High touch from start to summit
The Liberty Ridge Advisors team is passionate about establishing trust with clients who are facing the largest financial decision of their lives.
Meet the leadership team
LEIF JOHNSON
Managing Partner
Prior to co-founding Liberty Ridge Advisors, Leif served nine years as the Managing Director at Exvere Inc., focused on M&A advisory services for middle-market Northwest closely-held businesses. He was involved with many notable transactions in different industry verticals--Aerospace, Manufacturing, and Specialty Contractors spaces, to name a few--which created shareholder value in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
Prior to Exvere, Leif spent 15 years as the Executive Director for Enterprise Solutions with The Pacific Institute, a Global Consulting Company. There he led strategic projects for many Fortune 500 companies and notable middle-market companies in the implementation of business strategies, leadership alignment coaching, employment engagement, and company-wide culture change engagements. Leif is a graduate of the University of Washington, and holds FINRA Series 7, 63, and 65 licenses. Leif, his wife Stacie, and their daughter Madeline live in Mercer Island and enjoy snow skiing, cycling, triathlons, tennis, and boating.
MICHAEL
BENNETT
Managing Partner
Prior to co-founding Liberty Ridge Advisors, Michael worked at Exvere Inc., amassing nearly 20 years of investment banking experience and advising many successful family and middle-market companies across all of Exvere’s industry concentrations, including Aerospace, Food/Beverage Production & Distribution, Manufacturing, and Building Products and Services. Michael’s M&A work includes sell side, buy side, divestiture, and management buyout, as well as recapitalization mandates. His prior business experience includes ThinkView, Inc., and Bear, Stearns & Co., Inc., a New York-based investment bank.
A graduate of the University of Washington, Michael holds FINRA Series 7, 63, 65 and 79 licenses, and is responsible for M&A execution as well as leading valuation, research, and financial analysis functions. He also holds an Accredited Valuation Analyst (AVA) designation from the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts (NACVA). A lifelong resident of the Pacific Northwest, Mike lives in Burien and enjoys golf, traveling, running and spending time with his wife Kristina, their two sons and two dogs.
Integrity. Teamwork. Results.
These are the core values that we have always operated under, and will continue to bring to our clients throughout each step of the journey.
Operating with integrity
We practice honesty and show an uncompromising adherence to maintaining the highest standards of confidentiality, always striving to put your goals first through transparent, open communication. We’re passionate about helping you make a vital business and life transition that fulfills not only your financial goals, but also leaves a legacy you can be proud of. We always fight for you, the goals you aim for and the results you expect.
Fostering teamwork
There are numerous moving parts in any transaction, and it takes a team-based approach to ensure success. At Liberty Ridge, we operate with straightforward communications, accountability, and transparency, which builds trust that we are doing everything in our power to ensure that we are always working toward your goals. You've worked for years, perhaps decades, to establish and grow your company; we can play a significant role in your M&A strategy to ensure that this last summit is your pinnacle moment, leaving your legacy and culture intact.
Driving results
Our various disciplines and proprietary processes deliver multiple buyers, providing you with maximum options and the right amount of leverage to increase valuations. We provide measured, thoughtful guidance through every step of our disciplined M&A process. We operate in a results-driven environment by design, and our ultimate goal is to deliver you the absolute best outcome.
Here’s to the journey
“After an initial attempt to exit my business, I reset and turned to Liberty Ridge, who’s personal touch, experience, and grit was ultimately the right fit for me and what I had been looking for. They helped me get across the goal line with a successful transaction for my company.”
