Grey Owl Projects

Grey Owl and its founder are pursuing numerous potential advisory assignments and are currently engaged on the following projects:

  • Oilfield wastewater disposal services company focused on the DJ Basin.
  • Business expanded aggressively utilizing bank debt to fund organic growth and acquisitions.
  • Industry downturn and senior management departures created the need for Grey Owl.
  • Mr. Zylman was appointed as Executive Chairman by the two private equity owners in Q3 '20.
  • Successfully restructured the company's debt, renewed its surety program and divested assets.
  • Leading the management team in multiple, ongoing business improvement initiatives.
  • Founded in 1951, the company distributes domestic and imported carbon steel line pipe.
  • Initially approached due to the owners looking to add an Independent Director to the Board.
  • Ultimately engaged as (part-time) Interim CEO in Q3 '25 due to the long-time CEO's retirement.
  • Working closely in partnership with the company's Board as well as the President and COO.
  • Implementing structure and internal processes while enhancing financial and operational reporting.
  • Focused on improving the company's brand, position in the market and long-term profitability potential.

Houston, Texas
Environmental Service Companies

  • Engaged by the owners to assist in evaluating a sale of their environmental service businesses.
  • Strategic buyer (backed by private equity) approached them unsolicitedly regarding a transaction.
  • Developed the financial analysis related to the owners' after-tax cash proceeds from the transaction.
  • Assisted the owners in transaction structure and Letter of Intent negotiations.
  • Provided additional guidance related to the due diligence process and transaction documentation.
  • Transaction is currently pending.

Grey Owl successfully completed the following advisory assignments:

JMB Companies Inc
  • Land acquisition and holding company founded in 1877 with interests in Louisiana, Texas and Florida.
  • Mr. Zylman joined the Advisory Board in 2021 and was elected to the Board of Directors in early 2022.
  • Mr. Zylman was appointed Executive Director (Interim CEO) in Q2 '23 after the CEO's departure.
  • Mentored management team to improve internal processes, procedures, reporting and analytics.
  • Spearheaded entrance into CO₂ sequestration, an exciting sector with attractive long-term economics.
  • New CEO was hired in Q2 '24 which ended the engagement.

Houston, Texas
Commercial & Industrial Electrical Contractor

  • Engaged by the owner to assist management in pursuing several add-on acquisitions.
  • Strategic transactions of similar and/or complimentary businesses operating in different geographies.
  • Developed the financial analyses and assisted with structuring the transactions.
  • Drafted the Letters of Intent and assisted in negotiations.
  • Provided guidance related to due diligence, financing and documentation.
  • Successfully closed one of the transactions in 2025.

Midwest United States
Manufacturer of Disposable Nitrile Gloves

  • Business launched in 2021 due to limited domestic production of disposable nitrile gloves.
  • Production began in 2023 focused on government agencies, industrial market and healthcare industry.
  • Significant challenges experienced related to production and sales initiatives.
  • Engaged by the private equity sponsor and company as Senior Advisor to the CEO in Q4 '24.
  • Focused on organizational development, capacity expansion and customer diversification initiatives.
  • Engagement ended in Q2 '25 as manufacturing productivity and sales activity began to accelerate.