A podcast dedicated to the people and ideas of the Middle Market, hosted by Andy Greenberg and Charlie Gifford.
Justin Abelow, Houlihan Lokey
An urban whirlwind blows through the MMM studios when Justin Abelow drops by. Justin is a long-tenured Managing Director in the financial sponsors group at Houlihan Lokey. He manages to be both a resolute Manhattanite and a global student of business, history and culture. Upper East Side boyhood steeped in the “Masters of the Universe” world of corporate finance in the ‘80s, undergraduate and law degree a short subway ride away at Columbia, and an early stint as a corporate lawyer all pointed toward a career in investment banking. Justin shares the story of the firm’s evolution into a market leader and his own career path in sponsor coverage. Concluding with Justin’s interest in history, the hosts and he each name their three ideal dinner companions (where Andy and Charlie were each surprised not to be on one another’s list).
Episode 70
Hall without Oates or Oates Without Hall??
Andy left solo at ACG’s DealMAX conference while Charlie attends to a vague personal obligation. PE lawyer par excellence Bruce Fenton steps in as co-host for two discussions close to home. First, Bruce interviews Andy and Graeme Frazier—recipients of ACG’s Legends Award at this year’s conference—about their successful stewardship and sale of GF Data. Then, Charlie’s New Heritage Capital colleague Greg Katz joins to discuss the current positioning of NHC as a non-control investor. Bruce tests Andy and Greg on their knowledge of the absent Mr. Gifford. A niche offering within a niche offering! The MMM team grateful as always to ACG for hosting and facilitating the podcast.
Graeme Frazier and Andy discuss GF Data and receiving the ACG Legend Award
New Heritage Capital’s Greg Katz fills the “yawning” void left by Charlie Gifford’s absence

For the past 15 years, I’ve been an investment banker and a publisher of M&A data. This combination has afforded access to a lot of information on deals. But information alone is not insight. The tagline for this podcast is “people and ideas of the middle market.” Each time out, we ask our guests to share a fresh perspective, to reflect on issues beyond what is on their schedule for the day, and to be good sports with two guys who—as my kids say, “think they are funny.” We hope you find these interviews worth your time.

I’ve worked in the Middle Market for more than twenty years. Over that time I have met some extraordinary people, each with a unique story to tell. While we all know that the world doesn’t need another podcast, Andy and I are hopeful that you’ll enjoy listening and learning about each individual profiled. Half business, half human interest, half insightful, half irreverent. Yes, that’s lots of halves to cover. And aiming to do so in around 30 minutes of time. We hope you will give it a listen, and let us know what you think.