Kris Karlson

We are a California-based Merger & Acquisitions firm that specializes in working with privately held Services, Manufacturing and Media businesses that are worth between $2 and $100 million.

Bottom line: we can help you sell your business if your market value is between $2 and $100 million.

Whether you’re here to get a business valuation, or to find a buyer for your business, you’ll soon find that we’re not your typical business broker in California. In fact, we prefer to call ourselves Merger & Acquisition Advisors because it fits what we really do.

Ideally, we’d like to start working with you one, two, three, or even eight years before you’re ready to sell. We’ll analyze your business, identify the value drivers, and help you to increase the value. Then, when the time is right for you and your family to sell, you’ll know… and the outcome will be successful.

Our goal is to help you understand how the process of selling a business works. When you understand how your business is valued and then sold, all the decisions you have to make each day – about leases, employees, equipment, inventory, and whether it is the right time to sell – become much clearer and easier to make.

BIO

Kris formed Bowman/Hanson in 1996 to create a more efficient marketplace for sellers, buyers, and financiers of privately held middle-market companies. Kris, who had more than a decade of experience buying, selling, and financing companies, was disillusioned with the standard intermediary model.

Kris had witnessed too many dashed hopes, broken deals, and misguided valuation expectations; unduly large professional fees; and an overall lack of professionalism. In search of a better way to execute deals, Kris theorized that straight-talking professional advisors versus fast-talking intermediaries were long overdue for the industry. Bowman/Hanson was born with a vision for deals with the end in mind.

In 1986, Kris was recruited from Drake University to work for Banc of America (B of A) in San Francisco. In those days, the investment banking group at B of A had a wealth of gray hair. Kris quickly set to work doing deals. B of A trained him in all aspects of deal making, and Kris spent time in every department of the investment banking division learning the details from the bottom up. B of As fast-track management program would serve as a successful backdrop for his future.

Kris’ next stop was PGP Industries, where he learned about M & A for privately held companies. Once again, Kris found himself getting acquainted with the intricacies of smaller, privately held companies and their unique opportunities and challenges. Kris ventured inside the beast to understand what acquiring companies are looking for, how they value companies, and, most important, what prompts them to pay a premium. Kris led, managed, and held P & L responsibility for the newly acquired divisions for his deals. He quickly learned the need to do deals with the end in mind (especially if it is your end that gets kicked if the deal does not work out). This buy-side experience and understanding lends a unique perspective to Kris abilities. This also was his first exposure to the world of business brokers and boutique microcap investment banks. While he marveled at the entrepreneurial spirit of the principals of the companies he was acquiring, he believed there should be a more efficient marketplace for buyers and sellers.

Kris held a similar position with Vulcan Chemical, managing business development and acquisition of privately held manufacturing operations. In between these tenures, Kris launched two technology startups, and experienced firsthand the entrepreneurial thrill of what it takes to make and transition a successful company. Working on hundreds of deals on both sides of fence (public and private, internal and external) gives Kris the unique skill set that’s required to assemble successful deals.

In his personal time, Kris enjoys water skiing in the delta and motor sports. He also is an active hiker, skier, and cyclist. Kris graduated from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1986.

Kris is also actively involved with Rotary, as an active participant in the Youth Exchange Program. He’s also on the board of his son’s school as Fundraising Chairman for River Montessori Foundation, Little League Coach, and Lacrosse Coach. He’s married with two boys, ages 8 and 10.