Mark Spurgeon, CFA
Principal at Ascendant Partners, Inc.- Claim this Profile
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Bio
Credentials
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CFA Charterholder
CFA InstituteJan, 2015- Nov, 2024 -
CFA Institute - 2016 Research Challenge - Volunteer
CFA Institute -
Series 79
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA)
Experience
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Ascendant Partners, Inc.
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United States
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Investment Banking
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1 - 100 Employee
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Principal
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Jan 2021 - Present
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Investment Banking Associate
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Jul 2016 - Dec 2020
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Investment Banking Analyst
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Jul 2013 - Jun 2016
Creating financial models, CIMs, pitch decks, etc. for clients across a variety of agribusiness verticals. Utilize USDA data and government sources along with proprietary and primary sources to research and develop a position on an asset or industry.
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Consultant
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Oct 2012 - Jul 2013
Used my network of contacts to opportunistically find work in agribusiness and investment analysis. Evaluated a 2,000 acre Wisconsin farm through historical comps, prices paid by seller, parcel quality and soil type, and local market dynamics that was ultimately acquired by a San Fransisco-based private equity firm. Helped a group of angel investors evaluate two technology start-ups based in Iowa. Used my network of contacts to opportunistically find work in agribusiness and investment analysis. Evaluated a 2,000 acre Wisconsin farm through historical comps, prices paid by seller, parcel quality and soil type, and local market dynamics that was ultimately acquired by a San Fransisco-based private equity firm. Helped a group of angel investors evaluate two technology start-ups based in Iowa.
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Associate
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Sep 2010 - Oct 2012
Transitioning and acquiring small and lower middle market, family and closely-held businesses to long-term private equity fund. Transitioning and acquiring small and lower middle market, family and closely-held businesses to long-term private equity fund.
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Iowa State University
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United States
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Higher Education
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700 & Above Employee
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Undergraduate Research Assistant
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Jul 2010 - Sep 2010
Assisted Professor Ioannis Floros with collection of shell companies and reverse mergersIncreased understanding of Pink Sheets OTC markets Collected explanatory variables to help better understand alternative public offerings on 1,800 companies in 1 month Assisted Professor Ioannis Floros with collection of shell companies and reverse mergersIncreased understanding of Pink Sheets OTC markets Collected explanatory variables to help better understand alternative public offerings on 1,800 companies in 1 month
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Aviva Investors
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United Kingdom
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Financial Services
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700 & Above Employee
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Private Fixed Income Analyst Intern
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Jan 2010 - Jul 2010
Built and updated proprietary models to understand credit risksAssisted in monitoring portfolio using fundamental credit analysisAnalyzed the New Zealand electricity industry and European utilitiesUtilized Excel, Bloomberg, Capital IQ, Moody's, and Standard and Poor's daily Built and updated proprietary models to understand credit risksAssisted in monitoring portfolio using fundamental credit analysisAnalyzed the New Zealand electricity industry and European utilitiesUtilized Excel, Bloomberg, Capital IQ, Moody's, and Standard and Poor's daily
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Kingland
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IT Services and IT Consulting
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200 - 300 Employee
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Staff Data Research Analyst Intern
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Feb 2009 - Jan 2010
Researched security and entity data to build a global database used by international accounting firmsEnhanced understanding of capital markets including types of securities, relations between securities and entities, and between entities and entitiesDeveloped critical thinking and problem solving skills through advanced research processWorked 20 hours weekly while maintaining full-time student statusThrough maintaining a 98% quality promoted from Level I to Level II to StaffDemonstrated competency of research process lead to promotion from researcher to reviewer Mentored 10-15 new employees and provided assistance in our complex business process
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Iowa State University Foundation
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United States
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Fundraising
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1 - 100 Employee
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Lead Fundraiser
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Oct 2006 - Aug 2008
Established and managed relations with alumniPromoted from student fundraiser to lead fundraiser for aptitude and leadershipReceived various recognitions for my ability to procure over $175,000 in donations for universityProvided guidance and supervision to new employees; liaison between management and employeesContributed consistently and significantly to meet monthly and fiscal goals of the organization Established and managed relations with alumniPromoted from student fundraiser to lead fundraiser for aptitude and leadershipReceived various recognitions for my ability to procure over $175,000 in donations for universityProvided guidance and supervision to new employees; liaison between management and employeesContributed consistently and significantly to meet monthly and fiscal goals of the organization
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Iowa State University
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United States
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Higher Education
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700 & Above Employee
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Fisheries Technician
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May 2007 - Aug 2007
· Extensive field work resulting in construction of new protocol for state agency · Commonly worked 70 hours weekly to complete research punctually · Performed laboratory work for various graduate projects · Extensive field work resulting in construction of new protocol for state agency · Commonly worked 70 hours weekly to complete research punctually · Performed laboratory work for various graduate projects
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Education
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Iowa State University
Finance, Corporate Finance, Security Analysis, Futures and Options -
CFA Institute
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International Education American College of Thessaloniki
International Education, Study Abroad