Mr. Kurtz's primary emphasis has been in due diligence, negotiation, structuring and tax planning for mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, leveraged buyouts, and corporate tax planning.
Since 2001, Mr. Kurtz primary focus is as Co-Managing Member of Mankwitz Kurtz Investments, LLC, a Denver based private equity firm. (www.mankwitzkurtz.com). The firm purchases controlling ownership in mid sized businesses of various industries with the intent of building and selling these businesses in three to five years.
In December, 1997, Mr. Kurtz merged Shenkin Kurtz Baker & Co., CPA’s and Century Capital Group into Century Business Services (NYSE: CBZ). Mr. Kurtz served as CBZ’s national head of accounting firms and lead all its Western U.S. acquisition activity, helping to build a $600 million revenue company.
PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
Mankwitz Kurtz Investments, LLC-Co-Managing Member 2001 to present
Century Business Services, Inc., (Colorado) and Century Capital Group, Inc. - President and Senior Investment Banker, 1997-2001
Shenkin Kurtz Baker & Co., CPA’s - President and Director, 1978-1997
Touche Ross & Company - Manager, Tax Department, 1971-1978
As Co-Manager of Mankwitz Kurtz Investments, LLC, Mr. Kurtz has led the firm to six private investments, becoming involved in all aspects of the management and operation of these portfolio companies on a daily basis. This is Mr. Kurtz’s primary focus today.
Directed the Board of Trustees of a non-profit hospital regarding alternatives for the sale of its assets to various outside, for-profit health corporations. His work included a detailed financial analysis and valuation of the hospital's operations. While serving as Chairman of the Board of Rose Medical Center, Mr. Kurtz led the committee which resulted in the sale of Rose Medical Center to Columbia/HCA.
With the proceeds from the sale of Rose Medical Center, Mr. Kurtz headed the formation of the Rose Community Foundation and served as the first Board Chair of this $300 million foundation.
In 1995, Rose Medical Center’s buyer, HCA-HeathONE, asked Mr. Kurtz for his assistance in the formation of its new company in Denver. Since inception, Mr. Kurtz has served as a Board Member and Chair of HCA-HeathONE’s audit and finance committees, operating seven hospitals and numerous surgery centers, physician office buildings and related facilities in the Denver area.
Mr. Kurtz assisted in organizing, financing and in obtaining the franchise for the Colorado Rockies Baseball Club bringing Major League Baseball to Denver. Mr. Kurtz assisted the ownership group in preparing the franchise offering, negotiated Mile High and Coors Field leases, negotiated various television, radio, sponsor and concession contracts, made presentations to the National League Expansion Committee in New York and Denver, secured a $40 million line of credit for the team's acquisition and operating needs, and assisted a syndication of the partnership.
Managed the due diligence process of a $545 million acquisition of the fifth largest (for-profit) U.S. health care provider, analyzed the corporate structure and net operating loss retention, and developed operations and financing strategies.
Initiated and managed a joint venture to create the largest independent paper recycling company in North America. In this transaction, Mr. Kurtz negotiated the merger agreements and bank financing, assisted in the business plan development and analyzed the corporate overhead expenses of both companies which resulted in more than $2 million in annual savings for the joint venture.
Directed the bankruptcy reorganization of a restaurant chain, including an analysis of creditor liabilities and various merger and asset sale alternatives.
Coordinated the organization and financial alternatives for a privately-owned communications company and assisted in corporate planning which resulted in significant annual growth to achieve status as the third largest paging company in its community within two years. Mr. Kurtz later negotiated the sale of this company at a substantial profit to the owners.
Mr. Kurtz directed the sale of one of the Rocky Mountain Region's largest producer of aggregates and concrete products to an international conglomerate.
Served as the investment banker for the merger of two dialysis companies and directed its sale to a New York Stock Exchange company providing the shareholders with valuations, analysis and negotiation strategy.
Advised homebuilders and real estate developers nationwide on corporate restructuring, income tax and liability limitations, and on future growth and sales strategies.
Mr. Kurtz has also organized and funded a Canadian publicly-held oil and gas company, negotiated various bank and other financing transactions for businesses and individuals, testified and consulted regarding numerous financial matters in Colorado courts, and advised numerous organizations on selling, refinancing, capital formation and business strategy.
EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS
Babson College, B.S. in Business Administration, 1972, with Distinction
Certified Public Accountant, Colorado, 1973
Licenses
National Association of Securities Dealers Series 24, 7 and 63
Lectured nationwide for the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Speaker and Presenter for the Colorado Society of Certified Public Accountants, AICPA National Estate Planning Conference, University of Denver Tax Institute, and various estate-planning councils and tax programs.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Colorado Society of Certified Public Accountants
Former Partner, Colorado Rockies Baseball Club
Board Member, Community Board, Wells Fargo Colorado, N.A.
Board Member and Chair of Audit and Finance Committees, HCA-HealthONE, Denver, Colorado
Board Member and Chair of Audit Committee, CIBER, INC (NYSE:CBR)
Past Chairman and Member, Board of Trustees, Rose Community Foundation
Board Member, Anti-Defamation League
Past Member, First Tuesday Investment Network
Former Board Member, Cadwest Partners
Former Member, CTEK Angel Investment Group
Recipient: Brotherhood-Sisterhood Award, National Conference for Community and Justice, 2000
Past Chairman, Board of Trustees, Rose Medical Center and Rose Health Care Systems
Stephen S. Kurtz
