Connor provides strategic counsel and financial communications support to clients on a wide range of special situations, including mergers and acquisitions, shareholder activism, and crises. He also works with clients to develop and execute ongoing investor relations and corporate communications strategies.

Transactions

He has advised on a range of friendly, take-private, unsolicited, and contested transactions. Notable experience includes supporting Emerson in the sale of its Copeland business to Blackstone, and its unsolicited proposal for and successful acquisition of National Instruments; SilverBow Resources in its sale to Crescent Energy; R1 RCM in its proposed sale to TowerBrook and Clayton, Dubilier & Rice; Univar Solutions in its sale to Apollo; AVEO Oncology in its sale to LG Chem; Summit Materials in its combination with Argos USA; EngageSmart in its sale to Vista Equity Partners; Vivint in its sale to NRG; and Stratasys in its announced combination with Desktop Metal, and defense against unsolicited acquisition proposals by 3D Systems and unsolicited partial tender offers by Nano Dimension. In addition, he has helped several companies enter the public markets through SPAC transactions. Following transaction announcements, he has also supported clients through complex regulatory review processes and M&A integrations.

Shareholder Activism

He has experience advising on public and private activism situations, including proxy contests, against Ancora Advisors, D.E. Shaw, Donerail Group, Engine Capital, JANA Partners, Kimmeridge Energy Management, Land & Buildings, and Trian Partners, among other activist investors.

Investor Relations & Financial Communications

He works closely with clients to develop IR materials and implement corporate communications programs. He helps clients plan and execute investor days, enhance equity narratives, create new investor presentations, prepare for quarterly earnings and conferences, and raise executive and corporate profiles. He has also supported numerous planned and unplanned executive changes, and helps clients navigate through significant crises and reputational risks.

Connor joined Joele Frank in 2022. Previously, he worked at Gladstone Place Partners. He received a B.S. in finance from Boston College.