Myrtle Beach, SC, Dallas, TX, Orlando, FL & Washington, D.C. July 12, 2011—Highland Global is sad to announce that long-time spokesman and colleague Sebastian G. Peréy passed away unexpectedly at his home on July 8, 2011 from a heart attack. He was 59 and had been Highland Global’s spokesman since the company’s inception in 2004.

Robert M. Clinger III, founder of Highland Global, issued the following statement:

I am deeply saddened by the passing of our colleague and good friend, Sebastian. He has been with me every step of the way as we’ve worked to build Highland Global into one of the leading business valuation and strategic advisory firms in the southeast. His support, encouragement, and confidence were always an inspiration to work harder for the betterment of the company and myself professionally. His insights and wisdom came in handy on so many occasions when I needed someone to bounce ideas off and strategize. He was there in the bad times,  when the rug got pulled out from us so many times early on, and he was there when things got better, always looking for ways to contribute and help grow the business. He always said it was a matter of perseverance. Indeed, it was.

He was a mentor and a teacher, giving me lessons in life and business along the way—all those things you don’t learn in college. He always told me what I needed to hear; he wasn’t one to tell me what he thought I wanted to hear, like so many people do. He was my biggest cheerleader. It wasn’t because he had to but because he believed in me and what I was doing with the company.

He was there when I ran for Horry County Council, and we made a good run at it and ran a good, clean campaign. But when we came up short in the votes and I was feeling down about it, he was the one who reminded me about that Teddy Roosevelt speech, The Man in the Arena, that I’m so fond of and that Nixon was fond of. I guess he probably got tired over the years of hearing me quote both of them, but if he did, he never said anything; he always just smiled when I’d start quoting them. The talk or pep rally, whatever you want to call it, did the trick and got me out of the doldrums I was in after losing the election. He told me I could hold my head high and be proud of the job we did and that I put myself out there for the public and all the criticism that sometimes comes along with that. He said I could be proud of doing better than anyone ever thought I would do in that election, particularly since I was only twenty-seven years old at the time and a newcomer to the political stage.

He was a good man who had a tremendous positive influence on so many people’s lives, including my own. I’m thankful that I had the privilege of knowing him, and I’m grateful for the wisdom he shared with me over the years. I will carry that with me through life. He will never be forgotten by anyone who has ever been involved with Highland Global, our associates or clients alike.

In the weeks ahead we will be exploring the establishment of a scholarship to memorialize Sebastian and his contributions to and love for the study of economics. We will certainly keep all of our friends, associates, and clients posted as to progress in this effort.