Bob Forbes, CBI, M&AMI
President

Bob Forbes has over 18 years of experience in business transactions, as a business intermediary, owner, and private equity executive. His exceptional service to his clients is backed by his extensive experience in strategic and tactical marketing, negotiating complex business transactions, capital planning and placement, and business valuations.


Prior to forming Forbes Mergers & Acquisitions, Bob was an owner and key executive for 5 other businesses in the energy, information technology, and service sectors, where he orchestrated a number of M&A transactions. Prior to his entrepreneurial career, Bob did transaction work for 2 private equity groups. He has served on the board for 7 different companies. He presently serves on 2 boards where he provides strategic marketing and finance expertise.

Bob is a Certified Business Intermediary and has a degree in Finance and International Business from the University of Colorado at Denver. He is a member of the International Business Brokers Association, Association for Corporate Growth, and Colorado Association of Business Intermediaries, and he holds a Real Estate Broker’s License. He is an acclaimed business speaker and author of numerous published articles.

John Claybough, CPA

John Claybough has over 30 years of domestic and international finance experience in Fortune 50, middle market and startup companies. His background covers a broad range of transactions including mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, complicated financings and green field project development.

Mr. Claybough has held senior financial management positions in multiple industries including oil & gas, healthcare, technology, minerals, manufacturing and entertainment. His prior experience includes executive positions with Phillips Petroleum Company, US Recycling Industries, and a privately owned multi-national holding company. In 1996 Mr. Claybough established Global Capital Group which provides companies with entry into international markets, business development and financing. Mr. Claybough’s academic background includes a BS in Management from Missouri Southern State College, an MBA in Finance and Economics from the University of Tulsa and numerous accounting courses at the University of Colorado. He is a Certified Public Accountant registered in Texas.

Michael Burt, CBI

Michael Burt joined Forbes M&A in 2006 to contribute to the rapid growth of the firm’s lower middle market M&A division. In Michael’s short tenure, he has worked side by side with clients of the firm in over $50M of closed M&A transactions. He has spoken to thousands of investors and strategic buyers across a breadth of industries and is an in the drivers of lower middle market business value. He works closely with several regional and national banks and accounting firms to strategically package companies for a successful transaction. Prior to joining Forbes Mergers & Acquisitions, Michael ran several small family businesses focused on wholesale and retail food distribution.

Michael completed his graduate studies at the University of Denver, earning a Masters in Finance degree. He has taught finance for the undergraduate, graduate and executive programs at DU and is highly regarded for bridging academia with real time Corporate Finance/M&A. His undergraduate studies were completed at Creighton University in Psychology and Business.

Michael is a Certified Business Intermediary and completed the Complex Business Negotiations program at Harvard Law School. He is an active member of the Colorado Association of Business Intermediaries, IBBA, and Denver’s chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth.