We recently welcomed Echo Jia to HBM’s Corporate Development team. We had the opportunity to spend some time learning more from Echo. In her role as a Manager, Corporate Development she will be responsible for driving evaluation and execution of mergers & acquisitions for the holding company and partnering to drive bolt-on growth opportunities within our operating companies.
Will you tell us a little more about your professional background?
I have over six years of professional experience in finance, including over four years of experience in deal execution from both the sell-side perspective and the buy-side perspective with industry specializations of industrial, healthcare, and real estate. Prior to joining HBM, I was an investment banking associate at Stifel. Before that, I worked at Express Scripts/Cigna in its corporate development capacity. I graduated from Saint Louis University, majoring in finance, accounting, and psychology, and earned my MBA & Master of Finance degrees from the Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis.
Through my professional and academic experiences, I have discovered my passion for deal-making, particularly focusing on opportunities that could create long-term value through sustainable growth strategies and integrative processes.
What led you to HBM, and what interested you about our opportunity?
What made me the most excited about this opportunity at HBM is twofold. First, I highly resonate with HBM’s buy-and-build deal philosophy that enables sustainable value creation. Second, I am deeply attracted to the HBM culture that I perceived from the conversations I had with the team – it is professional, entrepreneurial, yet warm and inclusive. After careful considerations, the strong HBM culture and the long-term oriented deal strategy convinced me that this opportunity would be the best fit for me to add value while continuing my professional growth.
How do you see yourself engaging across our businesses?
My goal is to work closely with HBM’s operating companies on corporate strategy development, deal origination, deal execution, and post-acquisition integration.
What will you be focusing on in 2021-2022 as you settle into your role? Any key priorities?
My near-term focus will be on sourcing, evaluating, and executing bolt-on growth opportunities for HBM operating companies. In the long-term, I plan to focus on HBM’s broader acquisition strategies within the fast-growing manufacturing niches which serve end markets with strong, sustainable demands.
When you are not at work how do you spend your free time?
Besides spending time with friends and family, my hobbies include Argentine tango dance, cross-country road trips, psychology, science fiction, and photography. In addition, I love spending my free time volunteering, primarily for Annie’s Hope – The Center for Grieving Kids and BJC Hospice.