Bob Forbes
President
6400 S Fiddlers Green Circle, Suite 850, Greenwood Village, CO 80111
P: (303) 848-4580
C: (303) 882-8868
Overview
Overview
I am proud that our clients see us as their most trusted advisors, dogged advocates, and steadfast partners. They rely on us to exhaust every strategy, close transactions against all odds, and give them exactly what they expect—the very best deal possible.
Bob Forbes is the president and founder of The Forbes M+A Group. He is based in the firm’s Denver, Colorado office.
Since beginning his career in 1991, Bob has led more than 150 corporate finance initiatives as a business owner, private equity executive, and investment banker. His experience includes M&A, debt and equity financings, and corporate restructurings, in a wide range of industries including technology, consumer products, food, healthcare, entertainment, energy, industrials, and business services.
This experience has been hard won. Bob has been in the trenches, collaborated with hundreds of industry experts, launched dozens of ventures, sat on both sides of the transaction table, put his own companies and capital at risk time and again, navigated rough waters, and learned innumerable lessons along the way.
Bob began his career in the 1990’s as a transaction and finance specialist, continuing on the entrepreneurial successes of his father. He led global finance and development activities with Independent Energy Partners, WPP, Westar Capital, and Tricor Partners, building and acquiring companies in the power, renewable energy, and cleantech industries.
He founded Peak Network Communications (technology), Energyworld (business intelligence), and Authentor Systems (security technology). At Authentor, he orchestrated a merger with a subsidiary of T-NETIX (NASDAQ: TNTX), as well as built key financial partnerships to fund growth with FLV Ventures, Catalyst Partners, and SI Ventures. Authentor’s technology platform became a cornerstone of security management today. He also co-founded M2M Data Corporation (remote monitoring communications), backed by NERD Energy and Fusion Ventures, and ultimately sold to Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT.)
In 2004 Bob launched The Forbes M+A Group, a boutique advisory firm specializing in bringing multiple senior advisors with diverse real-world expertise to every transaction.
When not working, Bob enjoys spending time with his wife, Sharleen, and his daughter, Daisy. Bob has lived in the Denver area for 30 years and enjoys everything Colorado has to offer, including skiing; riding road and dirt bikes; fly-fishing, hunting, and camping. He also enjoys traveling; serving as a local, national, and international volunteer.
Industry Experience
Industry Experience
- Building Services
- Business Services
- Distribution
- eCommerce
- Energy
- Engineering
- Financial Services
- Food & Beverage
- Healthcare
- Information Technology
- Internet & Digital Media
- Managed Services
- Manufacturing
- Recreation
- Security
- Software, SaaS, & Services
News & Insights
News & Insights
- M&A Advice for Business Sellers (video)
- M&A in a Day – Vistage International throughout U.S. 2004-2019
- Young Successors Seminar – UBS, Summer 2018
- Keynote Presentation for Rocky Mountain Chapter Inaugural Meeting, AMAA – July 2017
- The Great Game of M&A – March 2017
- How to Keep Employees Engaged During an Ownership Transition, Nov. 15, 2016
- What is EBITDA and Why is it Relevant to You?, September 30, 2016
- Are You Emotionally Ready to Sell?, September 22, 2016
- It’s the Little Things That Matter, June 30, 2016
- Why Deals Fall Apart — Loss of Momentum, June 2, 2016
- Timing the Market, May 26, 2016
- DUE DILIGENCE — DO IT NOW!, May 12, 2016
- “Red Flags” in the Sunset: Avoiding Potential Problems in a Sale, March 24, 2016
- Preparing for a Transaction: Six Tips from Transition Experts, February 26, 2016
- Post-Recession Exits Seminar – 2010
- The Art of Buying and Selling a Business – Association for Corporate Growth, Spring 2006
Education & Certifications
Education & Certifications
- University of Colorado at Denver
- S. Finance & International Business, Magna Cum Laude
- Post Graduate Studies in Real Estate Finance and Urban Planning
- Association of Collegiate Entrepreneurs
- Golden Key National Honor Society
- Phi Beta Kappa
- Business Manager, The Advocate – The Official Student News Source of CU Denver
- Harvard Law School
- Program on Negotiation
- Certified Business Intermediary
- FINRA – Series 24 General Securities Principal
- FINRA – Series 7 & 63 Registered Investment Banking Representative
- IBBA – Certified Business Intermediary
- M&A Source – Mergers & Acquisitions Master Intermediary
- Colorado Real Estate Broker’s License
- Colorado Employing Broker License
Recognition & Awards
Recognition & Awards
- Merger & Acquisition Master Intermediary (M&AMI) M&A Source’s highest designation (held by fewer than 100 people), 2008
Professional & Civic Affiliations
Professional & Civic Affiliations
- Colorado Thought Leaders Forum (CTLF) – Advisor Board Chair (past)
- Vistage International – Chief Executive Group Member, Trusted Advisor, Deal Network, Speaker Circuit
- Alliance of Merger & Acquisition Advisors (AM&AA) – Member
- Make-a-Wish Colorado – Board Member
- Blackstone Entrepreneurs Network (“BEN”) – Entrepreneurial Advisor
- Association for Corporate Growth
- M&A Source
- Colorado University at Denver – Guest lecturer
- Colorado Association of Business Intermediaries – Board of Directors, Public Relations Chair (past)
- Rotary Club of Parker – President, International Service Chair (past)
- Denver SouthEast Rotary – International Foundation Chair (past)
- Rotary District 5450 – Ambassadorial Scholarship Chair (past)
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory – Industry Forum Selection Committee (past)
- Denver University, Daniel’s School of Business – Executive Mentor (past)














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The Forbes M+A Group is currently hiring.
Securities transactions are conducted through The Forbes Securities Group, LLC ("FSG"), a member of FINRA and SIPC. Check the background of this Broker-Dealer and its registered investment professionals on FINRA’s BrokerCheck.