Managing Director
Guggenheim Partners
Luke is a Managing Director at Guggenheim Securities based in Chicago, where he helps lead the firm’s coverage efforts across the business and technology services verticals and advises on M&A transactions across various sub-sectors. Luke specializes in advisory to professional services organizations – spanning accounting, Office of the CFO advisory, specialty consulting and legal. Luke has advised on over $15B of cumulative enterprise value within the accounting sector including notable transactions such as the sale of Cherry Bekaert to Parthenon and the sale of Citrin Cooperman to Blackstone, amongst many other significant accounting transactions. In addition to his experience in the accounting sector, Luke has also advised on numerous transactions across business and technology services such as the sale of Presidio to CD&R, the sale of AHEAD to Centerbridge Partners and its subsequent acquisition by Berkshire Partners, and the sale of A-LIGN to Warburg Pincus.
Luke graduated with a BBA in Finance & Accounting and a Masters in Professional Accounting from the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas.
Private equity transactions are far more complex than traditional accounting firm mergers. For many firm leaders, the process can be unfamiliar, time-consuming, and filled with unexpected twists.
In this panel, legal advisors, investment bankers, and a firm MP will walk attendees through the key stages of a transaction—from the initial letter of intent and valuation discussions to due diligence, quality-of-earnings reviews, and final deal negotiations. Panelists will explain how enterprise value and EBITDA are assessed, why deals sometimes get re-priced, how rollover equity works, and the unique challenges of allocating value within partnership structures.
Whether your firm is actively considering a transaction or simply exploring its options, this session will provide a practical roadmap for understanding the deal process and avoiding common pitfalls.