Jeffrey A. Hakala, CFA, CPA

Jeff Hakala is the co-founder and Chief Investment Officer of Clarkston Capital Partners, a money management firm located in Birmingham, Michigan.1 He has over 15 years of experience in portfolio management, investment research, financial reporting, and accounting.2

Professional Background

Jeff Hakala's career highlights include:

• Co-founder and Chief Investment Officer at Clarkston Capital Partners LLC since 20031
• Previously worked as a Portfolio Manager and Investment Committee Member at Seger-Elvekrog, Inc. from 1999 to 20031
• Started his career in the Audit and Advisory Services Group at Arthur Andersen, LLP2

Education and Qualifications

Jeff Hakala has a strong educational background and professional certifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting from Michigan State University12
• MBA focused on Finance and Accounting from Michigan State University12
• Holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation12
• Licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA)12

Roles and Responsibilities

As Chief Investment Officer at Clarkston Capital Partners, Jeff Hakala:

• Leads the firm's Investment Committee2
• Co-authored and developed the firm's four investment tenets (Financial, Business, Management, and Valuation)1
• Co-created proprietary research tools, including RONOA (Return on Net Operating Assets)1
• Manages and services institutional and financial advisory clients1
• Oversees investment and portfolio management decisions1

Investment Philosophy

Clarkston Capital Partners, under Jeff Hakala's leadership, follows a "Quality Value" investment philosophy, which is based on:

• Long-term ownership of quality businesses3
• Focus on companies with strong balance sheets, free cash flow generation, and high Cash Returns on Net Operating Assets (CRONOA)3
• Emphasis on sustainable competitive advantages and understandable business models3
• Consideration of a company's capital allocation history3
• Value-oriented approach to mitigate the risk of permanent capital impairment3

Jeff Hakala's expertise in financial statement analysis, accounting practices assessment, business strategy, and capital allocation contributes significantly to the firm's investment approach and success.1