Our professionals

James M. Mann

Jimm is one of our founders and a Managing Director of Mann, Armistead & Epperson, Ltd. Jimm brings over thirty years of investment banking/accounting experience to our client base and has advised clients on numerous exclusive sale assignments, buyside transactions, public company defenses and a wide variety of strategic advisory situations. Although capable in many aspects of corporate finance, Jimm’s focus is assisting clients through the merger and acquisition process and the related financial, legal and tax issues. Prior to forming our firm, Jimm spent thirteen years at Wheat, First Securities Inc. as a Senior Vice President where he was in charge of the Merger and Acquisition Group. He also spent time at the Department of Justice as a Special Agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation and as a Certified Public Accountant with Ernst & Young.

Jimm earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Virginia Commonwealth University.   

W. Howard Armistead

Howard is one of our founders and a Managing Director of Mann, Armistead & Epperson, Ltd. Howard has over thirty years of experience in assisting corporations and shareholders in a wide variety of transactions which focus on the transfer and transition of corporate ownership. Howard has significant experience in dealing with small and mid-cap public companies and related transactions such as “going private” tender offers, advising special committees, providing valuations and fairness opinions and structuring corporate sell-side mandate processes. Howard also spends significant time advising companies regarding transition of ownership of family businesses. Prior to forming our firm, Howard was a Senior Vice President at Wheat, First Securities Inc. and Craigie Incorporated. Howard started his career as a CPA with Ernst & Young rising to partner level and Director of Health Care Services in the Mid-Atlantic Region. Within his fifteen year tenure at Ernst & Young, Howard spent three years as a Medical Group Administrator at Duke University Medical Center.

Howard earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting at Virginia Tech.

Wallace W. "Jerry" Epperson, Jr., CFA

Jerry is one of the founders of our firm and a Managing Director of Mann, Armistead & Epperson, Ltd. Jerry is the head of our research efforts and has in excess of thirty years of experience in the publication of hard/soft dollar research which focuses on demographics, consumer products, furnishings (residential and contract) and related issues. More specifically, Jerry’s research in the furnishings industry is recognized on a world-wide basis for its in-depth coverage of suppliers, manufacturers and retailers. Jerry has also been acknowledged by several industry, research and Wall Street associations for his coverage. On several occasions, Jerry has been requested by the U.S. State Department to travel to the Pacific Rim and Europe to assist those countries in understanding the furnishings industry. Prior to founding our firm, Jerry spent fifteen years at Wheat, First Securities, Inc. and five years at Scott & Stringfellow, Inc.

Jerry earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce from the University of Virginia and an MBA from the College of William & Mary. He is also a Chartered Financial Analyst.

Jason Peters

Jason is a Principal with ten years of Wall Street experience. He is capable in many aspects of corporate finance and specializes in our mergers and acquisitions business. He also focuses on our clients who may be seeking growth capital or balance sheet restructuring. Prior to joining our firm in 2009, Jason was a Vice President in Banc of America Securities’ Mergers & Acquisitions Group in New York City, where he primarily focused on middle market clients in the consumer products sector. He also held positions with JPMorgan’s Consumer Product’s Investment Banking Group and EG Capital Group, a New York-based private equity firm.

Jason has successfully executed transactions for both private family-owned businesses and for large public corporations.  Jason’s experience includes corporate finance advisory, mergers & acquisitions, sell-sides, private placements and leveraged buy-out transactions.

Jason holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree with a major in Corporate Finance from the University of Alberta.

Jin S. Ko

Jin joined our firm in 2006 and is a financial analyst in our research department. More specifically, Jin is responsible for industry research publications produced by Mann, Armistead & Epperson, Ltd. Jin joined our firm after working at Wachovia Corporation in Richmond, VA.

Jin earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Financial Planning from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Patrick F. Bisceglia

Patrick is an Analyst in our investment banking group. He assists senior professionals with the execution of merger and acquisition transactions. His primary responsibilities include interacting with our clients for due diligence review, valuation modeling, offering memorandum preparation and conducting company and industry analysis. Prior to joining our firm in 2009, Patrick covered diversified media and small-cap companies while working in the U.S. Equity Division at T. Rowe Price Associates.

Patrick earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance cum laude with an Accounting concentration and a minor in Economics from the Mason School of Business at the College of William and Mary.

Wendy M. Flournoy

Wendy joined our firm in 2000 and is the Administrative Director in our investment banking group. Wendy joined our firm after four years with the Public Finance Department of BB&T Capital Markets. She is responsible for the day-to-day operations at Mann, Armistead & Epperson, Ltd., including marketing and client relations.

Wendy earned an Associate of Business degree from J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College.

Margaret B. LaPierre

Margaret joined our firm in 1992 and is the Administrative Manager of our investment banking group. Margaret joined our firm after fourteen years as Administrative Manager of the Corporate Finance Department of Wheat, First Securities. She is responsible for the day-to-day operations at Mann, Armistead & Epperson, Ltd., including human resources, accounting, and client relations, and is instrumental in the execution of research material from our research department.