Bio

Jim D’Aquila is a Managing Director and senior member of the Consumer, Food and Retail group at Lazard Middle Market, He leads the firm’s Consumer and Retail practice and has nearly 40 years of experience as an advisor and investor. Mr. D’Aquila’s clients* have included Gucci, Elizabeth Arden, Polaroid, Cabela’s, eyebobs, Under Canvas, K2, McDavid, Knot Standard, Graham Webb and Getaway. Mr. D’Aquila joined Lazard Middle Market from Rendersi, a boutique, consumer industry focused financial advisory and investment firm that he co-founded in 2017 to serve founders, entrepreneurs, and private equity clients. In 2001, Mr. D’Aquila founded and was CEO of The Mercanti Group, an advisory firm which was acquired by Imperial Capital in December 2009. Prior to Mercanti, he worked as Head of the Consumer and Retail Group at Donaldson, Lufkin and Jenrette (DLJ); Head of Investment Banking at Dain Rauscher (RBC); and as a partner at Aurora Capital, a private equity firm formerly known as WSGP. He was also a group head at Drexel Burnham in the 1980s. Mr. D’Aquila is a board member of several private companies, including Polaroid. He also serves as a Trustee of the International Center of Photography. He is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame.