Bio

Gary has arranged M&A transactions for entrepreneurs and private equity clients engaged in manufacturing, distribution, retailing and business services. He has also handled the divestiture of non-core holdings for such corporate clients as Valspar Corporation, Donaldson Company, AAF-McQuay International, and Chef Solutions. Gary began his career at Dallas-based Trammell Crow Company where he rose to the rank of Partner. At various times he oversaw the firm’s operations in Minneapolis, Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Louisville. He then worked in institutional fixed income and structured finance at Dain Bosworth before joining boutique M&A advisor Benakis & Company in 1995. Gary acquired Benakis upon the death of its founder in 1998. In 2005, Goldsmith Agio Helms acquired Benakis as its service platform for the lower middle market. The platform took full form when Gary and R.B. Kiernat came together as the firm’s Multi-Industry Group. Following Lazard’s acquisition of Goldsmith and its decision to focus on larger clients, the veterans left in 2009 to form Quetico Partners where they continue their dedication to clients in the lower middle market. Gary is a Trustee of Carleton College and an Emeritus Trustee of the Science Museum of Minnesota. He holds a BS degree in Industrial Engineering from Iowa State University.