Scott Adelson Biography

Corporate Finance Career

Scott Adelson

Scott Adelson serves as the CEO of Houlihan Lokey, an international investment bank, and is an active member of the firm’s board of directors. A seasoned veteran in corporate finance, Adelson is well-versed in mergers and acquisitions management. Previously, he served as the Co-President of Houlihan Lokey and Global Co-Head of Corporate Finance, bringing over 35 years of experience to the firm. He is an expert in his field, highly skilled at guiding clients through the challenges of business transitions, including mergers, acquisitions, and debt and equity capital strategies. Adelson currently operates out of Houlihan Lokey’s headquarters in Los Angeles.

Beyond his role as CEO, Adelson has extensive experience working directly with clients, advising hundreds of companies on diverse and complex corporate finance issues. He has also written extensively on topics related to corporate finance and securities valuation, contributing to numerous business publications. Additionally, he is a frequent commentator on financial matters and has appeared on financial news networks such as CNBC and CNN to share his insights.

Entrepreneurial Efforts

As a serial entrepreneur, Scott Adelson identifies companies with transformative potential in their respective industries and has a talent for recognizing and nurturing their growth. He is driven to build these businesses into sustainable, larger entities, and his work demonstrates consistent success.

Adelson began his entrepreneurial journey by founding two businesses in the apparel and food industries. Since then, he has ventured into a variety of sectors, taking on opportunities where he believes he can add significant value. He is also a member of YPO, a global community of CEOs who collaborate to inspire better leadership and personal growth.

Background and Education

Scott Adelson discovered his interest in business management early and pursued it by attending business school. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Business and Entrepreneurship from the University of Southern California. After graduating in 1984, he continued his education at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, where he obtained his Master of Business Administration in Finance and Marketing.

Following his academic pursuits, Adelson joined Houlihan Lokey in 1987, where he has been a key contributor to the firm’s growth and culture.

History with Houlihan Lokey

Scott Adelson’s rise to CEO was steady and methodical from the outset. Within three years of joining the company, he became a Senior Associate. A year later, he was named Vice President within the Corporate Finance department. In 1993, he was promoted to Senior Vice President, followed by a promotion to Managing Director in 1995. By 2000, he was named Global Co-Head of Corporate Finance.

In 2006, Adelson became a Senior Managing Director and joined the firm’s board of directors, a position he continues to hold. In 2013, he was appointed Co-President and Global Co-Head of Corporate Finance, roles he held for over a decade. Finally, in 2024, he assumed his current role as CEO.

Few can claim to have worked at a leading global investment firm for more than two-thirds of its existence. Adelson joined Houlihan Lokey just 15 years after its founding in 1972 and has been instrumental in its growth for over three decades. Today, the company operates in 37 cities across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific region.