Southard Financial
Transaction Advisory

Meet the Principals of Southard Financial

Douglas K. Southard, DBA, CFA

Doug Southard, principal and founder of Southard Financial in 1987, has over 40 years of business valuation and advisory experience. He has earned the right to use the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and previously served as an officer of the American Society of Appraisers, West Tennessee Chapter.

Mr. Southard earned Master and Doctor of Business Administration degrees from Indiana University, and holds faculty positions at Rhodes College and Virginia Tech. Mr. Southard has appeared as an expert witness in local, state and federal courts, has spoken publicly on business valuation topics, and serves on the Board of Directors of various closely-held business entities.

You can reach Doug here.


David A. Harris, CFA, ASA

Dave Harris, principal and managing member of Southard Financial, has been with the firm since 1990 and has over 37 years of business valuation experience. He has earned the right to use the Chartered Financial Analyst designation, is an Accredited Senior Appraiser in the Business Valuation discipline of the American Society of Appraisers, and has served as an officer of West Tennessee Chapter, Memphis Branch, of the American Society of Appraisers.

Mr. Harris is a recognized expert witness in local, state, and federal courts. Active in the community, he has served on the boards of Beth Sholom Synagogue, Sea Isle Park Neighborhood Association, National Kidney Foundation, Boy Scout Troop 25, and others. He earned an MBA from the University of Memphis.

You can reach Dave here.


Mark A. Orndorff, CFA, ASA

Mark Orndorff, principal of Southard Financial, has over 22 years of business valuation experience supported by prior experience as a banker. He has earned the right to use the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is an Accredited Senior Appraiser in the Business Valuation discipline of the American Society of Appraisers.

Mr. Orndorff holds the office of Vice President of the Memphis Branch, West Tennessee Chapter, of the American Society of Appraisers, and is a member of the CFA Institute and the Memphis Society of Financial Analysts. He earned an MBA from the University of Memphis.

You can reach Mark here.


Matthew L. Jakes, CFA, ASA

Matthew Jakes, principal of Southard Financial, has over 16 years of business valuation experience. He has earned the right to use the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is an Accredited Senior Appraiser in the Business Valuation discipline of the American Society of Appraisers.

Mr. Jakes is a member of the CFA Institute and the Memphis Society of Financial Analysts. Mr. Jakes graduated cum laude from Rhodes College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Business Administration.

You can reach Matthew here.

Recent Activities

  • Southard Financial facilitated the sale of Flint Hydraulics to Hydraquip, Inc.

    Southard Financial facilitated the sale of Flint Hydraulics to Hydraquip, Inc.
  • Southard Financial facilitated the sale of Memphis' own Cooper Glass Company

    Southard Financial facilitated the sale of Memphis' own Cooper Glass Company
  • David A. Harris and Mark A. Orndorff spoke at the 2019 Annual Fall Conference of the New South Chapter of The ESOP Association

    David A. Harris and Mark A. Orndorff spoke at the 2019 Annual Fall Conference of the New South Chapter of The ESOP Association held in Orlando, Florida on October 16-17. They gave a presentation titled “Can Employees Really Impact Company Value?”

  • Southard Financial facilitated the sale of Memphis' own TOPS Bar-B-Q chain

    Southard Financial facilitated the sale of Memphis' own TOPS Bar-B-Q chain
  • David A. Harris and Matthew L. Jakes spoke at the 2019 Spring Workshop of the New South Chapter of The ESOP Association

    David A. Harris and Matthew L. Jakes spoke at the 2019 Spring Workshop of the New South Chapter of The ESOP Association held in Atlanta, Georgia in February, 2019 on the topic of “Valuation Appraisal Checklist – 10 Things Your ESOP Appraiser Should be Doing”

  • David A. Harris spoke at The Fall ESOP Forum of the NCEO

    David A. Harris spoke at The Fall ESOP Forum of the NCEO (National Center for Employee Ownership) held in Albuquerque, New Mexico in October, 2018 on the topic, “Communicating Valuation: Tools, Tips, and Examples”.

  • Southard Financial negotiated the sale of and was the exclusive financial advisor to Southern Systems, Inc.

    Southard Financial negotiated the sale of and was the exclusive financial advisor to Southern Systems, Inc.
  • David A. Harris spoke at the 2018 Annual Fall Conference of the New South Chapter of The ESOP Association

    David A. Harris spoke at the 2018 Annual Fall Conference of the New South Chapter of The ESOP Association held in Birmingham, Alabama in September, 2018. He led a workshop called “The People’s Roundtable Interactive Workshop – A series of ‘Build to Last’ activities that focus on developing successful communication and team building programs for employee owners of all generations.” Speakers included Dolores Lawrence, Blue Ridge ESOP Associates; Lindsay Baublitz, SCandH Capital; David Harris, Southard Financial LLC

  • Mark A. Orndorff spoke at the ESOP Nuts & Bolts Seminar of the NCEO

    Mark A. Orndorff spoke at the ESOP Nuts and Bolts Seminar of the NCEO (National Center for Employee Ownership) held in Indianapolis, Indiana in August, 2018 on the topic of “What’s Your Company Worth? – ESOP Valuation.”

  • Southard Financial helps Transnetyx expand with growth capital

    Southard Financial helps Transnetyx expand with growth capital
  • Mark A. Orndorff spoke at the American Booksellers Association Winter Institute

    Mark A. Orndorff spoke at the American Booksellers Association Winter Institute 2018 held in Memphis, TN in January, 2018 on the topic of Succession Planning titled “What is Your ‘End Goal’?”

    Southard Financial is here to help with your business appraisal and transaction advisory needs.

    For responsive support and assistance, or to discuss a matter in confidence, contact us today!

    Contact Us

    iBank Tower, Suite 708 - 5050 Poplar Avenue - Memphis, TN 38157

    Phone: (901) 761-7500   Fax: (901) 761-6045