Highland Global is a leading business valuation, strategic advisory and financial analysis firm for family owned and privately held businesses. We provide a variety of services relating to merger or acquisition transactions to business valuations for middle market clients in a wide range of industries. Our team is comprised of experts in their respective fields.

Our philosophy is to work closely with our clients to provide value added strategic advisory and financial analysis services. Successfully meeting our clients’ needs, whether corporate growth or valuation services, is our top priority along with fostering solid long-term relationships with our clients based on integrity, respect, and confidentiality.

Robert M. Clinger III, CBA, CVA

Robert M. Clinger III, Certified Business Appraiser and Certified Valuation Analyst has strong experience in the fields of business valuation, financial analysis, and strategic advisory services.  Since 2000, Mr. Clinger has conducted over 15,000 business valuations of privately held corporations for a variety of purposes including SBA 7a business acquisition loans/lender analysis, ROBS plans, estate planning/tax purposes, ESOPs, mergers & acquisitions, shareholder buyouts, buy-sell agreements, and capital raising. 

In 2004, Mr. Clinger established Highland Global to provide business valuation services to lenders throughout the nation in support of SBA 7a business acquisition loans as well as for annual reporting for ROBS clients, mergers/acquisitions, and gift/estate planning.  Mr. Clinger also provides strategic advisory and financial analysis services to privately held businesses throughout the United States as part of an exit plan for small business owners.  He also conducts detailed financial/fundamental analysis and in-depth economic and industry research and analysis with respect to the privately held company as well as preparation of corporate profiles and other appraisal or transaction collateral material.  On select engagement, Mr. Clinger represents buyers or sellers in mergers or acquisitions.     

Mr. Clinger received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Finance, from Coastal Carolina University in May 2000.  He graduated summa cum laude, and received the distinguished President’s Award and Outstanding Student of Finance Award.

In 2000, he received the Financial Executive Institute Scholar’s Medallion, Carolinas Chapter, and in 2015 he was recognized by the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts as a 40 Under Forty Honoree.

Mr. Clinger has earned the Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) designation from the National Association of Certified Valuators & Analysts (NACVA), the Certified Business Appraiser (CBA) designation from the Institute of Business Appraisers (IBA), and the Licensed International Financial Analyst (LIFA) from the International Research Association (Defunct Organization)

Books

• The Seven Deadly Sins of Business Valuation, 2005
• The Seven Deadly Sins of Business Valuation: Closely Held and Family Controlled Companies, 2006

Publications/Articles

• “Direct Market Data Method: Value Disparity Issues Part I,” The Value Examiner, March/April 2006
• “Direct Market Data Method: Value Disparity Issues Part II,” The Value Examiner, July 2006
• “Rising Oil Prices May Have Long Term Benefits,” The Financial Times, September 19, 2000
• “Amtrak Reform,” The Financial Times, April 19, 2002

Speaking Engagements

• Financial Decision Making in Today’s Economic Environment, October 15, 2001, Coastal Carolina University, Wall School of Business, Finance Day
• Current Issues Facing Finance Students, October 9, 2002, Coastal Carolina University, Wall School of Business, Finance Day
• Current Business Valuation Issues, December 2008, USABizMart.com Podcast
• Current Business Valuation and Exit Strategy Issues, December 2010, CompanyFounder.com Podcast
• Merger & Acquisition Issues for Privately-Held Companies, December 2010, CompanyFounder.com Podcast

Community

• Member of the E. Craig Wall Sr. College of Business Administration Board of Visitors, Coastal Carolina University
• Member of the Coastal Carolina University Men’s Golf Program Advisory Board
• Horry County Tax Assessment Board of Appeals (2010-2016)
• Host of Annual Invitational Golf Tournament at The Dunes Golf & Beach Club
• Grand Strand Sertoma Club