Mr. Burns has substantial experience in mergers and acquisitions and strategic planning accumulated over 20 years. Mr. Burns has broad industry experience in the consumer and industrial products/manufacturing categories with particular expertise in the consumer products, leisure and recreation, food products, metals and plastics industries.

Prior to joining Goldsmith Agio Helms (now Lazard Middle Market), he directed the strategic planning and mergers and acquisitions activities of Wilsons The Leather Experts Inc., a publicly traded company and one of the world's largest retailers of leather apparel and accessories. Prior to his experience with Wilsons, he was the president of a regional consulting firm where he advised public and private companies on strategic planning and mergers and acquisitions. Previously, he practiced law as a partner with the Minneapolis-based law firm of Fredrikson & Byron. Mr. Burns provided clients with legal counsel in the areas of corporate, partnership, securities and tax law in connection with mergers, acquisitions, sales, recapitalizations, reorganizations, financings, private placements, partnerships and joint ventures. Prior to practicing law, Mr. Burns was a senior tax advisor with Touche Ross & Company.

Mr. Burns earned his undergraduate degree in accounting from the University of Notre Dame, his juris doctorate from Creighton University School of Law and his masters of law degree in taxation from the University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Law.