Calder Capital, a nationwide mergers and acquisitions advisory firm, is thrilled to welcome Francesco Pizzo as our newest Buy-Side Associate.
Introducing Francesco
Hailing from Shelby Township, Michigan, Francesco brings an energetic work ethic honed through hands-on experience working alongside his father in the hardwood flooring industry. He holds a life insurance broker license, where he gained foundational experience in financial services by helping individuals navigate long-term planning and risk management decisions Additionally, Francesco interned on Calder Capital’s Buy-Side for a year while he studied Finance at Oakland University; as an Intern, Franceso was mentored by Buy-Side Director Parker Schaap, who taught Francesco how to source opportunities, navigate owner conversations, conduct financial analysis, and understand what it takes to get deals across the finish line. Over the course of his internship, Francesco was consistently involved in active deal flow and played a supporting role throughout various stages of the transaction process.
After just a few months as an intern at Calder, Francesco knew he had found the right place to launch his career. “The culture of the firm is incredibly supportive; the people here lead by example and are committed to teaching and developing young professionals,” he shared. Francesco was especially drawn to Calder’s balance of mentorship, professional development, and its strong reputation in the lower-middle market space. For him, joining Calder full-time was a natural next step in building a meaningful and impactful career.
Francesco is excited to dive into his new role, saying, “I’m most excited about the opportunity to be actively involved in a variety of deals and contribute to the continued growth of the firm. Calder has built incredible momentum, and I look forward to growing alongside this team and helping drive our success in the lower-middle market.”
Francesco’s motivation is derived from his family and his ambition to succeed. He strives every day to make his loved ones proud, drawing strength from their support to persevere through challenges and stay grounded in his values. At the same time, Francesco is driven by a strong desire to achieve excellence in his career. He finds purpose in being part of something greater than himself, whether it’s contributing to a major transaction or helping the firm reach new milestones. Francesco lives by the motto: “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard.” – Tim Notke.
Outside of the office, Francesco is passionate about fitness and sports. He regularly goes to the gym, plays golf with friends and family, and stays active through soccer, which has been a lifelong love of his.
In his new role as Buy-Side Associate, Francesco will play a crucial role in assisting buyers throughout their acquisition journey. He will conduct market research, refine acquisition criteria, and educate buyers on best practices, ensuring a smooth and effective process. Additionally, he will support Calder’s Buy-Side team in identifying, evaluating, and negotiating acquisition opportunities.
“Francesco’s commitment to excellence, hard-work ethic, and his hunger to learn stood out early on,” said Max Friar, Managing Partner of Calder Capital. “He’s shown a level of maturity, discipline, and drive that makes him a fantastic fit for our team. During his internship, he voluntarily took on a larger workload and exceeded expectations. We’re confident he will continue to impress and deliver outstanding value to our clients.”
We’re excited to have Francesco Pizzo on the Calder Capital team and look forward to his continued growth at Calder Capital. To learn more about Francesco’s professional journey, connect with him on LinkedIn.
To view current openings at Calder Capital, please visit:
https://www.caldergr.com/company-profile/careers-internships/.
About Calder Capital
Calder Capital is a lower middle market investment bank providing mergers and acquisitions advisory services to business owners, entrepreneurs, family offices, and investors across the United States. Our dedicated team of professionals combines extensive industry experience, technological innovation, negotiation savvy, and key relationships to exhibit exceptional execution. Calder’s services include mergers and acquisitions advisory, private funds and capital markets advisory, and business valuations.