Ben Howatt is a Managing Director of The McLean Group's Charlotte office. He brings with him a breadth of experience in mergers and acquisitions, due diligence, valuation, strategic planning, corporate finance, syndicated lending and debt restructuring.

Mr. Howatt began his career with First Union National Bank (now Wachovia). He was a Vice President in the Debt Finance Group, where he underwrote, negotiated, and managed multi-million dollar debt facilities associated with middle-market companies, private equity groups, and lender syndicates. He also assisted with the bank's corporate development (mergers and acquisitions) as a Due Diligence Coordinator. Prior to that time, he held positions in financial and business analysis and served as an area controller for regional markets within the bank.

Ben is also the Managing Partner of The Howatt Group Ltd., a boutique consulting firm advising smaller companies in and around the Carolinas on business brokering, growth through acquisitions, exit planning, and implementing strategies for maximizing value.

Ben received his M.S. in Economics/Finance Concentration from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, a B.B.A. in accounting from the University of North Florida, and a B.S. in Public Relations from the University of Florida. He is a licensed CPA in North Carolina, and is a Certified Valuation Analyst.

Ben has written articles for the Charlotte Business Journal; has taught continuing education on behalf of the NC Association of CPA's and for the North Carolina Banker's Association / Small Business Administration (SBA) co-sponsored Lender's Conference; and has served as a small business counselor with SCORE.

His current and past involvement with various civic and professional organizations include the North Carolina Association of CPAs, North Mecklenburg Rotary, Arts & Science Council, Charlotte Chamber, National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts, SCORE, the Financial Executives Networking Group, U.S. National Whitewater Center, and others.