Houlihan Lokey, Inc. NYSE:HLI, the global investment bank, has agreed to acquire Intrepid Financial Partners, LLC (Intrepid), a premier independent investment bank specializing in providing advisory services to the energy sector. The transaction, signed June 27, 2026, adds substantially to the firm’s comprehensive coverage of the energy sector. The transaction is expected to be completed before September 30, 2026, following regulatory approval. Intrepid Investment Management, LLC, Intrepid’s investment management business, is not part of the transaction and will continue to operate as a separate entity under the same name.
Founded in 2015 by Hugh E. “Skip” McGee III and Christopher F. Winchenbaugh, Intrepid is a leader in providing mergers and acquisitions, fairness opinions, capital raising, and restructuring services to clients across the energy sector, including exploration and production, midstream and infrastructure, downstream and retail, energy services and technology, and energy transition. Since its founding, Intrepid has advised on more than 120 transactions in the energy sector totaling more than $215 billion.
“Intrepid’s suite of services is a perfect match with Houlihan Lokey, and its comprehensive coverage of the energy sector adds significantly to our longtime strategy of delivering the deepest possible sector expertise to our global client base. This acquisition is an outstanding addition to the Oil & Gas Group and to our overall business as we continue to grow our capabilities,” said Larry DeAngelo, Global Co-Head of Corporate Finance at Houlihan Lokey.
Following the transaction, the Intrepid team will join Houlihan Lokey’s global Oil & Gas Group. Mr. McGee, CEO of Intrepid, will join as a Managing Director and Global Chairman of Oil & Gas. Mr. Winchenbaugh, President of Intrepid, will join as a Managing Director and Global Co-Head of Oil & Gas alongside J.P. Hanson, currently Global Head of Oil & Gas at Houlihan Lokey. The acquisition will add 34 financial professionals to Houlihan Lokey’s Oil & Gas team, bringing the global team to more than 70 financial professionals worldwide. On a pro forma basis, according to data from LSEG, the new combined group advised on 23 U.S. Energy and Power M&A transactions in 2025.
“Houlihan Lokey’s comprehensive matrix of products, services, and global footprint, alongside a passionate dedication to its clients, represents an excellent business compatibility and cultural fit with Intrepid’s platform and our ‘client-first’ philosophy. We cannot think of a better home for Intrepid, our team, and our clients, and we’re delighted to be joining the Oil & Gas Group alongside J.P. and his team,” said Mr. McGee. “As part of the Houlihan Lokey team, we will be able to deliver additional products and continue to deliver the best advice to our clients, which is at the core of what we do.”
“Intrepid’s strength in corporate M&A advisory, particularly in the upstream, midstream, and alternative energy sectors, combined with Houlihan Lokey’s global strength in M&A across upstream, midstream, and downstream, as well as technical asset-level acquisition and divestiture (A&D) advisory in the upstream sector, establishes one of the most comprehensive energy advisors, with superior capabilities across all facets of the oil and gas industry and broader energy spectrum,” said Mr. Hanson. “I’m excited to partner with Skip, Chris, and the Intrepid team to grow the business and continue to provide outstanding advice and results to our energy clients.”
“This combination is exceptionally timely,” said Mr. Winchenbaugh. “We are currently navigating a highly compelling seller’s market, driven by volatility with stark pricing dislocations and massive pools of dedicated capital actively seeking deployment amid uncertainty in the energy markets. I have no doubt our clients will benefit tremendously from the strong synergies and centers of expertise that this acquisition establishes.”
Houlihan Lokey’s Oil & Gas Group provides M&A and A&D advisory, capital raising, valuation, and financial recapitalization/restructuring, as well as financial and board advisory services to clients around the world. The global, cross-product, industry-dedicated team consists of more than 40 highly experienced professionals, including an A&D/technical team led by a group of technically focused industry professionals with an average of 25+ years of industry experience. In 2025, Houlihan Lokey was ranked as the No. 1 advisor for U.S. Energy and Power M&A transactions under $1 billion, according to data from LSEG.
About Houlihan Lokey
Houlihan Lokey, Inc. NYSE:HLI is a leading global investment bank recognized for delivering independent strategic and financial advice to corporations, financial sponsors, and governments. With uniquely deep industry expertise, broad international reach, and a partnership approach rooted in trust, the firm provides innovative, integrated solutions across mergers and acquisitions, capital solutions, financial restructuring, and financial and valuation advisory. Our unmatched transaction volumes provide differentiated, data-driven perspectives that help our clients achieve their most critical goals. To learn more about Houlihan Lokey, please visit HL.com.
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