Capstone’s people offer as high a level of experience as you’ll find in the largest investment banks. But most of our principals also offer expertise beyond just buying, selling and funding businesses. As former business owners and entrepreneurs, they’re experienced in running them. So you can be confident that Capstone will intimately understand your situation and the challenges you face.

 

Unique among investment bankers, Dan brings considerable hands-on experience as a highly successful entrepreneur. Prior to founding Capstone, he owned, operated, built and sold several substantial enterprises, including Genesis Travel Group. Starting with just 2 employees, he built that company into the Southeast’s largest travel organization with 42 offices in 7 states and 294 employees producing $78 million in annual sales.

With 22 years experience in Mergers and Acquisitions, as well as all aspects of corporate management, Dan serves as a frequent consultant to Government and Industry. He is also a nationally recognized authority in the Automotive Aftermarket industry. Dan graduated Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa from Davidson College with a B.A. degree in Economics, and received an M.B.A. degree in Finance from Duke University.

Specializations: Automotive Aftermarket, Recreation and Sporting Goods

dansmith@capfg.com

 

Lou Merz
Managing Director

Lou offers Capstone clients formidable insight and connections within the Automotive Aftermarket arena from having been a recognized leader in that industry. He served as Global Sales and Marketing Director for Delphi Automotive Systems, Group President at MascoTech, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Moog Automotive, President of the Automotive Parts Division of BorgWarner and was a Charter Member of the Toyota Motor Supplier Alliance. He was also honored to serve as Chairman of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association and President of the Automotive Sales Council.

Immediately prior to joining Capstone, Lou headed his own consulting company, Aftermarket Growth Concepts, providing strategic advice to more than a dozen major name aftermarket companies. Lou received an M.B.A. and a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from Washington University, in St. Louis, Missouri, where he also pursued advanced studies toward a Ph.D.

Specialization: Automotive Aftermarket

lmerz@capfg.com