Ideas. Expertise. Capital.
Partners
Our partners have extensive experience in a broad range of business disciplines including finance, private equity and business operations.
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Denise Browning - Prior to the forming BM&O in 2008, Ms. Browning founded Hunter Ventures LLC in 2004. Hunter Ventures has provided valued financial consulting services to municipalities, government agencies, real estate developers and businesses, both large and small. Previously, Ms. Browning was an interim Executive Manager of the Ceres Venture Fund, a $2.5 million early stage venture capital investment fund located in Chicago during its formation phase. Prior to that, Ms. Browning managed a $1.6 billion Non Rated Municipal Bond portfolio for Allstate Investments. Ms. Browning began her career at Continental Bank, where she was a Vice President for the Real Estate Group that lent nationally out of Chicago and sold a variety of financial products and services, covering most high growth markets. While at the Bank, Ms. Browning started in systems programming COBOL and IMS, sold bank financial services to her clients, and sold whole loans to domestic and foreign banks. She is a volunteer for the Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance, a member of the Capital Formation Committee and a founding member of the Technology Innovation Center. She is a member of the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce and consults with the Downtown Mobile Alliance. She serves on Boards including Treasurer of Smart Coast, and Educators Resource. She holds a real estate license in the state of Alabama. Ms. Browning has an MBA in Finance from the University of Chicago, and a BS in Business Management - Marketing, from Purdue University.
Don Mecke - Prior to the forming BM&O in 2008, Mecke operated Business Development Services, LLC, assisting small businesses with strategic planning, organization and execution. Prior to that, Mecke served 19 years as Executive Vice President of Standard Furniture. During his tenure, Mecke was responsible for corporate planning and policy deployment, sales and marketing, credit and accounts receivable, customer service, domestic and offshore product development, advertising, public relations, inventory control and production scheduling. He served on the Executive Committee (governing body of Standard) and helped steer the company's growth from $20 million to $270 million in annual revenues.
Mecke has served on numerous boards over his career including President of the International Furniture Suppliers Association (IFSA) where he was named 2005 Man of the Year by the organization. Don also served as President of Home Brands, Inc. (a Standard owned company), established in 2002 to co-develop the business side of the all new Kathy Ireland Home brand. In 2006, KI Home brand total revenues exceeded $1 Billion. Prior to his long career with Standard, Mecke served in management and executive positions with AT&T and BellSouth and has started and operated several successful small businesses. Don is a magna cum laude business graduate of the University of Alabama.
Monty O’Neal has had a thirty five year career which has included banking, corporate finance and venture capital. He most recently served as a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch. Prior to that, he co-managed a $70 million expansion stage private equity fund in the Washington, DC area. Previously he served as the Corporate Financial Manager for the American Export Group also located in Washington, DC where he arranged trade finance, foreign exchange risk mitigation and handled all general corporate finance. He was also a Senior International Investment Officer for The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) and where he structured global project financing. He served on the Fairfax County Economic Development Board's small business council. He was selected in 1975 for the Export Import Bank of the U.S. fellowship program. He is an undergraduate of Auburn University. He has a MBA degree from Trinity College and a MIM degree from the American Graduate School of International Management. He has served on numerous boards, including directorships at the following companies: The New Boston Chicken Company (VA.& MD),The SOHO Beverage Company. Platinum Sportswear (Bill Blass Ltd,) and Sled Dogs (NASDAQ;SNOW).