Apex is differentiated by the deep hands-on operating experience of its partners.
About Us
Solutions for the Middle Market
Apex provides expert advice and analytical support in connection with mergers & acquisitions, capital markets transactions and strategic planning activities. Deeply rooted in helping family-run companies succeed, Apex focuses exclusively on the middle market, where inefficiencies disproportionally favor the most sophisticated participants. Apex leverages the deep, hands on operating experience of senior partners who provide unbiased advice and extraordinary client service in delivering real value through a broad range of investment banking, corporate finance and management consulting assignments.
Aligning Interests to Achieve Success
At Apex, our success is driven by the relationships we build and the firm is fully committed to helping each and every client succeed. With that in mind, we recognize that no two situations are alike. We tailor each engagement to meet the unique needs of each client and ensure the incentives are aligned.
Senior-Level Attention
At Apex, we believe that each and every client deserves the full attention of experienced, senior-level professionals. As a result, we pursue opportunities only where our senior partners can add value and be fully committed to enhancing the probability of success. From kickoff to closing, we work with management teams and outside advisors to deliver superior results.
Working with You Every Step of the Way
Every engagement begins with thorough discovery and analysis, which contributes to enlightenment and a better understanding of the facts to bolster credibility in making the case to potential counter-parties. We work collaboratively with our clients, their management teams and outside advisors to discover the hidden value in every situation.
Integrity is the cornerstone of our success. As an independent firm, we work to ensure the relationship with our clients is never compromised.
Our Team
Our team is comprised of experienced professionals who have closed M&A and corporate finance transactions with an aggregate value of more than $4 billion. We rely on sophisticated research, proven strategies and a ‘roll up our sleeves’ approach to drive value through the development and execution of highly customized financial solutions. The firm’s unique blend of talent and experience allows Apex to identify opportunities and deliver services in a way few investment banks can.
Leadership
Barry Harbour, Principal
Barry is a skilled strategist and former corporate development executive with more than 25 years of investment banking and corporate finance experience. Prior to founding Apex, he played a key role in taking a venture backed start-up from its initial funding to over $4 billion in annual revenues, achieving Fortune 500 status. His diverse industry experience includes: commercial services, food & beverage, healthcare, manufacturing, distribution, retail and transportation. He has worked extensively in the middle market representing closely held businesses in connection with mergers and acquisitions and private placements of debt and equity capital.
As a principal and an advisor, he has closed more than one hundred transactions having an aggregate value in excess of $3 billion. He is a member of the Association of Corporate Growth and the Private Directors Association. He is registered with FINRA as a General Securities Representative (Series 62 and 63) and an investment banking agent (Series 79).
(855) 713-1800 x720Jim McCoy, Principal
Jim serves as Managing Director and Head of the firm’s Houston office. With over 25 years of relevant experience in the areas of finance, mergers and acquisitions and corporate restructuring, Jim is a former CFO and COO with significant experience in the food & beverage and facility services industries where he has held executive positions in multi-billion public companies as well as smaller family owned businesses. Prior to joining Apex, Jim was instrumental in taking a second-generation family business and growing it from $60 million to more than $900 million in annual revenue, ultimately orchestrating its sale to a large multi-national competitor.
As a principal and an advisor, Jim has closed corporate finance and M&A transactions having an aggregate value of almost $3 billion. He is registered with FINRA as a General Securities Representative (Series 62 and 63) and a Limited Representative – Investment Banking (Series 79). He is also a CPA and an active member of the ACG and the TMA.
Professionals
Kim Ruth, Managing Director
Kim is a respected senior banker who has an extensive background in business leadership, strategic planning, credit and risk management. She is an accomplished professional and former Bank of America Market President for Houston and the entire State of Texas where she was responsible for managing the bank’s local presence as well as the activities of over 600 professionals. For more than 25 years, Kim has focused primarily on the needs of privately held companies in the middle market.
Kim has been an active member of several boards. She currently serves as director at nonprofit Greater Houston Community Foundation and at TriState Capital Holdings, a publicly traded financial services company. She holds Series 79, 7, 24 and 63 licenses.
Bradley Crawford, Managing Director
Bradley is an experienced finance professional, corporate executive and board member who has worked to meet the needs of operating businesses for more than 30 years. Prior to joining Apex, Bradley co-founded Fortitude Capital, a Houston-based family office focused exclusively on the lower middle market. At Fortitude, Bradley built and managed a portfolio of investments, generating an IRR of more than 23%. Prior to that, he was an accomplished commercial lender and relationship manager, originating over $600 million in commitments from recognized financial institutions including PNC, HSBC and GE Capital.
Bradley is an active member of the Association for Corporate Growth and the Turnaround Management Association.
Luis Zuniga, Managing Director
Luis is an accomplished senior banker and former Chief Financial Officer with over 25 years of broad experience in the areas of corporate finance, international banking, and mergers and acquisitions. Prior to joining Apex, Luis served as Chief Financial Officer of a $300 million building products distributor headquartered in Spain with more than twenty facilities located throughout the United States and Mexico. Prior to that he held various positions in leading Mexican and European banks.
As an advisor and banker, he has closed M&A, corporate finance and trade finance transactions having an aggregate value in excess of $1 billion. He is an active member of the Association for Corporate Growth and the Turnaround Management Association.