Antenucci to lead Houlihan Lokey aerospace, defense practice
The former co-president of Quarterdeck Investment Partners Inc. is an expert in mergers, acquisitions and financing in the aerospace and defense sector.
Anita Antenucci was named a managing director and head of the aerospace and defense practice at the investment banking firm Houlihan Lokey Howard & Zukin Oct. 8.
Antenucci is former co-president of Quarterdeck Investment Partners Inc., another investment banking firm. Both Houlihan Lokey and Quarterdeck have headquarters in Los Angeles.
"On national and international levels, [Antenucci] has gained the respect and confidence of aerospace and defense executives for her insight, industry knowledge and proven transaction skills," said Franklin "Fritz" Hobbs, chief executive officer of Houlihan Lokey.
An expert in mergers, acquisitions and financing in the aerospace and defense sector, Antenucci has managed more than 60 such transactions in the past eight years, including cross-border deals. She will work from Houlihan Lokey's Washington office.
Antenucci's clients have included Raytheon Co., Boeing Co., BAE Systems plc and Smiths Group plc, as well as many small and midsized companies. She has advised U.S. and European governments on the impact of the last decade of aerospace consolidation and defense and procurement reform on industrial base health.
"Anita's depth in aerospace and defense products and platforms will complement Houlihan Lokey's Government IT and Technical Services industry group," said R. Jerry Grossman, managing director and head of Houlihan Lokey's government services practice.
World events will continue to drive already strong levels of mergers and acquisitions and financing activity in the aerospace and defense sector, Antenucci said.
"The war in Afghanistan has changed the investment-banking dynamics in the defense and aerospace sector," Antenucci said. "Valuations and capital markets access have increased for all defense companies."