Bio

Nels was born, raised, and educated in the Bay Area and has spent over 30 years in Silicon Valley advising and working with technology companies as a Certified Public Accountant, lawyer, and investment banker. Away from the office, Nels can be found with his family, cheering on his favorite Bay Area sports teams, at the beach on Kauai, and occasionally on the golf course. Prior to Menalto Advisors, Nels was a co-owner and Managing Director at Pagemill Partners, an M&A advisory firm, which he and his partners sold to Duff & Phelps. Nels began his investment banking career at Alliant Partners, which was sold to Silicon Valley Bank. As an investment banker, Nels has closed well over 100 transactions (M&A, growth capital and other strategic transactions) in a broad range of technology sectors. Nels has represented clients all over the globe, and about half of his completed transactions have been cross-border. As a lawyer, Nels was a Partner at Gray Cary Ware & Freidenrich (now DLA Piper), one of the largest law firms in California, and he was listed in “The Best Lawyers of America.” Prior to practicing law, Nels was a Senior Accountant at Price Waterhouse. Nels earned a Bachelor of Science in Commerce in Accounting with honors from Santa Clara University and a J.D. from Santa Clara University School of Law. He is a member of the State Bar of California (inactive) and a Certified Public Accountant in California (inactive).