News & Resources
Alexander Hutton is thrilled to announce the promotion of Stephen Humphreys to Managing Director.
Stephen has contributed significantly to Alexander Hutton over the past four years, initially serving as a Strategic Advisor. His extensive experience in operations and strategic leadership has been instrumental in guiding the firm’s clients, particularly in the manufacturing and business service sectors. Stephen’s noteworthy accomplishments include his tenure as President and CEO at Ellipse Global, where he developed one of North America’s leading disaster services companies, culminating in a successful acquisition in 2021. He also led OutBack Power Technologies, a pioneer in off-grid power electronics, through a complex turnaround and subsequent sale to a strategic acquirer.
In his new role, Stephen will leverage his background and understanding of private equity and venture capital, along with his firsthand experience in building and selling companies, which aligns with Alexander Hutton’s commitment to assisting founders and entrepreneurs during ownership transitions.
Managing Director James Thompson praised Stephen’s fit with the firm’s culture and mission, noting, “In his capacity as Strategic Advisor, Stephen worked on several transactions where I saw his keen intellect and excellent client management skills on display. His impeccable reputation and personal experience as a company builder and seller enriches his advice, aligning closely with the needs of our clients.”
Reflecting on his position, Stephen said, “Having observed the firm’s growth and the culture fostered by James, Tony, and Scott, I am excited about my expanded role. Our unique position in the market allows us to offer unparalleled guidance to company leaders throughout the sale process, which sets us apart from our competitors. I look forward to contributing further to our high-performance team and the fun and dynamic environment at Alexander Hutton.”
About Stephen Humphreys
Before his current role at Alexander Hutton, Stephen held several leadership positions. As the President, CEO, and Board Member of Ellipse Global, he transformed the company into one of the largest disaster services providers in North America. His strategy involved fostering organic growth and executing strategic acquisitions. This successful expansion led to the acquisition of Ellipse Global by Garda Federal Services in 2021.
Previously, Stephen served as President, CEO and Board Member of OutBack Power Technologies, where he engineered the turnaround of the $25 million global power electronics manufacturer. His strategic initiatives included restructuring the company to enhance profitability and sharpen focus on core operations. This included divesting a lagging division and winding down operations of a foreign subsidiary, culminating in a successful sale to Alpha Technologies. After the sale, Stephen continued to lead OutBack Power as President of the new division.
Earlier in his career, Stephen was involved in executive management at a Fortune 500 financial institution. He served as the Division Finance Officer for the Retail Bank operation and as Vice President of Corporate Development and Strategy. He also managed a significant private equity and venture capital portfolio for a prominent Pacific Northwest family office. Stephen earned an MBA from the University of Washington and a BBA in International Business from the University of Hawaii. A long-term resident of the Greater Seattle area for over 27 years, he currently lives in Kirkland with his wife Amy.
About Alexander Hutton
Led by a team of former business operators and executives who have built and sold companies, Alexander Hutton is a boutique, middle market M&A advisory firm that has completed over 225 successful transactions. We offer a unique understanding of what it takes to run a business and an accessible team dedicated to client service. By running a high-touch, competitive transaction process for each of our clients, we are able to help them achieve their ideal outcome.