Academy Securities Research
Advisory Approach
Academy Securities is the nation's first post-9/11 disabled veteran-owned and operated investment bank, founded in 2009 by former U.S. Naval Officer Chance Mims. The firm operates with a distinctive mission-driven thesis: bringing the time-honored qualities of military culture—service, duty, loyalty, and teamwork—to the financial services sector. This veteran foundation creates a unique institutional perspective that differentiates Academy from traditional investment banks.
The firm's M&A advisory division, launched under the Special Situations practice led by Managing Director Bret Lowry, focuses on providing institutional-quality advice to middle-market companies, private equity firms, and family offices navigating complex corporate transactions. Academy believes that the best outcomes for sellers and buyers come from combining deep transactional expertise with independent, full-service capabilities. The firm's military heritage translates to operational excellence, decisive execution, and uncompromising integrity—values that resonate with owner-operators and PE firms seeking advisors who understand accountability and follow-through.
Sector Focus
Academy Securities' M&A advisory practice maintains industry expertise across a diverse range of sectors. Primary areas of focus include:
Aerospace, Defense & Government — A natural sector for the firm given the military backgrounds of leadership and the deep networks within defense and government contracting. The firm understands the unique regulatory and compliance landscape of federal contractors and ITAR-controlled businesses.
Consumer, Food & Retail — Traditional lower-to-core middle market sectors where operational excellence and supply chain optimization create value. The firm's experience includes restaurant groups, specialty food manufacturers, and retail chains.
Energy & Power — Industrial and utility sectors, including both upstream and midstream energy assets, renewable energy platforms, and power infrastructure businesses.
Transportation & Logistics — Fleet operators, logistics companies, and transportation services firms. Strong understanding of asset-heavy business models and working capital dynamics.
Diversified Industrials — Manufacturing, distribution, and industrial services companies. Bret Lowry's background executing M&A in manufacturing and contract manufacturing aligns directly with this focus.
Technology, Media & Telecom — Including industrial software, IoT platforms, digital media companies, and telecommunications infrastructure.
Real Estate, Lodging & Leisure — Commercial real estate operators, hospitality assets, and leisure/entertainment properties.
Team & Credentials
The M&A advisory practice is led by Bret Lowry, Managing Director and Head of Special Situations, who brings over ten years of dedicated M&A experience. Prior to Academy, Lowry was a Director at Financo (a leading independent investment bank focused on consumer/retail M&A) where he executed both sell-side and buy-side M&A assignments. Before that, he served as Vice President in Bank of America Merrill Lynch's Global M&A Group. Mr. Lowry is a U.S. Naval Academy graduate with an MBA from USC, and holds FINRA Series 24, 63, and 79 licenses.
The broader Academy Securities leadership team includes CEO Chance Mims (Navy veteran, FINRA Series 7, 24, 63), Vice Chairman Phil McConkey (Former NFL player, Navy veteran, Series 7, 24, 63, 65, 55), CFO/COO Anthony Graham (Columbia MBA, Lehman Brothers/Navy background), and Chief Compliance Officer Michael Boyd (Series 4, 7, 24, 53, 55, 63, 79). The firm employs 99 professionals including 31 partners across multiple offices.
FINRA Registration & Credentials
Academy Securities is a fully registered FINRA broker-dealer (CRD# 17433, SEC# 8-35173) with licenses in 41 U.S. states and territories. The firm is also California-certified as a Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) and nationally certified as a Service-Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (SDVOSB) and Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)—certifications that provide value to government contractors and procurement-sensitive clients.
Process & Differentiation
Academy's M&A advisory process emphasizes institutional-quality service delivery combined with the operational mindset of military-trained professionals. The firm offers:
- Comprehensive strategic advisory (restructuring, strategic alternatives, capital structure analysis)
- Traditional M&A (sell-side and buy-side engagements)
- Minority shareholder liquidity solutions
- Special situations and distressed advisory
The firm's competitive differentiation stems from: (1) Deep sector expertise in defense, government, and industrial sectors where veteran networks create unique access; (2) Operational discipline and execution rigor inherited from military culture; (3) Diverse leadership composition—48% of the firm's workforce are military veterans, creating authentic client relationships with veteran-owned and military-supplier businesses; (4) Full-service capabilities without outsourcing; (5) MBE/DVBE certifications that help clients meet supplier diversity and contracting goals.
Client Profile & Fit
Academy Securities' sweet spot includes: closely-held enterprises with revenue exceeding $10 million; founder-owned and family-office-backed businesses navigating succession or growth capital; middle-market public and private companies; and private equity firms seeking an advisor with deep operational expertise. The firm is particularly well-suited for clients valuing integrity, accountability, and follow-through—qualities that resonate with the veteran business community and owner-operators.
Not a fit if: The client requires only transactional execution without strategic guidance, or is exclusively seeking the largest-name brand advisor over strategic fit.