Bio

John Montgomery is a principal at Heritage Capital Group with over 25 years of operational and business development experience in the metals industry. His experience as a former steel executive and owner-operator of a third-generation family-owned business has given him a unique perspective on the steel industry. Through these roles, John has developed a deep understanding of the nuances of the steel market, including supply chain management, raw material sourcing, production processes, quality control, and customer relations. His primary focus is advising clients in the metals, distribution, and logistics industries on merger and acquisition transactions. For most of his career, John served as executive vice president and COO of Southland Tube, based in Birmingham, AL. When Nucor acquired it in 2017, John remained with the Company as a general manager. During this acquisition, he played a significant role in the transaction’s due diligence and negotiations. Since leaving Nucor in 2019, he has advised other metals companies, including Greenway Steel, and in 2022 even began his consulting firm, Southland Advisors, which provides bespoke consulting services to the metals industry. John earned his BBA in business administration and management from Auburn University as well as management and M&A certifications from Columbia Business School, Northwestern University, and Washington University in St Louis. He is also a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA), a professional designation for advisors specializing in helping business owners plan and execute their exit from their businesses.