President

david@stapletoninc.com

(213) 235-0601

David P. Stapleton, CPA, CLPF

David P. Stapleton, a nationally-recognized federal receiver, trustee and restructuring expert, resolves complex problems caused by non-performing commercial loans and shareholder disputes. In representing creditors, business owners and legal counsel, David quickly identifies the obstacles between the parties involved and implements actions to overcome impasses. His expertise spans receiverships; assignments for the benefit of creditors (ABCs); bankruptcy plan administration and liquidations; federal equity receiverships; and, financial advisory.

Lenders, creditors and attorneys turn to David for his strategic approach to maximizing financial recovery, rather than simply following the most obvious path. He has led the successful resolution of over one hundred troubled business and real estate projects, exceeding his clients’ expectations numerous times.

David founded Stapleton Group in 2008 to provide clients with a single-source solution when faced with business or real estate-related problem loans or shareholder disputes. He began his career as a CPA* at PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP, providing financial and restructuring services for Fortune 500 clients out of PwC’s New York, London, Frankfurt and southern California offices. He then served as a director at a national provider of workout services, and worked for a subsidiary of Leucadia National Corporation where he underwrote and acquired businesses and land, condominium and resort assets.

*CPA (inactive) – New York

Career Highlights

Receiver, Turnaround Management, Property Management

What began as an assumed liquidation of a consumer goods manufacturer turned into a win-win outcome. Stapleton figured out that one of the company’s three business units was compromising the company’s cash flow. The troubled unit was sold; the debtor refinanced, paying off its original lender in full; the business owner kept his business; and, employees kept their jobs.

Plan Administrator for Liquidating Chapter 11, Interim CEO/CFO, Litigation Support, Real Estate Services

Overcame a contentious and litigious shareholder’s challenges to recover 67% of investor claims in a $75 million liquidating Chapter 11 bankruptcy estate. Investors had loaned $35MM to the shareholder for real estate investments. The shareholder misused $15MM to fund technology ventures and defaulted on the loans. Stapleton managed and sold the shareholder ’s IP assets and diverse real property assets located in the U.S. and Canada, including hotels, apartment buildings, land, office buildings, warehouses, and high-end personal residences.

Diesel Engine Retrofitter: Receiver, Interim CEO, Sellside M&A

A shuttered business with a $300,000 liquidation value was resuscitated by restructuring an onerous $17 million government liability to less than $1 million. This allowed Stapleton to sell the company’s assets to a strategic buyer. The lender recovered $3.0 million, 10x the forced liquidation value.

Statuary Manufacturer & Distributor: Receiver, Financial Advisory, Interim CEO, Sellside M&A

Avoided a forced liquidation by taking control of operations, resulting in an orderly liquidation that generated sufficient cash flow to pay off the bank. Successfully sold the recovered family-owned business back to the family, enabling them to continue their legacy.

Education, Licenses & Certificates

San Diego State University, MBA
Tulane University, B.S. Management, concentration in Accounting, ROTC scholarship
Licensed Professional Fiduciary, California Department of Consumer Affairs (CLPF)
Certified Public Accountant (CPA; inactive), New York

Professional Associations

American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI), member & CARE Advisory Board
California Bankruptcy Forum, member
California Receivers Forum, member
Los Angeles Bankruptcy Forum, member
National Association of Federal Equity Receivers (NAFER) , member
Special Assets Management Association (SAMA), member
Turnaround Management Association (TMA), member

Charitable / Community Involvement

Ability First, sponsor
The Century Club, member and sponsor
United Way, New York – Part-time Loaned Executive of the Year Award