OUR STORY
Founded to bring the same level of commitment and expertise to our clients that our clients used to build their own companies
In 2017, we helped an individual with a sizeable Jiffy Lube transaction. It became clear during the deal that the sell-side representatives didn’t have the large transaction experience needed to maximize value for their client, facilitate a smooth sale, or structure a deal that would create win-win opportunities for both parties.
Sellers deserve to have advisers who understand the sacrifices made and time invested to build their businesses. We are passionate about bringing our large transaction experience to this industry to ensure you get the most out of your investment of time, energy and money.
As one of the few FINRA licensed investment banks focused on serving this sector we can represent our clients in the full breadth of transaction structures – from private sale to IPO.
Experience is Key
Our Team
W Blake Nielsen
Managing Director
Prior to co-founding Black Iron Advisers, Blake spent 14 years at W.G. Nielsen, one of the largest independently owned investment banks in the Rocky Mountain Region. At W.G. Nielsen he rose to Senior Vice President, working on transactions with an aggregate transaction value of more than $500 million. Blake was a senior banker within the firm’s automotive group where he represented companies ranging from auto part manufacturers to large dealership groups.
Blake was also one of the founders of Io Triumphe Capital, a firm founded to purchase and provide growth capital to small and mid-market companies.
Blake holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Occidental College and a Master in Finance from the University of Denver. He is a past member of the Board of Advisors for The Bridge Project, was one of the founders of the Los Conucos Scholarship Fund, and was named one of Denver’s Top “40 Under 40” business leaders by the Denver Business Journal.
Registrations –
FINRA – Series 7 Registered General Securities Representative
FINRA – Series 79 Registered Investment Banking Principal
Fun Facts –
Blake is the second owner of a 1969 Buick Skylark convertible that he bought when he was 16. He bought his first go cart when he was 9.
Todd S Whitfield
Managing Director
Prior to co-founding Black Iron Advisers Todd was an Equity Analyst for Janus Henderson Investors (Formerly Janus Capital Group) covering Automotive, Industrial and Transportation companies. He covered the IPOs of the largest BMW & Land Rover dealership in China, Dongfeng Motor (Nissan’s Chinese JV partner), Maruti Suzuki (Suzuki’s India partner), Daimler (parent of Mercedes-Benz), and Great Wall Motor (China’s leading local SUV manufacturer), among other automotive related businesses, valued at over $500 million in equity investments. Prior to joining Janus, Todd worked at the M&A firm Putnam Lovell in San Francisco (later acquired by Jefferies) as a FIG Investment Banking Analyst.
Todd earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with Honors from the University of Colorado at Boulder.
Registrations –
FINRA – Series 79 Registered Investment Banking Principal
Fun Facts –
Todd and his family log over 10,000 miles a year on road trips. He is a diesel car fanatic.