Our Team
We are experienced professionals who have chosen to spend their careers
working exclusively with the owners of closely-held businesses.
With a unified team working on all deals together, we bring our full attention to every engagement, whether a limited strategic assessment or a broad M&A process. Every client gets the A-Team; there is no B-team.
Mark Phillips Managing Director
Mark leads the strategy and execution of M&A transactions and manages the firm. Prior to founding Lamkin Road, Mark was Managing Director of Jacobs Capital, a boutique investment banking firm where he spent over a decade providing sell-side M&A advisory to private businesses across numerous industries. Prior to Jacobs Capital, Mark served in a variety of roles for a subsidiary of Barclays in Charlotte, N.C., and Phoenix, AZ. Mark received both his bachelor’s degree and MBA from UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School, where he was also recipient of the Frank Hawkins Kenan Award. Mark also serves on several boards and committees of industry associations, non-profit organizations, and private enterprises.
Kenneth Spence Principal
Kenneth leads the day-to-day execution of transactions. Immediately prior to joining Lamkin Road, Kenneth was with R. W. Baird & Co. Investment Banking, where he was on one of the industry’s leading government and defense contracting M&A teams. Before Baird, he also worked with Mark Phillips at Jacobs Capital, a boutique investment banking firm in Chapel Hill. Kenneth has a Master’s of Accounting from UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School and a bachelor’s degree with provost’s recognition from the University of Dallas. He spent several years in public policy, working at prominent Washington, D.C., think tanks, prior to graduate school.
Jake Farmer Analyst
Jake supports transaction execution and analytical work across the firm’s M&A engagements. Prior to Lamkin Road, Jake was a Finance & Operations Analyst at Martin Marietta, supporting divisional finance, strategy, and acquisition initiatives within a multi-division operating company. Jake held roles across FP&A, internal audit, corporate accounting, and financial reporting at Martin Marietta. He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from NC State's Poole College of Management and is a Certified Management Accountant (CMA).
Learn More
Confidentiality is paramount in everything we do.
To have a confidential conversation, please call our office, email a member of our team, or submit a message via our Contact page.