FocalPoint Partners, LLC, a middle market investment bank, announced the addition of James Castro, Managing Director, to lead the firm's Healthcare Consulting & Investment Banking practice ("FocalPoint HCG"). FocalPoint recognizes the complex and continually evolving nature of the healthcare industry and hired Castro to create FocalPoint HCG and launch a service offering that will shift the paradigm of healthcare advisory services available in the middle market.
Castro's imperative is to bring highly differentiated solutions to healthcare companies by integrating strategic and operational consulting capabilities with the investment banking services already offered by FocalPoint. Castro has developed a specialized value creation platform that leverages a diverse team of operating partners with disciplines including: Patient Care Quality Control; Business Process Optimization; Compliance & Regulatory Evaluation; Technology Integration; Provider Network Development; Data-Driven Market Expansion Analyses; and Sales & Marketing. FocalPoint HCG collaborates with clients to create and execute optimization plans. This combination of operational expertise and highly strategic M&A advisory services is ultimately designed to enhance near-term enterprise value for clients ahead of a potential transaction.
Castro's versatile professional background spans Business Strategy, Healthcare Operations and Corporate Finance which makes him a unique candidate to implement the firm's healthcare initiatives. Most recently, he led Strategy & Corporate Development for Access Integrated Healthcare (AIH). In this capacity, he led the development of a managed care organization designed to offer injured persons greater access to quality care while containing medical costs and eradicating industry fraud. In addition, AIH completed a $10-million mezzanine financing, $50-million asset-based credit facility and strategic acquisition of a complementary radiology company to support its strategic plan. With nearly 20 years of corporate finance experience, Castro began his career with Houlihan Lokey and its then affiliated private equity fund, Century Park Capital Partners. His professional accomplishments have been recognized with the following distinctions: Winner of Turnaround Consultant of the Year (2016); Winner of Emerging Leaders Award "40 Under 40" (2016); and LABJ - Most Influential M&A Advisors (2013). Mr. Castro received a degree in Economics from UCLA.
"Now is an important time to bring greater depth to middle market healthcare companies. There are widespread opportunities not only to enhance enterprise value for healthcare entrepreneurs, but also to generate industry-wide efficiencies," said James Castro. "FocalPoint's history of delivering creative client solutions makes the firm an ideal platform to accelerate our differentiated approach."
"We are thrilled to announce James's addition to FocalPoint. Raj and I have known James for more than 10 years, having worked with him at Houlihan Lokey earlier in his career and have always viewed him as possessing the technical and human qualities to be a valuable addition to our team. He represents our second major hire in the industry in the last six months, following the addition of Mark Davis to lead our healthcare IT efforts," said Managing Partner Duane Stullich.
Nishen Radia, Managing Partner added, "FocalPoint has always had a strong healthcare practice, having closed numerous transactions in the space, in segments ranging from alternate site healthcare to specialty pharmacy. However, given the constantly changing industry environment, we felt it was imperative to hire a banker who could add not only transactional but also strategic value to our clients. James is a strategic thinker who will elevate our service offering to the next level and allow us to position clients for the best possible outcome."