I've built my career at the intersection of institutional finance and hands-on entrepreneurship. My value to business owners lies in seeing their company through the eyes of a sophisticated investor — then creating a clear roadmap to close the gap.

I began at Ernst & Young, specializing in tax compliance, financial modeling, and due diligence for major corporations including U.S. Steel and Dow. That Big Four experience taught me how to quickly analyze any business, identify value drivers, inefficiencies, and hidden opportunities.

I’ve since accumulated over $1.7 billion in transaction experience, including:

$600MM+ in debt origination across multifamily, industrial, retail, and hospitality
$1.1B in LIHTC equity placements
Global M&A advisory in telecom and professional services

As both a General Partner and Limited Partner, I’ve deployed my own capital and currently own and manage over 300,000 square feet of industrial real estate, much of it acquired at a discount to replacement cost.

Today I serve as a fractional CFO and strategic advisor to entrepreneurs and business owners, delivering institutional-grade expertise to companies that need sophisticated financial leadership without the full-time cost.

I help clients with:

Financial strategy, modeling, and capital structure optimization
Acquisition due diligence and deal structuring
Operational improvements and process modernization
Capital raising and lender/investor relations

I’ve sat across the table from REITs, private equity firms, family offices, and institutional lenders. I know what they look for — and what makes them walk away. My goal is to help you think like them, strengthen your business, and successfully execute your next move — whether that’s an acquisition, capital raise, or exit.

Education BBA in Accounting & Finance (Concentration in Business Valuation) University of Michigan, Stephen Ross School of Business

Advisor. Operator. Investor. I bring all three to every engagement.

Ralph Payne

Listings by Ralph Payne