Ascent Partners - Managing Directors

Our Managing Directors

Ascent is experienced in all phases of the company creation and building process. In addition to broad M&A experience, our senior staff each has more than twenty years of cross-functional experience in corporate management, strategy consulting, public accounting, investment banking, and law.

R. Scott Foresman, Co-Founder of Ascent Partners, has more than twenty years of international business experience in executive and line management, strategic corporate growth and performance improvement, and in acquisition and consolidation programs. He has worked with executives and investors in "business-to-business" on-demand digital printing, outsourced mailing services, document management services, consumer storage products, passenger services, marine hardware and healthcare/biotech industries, among others. Prior to establishing Ascent Partners, Mr. Foresman was a Managing Director of Harlingwood, an acquisition services and investment fund specializing in fragmented industries. He also previously served as President of the Hobie Cat Company and two early stage technology companies. As a consultant with McKinsey & Company, he led consultant and broad-based client teams in the healthcare, financial services, and telecommunications industries. Mr. Foresman earned his MBA from Harvard Business School and is a graduate of Pomona College. He serves on the board of directors of several foundations and non-profit organizations. You can contact Mr. Foresman via email at sforesman@ascentpartners.com.

Jerry D. Palmer, Co-Founder of Ascent Partners, has extensive experience in mergers, acquisitions and growth-oriented programs. He has worked extensively in the passenger services, heavy equipment rental, information technology and telecommunications industries. Prior to establishing Ascent Partners, Mr. Palmer was a Principal of Harlingwood, an acquisition services and investment fund specializing in fragmented industries. Prior to joining Harlingwood, Mr. Palmer was the managing partner of the law firm Teel, Palmer & Roeper. As a practicing attorney for ten years, Mr. Palmer specialized in advising corporate and real estate clients in merger and acquisition and financing transactions. Mr. Palmer spent three years prior to law school working as a CPA for Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co. (now KPMG Peat Marwick). Mr. Palmer obtained his JD from the University of Texas School of Law and is a graduate of the University of Texas, Austin. You can contact Mr. Palmer via email at jpalmer@ascentpartners.com.