Investment banking with insight

Nate joined Craig-Hallum in 2020 and is based in Chicago. With over two decades of investment banking experience, he specializes in M&A and capital raising transactions, particularly for private companies as well as public entities. Nate has extensive expertise across industrial, business services, consumer, and healthcare sectors. Before joining Craig-Hallum, Nate was a key member of FINNEA Group, a boutique M&A advisory firm serving private company clients. Nate also spent several years at Macquarie, a global leader in investment banking. Nate holds a BBA from the University of Wisconsin.

Joe joined Craig-Hallum in 2019 and is based in San Francisco. He combines deep technical understanding with decades of experience completing 200+ financings and public and private M&A transactions. Prior to joining Craig-Hallum, Joe focused on M&A at AGC Partners and completed a broad range of financing and strategic transactions at Needham, Dain Rauscher Wessels and Oppenheimer. Joe also worked as VP of Business Development at Versata and as a Field Applications Engineer at Cirrus Logic KK in Tokyo, Japan. Joe earned his BS from Cornell University.

Jim has over 25 years of experience in the healthcare industry, investment banking, and public accounting. Prior to joining Craig-Hallum he was the CFO of Miromatrix Medical (NASDAQ: MIRO), where he played a pivotal role in the company’s sale to United Therapeutics (NASDAQ: UTHR). From 2005 to 2022, Jim was a Managing Director at Piper Sandler in the Healthcare Investment Banking group advising medical device and biotechnology companies in M&A and financing transactions. From 2001 to 2005, Jim worked at Abbott Laboratories in the Corporate FP&A division and Global Pharmaceutical Operations division (now AbbVie).  Jim began his career as an auditor and CPA (inactive) at PricewaterhouseCoopers. He holds a B.A. in Accounting from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee and an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.

Griffin joined Craig-Hallum in 2018 and since has managed over 200 equity, equity-linked, and debt transactions for emerging growth clients across the technology, healthcare, consumer, and industrial sectors. He has completed numerous public M&A transactions including sell-side, buy-side, divestitures and fairness opinions for both public and private clients. Griffin received dual BSB degrees from the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management.

Michael joined Craig-Hallum in 2025 and brings extensive M&A experience across both sell-side advisory and investing. Prior to Craig-Hallum, he worked at Carlson Private Capital Partners where he focused on investing in founder- and family-owned businesses. He began his career in investment banking with Harris Williams, advising clients on a range of strategic transactions, primarily in sell-side M&A. Michael earned his BA with high distinction from the University of Minnesota.

Rick joined Craig-Hallum in 2005 and leads the Investment Banking team. With over 30 years of experience, he has led hundreds of equity and M&A transactions for emerging growth companies. He also serves on Craig-Hallum’s Board of Governors. Before Craig-Hallum, Rick held a senior role at Dain Rauscher Wessels and began his career at Credit Suisse First Boston. He earned his BA from Amherst College and MBA from Harvard Business School.

Ryan joined Craig-Hallum in 2013 and has over 15 years of experience in investment banking and consulting with a focus on the healthcare and life sciences verticals. Since joining the firm, Ryan has completed over 150 equity, convertible and debt offerings, reverse mergers, and advisory assignments for growth companies. Prior to joining Craig-Hallum, he was a consultant with Revenue Management Solutions. Ryan received his BA from Carleton College.

Merritt joined Craig-Hallum in 2023 and brings over 14 years of investment banking experience spanning M&A, divestitures, financings, and other strategic advisory services. He has advised clients across a broad range of industries, including business services, consumer, hospitality services, industrial, and education. In addition to large corporations, he has extensive experience working with founder- and family-owned businesses, private equity firms and their portfolio companies, Prior to joining Craig-Hallum, Merritt was an investment banker at both Cherry Tree & Associates and Keefe, Bruyette & Woods (a Stifel company). He holds a BA from Colgate University.

Alex joined Craig-Hallum in 2004 and has led transactions in the consumer, gaming, technology and industrials sectors on behalf of founders, issuers and financial sponsors. Previously, Alex managed the institutional sales team at Dougherty & Company and led the integration software practice team at Cap Gemini. Alex holds a BA cum laude from the University of St. Thomas.

Jack joined Craig-Hallum in 2011 and has completed hundreds of transactions for his clients. He has deep experience originating, structuring, negotiating, and executing transactions across equity capital markets, debt capital markets, and corporate advisory. Jack’s product knowledge includes IPOs, follow-on offerings, CMPOs, Registered Direct Offerings, ATMs, private placements, SPACs, sell-side and buy-side M&A advisory, and fairness opinions. A licensed CPA (inactive), Jack earned his BSB from the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management.

Jack joined Craig-Hallum in 2022 and has been involved in numerous public equity financings, private placements, and M&A advisory assignments across a variety of industries. Prior to joining, Jack was a Vice President at M3 Partners, a turnaround management and restructuring advisory firm, advising clients in specialty retail, energy, commercial real estate, and other industries. Additionally, he worked in the Clean Technology group at Cowen & Co. covering publicly traded companies. Jack received his BA from Fordham University and his MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Cullen became a Director at Craig-Hallum in 2025 after joining the firm’s Investment Banking group in 2019. He has deep experience in M&A, capital markets, and strategic advisory across a wide range of industries. His transaction work spans both buy-side and sell-side M&A, as well as principal investments in debt and equity, consistently delivering tailored solutions that help clients achieve their strategic objectives. Cullen holds a BBA from the University of St. Thomas, where he served as Captain of the Varsity Men’s Ice Hockey team and President of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee.