Nathan ("Bill") Pearson, Jr.
Broadcasting Partners LLC, 1995-Present.General partner of investment and consulting firm
Provides a broad range of services within the media, communications, and information services industries. Clients include Prodigy, Inc. (conceptualizing, structuring, and effecting a management-led acquisition of the company by International Wireless); Discovery Communications Inc. (strategic planning and development); First Chicago Equity Capital (broadcast property evaluation and operating improvement projects); Veronis, Suhler & Associates (creating a platform for entry into the small-market radio sector that controlled over 35 radio stations before its successful sale to Citadel Communications; analyzing potential acquisitions in telecommunications and information services industries); Chrys Capital (structuring and staffing a major entry into the finance and accounting services outsourcing business); Catalyst Investors (supporting work in media acquisitions); and Wachovia Capital Partners (supporting work in media acquisitions).
RadioWave.com, Inc., 1999 - 2001. Chairman, President, & Chief Executive Officer
For this leading producer and distributor of interactive audio services, led re-engineering of business-to-business, consumer-oriented service company. Significantly expanded range and depth of customer relationships, including forging relationships with EMI, major radio broadcasters, Microsoft, RollingStone.com, Artist Direct, Universal/Vivendi, and Invisix (Motorola & Cisco joint venture). Completed $22 million round of financing with major investors. Reached among the largest populations of Internet consumers of digital audio content; perceived as the interactive audio services technology and services leader.
McCown DeLeeuw & Co., 1997 - 1999. Operating Affiliate
Worked with this NY and CA-based investment firm to target, acquire, and manage companies as portfolio investments. Served as director of Outsourcing Solutions, Inc., a portfolio investment and the largest account receivables management company in the U.S.
Commonwealth Holdings, Inc., 1996 - 1999. Managing Director of private investment partnership
Firm invested in, acquired, or provided financing for small and growing companies. Investments were funded directly by the partnership or were syndicated. Activities of CHI included: original co-investors in a vendor receivables financing conduit for nation's largest retail chain; initial funding for a specialized investment banking firm with a focus on real estate financing and acquisitions; acquisition of a medical device manufacturer; equity shareholders in a leading firm in the corporate security industry.
Prodigy, Inc., 1996 - 1997. Acting Senior Vice President, Marketing and Sales
Responsible for Prodigy's marketing, sales, and product development activities. Led evolution of core service to Internet-based on-line service, Prodigy Internet.
Broadcasting Partners, Inc., 1988 - 1995. Executive Vice President/Chief Financial Officer
With eleven radio stations in five markets - New York, Chicago, Detroit, Charlotte, and Dallas. Shared CEO responsibilities with Lee Simonson. Led successful iInitial public offering and several acquisitions and financing transactions. Merged with Evergreen Media Corporation (now Clear Channel Communications) May 1995 for what was, at the time, the highest valuation ever received for a radio broadcast group.
McKinsey and Company, Inc., 1982 - 1988. Management Consultant/Senior Engagement Manager
Managed project teams and worked with senior client management and operating personnel on issues of business strategy, marketing, organizational effectiveness, and operations in financial services, consumer goods, publishing, and other communications. Co-founded McKinsey's consumer financial services practice.
Independent Consultant, 1974 - 1981
Numerous projects involving American music and history, including:
- Director of major museum exhibition, television series (Nebraska ETV), radio programs, and lecture series on the development of jazz in the Midwest.
- Smithsonian Institution, Division of Performing Arts and Office of Folklife Programs, Festival of American Folklife and other programs
- Library of Congress, American Folklife Center
- National Endowment for the Arts, Folk Arts Program
