Milwaukee-based middle market investment banks TKO Miller LLC and Corporate Financial Advisors LLC plan to combine into one firm.
TKO was formed in January, when Tim Oleszczuk and Tammie Miller spun off the non-chemical division from Milwaukee-based investment bank Grace Matthews. It specializes in lower middle market transactions for family-owned and founder-held businesses in a variety of industries, including industrial services, construction products and services, business process outsourcing and health care.
Corporate Financial Advisors is led by Joe Froehlich, who has more than 27 years of experience in investment banking. He will become a third shareholder at TKO Miller, and will help the new firm expand its middle market M&A advisory services.
The three other employees at CFA will also be hired by TKO. The firm will have seven total employees, with an eighth to be added in June, and will be based at 788 N. Jefferson St., where CFA’s offices are currently based.
The combined firm decided to keep the TKO Miller brand because it was recently launched and marketed in the area, Miller said.
“I think it really makes us a powerhouse in the investment banking community and it takes two smallish-size firms and makes one very nice size firm,” she said.
“We are extremely fortunate to have these professionals join our firm,” said Tim Oleszczuk, managing director and co-founder of TKO Miller. “They bring a highly regarded reputation in M&A advisory services and their senior-level, focused dedication to clients complements TKO Miller’s approach to the market. These additions underscore the continued expansion of our investment banking capabilities and the firm’s commitment to bringing big-bank experience to the middle market.”
“As we considered the next phase of our firm’s evolution, it became clear that TKO Miller offered a close cultural fit and an investment banking platform that would enable us to more fully serve our clients,” Froehlich said. “My colleagues and I are pleased to be joining the TKO Miller team and look forward to helping build what we believe is a unique and powerful franchise.”
