Northwest Funds Group, Inc.
Management
Michael Crawford, Managing Principal
Mr. Crawford has been active since 1983 in the merger and acquisition (M&A) profession. After working 10 years in accounting, he entered the merger & acquisition profession representing buyers from 1983-1994, and sellers from 1995 to present in M&A transactions.
Prior to his founding Northwest Funds Group, Inc., he subcontracted out his experience to a regional M&A firm. While working with that firm, he closed more deals than any other person there. From 1983 to 1994, he worked as an industry analyst performing merger and acquisition evaluations, business valuations, and strategic planning for large public and private corporations within the forest products, telecommunications, and high-technology industries. During his first 12 years in the industry, while employed by buyers, he focused on driving down company valuations of firms such as yours.
He has received national recognition in finance, marketing and sales. Mr. Crawford has appeared on AM 1410 Business Talk Radio and has been a guest speaker at:
- Marylhurst University
- Portland State University
- Eastside Women’s Business Owner’s Club
- Other Professional organizations
In addition, he has consulted with firms in investment and financial analysis, strategic planning, business plan development, product development, marketing, venture financing, and bankruptcy. He has extensive hands-on experience working directly with management on a $70 million initial public offering (IPO).
Mr. Crawford received a B.S. in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance from Portland State University (1981), prior to that he received degrees in Accounting and Marketing. His professional credentials include being a co-founder and board member of the Oregon Business Brokers Association. Mr. Crawford is a member of the CFA Institute. He is currently a member of the CFA Society of Portland and has served as a board member. He has successfully completed the Charter Financial Analyst (CFA) I and II exams.
Mr. Crawford has a strong commitment to listening to his clients and working in a professional team environment to effectively accomplish the client’s goals.
Ryan P. Casper, JD, M&A Specialist
Ryan Casper has been active in the M&A and financial planning fields since 2000. Prior to joining NWFG, he was in the advertising industry where his professional experience included serving as a manager and sales team leader for a regional advertising agency in Austin, Texas.
As an M&A Specialist, he was responsible for marketing to prospective clients, writing extensive copy, analysis and business related documents, sales and marketing of clients of privately-held corporations reviewing offers and preparing counter-offers. He has traveled throughout the United States where he has conducted sales presentations, site verification and fact gathering.
Mr. Casper has prepared and presented numerous seminars on tax strategies, financial products (1031 exchanges) and alternative investment vehicles (REIT, LP, Oil & Gas) using multimedia, and computer formats. He has been a group facilitator/speaker on several topics including M&A and executive compensation for Portland’s Executive Officer’s Club. He holds both a Series 7 and 66 securities license.
In addition, he has worked in the creditor-side bankruptcy and estate legal fields.
Mr. Casper received his law degree from St. Louis University , with concentration in Corporate Law, Tax and Bankruptcy. In addition, he served as author and Articles Editor for the St. Louis University School of Law’s Public Law Review. While attending the university, he worked as a Research Fellow for Bankruptcy Law. While attending school he served as Chief Justice (president) of Phi Alpha Delta legal fraternity. Mr. Casper received a B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin.