2020 was a difficult year, we all endured drastic life changes, especially when it comes to our daily routines and even how we operate business affairs. But despite the COVID pandemic, our team reached many milestones during these challenging times.
Overseeing and leading Intrepid, we congratulate CEO, Ed Bagdasarian and Chairman, Jim Freedman for helping bring continued change to the LA business community. We celebrate their repeat appearance on the Los Angeles Business Journal’s “LA 500” list, highlighting Los Angeles’ most influential leaders and executives in the business community.
Ed Bagdasarian, CEO and Managing Director
Ed is celebrating his fourth year on the “LA 500” list . He is currently the CEO and a Founding Principal of Intrepid Investment Bankers, providing M&A, capital raising, and strategic advisory services to entrepreneurs and middle-market companies. He is responsible for setting and executing the firm’s vision. His priorities include creating a winning culture and recruiting top talent who embraces the firm’s values. In addition to leading the firm, Ed manages client relationships and oversees the execution of key advisory mandates.
Ed continued to lead and deliver the best year for Intrepid as he grew the firm’s team with several outstanding new hires and executed the firm’s strategy to expand the number of clients in its key industry practice groups: Beauty & Personal Care, Commercial & Consumer Technology, Healthcare, Software & Services, Digital Media, Food & Beverage & Agriculture, Lifestyle Brands, Industrials, and Business Services. Ed is a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization and the Founder of the YPO Deal Network. He also helped launch the firm’s Intrepid Cares Program, dedicated to supporting various charitable organizations, positively changing the community in which we work and live.
Jim Freedman, Chairman and Managing Director
Jim celebrates his sixth year on the “LA 500” list. He is Managing Director, Chairman, and Founding Principal of Intrepid Investment Bankers, and he is an expert in the financial aspects of corporate strategy.
Jim has advised more than 500 middle-market companies in corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, corporate valuation, and strategic decisions. Jim is a founder and Board Member of the ACG LA Business Conference, where he has helped create a world-class event for the LA business community for more than 20 years. He frequently speaks at various events and recently discussed “Growth, Entrepreneurship, and the Value of Being Ready” with “Mr. Wonderful” himself and the star of ABC’s Shark Tank, Kevin O’Leary. In addition, earlier in the year, he addressed various State of Finance topics, including one with California State Treasurer Fiona Ma. Joined by some of the sharpest minds in finance, they discussed the unprecedented financial markets that have impacted everything from M&A and restructuring to navigating how businesses can work with government programs to carve a path forward.
Jim serves on various boards, including the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Yosemite Conservancy, Cedars-Sinai Hospital, and the Concern Foundation