Aaron Taylor, CFA

Aaron Taylor, CFA, serves as a Partner at Chilmark Partners, a boutique corporate financial advisory firm based in Chicago. He is a senior investment analyst with a diverse background in asset management and structured finance, bringing significant expertise to the firm's restructuring, investment, and advisory operations.

Taylor holds the prestigious Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation, demonstrating his advanced competency in investment analysis and portfolio management. He has been actively involved in the CFA Society Chicago community, where he served as Co-Chair of the Membership Engagement Advisory Group, contributing to the professional development of investment professionals in the Chicago area.

As a Partner at Chilmark Partners, Taylor works alongside a team led by founder David Schulte, who established the firm in 1984 after running the Salomon Brothers Corporate Reorganization Group. The firm has built a reputation over four decades as a leading advisor in complex financial situations involving illiquidity and insolvency. Taylor's role involves analyzing distressed situations, evaluating investment opportunities, and providing strategic financial advice to corporate clients, creditors, and investors navigating challenging financial circumstances.

Taylor's expertise in structured finance and asset management positions him as a key member of Chilmark's team, which prides itself on having senior professionals directly involved in execution rather than delegating to junior staff. The firm maintains a deliberately small size to preserve its conflict-free approach and ensure that clients receive attention from experienced professionals like Taylor throughout the engagement process.

Based in the Greater Chicago Area, Taylor maintains an active professional network with over 500 connections on LinkedIn, reflecting his engagement with the investment and restructuring community. His combination of analytical rigor (evidenced by his CFA credential), structured finance expertise, and experience in distressed situations makes him a valuable resource for companies and investors dealing with complex financial challenges.

Chilmark Partners operates at the intersection of restructuring advisory and principal investing, focusing on situations involving financial distress, illiquidity, and insolvency. As a Partner at the firm, Aaron Taylor participates in both advisory engagements and direct investment activities.

Investment Philosophy: Chilmark's approach centers on providing truly independent, conflict-free advice while also deploying capital in distressed situations. The firm has invested more than $1 billion in distressed private equity since its founding and has advised on almost $100 billion of restructurings and financings. This dual mandate allows the firm to understand both the advisory and investment perspectives in complex financial situations.

Sector Focus: Based on Chilmark's historical portfolio, the firm has invested across multiple industries including:

Investment Approach:

Value Proposition: The firm emphasizes having no conflicts of interest, being deliberately small by choice, and ensuring senior professionals like Taylor who engage with clients also execute the work. This hands-on approach from experienced partners differentiates Chilmark from larger advisory firms where junior staff typically handle execution.

• Manufacturing and Commercial Products
• Broadcasting, Radio and Television (Tribune Media)
• Pharmaceuticals (Nutramax Products)
• Machinery and Industrial Equipment (Burton Mill Solutions, Sheffield Steel)
• Home Furnishings (Sealy)
• Energy (Santa Fe Snyder)
• Recreational Goods (Scott Sports)
• Automotive Suppliers (Phillips & Temro Industries)
• Distressed/Special Situations: Focus on companies facing liquidity challenges, insolvency, or requiring operational restructuring
• Buyout Investments: Direct equity investments through dedicated funds (Zell/Chilmark Fund, Chilmark Fund II)
• Advisory Services: Comprehensive restructuring advice including evaluating financial and operational conditions, developing strategic and business plans, designing capital structures, and guiding companies through Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases
• Geographic Focus: Primarily United States, with concentration in commercial product and manufacturing sectors