Ryan Davis, executive managing director at Tiger Group, has transformed the ABL industry by using data-driven strategies to restructure, rather than liquidate, distressed companies. His focus on preserving a company’s core strengths has saved more than 100 jobs and revitalized numerous businesses that may otherwise have been dissolved.
Davis joined Tiger in 2006 as a financial analyst, starting his career with a strong focus on appraisals and liquidation. However, it wasn’t long before he began questioning the industry’s standard practices. “When I was younger, I really struggled with seeing companies fail,” Davis said, referring to the liquidation-heavy approach prevalent in the industry at the time. His dissatisfaction with the status quo motivated him to explore better alternatives, which have since become central to his career philosophy. Instead of focusing solely on liquidation, Davis envisioned a path where companies in distress could be restructured around their core strengths, turning potential closures into turnaround success stories.
Over the years, Davis has held various roles at Tiger, from financial analyst to project lead on numerous liquidations and investments. The company’s rapid growth, nearly tenfold during his tenure, and his hands-on experience gave him ample opportunity to expand his expertise across a range of asset classes and operating positions.
Today, Davis leads Tiger’s appraisal group, overseeing more than $30 billion in annual valuation projects across retail, e-commerce, wholesale, machinery and equipment, and intellectual property assets. His desire to find an increasingly data-driven and objective basis for asset valuation has redefined the role of the appraiser in the ABL industry, shifting the focus from opinion to analytics. These analytical
insights, paired with his commitment to finding creative solutions, have enabled Davis to find positive outcomes for numerous distressed companies. “When a company is unhealthy it’s easy to get fixated on what’s wrong, but often a turnaround is about finding what’s special about a company and then rebuilding around that,” Davis says.
One of Davis’ most notable accomplishments has been his ability to save more than 100 jobs across companies like Advanced Sports (ASI), RST Brands and Outdoor Voices. Rather than focusing on liquidation, Davis restructured the businesses around their strengths, helping them survive and thrive. A significant example is the turnaround of ASI, a cycling company that filed for bankruptcy after expanding too far into retail. Davis identified ASI’s core strength — its wholesale business — and refocused the company on this area, preserving jobs and positioning the company for post-pandemic success. “Preserving the brands and dealer relationships was our top priority,” Davis says. This approach allowed ASI to capitalize on a surge in global demand for bicycles as people sought outdoor activities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
THE POWER OF DATA-DRIVEN APPRAISALS
Beyond this success, Davis has revolutionized the appraisal process by developing TigerInsights, a proprietary software platform that provides real-time borrower data. Prior to its development, appraisals often relied heavily on subjective judgment, which could strain relationships between appraisers and borrowers. “The muscle memory of the appraisal industry was developed when data was hard to get,” Davis says. To address this, TigerInsights shifted the process to a data-driven model, providing borrowers with actionable insights that go beyond just an appraisal. “TigerInsights is a better analytics tool than what most of the borrowers we work with have themselves,” Davis says. This innovation has reduced disputes over net orderly liquidation values by 90%, as the data now speaks for itself.
Under Davis’ leadership, Tiger Group has also launched monthly borrower assessments on a subscription basis. The monthly updates provide a real-time pulse on the company’s inventory health, helping both lenders and borrowers make proactive decisions. By offering these tools, Davis has positioned Tiger as more than just an appraisal firm — Tiger is now a partner in helping companies avoid liquidation and maintain stability.
Davis’ commitment to preserving businesses goes beyond financial metrics — it’s a personal belief rooted in his desire to create value. “The idealist in me would like to see less destruction. It’s much more rewarding to see things flourish than it is to watch them fall apart,” Davis says. His idealism, paired with Tiger Group’s support for innovative ideas, has allowed him to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the ABL industry.
At 42, Davis is the youngest executive leading a major valuations division at a national appraisal firm, a remarkable achievement in a traditionally veteran-led field. His forward-thinking, data-driven approach has set a new industry standard, one focused on long-term success rather than short-term gains.
FUTURE VISION: EXPANDING DATA AND ANALYTICS
Looking forward, Davis is focused on expanding the role of data and analytics within the industry. “We’re working on predictive tools to help borrowers manage inventory better and forecast future trends,” he says. These tools are designed to give borrowers a competitive edge by helping them make smarter business decisions and avoid financial pitfalls before they become unmanageable.
Through his leadership, Davis has redefined how distressed companies are handled, leaving a lasting impact on the industry. His work continues to inspire innovative thinking, driving the industry toward healthier, more resilient businesses. •
