LOS ANGELES – September 12, 2023

Palm Tree LLC (“Palm Tree”), the modern M&A advisor that provides integrated investment banking and consulting services for private equity firms and businesses worldwide, today announced that investment banking icons Tracy Albert and David M.V. Barnes have joined the firm in senior roles bringing even greater experience and extensive personal networks as it scales and grows its M&A services for clients.

“We are excited to share the appointment of a storied dealmaking partnership in the M&A and sponsor communities to our investment banking team,” said Pardis Nasseri, Chief Executive Officer and President of Palm Tree. “Tracy and David’s depth and breadth of tactical, hands-on experience in M&A and investment banking will give Palm Tree a strategic advantage as we serve our clients and continue our rapid growth.”

“Their joining provides Palm Tree with access to a vast network of business and personal relationships across a broad array of industries and has a proven ability to bring high-quality assets to the negotiating table,” Nasseri continued.

• Tracy Albert joins as Vice Chairman of Investment Banking and will lead client coverage and business development initiatives to support Palm Tree’s continued growth. Albert previously held several senior investment banking roles, most recently at JD Merit and Company, where he was Vice Chairman and responsible for planning and strategic direction of the firm. Prior to joining JD Merit, Albert served as Managing Director and Head of Western Region at Deloitte Corporate Finance, where he led the development of client relationships and the firm’s advisory practice in the western U.S. out of Los Angeles. Previously, he was a Managing Director at Houlihan Lokey, where he played a significant role in building the firm’s middle-market banking practice. Albert also founded Business Forums International (BFI), a global business networking enterprise that brings together thousands of professionals with expertise in accounting, banking, consulting, law, insurance, recruiting, and other disciplines.  He has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern California.
• David M.V. Barnes joins as Managing Director and Head of Mergers & Acquisitions, having closed over 350 transactions with a combined enterprise value in excess of $10 billion. Prior to joining Palm Tree, Barnes was a Senior Managing Director at JD Merit, advising middle-market companies and entrepreneurs across a broad array of industries and specialties. With 30 years of investment banking, private equity, and corporate development experience, Barnes has also held senior roles at a number of leading financial institutions, including Cowen & Company, where he was a Managing Director and Head of West Coast Financial Sponsor Coverage, and Houlihan Lokey, where he served as a Managing Director and was the architect and co-founder of the Financial Sponsor and Hedge Fund Coverage groups. Barnes has an MBA from the Anderson Graduate School of Management at UCLA and a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University.

Stephen Rossi, who was appointed as Managing Director and Head of Investment Banking earlier this year, will continue to lead the firm’s investment banking services, helping clients best position their businesses to engage in transactions, structure acquisitions and divestitures, run targeted strategic processes, and raise capital.

“I strongly believe in the middle market-focused M&A platform Palm Tree has built and look forward to leveraging my expertise and extensive business network to Stephen and the rest of his team as they seek quality transaction opportunities in this highly dynamic market segment,” said Albert.

“Successful M&A in the middle market requires strong relationships forged over many decades and finesse in negotiations that is many times best achieved with a trusted advisor,” said Barnes. “Palm Tree is investing heavily in its investment banking practice, and I am honored to be a part of the team to help drive the M&A engine forward.”

“Tracy and David have tremendous reputations as go-to leaders for building investment firms and advising middle market companies through transactions of all shapes and sizes,” said Rossi. “We are thrilled they are joining as we reach an inflection point in our growth and are confident they will propel us as middle-market companies across the globe seek our expertise.”

About Palm Tree LLC

Palm Tree is the modern M&A advisor. It provides integrated investment banking, transaction support, and finance services that power strategic events and drive business. The analytical intelligence it delivers enables businesses to better prepare for and execute on transactions, transitions, and transformations. Founded in 2010, Palm Tree was born out of private equity, and its team comes from private equity, Big Four accounting, investment banking, and business operations experience. Its processes and deliverables enable clients to make critical business decisions efficiently and to realize advantageous outcomes in strategic events.

Securities products and services are offered through Palm Tree Securities LLC, member of FINRA, SIPC.

More information is available in our corporate video, on PalmTreeLLC.com, and on LinkedIn.