Twenty years of Wall Street discipline, now working for Alberta business owners.
BMAX Brokers is led by S. Michael Russell, a former Lehman Brothers and Perseus Group investment banker who now guides owners of privately held companies through the sale, acquisition, and transition of their businesses.
S. Michael Russell
Mike began his career at Lehman Brothers in the Global Technology Group, where he built merger models, ran financial and operational due diligence, and worked sell-side auctions from the inside, on transactions including an eight hundred million dollar follow-on offering and a one hundred million dollar initial public offering.
He then joined Perseus Group in San Francisco as an investment banking analyst focused on private placements and mergers and acquisitions, advising clients on both sides of the table before moving into equity research at Salida Capital, a four hundred and fifty million dollar hedge fund, where he conducted due diligence on precious metals and energy positions as far afield as Guinea, West Africa.
He holds an MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business, graduating on the Dean's list, and a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Victoria. Today he brings that same technical discipline to owners across Alberta through BMAX Brokers, translating institutional-grade process into plain, honest guidance for founders selling the business they built.
The M&A Process
Selling a business is a sequence, not an event. Here is how an engagement typically runs from first conversation to closing.
Preparation & Valuation
Assess the business, correct for owner-specific noise in the financials, and establish a defensible valuation range.
Confidential Positioning
Build the offering materials and identify the buyer universe, all under strict confidentiality with staff and customers.
Buyer Outreach
Approach qualified strategic and financial buyers, manage interest, and create competitive tension in the process.
Negotiation & Diligence
Negotiate terms, manage the due diligence process, and keep the deal on schedule through to a signed agreement.
Closing & Transition
Coordinate legal, financial, and operational closing steps, then support a clean transition to the new owner.
Credentials
Education
- MBA, Richard Ivey School of Business, 2006, Dean's list
- Bachelor of Commerce, University of Victoria, 1999
- Canadian Securities Course, completed
- Bilingual, French and English
Investment Banking Experience
- Lehman Brothers, Global Technology Group
- Perseus Group, Private Placements and M&A
- Salida Capital, Equity Research
- Over 1.5 billion dollars in aggregate transaction value
The Discipline Behind the Numbers
Before Wall Street, Mike raced for the Canadian National Flatwater Kayak Team, six-time national champion, and the Canadian National Dragon Boat Team, a two-time world championship medallist. That same preparation and pacing now shows up in how he runs a deal: a clear plan, held under pressure, through to the finish.
Considering a Sale or Acquisition
A first conversation is confidential and carries no obligation. Reach out directly to discuss your business and your goals.
403 249 2269 Email BMAX Brokers