Blake A. Corners
August **** PRIVATE / CONFIDENTIAL 1
618-***-**** www.linkedin.com/in/blakeacorners/ *****.*.*******@*****.*** Career Statement
Distinctively experienced private equity, family office Operating Partner with unparalleled corporate finance, strategy and business development experience spanning a variety of global business markets and segments. Former corporate business leader with middle-market merger and acquisition experience carrying advanced education in finance with vast experiences managing merger and acquisition transactions as well as leading international business ventures for an iconic Fortune 50 aerospace and defense company as well as venture capital experience supporting start-up entrepreneurs. Talent Summary
+ Critical thinking / strategic analysis + Financial modeling, forecasting, budgeting, cash flow analysis
+ Corporate strategy & financial planning + Business case / cost-benefit analysis
+ Large scale project / program management + Enterprise valuations (e.g. DCF / Market Multiples)
+ Business risk management expertise + Capital allocation & investment due diligence
+ International / global trade finance + Business Plan and Pitch Book Development
+ Purchase agreement negotiation & analysis + M&A industry analysis and due diligence Professional Experience
The Omnia Group Jan 2018 - Present
A private equity, family office focused on lower middle market growth equity operating business investments. Operating Partner
Key operational and finance partner that leads investment analysis and key strategic growth initiative implementation
Analyzes / develops financial models, leads/supports capital raising/allocation opportunities and capital budget projects
Partners with executive leadership to implement strategic initiatives, drive operational efficiencies and process improvements
Portfolio company(s) interim CFO / Head of Finance leadership experience managing balance sheets from $5M - $30M
Lead strategic capital raising efforts of >$35M to fund add-on acquisitions, recapitalizations and capital expenditures
Active board participant/advisor for three (3) portfolio companies with annual revenues >$55M Elevated Standards July 2022 - Present
Industry leading, high-tech cannabis-oriented chemical and microbiological testing laboratory. Private Investor / Board Member / Strategic Finance Partner
Partnered with the Founder/CEO to raise $5.0M in strategic capital to fund lab development, certification & start-up operations
Equity owing board member leading strategic financial related items as well as strategic communication with board members / external investors and banking partners
Corners Farms May 2007 - Present
Multi-generational family-owned/operated agricultural business focused on grain commodity production. Owner / Operator
6th generation owner/operator/investor with nearly 4,000 acres of commodity grain production operations managed
Supports and leads strategic commodity analysis for ~$2M annual revenue with capital investment spend of >$500K+ EaglePicher Technologies (An Apollo Global Management portfolio company) Sep 2017 - Jan 2018 Leading supplier of mission-critical batteries and energetic devices for the aerospace, defense, aviation and medical device markets. Director, Corporate Development
Worked directly for the CEO & CFO alongside senior executive leadership team supporting a $225M revenue /
$55M+ EBITDA advanced power and energy solutions company in the aerospace & defense and medical markets
Supported/led key aspects of sale process, developed financial models, pitchbooks and buyer diligence inquiries and supported / led management presentations culminating a sale transaction with an enterprise value >$600M
Presented financial models and provided strategic business support to CEO and CFO as well as to targeted acquirers
Led business unit financial forecasting and managed financial / operational risks and opportunities Blake A. Corners
August 2024 PRIVATE / CONFIDENTIAL 2
Professional Experience continued…
Douglas Group Aug 2015 - Sep 2017
A private investment banking firm focused on advising business owners in all aspects of the merger and acquisition processes. Investment Banking Manager
Sourced four (4) sell side M&A deals with sales volumes >$55M
Built sell side merger & acquisition financial and forecasting models as well as sell-side pitch-books
Led / supported three (3) Letters of Intent (LoI) and definitive agreement negotiations valued >$85M
Developed and implemented a new business development process as well as led industry and buyer research
Co-authored industry article publications, presenter at three (3) industry events The Boeing Company
The world’s largest aerospace company and leading provider of commercial airplanes, defense, space and security systems.
Corporate Development & Finance Manager (BDS) Sep 2014 - Jul 2015
Sr. International Finance Principal (BDS) Aug 2009 - Sep 2014
Financial Planning & Business Associate (BDS) May 2006 - Jul 2009 Responsibilities & Achievements
Led M&A integration of a $30M high-tech secure computing company
Led international business acquisition opportunities generating >$200M in annual revenue
Negotiated & managed strategic, international new business and follow-on ventures valued >$4.7B
Built/negotiated seven (7) incentive-based cash flow models valued >$1.2 billion
Developed/analyzed business unit financial statements and financial risks/opportunities for programs >$100M Education
Certificate in Business Strategy - Cornell University Dec 2013 Masters of Science (Finance) – Webster University May 2012 Bachelors of Art (Finance) – Lindenwood University May 2007 Civic Leadership / Community Involvement
Team Scott Honorary Commander (Scott Air Force Base) – Class of 2025 Saint Louis Bank – Advisory Board Member
AlphaSights – Industry Knowledge Contributing Member O’Fallon, IL Chamber of Commerce Emerging Leaders – LeadIn Class of 2021 Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) – St. Louis Chapter Member Capital Innovators – Senior Business Consultant
Arch Grants – Business Application Consultant
SCORE –St. Louis Chapter 21 – Advisory Member
Oct 2023 - Present
Jan 2019 - Present
Jan 2019 - Present
Jan 2020 – Dec 2021
Apr 2017 – Dec 2020
Mar 2015 - Mar 2017
Jan 2016 – Dec 2018
Jan 2016 - Jan 2017
City of Collinsville, IL – Planning Commission Board Member Jan 2013 - Jul 2014