Middle Market Growth Conversations

Mark Yusko, CEO and chief investment officer of Morgan Creek Capital Management, spoke with MMG Editor Kathryn Mulligan about the investment opportunities he sees in blockchain technologies and cryptocurrency. During the conversation, he discussed his firm’s recent acquisition of Full Tilt Capital, the regulatory environment surrounding blockchain and cryptocurrency, and how the world is moving from securities to tokens. Yusko gave the keynote address at ACG Raleigh Durham’s Capital Conference, themed around the crypto economy, in early April, and spoke with MMG onsite at the event.

Pat Morris joined ACG Global as president and CEO in December. In this episode of the podcast, he spoke with MMG Editor Kathryn Mulligan about his career leading up to ACG, his experience with the association so far, and what’s in store moving forward.

Chris Hebble, a managing director at Houlihan Lokey, spoke with MMG Editor Kathryn Mulligan about raising capital for small and midsize companies, including how long the process typically takes and the time commitment for a middle-market management team. He also offered insight on the impact on borrowing of rising interest rates and tax reform. Hebble is the chairman of ACG InterGrowth 2018, and he weighed in on the value of networking opportunities at the conference, held this year in San Diego on May 2-4. To learn more, visit www.intergrowth.org.

Joseph Brusuelas, chief economist of RSM, spoke with MMG Editor Kathryn Mulligan by phone on March 19 about the potential impact of tariffs on U.S. middle-market businesses, his recent trip to China, and the results of the latest RSM US Middle Market Business Index.

Andrew Appel, CEO of IRI, spoke with MMG Editor Kathryn Mulligan about how retailers are leveraging data, analytics and social media as they try to become multichannel and more consumer-centric. Appel talked about the changing landscape of retail, and how a company like IRI, which has been around for nearly four decades, continues to innovate and adapt to changing market dynamics.

Dan Sustar, CEO of Trademark Global, spoke with MMG Editor Deborah Cohen by phone about his company's niche in the e-commerce ecosystem. Profiled on the cover of MMG's January/February issue, the Lorain, Ohio-based company sources, warehouses and ships products for some of the biggest names in e-commerce while also developing its own products.

Roger Nanney, vice chairman of Deloitte LLP and Deloitte Private U.S. leader, spoke with MMG Editor Kathryn Mulligan by phone about Deloitte's "Global Perspectives for Private Companies" report, based on a survey of more than 1,800 executives of middle-market companies worldwide.

Amit Bouri, co-founder and CEO of the Global Impact Investing Network, spoke to MMG Editor-in-Chief Deborah Cohen about the increasing interest among investors, including private equity, in achieving positive social and environmental impact alongside a financial return. Bouri and Cohen spoke on Jan. 31 on-site during an impact investing conference that the GIIN helped produce in Chicago.

Jane Rowe, senior managing director and head of private capital for Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, one of the pioneers of the Canadian private investing model, talks with MMG Editor-in-Chief Deborah Cohen about the plan’s strategy, including backing private equity funds, plus direct investment alongside GPs and long-term equity holds.

Steven Kaplan, the Neubauer family distinguished service professor of entrepreneurship and finance at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, speaks with MMG Editor in Chief Deborah Cohen about the Lincoln Middle Market Index, which he developed with investment bank Lincoln International; Booth’s private equity programming; and Kaplan's research, including on how analytics can predict CEO success.