ARLINGTON, Va. — Two well-known, transportation-specialized advisory firms have merged to form Transport Capital Partners, LLC (TCP), a new company providing financial services to the transportation industry.

The new company was created when Larsen, Batts, Welborn & Co. specialists in mergers & acquisitions and Transport Capital Advisors, LLC, – broad-based transportation services company – joined forces.

Transport Capital Partners will focus on extending merger & acquisition services, capital sourcing, and financial advisory services to transportation companies.

The new firm brings together six veteran transportation industry executives who have more than 175 years of combined experience in transportation and financial management. TCP’s partners will consist of the principals of Transport Capital Advisors Steven Dutro, Richard Mikes, and James Schnoes and the principals of Larsen, Batts, Welborn & Co. Gailyn Larsen, Lana Batts, and Miller Welborn.

"The escalating pace of change in the trucking industry will continue to impact the business environment for carriers of all sizes and will manifest itself in increased need for professional financial services," said Steven Dutro. "Our merger reflects that trend, permitting Transport Capital Partners to deliver owners’ divestiture objectives, to source appropriate layers of capital, and to extend advisory services along a broad spectrum, from the Board Room to the front-line of driver recruiting.

"We view the next three years as very tumultuous for the transportation industry," said Gailyn Larsen. "Fortunately, TCP’s partners enjoy broad and deep relationships across the industry. Our job is to listen closely to our clients and assist them to execute their corporate, personal and estate planning objectives."

"Transport Capital Partners followed the same advice we give to many of our clients to merge operations when the benefits of the combined entity will be greater than that of the individual companies," said Jim Schnoes.
"As an entrepreneur who has personally built companies and divested, I understand and appreciate how founders/owners contemplate the decision to sell a life’s work a family’s effort," said Miller Welborn. "Our principals understand the unique nature of each transaction and are sensitive to the intangible aspects of corporate cultures."

Lana R. Batts has 33 years of experience representing the trucking industry in Washington D.C., both as a senior vice president for the American Trucking Associations and as the president of the Truckload Carriers Association. Most recently, she has been managing partner of Batts & Associates, LLC, a consulting firm specializing in the marketing of technology firms to trucking.

Steven L. Dutro has 28 years of experience in financial management services with public and private companies and as a Certified Public Accountant. He served as the CFO of KLLM Transport Services, Inc. and managed its successful transition from a public to a private company.

Gailyn L. Larsen has more than 33 years of experience in the transportation industry, serving as a lawyer as well as a trucking company owner of both Jay Lines and Goodway Transport. Most recently, Gailyn has been president and founder of Larsen & Company, a transportation consulting firm engaged in merger and acquisition counseling.

Richard J. Mikes, Ph.D. has 30 years of management experience in transportation and leasing services. He served as vice chairman of Ruan Transportation Management Systems and held a number of key positions on various Boards. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics and was on the faculty at both the University of Georgia and Iowa State.

James T. Schnoes has 25 years of experience in transportation-related financial services and executive management. He managed trucking portfolio for the Transportation Division of The First National Bank of Chicago and subsequently served as treasurer & senior vice president, Finance at J.B. Hunt Transport, Inc.; CFO at Charger, Inc. and Clicklogistics, Inc .; managing director at CFOex; and president at Cannon Express Corporation.

W. Miller Welborn has more than 20 years of experience in the transportation industry, serving as the president of both Welborn Transport and Boyd Bros. Transportation. Most recently, he has been the president of Welborn and Associates, a transportation consulting firm specializing in truckload operations and mergers & acquisitions.

Transport Capital Partners will have regional offices in Arlington, Virginia; Madison, Mississippi; York, Pennsylvania; Sanibel, Florida; Rogers, Arkansas; and Chattanooga, Tennessee. The company’s nationwide activities will be complimented by regional Associates and strategic alliances with accounting, investment banking, and financial planning firms.

For more information, visit www.transportcap.com.