Armory Group Expands New York Presence with the Addition of Kathleen Lauster
Armory Group, LLC, a leading financial advisory firm serving the middle market, is pleased to welcome Kathleen Lauster as a Managing Director based out of Armory’s New York office. Kathleen will partner with Armory’s senior leadership team to build and expand the firm’s New York presence, deepening Armory’s capabilities across middle-market investment banking, special situations advisory, and capital solutions.
Kathleen brings more than 20 years of investment banking and advisory experience, with deep expertise in complex transactions, special situations, distressed M&A, restructuring-related advisory, and structured financings. She is known for her highly relationship-driven approach and an excellent track record advising sponsors, lenders, and middle-market clients.
Prior to joining Armory, Kathleen led Ankura’s investment banking platform, bringing with her the team she launched and built at Fairfield Capital. She also held roles at Houlihan Lokey in New York and London and began her career in Detroit, advising and lending to automotive suppliers.
In addition, Kathleen is joined by Matthew Lapish, who also joins Armory as a Managing Director. Matthew previously served as Managing Director at Ankura and had worked with Kathleen at Fairfield Capital. Matthew brings nearly 20 years of industry experience working for major banks and financial advisory firms. Matthew has served healthy and distressed clients across a wide range of industries including automotive, packaging, retail and TMT.
“We are excited to welcome Kathleen and Matthew to Armory,” said Eben Perison, CEO and co-founder of Armory Securities. “They are both highly respected bankers with a strong track record advising clients through complex situations and delivering successful outcomes across the middle market. Their experience, leadership, and commercial instincts will be instrumental as we continue expanding our presence in New York and across the East Coast.”
“Armory has built a differentiated platform – entrepreneurial, solutions-oriented, and genuinely focused on doing what’s right for clients,” said Kathleen Lauster. “I’m thrilled to join the team and help build out the New York office, deepen relationships across the market, and bring Armory’s capabilities to clients navigating complex strategic and capital structure decisions.”
Kathleen Lauster, CFA
Managing Director
klauster@armorysecurities.com
248.224.4205
Matthew Lapish
Managing Director
mlapish@armorysecurities.com
310.993.4761
About Armory Group, LLC
Armory Group, LLC provides comprehensive capabilities focused exclusively on the middle market, including investment banking, financial advisory and asset management. Our collective capabilities, including our award-winning team of industry experts, allows us the flexibility to deploy the right resources to best serve the specific needs of our clients. Learn more at armorygroupllc.com.