W.G. Nielsen & Co. Recent News

W.G. Nielsen & Co., a leading investment banking firm headquartered in Denver, announced today that it acted as financial advisor to LienLogic, Inc. in securing a $30 million senior, secured credit facility.

LienLogic, Inc. is a real estate tax lien management company founded in 2008. The company, located in Colorado Springs, CO, was originally organized to provide an array of services to participants in the real estate tax lien industry through the development of a website providing news information and advice on purchasing/acquiring and investing in tax lien certificates (TLC's) and tax deeds. In 2009, the company refocused its efforts to acquire real estate tax liens for its own account. LienLogic initially focused TLC purchases in Colorado and Indiana but has expanded its activities to Maryland, DC, and New Jersey with additional markets under review. The company's portfolio consists largely of residential TLCs, and also includes TLCs encumbering commercial and a very limited amount of raw land.

W.G. Nielsen & Co., a leading investment banking firm headquartered in Denver, announced that Lamar Companies and Real Capital Solutions acquired Conifer Marketplace, an 86,489 square foot neighborhood shopping center situated on 8 acres of land and located at the intersection of Highway 285 and Highway 73 in Conifer, Colorado. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

"Conifer Marketplace is the third closing we have completed with Real Capital Solutions since the beginning of 2011; we are pleased to have this team in place and look at this as just the beginning," said Lamar President Mark Kalkus. "As it relates to this particular property, we chose this project because we are confident that there is a significant amount of upside in the value of the property that can be obtained through aggressive leasing strategy, particularly the co-anchor space."

Sharon Eshima, President of Real Capital Solutions added, "Lamar's analysis of this and other projects convinced us that they have the operating expertise to create value for both of our firms; W.G. Nielsen & Co. was the intermediary that introduced us and led to this partnership."

Blake Nielsen, who led the deal for W.G. Nielsen & Co., believes that this is another example of opportunity created in turbulent times: "Lamar recognized the strength of the location first and foremost. They have a vision for the potential to re-tenant the center which overcame initial objections about higher-than-normal vacancy rates. I am glad to have been involved in the genesis of this partnership."

W.G. Nielsen & Co., a leading investment banking firm headquartered in Denver, announced that Lamar Companies and Real Capital Solutions acquired Fairview Center Shopping Center in Fairview Park, Ohio. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

"Fairview Center is the second closing we have completed with Real Capital Solutions; this partnership has been a big benefit to us and it allows us to execute on our strategy," said Lamar President Mark Kalkus. "We plan on improving occupancy, adding to an already strong tenant mix and excellent demographics just outside of Cleveland."

Sharon Eshima, President of Real Capital Solutions added, "we have been pleased with Lamar’s analysis of projects and have confidence that this is another project that will bear fruit for our partnership. We are pleased that W.G. Nielsen & Co. introduced our organizations."

Blake Nielsen, who led the deal for W.G. Nielsen & Co., summed it up: "Lamar continues to locate projects that have real value and we could not be happier about the Real Capital Solutions and Lamar partnership. We expect these projects to increase in frequency and are glad to have provided Lamar, our client, with a win-win outcome."

W. G. Nielsen & Co. is pleased to announce that LoAn T. Vo has joined the Company as an Investment Banker. W.G. Nielsen & Co., the Rocky Mountain region's largest independently owned investment banking firm, specializes in negotiating mergers and acquisitions and small-cap public companies. Ms. Vo brings an extensive background in financial and entrepreneurial experiences.

Prior to joining the Company, Ms. Vo was Vice President at LJS Capital LLC, an investment banking firm located in Boulder, CO. She worked with Oil and Gas clients on capital raises and M&A transactions.

Preceding LJS Capital, Ms. Vo gained expertise in financial services at both Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney as a Financial Advisor. She provided investment management to high net worth investors, both corporate and private clients, by establishing and implementing portfolio risk management, alternative investments and concentrated risk management.

Ms. Vo has worked with a variety entrepreneurial start-up companies. Her work includes real estate acquisitions, licensing, contract negotiations and marketing.

Ms. Vo received a BS in Biology from the University of Denver and an MBA from the Daniels College of Business at DU. She holds multiple securities licenses.

Involved in many areas of Denver's philanthropic community, Ms. Vo's charitable work includes serving on the Board of Directors for Colorado's I Have a Dream Foundation and Havana Nights for the Rocky Mountain Children's Law Center. Ms. Vo is also a graduate of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Denver Class of 2010.

W.G. Nielsen & Co., a leading investment banking firm headquartered in Denver, announced that it acted as financial advisor to LienLogic, Inc. in the acquisition of the assets of Edison Tax Services from the New Jersey based investment fund, Plainfield Asset Management, LLC. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

LienLogic, Inc. is a real estate tax lien management company founded in January 2008. The Company, located in Colorado Springs, CO, was originally organized to provide an array of services to participants in the real estate tax lien industry through the development of a website providing news, information and advice on purchasing/acquiring and investing in tax lien certificates (TLC's) and tax deeds. In 2009, the Company refocused its efforts to acquire real estate tax liens for its own investment portfolio. LienLogic initially focused TLC purchases in Colorado and Indiana, but has expanded their activities to Maryland, DC, New Jersey and Mississippi with additional markets under review. The Company’s portfolio consists largely of residential TLC’s, but also includes commercial, multi-family, townhouse, condo and a very limited amount of raw land.

Looking forward, LienLogic intends to expand its portfolio acquisitions and manage portfolios for third-party investors (private and institutional). LienLogic also intends to establish a web-enabled source of information for tax lien investing, create a trading platform or exchange for a secondary market in what has been considered a largely fractured market and provide additional value-added services to participants in the tax lien market.

W.G. Nielsen & Co., a leading investment banking firm headquartered in Denver, announced that it assisted Lamar Companies and Real Capital Solutions, in acquiring Oak Park Ponds Shopping Center in Oak Park Heights, Minnesota. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

"Oak Park Ponds is the first closing in what we hope will be many with Real Capital Solutions –– a strong and savvy institutional partner," said Lamar President Mark Kalkus. "We believe this property will benefit from improved occupancy, a strong tenant–line–up and excellent demographics, and are pleased that we were able to close so quickly."

Sharon Eshima, President of Real Capital Solutions added, "we too are enthusiastic about the strong location of the center because it services Oak Park Heights as well as Stillwater and has great tenants including Kowalski’s Market and several attractive co–tenants. We are confident that Lamar will bring value to this project and we are aligned with their philosophy and strategy, and appreciate W.G. Nielsen & Co.’s involvement in the introduction."

Blake Nielsen, who led the deal for W.G. Nielsen & Co., agreed that the project was a win-win. "Lamar has a portfolio strategy that is unique, and the synergies created when we introduced Real Capital Solutions to Lamar were evident at the onset. We believe that this team is well–positioned to take advantage of opportunities in this market and we could not be happier with the outcome of this first transaction."

Private Equity Investments Seem Poised for Uptick | Denver Business Journal

On Tuesday, February 23rd, Wayne Nielsen, President of W.G. Nielsen & Co., made a presentation at Woodbury Financial’s annual Colorado meeting. Mr. Nielsen spoke about the general state of the economy and the state of the mergers and acquisitions market. He began his presentation to Woodbury Financial by providing some of his economic predictions for the economy in 2010.

These predictions, originally made during his December 2009 speech at Polsinelli Shughart’s annual Business & Law forum, were for the Dow Jones Industrial Average, oil prices, and the national unemployment level in 2010. Mr. Nielsen predicted that the Dow Jones would have a 2010 ceiling of 11,800. The Dow Jones reached its actual 2010 ceiling of 11,577 on December 31, 2010. Mr. Nielsen’s prediction was 1.9% higher than the actual ceiling. Mr. Nielsen also predicted that Brent Crude Oil futures would have a 2010 ceiling of $95.00 per barrel. On December 31st, Brent Crude Oil futures reached their actual 2010 ceiling of $94.59 per barrel. Mr. Nielsen’s predicted ceiling was 0.4% higher than the actual ceiling. Mr. Nielsen predicted that unemployment would reach a high of 10.5%, nationally, during his 2009 speech. The actual 2010 high of 9.9% was reached during April of 2010.

At the end of his presentation on February 23rd to Woodbury Financial, Mr. Nielsen provided his predictions for the Dow Jones, oil, and the national unemployment level for 2011. Mr. Nielsen predicted that the national unemployment level would stay between 8.5% and 9.0% during 2011. He predicted that Brent Crude Oil futures would have a 2011 floor of $86.00 per barrel and a 2011 ceiling of $120.00 per barrel. Mr. Nielsen also predicted that the Dow Jones would have a 2011 ceiling of 13,300 and a floor of 10,300. Mr. Nielsen then closed his presentation with his thoughts on the mergers and acquisitions market in 2011. He said that he believed stressed transactions will continue to close. Mr. Nielsen believes that opportunities and new value realities will drive the mergers and acquisitions market. He additionally discussed how privately held business with good growth, a defensible niche, and excellent management will continue to trade at rational multiples. Mr. Nielsen said that he believe that the total mergers and acquisitions volume will be up in 2011 from 2010 levels.

W.G. Nielsen & Co., a leading investment banking firm headquartered in Denver, announced that it assisted Bell Aquaculture, LLC, the nation’s largest yellow perch farm and a state-of-the-art aquaculture facility, in successfully negotiating an asset repurchase arrangement with Louisville, Colorado-based Real Capital Solutions. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

"We were pleased to assist Bell Aquaculture with this transaction. This transaction affords Bell Aquaculture the ability to focus solely on the success of its fish rearing; Real Capital Solutions has been a strong and steadfast partner, and Bell has enjoyed its association with Marcel and his team. The completion of this buyback was really a win-win," said Wayne Nielsen, President of W. G. Nielsen & Co.

"At Bell Aquaculture, we devote a tremendous amount of thinking and hard work to ensuring the quality of our product. We feel the same way about our partnerships - both with Real Capital Solutions and W.G. Nielsen & Co.," said Brian Baldwin, Founder and Vice Chairman of Bell Aquaculture.

Bell Aquaculture decided to retain W.G. Nielsen & Co. in May of 2009 based on the investment bank’s reputation for finding beneficial and strategic solutions for its clients.

"Real Capital has long been successful combining good people with good projects. Bell Aquaculture is making major strides as the frontrunner in sustainable fish farming techniques and Real Capital Solutions was pleased to provide innovative financing tools for Bell to expand and grow its business," said Sharon Eshima, President of Real Capital Solutions.

U.S. jobless rate to stay high in 2011, W.G. Nielsen predicts | Denver Business Journal

W. G. Nielsen & Co., a leading Denver-based investment banking firm, announced that it represented Danish Flats Environmental Services with respect to its debt recapitalization. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Kirk Shiner, a principal of Danish Flats Environmental Services, commented on the deal: "This transaction presented a number of special challenges due to the nature of our business, the handling of production water from oil and gas wells. Nevertheless, Ron Barber and John Lundberg were able to develop a structure that created a win-win situation, navigating interests from numerous stakeholders, providing our company with greater flexibility and potential for future growth."

John Lundberg, who oversaw and directed the transaction from Fifth Third Bank’s Structured Finance Group, was delighted about the new partnership as well. He noted, "Fifth Third Bank has been providing relationship banking through quality financial products and services to its customers for over 150 years. This transaction gave us another opportunity to incorporate both our ABL and Cash Flow lending metrics to a company that performed very well through 2008 and 2009. We are looking forward to another 150 years building further relationships with other well managed clients like Danish Flats."

Ron Barber, Senior Vice President at W.G. Nielsen and Co., offered his perspective about the deal as well. "This transaction will allow Danish Flats to realize its goals and should provide significant value to the company. Danish Flats has a strong track record and has demonstrated a staggering growth rate, and we have been happy to advise them as they have built their business. It is a testament to their solid business model and the talent of their people, and we hope to continue working with them as they reach ever higher levels of success."

W. G. Nielsen & Co., a leading Denver-based investment banking firm, announced that it acted as Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver’s financial advisor in successfully securing loan financing to purchase its administrative offices and pay off the mortgage on its Outlet Store property at 70 Rio Grande Boulevard in Denver.

Heather Lafferty, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver (HFHMD) noted, "Taylor Kirkpatrick’s involvement in this transaction was essential - as a Habitat Board Member and an investment banker, he understands our mission and was able to articulate our story effectively to potential lenders. Along with fellow Board Member Russell Kemp from the law firm Ireland Stapleton Pryor & Pascoe, Board Member Tom Sattler of Sattler Homes, Board Member Emeritus Had Beatty and Habitat’s Director of Community Development Lynne Brown, they were able to find the perfect community partner in Northern Trust."

Agnes Ryan, Senior Vice President of Northern Trust, was also excited about the transaction: "Northern Trust is very pleased to partner with Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver. Our guiding principles of service, expertise and integrity - more than 120 years old - are in lockstep with this organization, and our decision to support Habitat in a community we serve was an easy one."

HFHMD CFO Kris Medina summed up the process best: "We were blown away by the interest we received from the financial institutions around Denver. We felt that our sound financial position and the positive association that people have with our mission -- to provide affordable housing solutions -- would garner some attention, but we were overwhelmed at the value our brand has; it is a real testament to our organization and our overreaching goal, and we are fortunate that Northern Trust believes in it as much as we do."

W.G. Nielsen & Co., a leading investment banking firm headquartered in Denver, announced that it acted as financial advisor to Burt Automotive Network in the sale of two of its Centennial, CO automotive dealerships, Burt Ford and Burt Mazda, and its automobile brokerage business, H.M. Brown & Associates, to Colorado-based Groove Automotive Group.

Burt Automotive Network was at one time the largest automobile dealer in Colorado. The automobile chain was purchased by Lloyd G. Chavez in 1987 from Nate Burt. Prior to buying the automobile chain, Mr. Chavez had started his career in the automobile industry as a salesman with Burt in1951. Burt Automotive was ranked as the largest Hispanic-owned business in the United States in 1993, 1995 and 1996 by Hispanic Business Magazine.

Wayne Nielsen, President of W. G. Nielsen & Co., was pleased to assist Burt in this complex transaction. "Burt has been an innovator and a leader in our community. This strategic sale allows the Company to pursue a dual strategy that marries the future -- fuel-efficient and alternative-energy vehicles -- with Burt’s existing strength as a nationwide fleet vehicle provider. It is proof positive that the Chavez family continues to be progressive and forward-thinking."

Groove Ford and Mazda join a group of 32 other automobile dealerships across the nation owned and operated under the parent company name Summit Automotive Partners. Twelve of its automobile dealerships are now based in Colorado: Groove Ford and Mazda in Centennial, Groove Toyota, Scion and Subaru in Englewood; Vista Subaru and Jeep Chrysler Dodge located in Silverthorne, and Vista Chevrolet, Honda and Subaru in Glenwood Springs. The group also owns dealerships in New England and Nashville. Groove’s President and CEO, Rod Buscher, praised the Burt legacy and will focus on leveraging Burt’s reputation for great customer experiences with Groove’s enhanced network of dealerships.

Burt’s executive team made the decision to have W.G. Nielsen & Co. represent Burt because of the Investment Bank’s experience with complex transactional structures and its reputation for finding advantageous solutions for its clients. "Wayne and Bill Nash were immensely helpful and their experience in this arena proved to be invaluable," stated Hank Held, Senior Vice President at Burt.

We are pleased to share with you our optimism as covered by Renee McGaw at the Denver Business Journal Colorado M&A deals rise in 2009 fourth quarter

W.G. Nielsen & Co., a leading investment banking firm headquartered in Denver, announced that it assisted Bell Aquaculture, LLC, the nation’s largest yellow perch farm and a state-of-the-art aquaculture facility, in successfully negotiating a Stock Purchase arrangement with Real Capital Solutions. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

"We were pleased to assist Bell Aquaculture with this transaction. This transaction provides the Company the opportunity to commit its time and resources to realizing value from its established production of yellow perch," said Wayne Nielsen, President of W. G. Nielsen & Co.

"This transaction is a tribute to the strength and scope of our aquaculture operations and the demand for a healthy and sustainable food product," said Brian Baldwin, Founder and Vice Chairman of Bell Aquaculture. "Our solid position will help us focus on attracting more interest in this ultimate healthy protein. We appreciate the strong financial support from Real Capital Solutions, a major investor that understands the capital we need and our approach to advancing our aquaculture operations."

Bell Aquaculture decided to retain W.G. Nielsen & Co. in May of 2009 based on the investment bank’s reputation for finding beneficial and strategic solutions for its clients.

"Bell Aquaculture has made a major impact in sustainable fish farming techniques and Real Capital Solutions is pleased to provide innovative financing tools for Bell to expand and grow its business. We believe that there are very promising prospects for this product in the future and we are particularly excited to invest in Bell, our first transaction in this marketplace," said Sharon Eshima, President of Real Capital Solutions.

W.G. Nielsen & Co., a leading investment banking firm headquartered in Denver, announced that it assisted Tuff Shed, Inc., a Denver-based company, in successfully negotiating a financing arrangement with Hunting Dog Capital, LLC, and St. Cloud Capital, LLC. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

"We found terrific lenders in Hunting Dog Capital and St. Cloud Capital," said Wayne Nielsen, President of W. G. Nielsen & Co. "They have the culture and focus to allow Tuff Shed appropriate operating autonomy while providing valuable resources for the Company."

"Hunting Dog Capital and St. Cloud Capital have very similar cultures to Tuff Shed. We believe that operating relationship between us will be strong and cooperative," said Tom Saurey, Founder and President of Tuff Shed. "W.G. Nielsen & Co. worked diligently to find outstanding lenders who understand our business. Wayne Nielsen was instrumental in establishing the relationship and in negotiating the transaction with Hunting Dog Capital and St. Cloud Capital."

"We are excited about working with Tuff Shed," said Todd Blankfort, Principal of Hunting Dog Capital. "Tom and his team have built a phenomenal company that we believe will continue to grow and thrive. We hope our partnership will help the company reach new levels of success."

W. G. Nielsen & Co., a leading Denver-based investment banking firm, announced that it successfully acted as the private placement agent to The Denver Hospice in this transaction. The proceeds of the bond issue will be used towards the construction of The Denver Hospice’s state-of-the-art Care Center.

For the one in five hospice patients who need round the clock care in a hospice care center, it will soon be provided with medical expertise and therapeutic services in a warm and inviting home-inspired 24 bed care center. Presently, no facility of its kind exists in Denver, but with the support of our community our patients will now receive their expert care with dignity, privacy and the comforts of home. With continuing cuts in Medicare funding, the collective philanthropic support of this community will help build and sustain this treasure for the future.

Bev Sloan, President and CEO of The Denver Hospice noted, "Wayne Nielsen’s leadership was critical to the planning, negotiation and closing of our tax exempt bond transaction. His expertise and long history of facilitating similar transactions brought us "best in market" terms-far more favorable than we anticipated or could have achieved on our own. Wayne Nielsen is a consummate professional who exceeds every expectation."

W. G. Nielsen & Co., a leading Denver-based investment banking firm, announced that it successfully negotiated the Management Buy Out of Wine Master Cellars, LLC. The deal was designed to enable the business to continue to build on its existing growth and become the dominant wine storage system employed throughout the world. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

W. G. Nielsen & Co. specializes in developing creative and mutually beneficial matches for company buyers and sellers. "W.G. Nielsen & Co. recognized that both sides were looking for a win-win, and the transaction process was geared toward collaboration to achieve both buyer’s and seller’s goals. Taylor Kirkpatrick and Blake Nielsen were the catalysts for a successful negotiation," said Doug McCain, Founder of Wine Master Cellars and inventor of VintageView® wine racks. "This transaction has resulted in finding a good steward to build upon the legacy I created — and better yet, now I can go fishing more often than I could before!"

Charles Malek, CEO of the Company and purchaser said, "I am confident that the huge potential of this wine storage system in all markets can now be realized. The Company already has a proven track record and I am looking forward to expanding the brand to the next level."

Taylor Kirkpatrick, Vice President at W.G. Nielsen had a special reason to celebrate: "This transaction was remarkable because I consider both the buyer and seller to be close friends; I am proud to have introduced them as potential partners long before a transaction was contemplated. To see two friends work together and build the trust you need to have to close a deal was especially fun for me."

W. G. Nielsen & Co., a leading Denver-based investment banking firm, announced that it successfully negotiated the sale of Qwik†Cross, the Medicare claims processing division of Omaha–based HDM Corporation to Capario, a Marlin Equity Partners ("Marlin") portfolio company. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"This transaction was challenging due to a variety of factors, including a difficult economic environment which creates obstacles to closing transactions. However, we found a financial purchaser with a synergistic portfolio company that is the perfect partner for the Qwik+Cross division of HDM. They have the culture and focus to make the whole greater than the sum of its parts," said Taylor Kirkpatrick, Vice President of W.G. Nielsen & Co.

W. G. Nielsen & Co. specializes in developing creative and mutually beneficial matches for company buyers and sellers. "W.G. Nielsen understood that culture was a high priority for me in this transaction, and making sure that we took care of our obligations with employees, clients and vendors. Blake Nielsen and Taylor Kirkpatrick were essential in negotiating this transaction successfully," said Lisa Lechowicz, CEO and Founder of HDM. "W.G. Nielsen & Co. went above and beyond to be my advocate and really helped me through this nuanced transaction."

"We are excited about the addition of Qwik+Cross to Marlin’s portfolio of companies," said George Kase, Partner of Marlin Equity Partners. "Lisa and her team will be complementary to our existing platform and we are confident the new company will take advantage of enormous growth potential in the claims processing sector."