by Industry executive was previously a managing director at the firm
RICHMOND, Va. — Industry veteran Mike Watson is returning to investment banking firm Mann, Armistead & Epperson as a partner.
Watson previously worked for the firm for just over 17 years starting in September 1991 until November 2008, including as a managing director.
He most recently was a managing partner of Vista Partners LLC and previously was chief executive officer and a director at United Furniture Industries from January 2012 through May 2022.
During this period, he also was a director at Colohouse and JetSelect Aviation for nearly 10 years. Before this, he was executive vice president and chief financial officer at Aspenhome for just over three years. Before joining Aspenhome, he was an analyst at Bankers Trust, currently Deutsche Bank.
Partners James M. “Jimm” Mann, W. Howard Armistead and Wallace W. “Jerry” Epperson Jr. collectively said they were pleased to have Watson back at the firm as partner.
“Mike’s background allows him to skillfully combine his 20 years of investment banking acumen with his extensive C-Level global financial and operations experience. Mike is an excellent investment banker and is now, due to his operational and managerial experience gained since his departure from our firm, well versed in successfully leading corporations through periods of growth and change, with a focus on the development of human capital. Mike is a true leader and we believe our clients will benefit from his decades of vast experiences.”
Watson said he was also pleased to be rejoining the firm.
“More importantly, I am excited to be working with my former partners,” he said. “I have known Jimm, Howard and Jerry for over 30 years and believe the MAE team has incredible capabilities as seasoned, focused and trusted advisers. MAE’s track record of working with owners and management teams to grow and ultimately unlock the full value of a company is exceptional. This is what I love doing. Coming on as a partner at MAE is a perfect progression in my business career.”
