An interview with Associate Director Mark Carl

This month we’re getting to know born and raised Chicagoan, Mark Carl.

Mark began his Livingstone career in 2010 as a Summer Analyst and has risen through the ranks over the course of the last eight years, most recently promoted to Associate Director in April 2017. During his tenure, Mark has gained meaningful experience across the firm’s service capabilities, including M&A, debt advisory, and special situations transactions.

How did you get your start at Livingstone?
While networking during my senior year at DePaul University in Chicago, I had the pleasure of meeting with a member of the Livingstone team. After hearing the Livingstone story and getting a sense for the firm’s trajectory, vision, and breadth of transactions, I jumped at the opportunity to join as a Summer Analyst.

Tell us, how has Livingstone impacted your career?
Livingstone provided the experience to grow and develop as a “real” professional in a very short time period. From day one, I was heavily involved and had a direct impact on every aspect of the transaction process from start to finish, working directly with senior professionals and executives on both the client and counterparty side of each transaction.

An entrepreneurial spirit extends to everyone in the firm, and, even as an Analyst, I have received support and encouragement to take on greater roles and responsibilities. As an Associate Director, such spirit has provided me a path forward and an opportunity to begin developing a practice of my own in a particular sector, leveraging the expertise and strengths Livingstone has developed over the past decade.

What does a typical day entail?
No typical day exists, and that is what makes the job exciting. While the physical environment may be fairly consistent from day to day, every deal presents different personalities, demands, and challenges.

What is the most enjoyable part about working at Livingstone?
Without question, it is the people at Livingstone, and that is a common thread both domestically and internationally. Livingstone has assembled a collection of hardworking individuals who strive to make each other better professionals while endeavoring to create a fun and enjoyable environment in and out of the office.

What is your most memorable moment working at Livingstone?
Ending my tenure as an Analyst, I was provided an opportunity to participate in the Livingstone Secondment Program and work in our London office for four months. The experience was invaluable both personally and professionally and allowed me to deepen ties and build real relationships with my global teammates while gaining experience in an entirely new market.

What is the most memorable deal(s) you’ve worked on?
Being born and raised in Chicago, it has been exciting to work with local companies and family-owned businesses whose services touch many parts of the city.

In one particular case, I had the opportunity to advise a client on several transactions over a six-year period, from a merger transaction to a debt capital raise, equity capital raise, and buy-side acquisition. It was a phenomenal learning experience, and it was most rewarding to see a local Chicago company grow into the largest independent player in the Midwest over the course of our working relationship.

What do you do in your (spare) time?
I have a passion for cooking. Good food, great wine, and even better friends are the best ingredients.