M2O
M2O was formed as a family investment office in 1992. The firm made its inaugural investment that same year, purchasing the National Lines Bureau, a ship mooring company operating in the combined ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
M2O took a hands-on approach to the investment and directly managed the National Lines Bureau for five years. During that period, the company’s operations were improved and streamlined. By the time it was sold in 1997, the National Lines Bureau generated 100% return on invested capital annually.
Today, M2O invests in high growth, small to mid-sized companies. Unlike traditional private equity or venture capital groups, the firm’s investment horizon is often 10 years or more. Consequently, the firm develops lasting relationships with the companies—and managers—in which it invests.
MICHAEL F. O’CONNELL
Michael F. O’Connell is the Senior Managing Director at M2O, Inc. He oversees the assessment of investment opportunities and reviews the ongoing performance of portfolio companies. For most of his career, Michael was President and Managing Director of Anhalt, O’Connell & Steffanci Inc., a Los Angeles-based investment management firm with almost $1 billion under management.In 1992, Michael purchased the National Lines Bureau, a ship mooring company operating at the Los Angeles and Long Beach harbors, the largest (combined) commercial port in America. This initial, successful investment prompted many more and Michael soon shifted his focus from investment management to venture capital. Today, he leads M2O with a portfolio of more than 40 companies. Michael also sits on the board of American Biosurgical Inc., Veri-Tax, and Yates & Associates Insurance. Michael holds a B.A., with high honors, from Harvard College and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
M-K O'CONNELL
Michael-Kevin (M-K) O’Connell joined M2O, Inc. as a Managing Director in 2009. He is responsible for sourcing and reviewing new investment opportunities as well as monitoring the performance of portfolio companies.
Prior to joining M2O, M-K was a Manager with L.E.K. Consulting. During his tenure there, M-K led project teams across a diverse range of industries and business issues. His projects included the strategic due diligence of a $1 billion building materials company, the development of a customer contact and support strategy for a legacy airline, the strategic realignment and long-term plan for a major Los Angeles attraction, and the strategic due diligence of a leading equipment supplier to solar cell manufacturers. Before L.E.K., M-K worked in commercial real estate as the Director of Research for CB Richard Ellis in New England. M-K also sits on the board at Origo Commodities Management and is an advisor to Veri-Tax and Yates & Associates Insurance.
M-K received his B.S, magna cum laude, from Boston College and his MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania where he was the recipient of the Thomas P. Gerrity Leadership Award for achieving “excellence in both academic and co-curricular pursuits.”