William Blair, the premier global boutique with expertise in investment banking, investment management, and private wealth management, announced today the expansion of the firm’s Private Capital Advisory investment banking practice into the primary fund placement market with the addition of three senior hires. Jeff Hypes joins as managing director in Chicago, and Nick Ohler and Andrew Viehe join as directors in New York.
“I’m thrilled to welcome Jeff, Nick, and Andrew to William Blair and to the Private Capital Advisory team,” said Mike Custar, head of Private Capital Advisory at William Blair. “Their addition enhances the capital formation solutions we can provide financial sponsors, and further augments our firm’s holistic approach to advising our clients.”
Hypes draws on nearly 15 years of experience delivering guidance and strategic solutions to clients throughout the fundraising process. He joins from the Credit Suisse Private Fund Group, where he served as director and had dedicated limited partner coverage throughout the Midwestern U.S. and Canada. Hypes also held similar roles at Atlantic-Pacific Capital and Lazard. He earned his B.A. in economics from Denison University.
Ohler brings 11 years of experience in private funds advisory, including dedicated limited partner investor coverage across the Northeastern U.S. He joins from the Houlihan Lokey Private Fund Group, where he was a senior vice president, and has held roles with Atlantic-Pacific Capital and Stanwich Advisors. Ohler earned his B.A. in Spanish and economics from Bucknell University. Viehe has 10 years of experience, including comprehensive fund formation, advisory, and project management services for private market clients. He was most recently a senior project manager in the Credit Suisse Private Fund Group, and his career includes positions at Riverstone Holdings and Stanwich Advisors. Viehe graduated with a B.A. in economics from St. Lawrence University.
“It is my pleasure to join William Blair’s Private Capital Advisory group, a collaborative team that is committed to delivering exceptional capital solutions,” Hypes said. “Nick, Andrew, and I look forward to integrating our fund placement experience and sponsor relationships into the firm’s expanding private capital advisory capability.”
William Blair announced its Private Capital Advisory practice in May 2022 with the hiring of Custar and director Quinn Kolberg, and has added directors Gage Alpert, Tom Marking, and Jake Stuiver, as well as several other investment banking professionals.
About William Blair Investment Banking
William Blair’s investment banking group enables corporations, financial sponsors, and owner/entrepreneurs around the world to achieve their growth, liquidity, and financing objectives. Drawing on the collective intellectual capital and deep sector expertise of a global team that reaches over 20 cities on four continents, the investment banking group brings a rigorous and innovative approach to corporate board advisory projects, mergers and acquisitions, and equity and debt financing. From 2017 to 2022, the team advised on more than $800 billion in completed transaction volume.
About William Blair
William Blair is the premier global boutique with expertise in investment banking, investment management, and private wealth management. We provide advisory services, strategies, and solutions to meet our clients’ evolving needs. As an independent and employee-owned firm, together with our strategic partners, we operate in more than 20 offices worldwide.*
*Includes strategic partnerships with Allier Capital, BDA Partners, and Poalim Capital Markets.