Robert E. Massengill
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Bob Massengill is a co-founder of Pilot Hill Advisors and has advised owners and CEOs on investment banking transactions throughout his business career. These transactions have included sell-side and buy-side M&A advisory work, leveraged and non-leveraged minority ESOPs, second-stage ESOPs, 100% ESOPs, sales of ESOP companies, acquisitions by ESOP clients and ESOP terminations.
Bob serves as a board member of Kesslers Diamond Company a 100% ESOP-owned diamond retailer. He also served as a director for two ESOP-owned companies that sold to synergistic buyers.
Prior to forming Pilot Hill Advisors, Bob was President and shareholder of SES Advisors and Vice President and shareholder of Menke & Associates. Bob graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business from Miami University (Oxford, OH) and earned a Master of Business Administration in Finance from the New York University Stern School of Business. He also holds securities industry registrations Series 24, 63 and 79.
James F. Higgins, Jr.
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Jim Higgins is a co-founder of Pilot Hill Advisors and specializes in designing, financing and executing internal buyout transactions for privately-held companies. Jim has advised over 100 companies on management and ESOP buyouts that provide unique financial, tax, strategic and motivational benefits that are distinct from traditional third-party corporate sales.
Jim has held senior corporate finance and advisory positions for 25 years. His specialty in ESOP and MBO transactions began in 2001. Jim's prior employers include Bank of Boston, AT&T and Merck.
Prior to forming Pilot Hill Advisors, Jim was a shareholder at SES Advisors and Vice President at Menke & Associates. Jim received a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Boston College and a Master of Science in Management from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He also holds Series 24, 63, 79 and 99 securities registrations.
James B. Junker
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Jim Junker joined Pilot Hill Advisors in 2018.
Jim first met the founders of the firm in 2008 when he was advising a client seeking to spin-out from its publicly-traded parent using a leveraged ESOP. Working with Pilot Hill Advisors the transaction was successfully completed and the client continues to prosper as a 100% tax free corporation. In subsequent years, Jim completed several leveraged ESOPs.
Throughout his banking and finance career, Jim led over $4 billion in financing and investment banking transactions including leveraged loans, securitizations, public and private bonds, commercial paper, recapitalizations, mergers and acquisitions and ESOPs buyouts. He has also completed numerous sell-side and buy-side advisory roles in ESOP transactions.
Prior to joining Pilot Hill Advisors Jim worked in corporate and investment banking for some of the top banks in the U.S. including First Chicago, JP Morgan Chase, GE Securities and Wells Fargo. Jim also has considerable experience in the equipment leasing arena.
Jim holds a Master of Business Administration in Finance from the Stephen M. Ross School of Business and a Bachelor of Arts both from the University of Michigan. He also holds Series 24, 63 and 79 securities registrations.
Jim is based in the firm’s Michigan office and will assist in expanding Pilot Hill Advisors’ presence in the Midwest.