James Conklin
About James Conklin
James Conklin is a Managing Director at Western & Southern Financial Group, where he has worked since 2022. He has extensive experience in finance, having held various positions at Fifth Third Bank and First Financial Bank, and has a strong background in sourcing investments and managing relationships in the lower middle market.
Work at Western & Southern Financial Group
James Conklin serves as Managing Director at Western & Southern Financial Group, a position he has held since 2022. In this role, he focuses on sourcing investments through a network of private equity groups and investment banks. He collaborates closely with local relationship managers to identify opportunities in the lower middle market, particularly targeting privately held companies or those seeking their first institutional investment.
Education and Expertise
James Conklin earned his Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Notre Dame, completing his studies from 2015 to 2017. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) with a focus on Finance from Xavier University, where he studied from 1998 to 2002. His educational background supports his extensive expertise in valuation methodologies, including liquidation value, discounted cash flow, and comparable multiple analysis.
Background in Banking and Finance
Before joining Western & Southern Financial Group, James Conklin held several positions at Fifth Third Bank. He worked as a Credit Analyst from 2004 to 2006, then progressed through various roles, including Vice President of the Structured Finance Group from 2007 to 2016, and Managing Director of Asset-Based Lending from 2015 to 2017. He also served as Managing Director of Business Capital at First Financial Bank from 2017 to 2022, accumulating significant experience in financial analysis and investment management.
Investment Experience
James Conklin has invested in over 50 private equity platform companies, utilizing various financial structures such as asset-based loans, enterprise value loans, term B loans, and high yield bonds. His investment strategy emphasizes sourcing opportunities in the lower middle market, focusing on companies that are privately held or are in the early stages of receiving institutional investment. He leads due diligence processes, negotiates legal documents, and manages ongoing relationships with institutional investors and companies.