About Us

Western is a family-owned M&A advisory firm that has spent over 25 years helping business owners navigate complex transactions with discretion and care. We focus on developing long-term relationships with our clients, ensuring that when the time comes to explore a transaction, they have an advisor who understands their goals and values their business’s legacy.

Being family-owned ourselves, we understand the unique challenges and opportunities that come with managing and transitioning such companies. Our experience working with over 150 families throughout North America has equipped us to provide tailored strategic advice that honors the legacy and values that are foundational to the family business enterprise. Ultimately, we seek to help companies secure the right path forward – whether that means strategic growth, partnerships, or long-term transition planning.

  • Our Core Values

    Confidentiality


    Safeguarding Your Information

    Confidentiality is the cornerstone of every transaction Western is involved in. We focus on carefully controlling the flow of our client’s information, ensuring that it is only shared with a close-knit universe of counterparties who also understand the importance of safeguarding the information they are sent. Our clients trust us to keep their business private, ensuring they can make fully informed decisions without external pressure.

  • Our Core Values

    Creative Solutions


    No Cookie-Cutter Processes

    At Western, we do not believe in conducting cookie-cutter, one-size-fits-all processes. Clients who work with Western get a highly personalized and concierge-like level of service. Each transaction is as unique as the people who created and operated the underlying company.

  • Our Core Values

    Relationships


    Trust is the Cornerstone

    Western is a relationship-first firm, meaning our focus is primarily on developing a genuine friendship with talented business owners across the country. Along the way, we seek to understand their interests, dreams, and what makes their company unique so we are best positioned if the desire for a transaction arises. Accordingly, most of our deals do not occur until several years after initial introductions are made.

  • Our Core Values

    Relatability


    Understanding Your Priorities & Values

    Every Western partner believes that working with clients involves much more than just pushing paper around or building financial models. We understand that there is a very real psychological, human element to the process that can be eased by enjoying the team around you. That is why we strive to be relatable, approachable, and easy to talk to. We connect with business owners on their terms—understanding their priorities, honoring their values, and providing personalized guidance suited to their unique circumstances. Many clients have said that working with Western is like working with a close friend.

Our Team

Leadership

Natalie Carter

Natalie Carter

Head of Research

Natalie Carter

Head of Research

natalie@western-companies.com

817-502-3539


Natalie Carter was born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas and graduated from the University of Texas in 2009 with a BBA in Finance. She joined Western in 2009, spearheading the development of the company’s research division, which she currently leads. Natalie lives in Aledo, Texas, with her husband and three girls.

Kallen Collier

Kallen Collier

Chief Financial Officer

Kallen Collier

Chief Financial Officer

kallen@western-companies.com

817-632-8013


Kallen serves as Western’s Chief Financial Officer and manages all finance, accounting, and administrative functions. Previously, he served in a dual role as Corporate Controller at Vecta Environmental Services and Controller at Polaris Services, both located in Weatherford, Texas. Kallen is originally from Elysian Fields, Texas, and attended Abilene Christian University from 2003 to 2007 (Master’s in Accounting). Today, he lives in Brock, Texas, with his wife and two daughters.

Rick Groesch

Rick Groesch

Chief Commercial Officer

Rick Groesch

Chief Commercial Officer

rick@western-companies.com

817-658-4653


As Chief Commercial Officer, Rick focuses on developing relationships with Western’s valued clients and supporting various sales and marketing efforts throughout the company. Previously, he was a managing partner and founder at PXP Holdings, a Dallas-based consulting services firm that serves private companies. Rick has nearly 25 years of experience in sales and marketing, including CMO or Director-level positions at private and public companies. While Rick has lived and worked in too many places to count worldwide, Rick calls Texas home.

Turner Holthaus

Turner Holthaus

Chief Operating Officer

Turner Holthaus

Chief Operating Officer

turner@western-companies.com

314-420-6999


Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Turner earned his B.S. in Economics from the United States Military Academy. After five years in the U.S. Army, he received his MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management. Prior to Western, Turner worked at J.P. Morgan in New York in their Leveraged Finance Investment Banking group. His primary role at Western is to lead the team from day one engagement all the way through close and beyond. Accordingly, he is a close friend and confidant with many of Western’s clients.

Jack Todd

Jack Todd

Head of Execution

Jack Todd

Head of Execution

jack@western-companies.com

972-974-5747


Jack earned his BBA in Finance from Texas Christian University. After graduation, he spent several years in commercial banking at Frost Bank before joining Western in 2020. As the leader of the deal execution team, Jack works closely with Western's clients to effectively value, structure, and execute transactions. Outside of the office, Jack enjoys spending time on his ranch in Stephenville, Texas, or pursuing his passion for hunting and fishing.

Don Woodard, Jr.

Don Woodard, Jr.

President

Don Woodard, Jr.

President

don@western-companies.com

817-271-2971


Don Woodard, Jr. was born in Fort Worth, Texas. At fifteen, he started his career in the advertising space by selling ads for the Fort Worth News-Tribune until eventually moving into the life insurance business. In that capacity, he met many business owners who, in addition to purchasing life insurance, were looking for assistance with estate planning strategies related to their companies. Don saw an opportunity to help these families and opened Western’s doors in 1998. As President of Western, he manages many of the firm’s buy-side and sell-side relationships.

Don Woodard III

Don Woodard III

Chief Marketing Officer

Don Woodard III

Chief Marketing Officer

dwoodard@western-companies.com

817-360-8595


Donnie grew up at Western and has regularly been coming to the office with his father since he was just a few years old. He joined Western in an official capacity in 2019, starting in the company’s research department. Today, he is Western’s Chief Marketing Officer, managing all aspects of the company’s branding, advertising, and client-facing functions. Donnie was born and raised in Fort Worth, just a few miles from Western’s Museum Place office.


Our Team

Team Members

Ronnda Causey

Ronnda Causey

Administrative Assistant

Kasey Fitzjerrells

Kasey Fitzjerrells

Deal Execution

Bryce Jones

Bryce Jones

Deal Execution

Sarah King

Sarah King

Administrative Assistant

Jerad Masse

Jerad Masse

Business Development

Michael Tate

Michael Tate

Vice President, Deal Execution

Caroline Taylor

Caroline Taylor

Executive Chef

Lindsay Wilson

Lindsay Wilson

Executive Pilot

Chris Wolf

Chris Wolf

Vice President, Deal Execution

Owen Younger

Owen Younger

Executive Pilot

what our clients are saying

Client Testimonials

“Working with Western was another relationship-driven thing. They were great people to have a
relationship with.”

- Matt Mingus,
Team Construction

“Dustin [Smith] was very understanding of the situation, and he worked very hard to get the deal
done.”

- Chip Bean,
Bean Electrical

  • “Working with Western was another relationship-driven thing. They were great people to have a
    relationship with.”

    - Matt Mingus,
    Team Construction

  • “Dustin [Smith] was very understanding of the situation, and he worked very hard to get the deal
    done.”

    - Chip Bean,
    Bean Electrical