Crancorp History and Experience

Crancorp Merger Experience Crancorp was established in 1987 to provide merger and acquisition advisory services exclusively to middle market companies. As the firm grew, Crancorp added structured finance services (including private placements of equity and debt, LBOs and MBOs), valuations, and other tailored strategic financial advisory services.

Crancorp Merger Experience Over the past 30 years, Crancorp has become a superior investment banking firm that provides comprehensive corporate finance services, from buy-side and sell-side acquisitions to capital procurement services while minimizing transaction risk for its clients.

PRINCIPAL

Robert W. Cranston
Founder and President

With more than 30 years of investment banking and mergers and acquisition experience,
Mr. Robert (Bob) Cranston has advised clients both large and small in all areas of corporate finance including M&A advisory, private placements of debt and equity, LBOs and MBOs. Decades of leadership plus his credentials, experience and vast network make an ideal combination of skills for leading companies through the acquisition or divesture process.

After earning a B.A. from Colgate University where he lettered in Division I varsity football and baseball, Bob entered the United States Air Force. He honed his leadership skills and mission-oriented focus as a highly decorated combat fighter pilot in Viet Nam and as a jet instructor pilot.

Following his military service, Bob worked as Director of International Operations for Cheshire / A Xerox Company until 1979. In this role, he coordinated and supported sales, marketing and logistical operations for distributors on 3 continents as well as direct operations in the U.K. and France.

In 1979, Bob Cranston co-founded Hunter Group, a mid-market merger/acquisition firm. As President of Hunter Group, Bob successfully led numerous merger/acquisition transactions throughout major Midwestern cities in the U.S. Additionally, he licensed 35 offices, as far west as Honolulu and as far east as New York, training them in marketing, sourcing, valuations and transactional structuring. Once he had trained the principals, he provided continuous ongoing support.

In 1987, Bob Cranston established Crancorp, Ltd. to provide merger & acquisition advisory services exclusively to the middle market, with emphasis on sourcing for major private equity groups in addition to sell side corporate representation. Over the years, he has also led the firm into additional service offerings such as structured finance services and strategic advisory services as he rounded Crancorp into a multi-faceted investment banking firm.

Personally, Bob Cranston is very active in the community and has served in numerous leadership positions, such as:

Chairman, McDonnell Douglas / Boeing Air Shows
President, Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association, St. Louis Chapter
Board of Directors and Chair of Development Committee, James S. McDonnell USO
President, Colgate University Alumni Chapter of St. Louis
President, Phi Gamma Delta Alumni Chapter of St. Louis
Board Chairman, Care & Counseling Pastoral Counseling Center

Board Member, Fellowship of Christian Athletes

Mr. Cranston is also a frequent speaker at industry and professional conferences throughout the United States, with a topical emphasis on how to value the closely held business.

Crancorp History and Experience

Ask. Listen. Execute.