Welcoming Corporate Finance Associates to FEI Louisville

Corporate Finance Associates of Kentucky, a leading Investment banker firm with offices in Louisville and Lexington, is supporting FEI Louisville as a new silver sponsor for 2023.

The Louisville office is headed by Dennis Wells (pictured above at left). Patrick Powell is based in Lexington and is managing director and principal of CFA.

Corporate Finance Associates Worldwide (CFAW) is an independent international investment banking firm serving middle-market businesses. For over 65 years CFAW has been advocating on behalf of business owners who are restructuring a company, either through divestiture, merger, acquisition, or recapitalization. Combining the knowledge and leverage of a larger bank with the customer-focused detail of a boutique firm, from inception to completion, the firm's senior principals provide hands-on expertise to clients buying, selling, or recapitalizing a business.

“With over six decades of M&A experience, our global reach with senior level local coverage and exceptional results make CFAW a clear choice when buying, selling or growing a business," Powell said. 

Wells, a Managing Director with the Louisville team, focuses on helping middle market business owners in Kentucky with exit planning and growth strategies. Dennis has over 30 years of experience in operational management and was employed by several of the largest global manufacturers of electrical and lighting products. He has a unique cross functional background with experience in finance, marketing, production, strategy development and acquisitions. He played a lead role in twelve acquisitions as a strategic buyer during his corporate career.

Prior to joining CFA, Dennis was the CEO of LSI Industries in Cincinnati and was named CEO of the year in 2016. He served on the board and is certified by the National Associate of Corporate Directors at the Fellow level.

Dennis also has experience with the start-up and operation of several small family businesses including agricultural equipment, motorsports, auto repair, and retail.

Powell, founder of the Lexington CFAW office, brings over thirty years of comprehensive business experience to the practice of middle market mergers and acquisitions.

In addition to being a skilled M&A intermediary, Powell brings a personal understanding of the complexities and risks associated with family business. This unique awareness enables him to expertly navigate and coach business owners through the intricate transaction process of selling or growing a business.

Powell's business experiences include nearly two decades of contributions to his family's real estate and industrial minerals businesses in Kentucky and Tennessee, with management responsibilities ranging from strategic planning, finance, and business development.

Pat formerly managed state economic development contracts for the University of Kentucky and Murray State University as the Director of the Innovation & Commercialization Center (ICC) at each university. Most of the ICC clients were technology-related, early-stage businesses ranging from Software / IT to Life Science companies.

He holds a BBA degree in Business Computer Science from Abilene Christian University (Abilene, Texas)

CFAW has offices in the United States, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom. For more information about CFAW, go to the silver sponsor page on the FEI Louisville website.