History of CFA
In 1956 Michael M. Rothberg sold his interest in a furniture
company and started Corporate Finance Associates (CFA). Based in
Greenville, South Carolina, Mr. Rothberg established a
consulting firm to serve the M & A needs of middle market
business owners. In the late 1960s, looking for new ways to
increase the number of "associates" in the firm, Mr. Rothberg
articulated his philosophy of being in business for
yourself rather than by yourself by adopting a
franchise business model; one of the first for a consulting
business. The network of associates grew and in 1969 the first
international office was added. In 1972 the firm moved to
Atlanta. The franchise model proved successful and in 1985 the
firm continued its westward migration with a move to Denver,
Colorado.
Recognizing an opportunity for bringing principals into
direct contact with clients worldwide, the former franchise
owners executed a management buyout of the company in 1996,
creating the truly unique organization that exists today. CFA is
a privately held corporation based in Los Angeles, California
with offices on three continents. In 1956 few could have
predicted that a single individual, with an entrepreneurial
vision, was launching a company with the "right stuff" to be
celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2006.
CFA Time Line
|
Date |
Event |
| 1956 |
Mike
Rothberg launches CFA in Greenville, South Carolina |
|
1966 |
CFA records first $5 MM transaction |
|
1969 |
First international partner established in Switzerland |
|
1972 |
Corporate
offices moved to Atlanta, Georgia |
|
1975 |
CFA grows to 15 office in 10 states and records first $10
MM transaction |
|
1980 |
Bi-Annual CFA conferences launched to facilitate an enhanced
method of disseminating client needs throughout the firm and
to facilitate training and best practices |
| 1984 |
CFA records first $25 MM
transaction |
|
1985 |
Headquarters
moved to Denver, Colorado. Mike Rothberg retires and Jim
Sorensen becomes CEO. |
| 1988 |
CFA records
first $100 MM transaction |
|
1996 |
A management
buyout of CFA . Morley Zipursky is elected Chairman |
| 2002 |
Terry Fick is elected Chairman and Morley Zipursky is
honored as Chairman Emeritus |
| 2003 |
Peter Heydenrych is elected Chairman
and CEO |
| 2004 |
CFA expands to 40 locations worldwide |
| 2005 |
CFA headquarters moved to Los Angeles,
California |
| 2006 |
CFA celebrates 50th anniversary |
| |
|
