Click here for Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV & Part VI

Providing financial valuation services with unparalleled experience, focus, objectivity, and responsiveness

Dennis Murray is the president of Murray Devine, a financial valuation advisory firm. Headquartered in Philadelphia, Murray Devine possesses decades of experience assessing companies, ventures, and transactions in various industries. The firm has participated in and facilitated deals whose value has ranged from $10 million to over $10 billion. Private equity clients include Bain Capital, Kelso & Company, The Jordan Company, The Blackstone Group, and many others. In recognition of its work, Murray Devine has been named USA in Finance Monthly’s Valuation Firm of the Year (2015) and an M&A Advisor Awards Valuation Firm of the Year (2013). Most recently, the firm was a finalist in the 2016 ACG New York Champion's Awards.

EDWIN WARFIELD: What are you engaged in outside of the business? Are you active in giving back?

DENNIS MURRAY: I came from a family who were big believers in giving back. I’m active on a high school board right now. I’m on three different committees with my university, Drexel University. In my younger days, I certainly gave back by having five children and playing sports, getting involved in coaching them. I love playing golf, the beach, and spending time with family.

Q. What was the first paying job you had?

A. My first job making money was selling newspapers. Really, after that, was in college—and going to a school that had a co-op program where I was able to find work during my co-op years. But because of playing a sport, I was somewhat limited. So I found myself as a talented bouncer at one of the local bars. I learned that I’m a people person. I love being around people, and it was a great environment for that.

Q. Do you work with many startups?

A. We do valuations for startups. Generally, we understand going in that they don’t have the financial backing, from an economic standpoint, to afford the fees that we charge, but our approach to that kind of business is that if we feel that this firm really has a lot of promise, we’re willing to work with them and grow with them, because we know that they’ll have future valuation needs.

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ABOUT NEWMARK GRUBB KNIGHT FRANK

Newmark Grubb Knight Frank (NGKF) is one of the world's leading commercial real estate advisory firms. Together with London-based partner Knight Frank and independently-owned offices, NGKF's 14,100 professionals operate from more than 400 offices in established and emerging property markets on six continents.

With roots dating back to 1929, NGKF's strong foundation makes it one of the most trusted names in commercial real estate. NGKF's full-service platform comprises BGC's real estate services segment, offering commercial real estate tenants, landlords, investors and developers a wide range of services including leasing; capital markets services, including investment sales, debt placement, appraisal, and valuation services; commercial mortgage brokerage services; as well as corporate advisory services, consulting, project and development management, and property and corporate facilities management services. For further information, visit www.ngkf.com.

NGKF is a part of BGC Partners, Inc., a leading global brokerage company servicing the financial and real estate markets. BGC's common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the ticker symbol (NASDAQ: BGCP). BGC also has an outstanding bond issuance of Senior Notes due June 15, 2042, which trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol (NYSE: BGCA). BGC Partners is led by Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Howard W. Lutnick. For more information, please visit http://www.bgcpartners.com/.

Edwin Warfield, CEO of citybizlist, conducts the CEO Interviews.

If you're interested in reaching CEOs, please contact edwin.warfield@citybuzz.co

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