Our Philosophy
We are private equity consultants and we are an extension of our clients’ team. We are facilitators of historical perspective throughout the deal spectrum. This perspective enables clients to be first in line, make decisions and manage through challenges, and exit efficiently. Our software PE Perspective® is the foundation for our philosophy and our service model.
Our Commitment
In 2003, we founded our business with a promise that we could provide services at twice the speed and half the cost of our bigger rivals. We assembled an experienced team of self-professed excel geeks whose mission was to make today more efficient than yesterday. In an increasingly competitive and evolving deal environment, our clients needed to differentiate themselves and be the preferred bidder. We needed to evolve ourselves. Our roots were in accounting diligence, our goal was to be complete private equity consultants. Our boutique was born.
Our Evolution
What originated as buy-side, excel-based support eventually extended to include portfolio monitoring and divestiture services. The business drivers and issues surfaced in diligence were the same drivers that were necessary to track throughout the holding period and to educate Buyers upon exit. The PE Perspective® software and service model has evolved from an excel-based, transactional tool that existed in organizational silos, to a database that supports critical decision points across the fund organization and throughout the cycle.
The Team
➤ FIRM LEADERSHIP
Michael McDonald, Partner
Education: University of Chicago (MBA); Indiana University (BS), CPA
Michael joined EVA in 2011 and has advised in over 300 transactions across a broad range of industries. Prior to EVA, Michael spent seven years at Citadel in the Treasury and Financial Control groups and two years as an auditor for Ernst &Young. He holds an MBA in Analytical Finance and Entrepreneurship from the University of Chicago and a BS degree in Accounting and Finance from Indiana University.
Troy Doucette, Partner
Education: University of Maine (BA, Accounting, Management)
Troy joined EVA in 2003 shortly after its founding and has been instrumental in shaping the firm’s approach to due diligence. He has almost two decades of deal experience and has been an adviser in over 500 transactions. Troy also has significant operating experience as well having served as a Controller in the food industry.
➤ ADVISORS
Mick Seymour, Founder
Education: Notre Dame (BBA), CPA
Mick is the Founder of EVA. He has almost three decades of deal experience having participated in over 800 deal engagements. He has been an advisor, a CFO for a portfolio company, and has also been an investor in several transactions, so he is uniquely qualified to see value creation from many different perspectives. With both PwC and D&T, Mick served New York and Michigan clients ranging from small start-ups to multi-billion dollar funds such as Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co., Investcorp, and Sentinel Capital Partners.
➤ PROFESSIONAL TEAM
Brian Hammer, Director of Portfolio Services
Education: (BA) Hope College, CPA
Brian joined EVA in 2015 after nine years in public accounting at Plante Moran. Brian was the firm leader of the Energy practice and also managed a wide range of manufacturing engagements and financial consulting projects.
Michael Gano, Manager of Transaction Services
Education: University of Michigan (BBA, MAcc), CPA
Michael joined EVA in 2014 after managing a financial advisory practice for high net worth individuals and institutional clients at Plante Moran Financial Advisors. Michael began his career as a CPA at Plante Moran as an auditor in the healthcare industry and in tax and estate planning.
Brett Perellis, Manager of Integration
Education: Indiana University (BS), CPA
Brett joined EVA in 2019 after 14 years of experience in the alternative investments industry, including roles as Director, Financial Control at Citadel, LLC, Senior Vice President at Northern Trust Hedge Fund Services, and Controller at Driehaus Enterprise Management, Inc. Brett began his career as an auditor at RSM.
Kent McNeil, Analyst
Education: Grand Valley State University (BBA), Finance and Accounting, CPA
Kent joined EVA in 2018 after seven years in public accounting at BDO and Plante & Moran providing corporate tax compliance, domestic and international planning, and tax provision assistance. Kent’s clients ranged from small privately held businesses to multinational publicly traded companies. He specialized in the insurance and financial institution industries.
Colin O’Connor, Analyst
Education: (BA) and (MS) in Accounting from Michigan State University, CPA
Colin joined EVA in May 2021. Prior to joining the team, Colin spent his time at KPMG, General Motors, and Munson Healthcare. Colin is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in the State of Michigan.
Stephen Smith, Analyst
Education: (BA) and (MS) in Accounting from Michigan State University, CPA
Stephen joined EVA in 2021 after spending 6 years in public accounting with Plante Moran. Stephen is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in the State of Michigan.
Maggie Cox, Analyst
Education: (BS) Ball State University, CPA
Maggie joined EVA in 2022 after spending 3 years in public accounting with Ernst & Young and 3 years as an internal auditor with Masco. Maggie is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in the State of Indiana.
Alex Decker, Analyst
Education: (BS) Albion College, CPA
Alex joined EVA in 2022 after spending 6 years in public accounting with Ernst & Young. Alex is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in the State of Michigan.
Geoff Seymour, Analyst
Education: Michigan State (MBA); Wayne State (MS)
Geoff joined EVA in 2007 after operational and consultative roles at DaimlerChrysler Corporation and BASF Corporation. Geoff has been an adviser in over 100 transactions and also has an extensive background in lean manufacturing and health and safety compliance.
Andy Romzek, Analyst
Education: Lake Superior State (BS)
Andy joined EVA in 2011 after managerial positions in operations at Cherry Republic. Andy is a graduate of Lake Superior State University.
➤ INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
David Lauters, Director of Technology
Education: (BS) Information Systems, (BBA) Management from Grand Valley State University
David joined EVA in 2021. Prior to EVA, David spent 22 years managing and developing software solutions for Fidelity National Financial and subsidiaries throughout the insurance and financial services industries.