Robert D. Kipps

Class of '89

Mr. Kipps is a Managing Director of KippsDeSanto, a premier investment banking firm headquartered in Washington, D.C. KippsDeSanto is focused on providing comprehensive transaction advisory services--primarily M&A, financing, and strategic consulting--to leading technology and growth-oriented companies. The firm’s areas of industry expertise includes defense & government contracting, information technology, and communications.

Mr. Kipps has over 18 years of experience in providing transaction advisory and financial consulting services. He has particular expertise in defense and IT M&A transactions, having advised on many of the highest-profile transactions within such industry sectors and others. The following are representative companies to which Mr. Kipps has provided transaction advisory services:

Datatrac
bd Systems
Zen Technology
Morgan Research
GEO-CENTERS
Foster-Miller
Argon ST
Impact Innovations Group
Vredenburg
Quality Research
IITRI/Alion Science & Technology
ESCO
Deltek
Affiliated Computer Services
Vector Research

Before founding KippsDeSanto, Mr. Kipps was a Managing Director in Houlihan Lokey’s Washington, D.C., office and a leader of Houlihan Lokey’s Aerospace∙Defense∙Government industry investment banking group. Mr. Kipps was also with Peterson Consulting and Tucker Alan, where he advised aerospace/defense, engineering, construction, and information technology companies.

Mr. Kipps was recently recognized for his accomplishments in 2006 as the Dealmaker of the Year – Investment Banker by the Association for Corporate Growth’s National Capital Chapter. He is on the board of directors of several privately held companies and a member of the McIntire School of Commerce Advisory Board. Mr. Kipps is a frequent speaker on mergers and acquisitions involving aerospace/defense and IT firms and is often quoted in publications, including The Washington Post, USA Today, Washington Technology, Buyouts, and The Washington Times, among others.

Mr. Kipps received his B.S. in Commerce, with distinction, from the University of Virginia. He is licensed with the NASD as a General Securities Registered Representative (Series 7, 63, 24).