Global professional services firm Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) appointed Dallas-based Jonathan Ross as a managing director within its private equity performance improvement (PEPI) group. Widely recognized for maximizing deal value in large-scale merger integration and carve out transactions, through accelerated IT transformations, Ross’ hire underscores PEPI’s strategic plan for harnessing A&M’s operational experience to the technology expertise of seasoned professionals across key regional hubs.
“Jonathan brings the global PE perspective and commercial acuity our clients rely on to ensure their investment decisions and portfolio companies are seamlessly delivering value against shorter timelines,” Nick Alvarez, managing director and global practice leader of PEPI, said. “As commercial risks become increasingly complex, with growing questions about how best to deploy capital, his ability to translate business needs into scalable IT solutions adds significant value. Jonathan’s joining builds on our growth momentum and expands our bench of former operators who understand how to execute with deal-dictated rapidity.”
Ross specializes in delivering complete, complex M&A transactions at quality and pace for Fortune 50 and large cap PE firms. He brings more than a decade and a half leading digital transformations and managing the full M&A lifecycle, from diligence through post-close execution, including separation and integration planning and IT workstream management. His industry experience spans multiple sectors including consumer and industrial products, pharmaceuticals and life sciences, with a focus on industrial manufacturing, food and beverage, contract development and manufacturing organizations and field services-based organizations.
“Jonathan’s track record across IT, integration, and carveout execution broadens our M&A integration offering aligned with our ability to unlock value across the investment lifecycle,” Jeff Shaffer, PEPI managing director and M&A services practice leader, said. “He has worked on some of the most complex deals and understands how to deliver functional readiness, clarity and results from potential transaction identification to post-close execution and consolidation. His range of experience enhances our actionable results and hands-on execution focus.”
Among Ross’ most noteworthy assignments include leading a buy-side IT program for a carveout in the Fire and Life Safety sector, overseeing the management office and planning separation, establishing a digital transformation strategy, defining the target enterprise architecture and application strategy and selecting software vendors and system integrators. Additionally, he managed over ten system integrators across key IT workstreams through cutover and transaction service agreement (TSA) exit, reporting directly to a wide range of executive stakeholders, including board, private equity and C-Suite.
Prior to joining A&M, Ross served with West Monroe Partners in Dallas, most recently as managing director for M&A – merger carveout services. He led that firm’s technology / office of CIO M&A advisory offerings for complex digital transformations, serving as IT program lead for major transactions in food and beverage manufacturing and distribution, life sciences and steel manufacturing, for global companies. Earlier in his career, Ross served as an SAP (systems, applications, products) consultant at Accenture, leading the analytics workstream for a pharmaceutical distribution division of a global Fortune 50 company.
“In today’s PE environment, differentiated insights and execution-ready strategies are more critical than ever,” Ross said. “A&M’s global integrated platform fulfills growing market demand for rigor, relevance and results. The firm’s talent expansion strategy, combined with its value creation know how, provides the ideal foundation for helping PE connect the M&A integration dots of technology, commercial thinking and operational follow-through.”
Ross earned a master’s degree in predictive analytics from Northwestern University and a bachelor’s degree in operations management and information systems from Northern Illinois University.
Additionally, Alvarez & Marsal Tax, an affiliate of A&M, has expanded its U.S. team with the appointment of Daniel Simon as the new U.S. financial services tax practice leader and managing director. Simon will work collaboratively across the firm’s integrated global platform to provide financial institutions with holistic solutions leveraging a high-touch service model for sustainable growth.
“We are investing in industry-specific expertise via the hiring of exceptional talent,” Ernesto “Ernie” Perez, global head of A&M Tax, said. “Daniel’s 20+ years of international tax, capital markets and financial services tax leadership and experience are a testament to that. In doing so, we are laser focused on meeting clients’ needs across asset management, banking, insurance, real estate and capital markets. Daniel will work closely with A&M’s global financial services industry group to deliver custom solutions that enable clients to achieve their broader business goals. Tax is frequently the starting point for uncovering underlying strategy, risk, capital structure and performance challenges. By elevating our U.S. financial services tax practice offering and capitalizing on the firm’s sector knowledge, we can turn those challenges into opportunities and cash.”
Prior to joining A&M Tax, Simon served at PwC, supporting capital markets and tax clients, along with advising CFOs, treasurers and traders across a range of asset classes. Previously, he gained experience in originating and executing structured finance transactions while working in the front office of a global investment bank.
“Daniel’s significant technical tax skills and practical business acumen align perfectly with A&M’s operational heritage,” Adam Benson, head of A&M Tax U.S. and the U.S. global transaction practice, said. “His vast experience advising leading global financial institutions on complex, cross-border issues, enhances A&M’s financial services tax practice and maximizes value for clients seeking innovative approaches to address current market disruption and change.”
“The addition of Daniel to the Financial Services tax practice represents the latest expression of A&M’s commitment to solve for financial institutions’ multilayered concerns amidst a rapidly evolving marketplace,” Michael Spellacy, A&M managing director and U.S. financial services industry group leader, said. “It demonstrates the firm’s entrepreneurial agility to address market needs unmet by traditional accounting and consulting firms. Daniel’s tax background combined with his 360-degree perspective are key to augmenting multidisciplinary teams that unlock value for clients.”
“Financial institutions face a convergence of regulatory, trade, supply chain and tax complexities that demands a high-touch, personalized and collaborative approach,” Simon said. “A&M’s integrated platform and results-driven mindset allow us to meet that need with speed and precision. Building a solution set that reflects where the market is going, while serving clients all too frequently overlooked by traditional providers, is what sets us apart.”
Simon holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a master’s degree in accounting (concentration in taxation) from the University of Florida.
