CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--XMS Capital Partners LLC (“XMS”), a global, independent financial services firm focused on providing M&A, corporate advisory and asset management services, is pleased to announce the additions of Christopher Blake and Todd VanderMolen to the firm as Managing Directors.

“Chris and Todd both bring great client relationships and exceptional deal execution skills in the automotive and packaging industries, respectively. Importantly, their values align completely with the client-first culture we have built and we are thrilled to have them join XMS,” said John (Yogi) Spence, Co-Managing Partner at XMS.

About Chris Blake

Mr. Blake joins XMS with over 25 years of investment banking experience, advising corporate and financial sponsor clients on strategy and transformative M&A as well as equity and debt capital raising and financial restructuring. Based in Chicago, Mr. Blake will provide strategic and financial advice to clients across the automotive and general industrial sectors.

Prior to joining XMS, Mr. Blake was a Partner at Perella Weinberg Partners where he established the firm’s North American automotive franchise. Mr. Blake also previously worked as Managing Director at Citigroup where he started his investment banking career and held various senior positions. Mr. Blake began his professional career as a CPA at Arthur Andersen. Mr. Blake holds an MBA from the Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago and a BBA from the University of Michigan. Mr. Blake can be reached at cblake@xmscapital.com.

About Todd VanderMolen

Mr. VanderMolen has re-joined the firm as a Managing Director, after previously spending nine years at the firm. He has over 25 years of investment banking experience in mergers and acquisitions and capital markets, focused primarily on the packaging sector as well as general industrials.

Prior to re-joining XMS, Mr. VanderMolen spent five years as a Managing Director and Head of Packaging Coverage at Greenhill & Co. in Chicago, where he also helped launch Greenhill’s Financial Sponsors coverage effort. Mr. VanderMolen began his career at Lehman Brothers in New York and Chicago, where he advised management teams at a broad range of packaging and industrial companies and private equity firms. Mr. VanderMolen holds an MBA from the Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago and a BA from Northwestern University. Mr. VanderMolen can be reached at todd@xmscapital.com.

About XMS Capital Partners

XMS Capital Partners LLC, established in 2006, is a global, independent, financial services firm providing M&A, corporate advisory and asset management services to clients. It has offices in Chicago, Boston, Dallas and London. For more information, please visit www.xmscapital.com.