EXPERIENCE

Don Luken brings more than 30 years’ experience managing and assisting emerging and middle market companies in the areas of management and strategic planning, mergers and acquisitions, venture capital and private placement financing. As a principal of LGI Consulting and LGI Capital, Mr. Luken advises companies on a broad range of management issues, on sale or purchase transactions, procuring growth capital, structuring and financing management buyouts, evaluating owner liquidity alternatives, and executing corporate restructuring transactions. Past Positions include the following:

New Star Lighting
CEO of this high abuse and security lighting division of 555 International. Built the company into one of the major companies in its market niche. Responsible for overall management and strategic planning aspects of this national manufacturer, including the development of new LED and architectural lighting products.

555 International
CFO and Chief Administrative officer of this highly profitable and industry leading store and hospitality design and manufacturing firm. Held executive level management responsibilities and oversight of financial and administrative areas of firm. 

Oakridge Capital
Principal of this Midwest based investment and corporate advisory firm. Responsibilities included evaluating management buyout opportunities and structuring acquisition transactions.

Houlihan Lokey Howard & Zukin                                                          
Senior Vice President and Director of Corporate Finance for Midwest Region. Co-founder of the Midwestern Corporate Finance Department for this national investment banking and valuation firm. Responsibilities included introducing and managing sale assignments, providing management buy-out or acquisition financing, and financial and advisory services.

BDO Seidman                                                                          
Director, Corporate Finance Midwest Region. Established and built the corporate finance and merger and acquisition activity for the Midwestern Region of the United States for this national accounting firm. Responsible for new business development, managing exclusive sale assignments, and advising and representing clients of the firm on purchase or sale transactions, and debt and equity-financings.

The Luken Company                                                                
President. Venture investment banking and consulting firm which provided financing and consulting services to early-stage and middle-market companies.  Financed several start-up technology related companies. Work included advice on placement of debt and equity financings, developing strategic and financial plans and projections, and overseeing implementation of the plans.

Altorfer, Podesta, Woolard & Co. Chicago, IL
Director of Venture Capital of this Chicago-based investment banking and brokerage firm. While at APW, responsible for the screening, analysis, financing, and subsequent supervision of venture investments of the firm including providing management and financial consulting services as required. Also held position of Chief Financial and Operating Officer of the company with responsibility for managing all financial and operating areas of the firm. Facilitated and co-negotiated sale of Company to Stifel Nicholas & Co.

Continental Illinois National Bank                                                         
Commercial Lending Officer with account responsibility for many of the country's largest securities brokerage and investment banking firms and total lending responsibility for a portfolio in excess of $300 million.

United States Army
Served as First Lieutenant member of select 5-man consulting group from the Headquarters of the United States Army Computer Systems Command, Washington, D.C. Worked to develop an integrated worldwide computer reporting system for the U.S.Army which was the highest priority administrative computer development program for the Army at the time. This project included a worldwide research tour investigating various computer reporting systems. Designed a control and progress reporting set of procedures for all Army computer systems under development, both administrative and strategic, for the U.S. Army. Awarded two Army Commendation medals.

Education       

University of Wisconsin
M.B.A., Finance

St. Norbert College
B.B.A., Accounting