Mr. O’Brien has arranged M&A transactions for clients engaged in manufacturing, distribution, retail and business services. In addition to advising entrepreneurs on the sale of their businesses, he has assisted corporate clients with the divestiture of non-core subsidiaries, divisions and product lines.

In 1995, Mr. O’Brien joined Benakis & Co., a boutique M&A advisor that specializes in business sales ranging in value from $5 million to $40 million. His work for owners of closely held businesses has included outright sales, management and employee buyouts (MBO and ESOP) and cash-out recapitalizations. Mr. O’Brien has also arranged strategic divestitures for such corporate clients as Valspar Corporation, Donaldson Company, AAF-McQuay International and Kahler Hotel Company.

Mr. O’Brien acquired Benakis & Co. in 1998. In 2005, the firm was acquired by Goldsmith Agio Helms prior to its acquisition by Lazard.

From 1992 to 1995, Mr. O’Brien worked in institutional fixed income and structured finance at Dain Bosworth, a regional investment bank based in Minneapolis. Previously he was a Partner and Managing Director at Dallas-based Trammell Crow Company where his responsibilities included commercial property acquisition, development, leasing and finance. At various times Mr. O’Brien oversaw Trammell Crow’s operations in Minneapolis, Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Louisville.

Mr. O’Brien holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from Iowa State University. He and his wife of 21 years live in Minneapolis with their four sons. Mr. O’Brien is currently serving on the Board of Trustees for the Science Museum of Minnesota, one of the state’s largest cultural organizations.