Mr. Helms is a Managing Director in Houlihan Lokey’s Financial Services Group. He is based in the firm’s Chicago office.
Mr. Helms has advised on numerous landmark transactions prior to joining Houlihan Lokey, including DOXA Insurance Holdings’ sale to Goldman Sachs Asset Management, Prime Capital Investment Advisors’ recapitalization by Abry Partners, Carlyle Group’s sale of BenefitMall to Truist Financial Corporation, Genstar Capital’s sale of Worldwide Facilities to AmWINS Group, New Mountain Capital’s recapitalization of OneDigital Health & Benefits, Crystal & Company’s merger with Alliant Insurance Services, Westrope’s sale to Ryan Specialty Group, and Liberty Mutual’s divestiture of its middle-market renewal rights to AJ Gallagher, Hub International, and USI Holdings.
Previously, Mr. Helms co-founded Waller Helms Advisors, which was acquired by Houlihan Lokey in 2024. At Waller Helms Advisors, he provided M&A and capital-raising advice to insurance, wealth management, and healthcare services clients nationwide. Prior to forming Waller Helms Advisors, Mr. Helms was a Senior Managing Director within Macquarie Capital’s Financial Institutions Group, where he led the firm’s efforts in the insurance distribution, services, and technology sectors. He began his investment banking career as an Analyst at Cochran Caronia Waller, where he became a Managing Director shortly before its merger with Fox-Pitt Kelton in 2007.
Mr. Helms holds a B.B.A. in Finance and International Business from Ohio University.