Southard Financial
Transaction Advisory

Transaction Advisory

Buyers and sellers of private businesses, public companies divesting their divisions or subsidiaries, and entrepreneurs seeking liquidity or growth capital know that they can rely on the transaction advisory services of Southard Financial.

  • Our transactional expertise is supported by extensive relationships with strategic and private-equity investors, venture capital firms, institutional investors, commercial banks, and finance companies.
  • We have assisted sales of small and middle-market companies to financial and strategic buyers, including identification of acquisition candidates for buyers.
  • Additional engagements include industry consolidations, roll ups, financing, refinancing, recapitalization, mergers, and acquisitions.

For more information about our transaction advisory services, please follow the links on the sidebar menu.

Liquidity Alternatives

Southard Financial specializes in providing liquidity alternatives for business owners. Options include 100% sale to financial or strategic buyers, sale of minority interest to financial buyers, or minority recapitalization with subordinated and/or senior debt. We can help you evaluate long-term goals and connect with capital providers who will structure a meaningful transaction for all parties.

Services for Buyers

Investors, financial buyers, and strategic buyers turn to Southard Financial to help them find, evaluate, and acquire small- to middle-market companies. We will translate your preferred criteria — target business sectors, sales volume, EBITDA, target countries, etc. — into a profile that can be used to drive a focused acquisition search, and manage the entire acquisition process, including valuation, bid preparation, contract negotiation, and transaction closing.

Services for Sellers

Our transaction advisory group specializes in the representation of middle-market business owners in mergers, acquisitions, refinancing, recapitalization, joint ventures, and partnerships. Whether you are facing a current need or a “once in a lifetime” event, Southard Financial will work to create a positive experience for you while achieving a successful transaction at the maximum possible price.

Recent Activities

  • Southard Financial was proud to be a Bonze Sponsor of The ESOP Association Annual Conference in 2021, 2022, and 2023

  • Southard Financial was proud to be a Platinum Sponsor of the New South Chapter of The ESOP Association in 2020 and 2021

  • Southard Financial was proud to be a Member Bank Sponsor of the Ole Miss Banking & Finance Symposium in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, and 2023

  • Southard Financial was proud to be a Co-Sponsor of the National Center for Employee Ownership ESOP Nuts & Bolts Event in 2018

  • Southard Financial was proud to be a Corporate Sponsor of the Mid-South Minority Business Council in 2017 and 2018

  • Dave Harris attended The ESOP Association Annual Conference in 2018, 2019, 2022, and 2023

  • Dave Harris attended The ESOP Association Professionals’ Forum in 2019, 2020, 2021 (virtual), and 2024

  • Dave Harris attended the National Center for Employee Ownership Annual Conference in 2015, 2016, 2018, and 2019

  • Mark Orndorff and Matthew Jakes attended the National Center for Employee Ownership Annual Conference in 2017

  • Southard Financial attended the National Center for Employee Ownership Annual Conference in 2020 (virtual) and 2021 (virtual)

  • Mark Orndorff attended The ESOP Association Professionals’ Forum in 2023

  • Southard Financial facilitated the sale of Flint Hydraulics to Hydraquip, Inc.

    Southard Financial facilitated the sale of Flint Hydraulics to Hydraquip, Inc.

  • Southard Financial facilitated the sale of Memphis' own Cooper Glass Company

    Southard Financial facilitated the sale of Memphis' own Cooper Glass Company

  • David A. Harris and Mark A. Orndorff spoke at the 2019 Annual Fall Conference of the New South Chapter of The ESOP Association

    David A. Harris and Mark A. Orndorff spoke at the 2019 Annual Fall Conference of the New South Chapter of The ESOP Association held in Orlando, Florida on October 16-17. They gave a presentation titled “Can Employees Really Impact Company Value?”

  • Southard Financial facilitated the sale of Memphis' own TOPS Bar-B-Q chain

    Southard Financial facilitated the sale of Memphis' own TOPS Bar-B-Q chain

  • David A. Harris and Matthew L. Jakes spoke at the 2019 Spring Workshop of the New South Chapter of The ESOP Association

    David A. Harris and Matthew L. Jakes spoke at the 2019 Spring Workshop of the New South Chapter of The ESOP Association held in Atlanta, Georgia in February, 2019 on the topic of “Valuation Appraisal Checklist – 10 Things Your ESOP Appraiser Should be Doing”

  • David A. Harris spoke at The Fall ESOP Forum of the NCEO

    David A. Harris spoke at The Fall ESOP Forum of the NCEO (National Center for Employee Ownership) held in Albuquerque, New Mexico in October, 2018 on the topic, “Communicating Valuation: Tools, Tips, and Examples”.

  • Southard Financial negotiated the sale of and was the exclusive financial advisor to Southern Systems, Inc.

    Southard Financial negotiated the sale of and was the exclusive financial advisor to Southern Systems, Inc.

  • David A. Harris spoke at the 2018 Annual Fall Conference of the New South Chapter of The ESOP Association

    David A. Harris spoke at the 2018 Annual Fall Conference of the New South Chapter of The ESOP Association held in Birmingham, Alabama in September, 2018. He led a workshop called “The People’s Roundtable Interactive Workshop – A series of ‘Build to Last’ activities that focus on developing successful communication and team building programs for employee owners of all generations.” Speakers included Dolores Lawrence, Blue Ridge ESOP Associates; Lindsay Baublitz, SCandH Capital; David Harris, Southard Financial LLC

  • Mark A. Orndorff spoke at the ESOP Nuts & Bolts Seminar of the NCEO

    Mark A. Orndorff spoke at the ESOP Nuts and Bolts Seminar of the NCEO (National Center for Employee Ownership) held in Indianapolis, Indiana in August, 2018 on the topic of “What’s Your Company Worth? – ESOP Valuation.”

  • Southard Financial helps Transnetyx expand with growth capital

    Southard Financial helps Transnetyx expand with growth capital

  • Mark A. Orndorff spoke at the American Booksellers Association Winter Institute

    Mark A. Orndorff spoke at the American Booksellers Association Winter Institute 2018 held in Memphis, TN in January, 2018 on the topic of Succession Planning titled “What is Your ‘End Goal’?”

    Southard Financial is here to help with your business appraisal and transaction advisory needs.

    For responsive support and assistance, or to discuss a matter in confidence, contact us today!

    Contact Us

    iBank Tower, Suite 708 - 5050 Poplar Avenue - Memphis, TN 38157

    Phone: (901) 761-7500   Fax: (901) 761-6045