Mark Russell

Before advising a client who wishes to prepare a business for sale, Mark Russell takes time to remember this decision can be based on more than just the numbers. Many times, the owners built the business from the ground up. They worked tirelessly to secure their success while assuming significant financial risk to both themselves and their families. Whether the sale is made in triumph or distress, the owners will be leaving a large part of themselves behind. At the same time, complete confidentiality must be maintained from the earliest stages of the engagement.

As a co-founder of Corporate Advisory Solutions, helping clients prepare their businesses for sale is only one of Mark’s responsibilities. He manages all aspects of the firm’s operations and transaction advisory engagements while working from the firm’s Chevy Chase, MD office. Mark also plays a central role in the firm’s Merchant Banking business. In addition to helping clients prepare a business for sale, he works with clients who wish to acquire to either grow or diversify a business. Drawing upon his many years’ experience in Merchant Banking and Advisory Services, Mark also provides valuation and strategic consulting services to client companies.

Prior to co-founding Corporate Advisory Solutions, Mark spent twelve years supporting clients at Kaulkin Ginsberg, a strategic advisory firm in the accounts receivable management industry. Mark was a Director and helped to oversee and manage various client engagements.

While at Kaulkin Ginsberg, Mark worked alongside Michael Lamm, with whom he would later found Corporate Advisory Solutions. After working with clients for more than ten years, Mark and Michael together developed a model they could see was missing in the Merchant Banking and Advisory Services marketplace. While generalists already amply served the marketplace, there was a need for specialists who could drill down deeper when either bringing a company to market or seeking a strategic acquisition.

The two partners chose to specialize by directing all their efforts towards the Outsourced Business Services sector while placing singular focus on Accounts Receivable Management (ARM), Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Revenue Cycle Management (RCM), and Specialty Finance companies. This level of specialization has also helped Mark build up a superior skill set as an advisor to companies in this sector.

Results have justified the two partners’ confidence in their business model. Corporate Advisory Solutions has completed over 15 M&A transactions since its founding in 2013, an average of 10-15 company valuations each year, various CFPB compliance consultations, and several market intelligence reports.

Mark is actively involved in leading industry associations including ACA International (asset buyers committee), Receivables Management Association (RMA), the Association for Corporate Growth – national chapter, Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA), Turnaround Management Association (TMA), and Washington, DC-area networking groups.

He is committed to giving back to the M&A advisory community by frequently speaking at industry events on M&A and valuation trends. He is also a regular contributor to industry publications where he offers analysis, posts blogs, and writes articles.

Mark holds the Series 79, 82, and 63 registrations as a Registered Representative of StillPoint Capital, LLC, Member FINRA, and SIPC, Tampa, FL, through whom he conducts securities transactions including capital raises and M&A engagements.

Mark is a graduate of Boston University where he earned a BS degree in Economics with a minor in Business Administration. He received his MBA in Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management from Georgetown University.