Michael W. Harlan

Founder and Managing Partner

Michael W. Harlan is the Managing Partner of Harlan Capital Advisors, LLC, which he founded in 1996.  He has over 30 years of professional experience in executive management, operations, corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, accounting, and turnarounds.  Mr. Harlan has extensive knowledge in developing and executing operating and M&A strategies for companies in industries undergoing rapid change, growth, and consolidation.  He has served as an executive officer, consultant and a member of the Board of Directors to four separate public companies that were pursuing consolidation strategies – Sanifill, Inc. (NYSE), Apple Orthodontix, Inc. (ASE/NASDAQ), Waste Connections, Inc. (NYSE) and U.S. Concrete, Inc. (NASDAQ).  In addition, he directly participated in the founding of and initial public offering for three of those companies and continues to serve as the Lead Independent Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee at Waste Connections, Inc.  Mr. Harlan was instrumental in establishing the strategic growth plans, as well as executing the acquisitions programs, integrating the businesses acquired, and raising the necessary capital as an executive officer for these companies.

Mr. Harlan began his career as a consultant with an international accounting firm where he developed a reputation as a leading M&A advisor to companies, LBO firms, and commercial and investment banks on tax, accounting, structure, and valuation matters.  In 1991, Mr. Harlan joined the management team of an international environmental services company, where he held several corporate officer positions until 1996, when the company was sold to Waste Management.  Mr. Harlan left Waste Management and formed Harlan Capital Advisors in 1996 where he consulted with several companies and assisted three companies with executing their IPOs.  In May 1999, he founded U.S. Concrete and served as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer.  In 2003, he was promoted to Chief Operating Officer, and in 2007 he was named President and Chief Executive Officer and joined the Board of Directors.  Under Mr. Harlan’s leadership, U.S. Concrete became the premier company in the markets it served and grew from five operations generating $167 million in annual revenue to over 180 operating locations with annual revenue of just under $1.0 billion.  Mr. Harlan led U.S. Concrete through the “great recession” and financial crisis from 2007 to 2009.  After successfully completing U.S. Concrete’s turnaround, he left the Company and reopened Harlan Capital Advisors with an expanded focus and scope of services. 

Mr. Harlan previously served on the Board of Trustees for the RMC Research and Education Foundation, where he served as the Chairman of the Board.  In addition, he served on the Board of Directors of the National Steering Committee for the Concrete Industry Management Education Program, and the Board of Directors and Executive Committee for the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association.  Mr. Harlan currently serves on the University of Houston Honors College Advisory Board.  He is a Certified Public Accountant and graduated summa cum laude from the University of Mississippi with a Bachelor of Accounting degree.