
W. Howard Armistead
Howard is one of our founders and a Managing Director of Mann, Armistead & Epperson, Ltd. Howard has over thirty years of experience in assisting corporations and shareholders in a wide variety of transactions which focus on the transfer and transition of corporate ownership. Howard has significant experience in dealing with small and mid-cap public companies and related transactions such as “going private” tender offers, advising special committees, providing valuations and fairness opinions and structuring corporate sell-side mandate processes. Howard also spends significant time advising companies regarding transition of ownership of family businesses. Prior to forming our firm, Howard was a Senior Vice President at Wheat, First Securities Inc. and Craigie Incorporated. Howard started his career as a CPA with Ernst & Young rising to partner level and Director of Health Care Services in the Mid-Atlantic Region. Within his fifteen year tenure at Ernst & Young, Howard spent three years as a Medical Group Administrator at Duke University Medical Center.
Howard earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting at Virginia Tech.
Contact Howard at: wha@maeltd.com
Wallace W. “Jerry” Epperson, Jr., CFA
Jerry is one of the founders of our firm and a Managing Director of Mann, Armistead & Epperson, Ltd. Jerry is the head of our research efforts and has in excess of fifty years of experience in the publication of research which focuses on demographics, consumer products, furnishings & mattresses (residential and contract) and related issues. More specifically, Jerry’s research in the furnishings & mattress industries is recognized on a world-wide basis for its in-depth coverage of suppliers, manufacturers and retailers. Jerry has also been acknowledged by several industry, research and Wall Street associations for his coverage. On several occasions, Jerry has been requested by the U.S. State Department to travel to the Pacific Rim and Europe to assist those countries in understanding the furnishings & mattress industries. We are proud to inform that Jerry is a member of the American Furniture Hall of Fame and is the only investment banker/research professional to obtain such an honor. Prior to founding our firm, Jerry spent fifteen years at Wheat, First Securities, Inc. and five years at Scott & Stringfellow, Inc.
Jerry earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce from the University of Virginia and an MBA from the College of William & Mary. He is also a Chartered Financial Analyst.
Contact Jerry at: wwe@maeltd.com
Michael B. (“Mike”) Watson, Jr.
Mike is a Partner at Mann, Armistead & Epperson, Ltd. Mike is a global business expert who most recently served as Chief Executive Officer and Director of a privately owned multi-national enterprise. Mike oversaw all aspects of the enterprise’s key operating companies, including management of approximately 4,500 employees in the United States, Asia and the Europe, 16 global manufacturing facilities and was active across multiple industries, including home furnishings, jet aircraft management, data/colocation 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 actively overseeing all global financial operations of the company across China, Vietnam and the United States. Mike previously spent 17 years at MAE and was the firm’s initial professional hire in 1991, successfully rising to the position of Managing Director prior to his departure. He started his career in the Merchant Banking / Corporate Finance areas of Bankers Trust in New York.
Mike earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Business with a minor in Government and Law from Lafayette College.
Contact Mike at MWatson@maeltd.com