Navigating through turbulent financial times can be challenging, especially in today’s competitive environment and volatile economy. Many companies that have experienced fiscal decline, operational disorder, reorganization and insolvency have turned to Rally’s principals for their expertise, collaboration and creative solutions.
Turnaround Financial and Management Consulting Services
Selected Experience
Rally provides a comprehensive approach to consulting services related to the turnaround of distressed businesses. This includes the assessment of operating systems, accounting processes and procedures, the structure and negotiation of forbearance agreements between borrowers and lenders, and the development of strategic business plans with working capital budgets and cash flow projections. Whether facing declining revenues, operational inefficiencies, insolvency, or other management issues, Rally will provide a clear path to recovery and assist management in the execution of the turnaround plan.
Our first step is to collaborate with ownership, company management, key employees, business advisors, and other stakeholders, to identify the problems. Once those problems are identified, we are then able to stabilize operations and swiftly enhance the flow of information between management, employees, vendors, customers, and lenders, leading to successful solutions to the initial problems.
Our solutions are individually tailored to the immediate circumstances and are designed to benefit companies in a financial crisis or ownership transition, as well as those seeking long-term financial stability through a dysfunctional situation.
Capital Markets Advisory Services
Rally has well-established professional relationships with a wide variety of local and national financial institutions, non-bank lenders, private equity and hedge funds, private alternative investment firms, family offices and entrepreneurial investors. Within the wide range of these relationships, our team routinely assists companies in obtaining and advising on both debt and equity funding to support special situations, organic growth, acquisition, DIP financing, exit financing ongoing operations.
Mergers & Acquisitions Advisory Services
Rally is a licensed business broker in Illinois. In this capacity, we are able to provide business brokerage services to a wide range of transitioning businesses. Working closely with buyers, sellers and creditors, Rally oversees and manages all aspects of a sale, including selecting the most qualified auctioneers, administering the sale of machinery and equipment, coordinating sales of commercial or industrial real estate, collecting receivables, managing inventory sales, and identification of other needed professionals. In addition, Rally establishes lists of qualified buyers, prepares briefing materials and teasers, evaluates and negotiates offers, and coordinates the entire process from initial due diligence through closing.
Bankruptcy & Out of Court Insolvency Services
Selected Experience
Bankruptcy Services
Rally consultants are experienced in working with clients and other professionals involved in a reorganization process in U.S. Bankruptcy Court and providing other litigation support services. Our team collaborates with all stakeholder parties, including the U.S. Trustee, debtor-in-possession, company management, creditors and creditor committees and their representatives. We provide short-term operational, financial and managerial support, which can include serving in a custodial capacity and interim senior management roles, such as CRO, CEO, CFO and COO. Rally prepares monthly operating reports, cash flow budgets, projections and other financial reporting that may be required to support a plan for recovery and a exit from an insolvency process.
Non-Judicial Insolvency Services
Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors “ABC”
Illinois and eleven other states permit common law Assignments for the Benefit of Creditors, a non-judicial alternative to bankruptcy commonly referred to as the “Assignment.” Rally utilizes the Assignment process to bring an innovative, efficient and cost-effective approach to transitioning the assets of an insolvent business. Initiated by the shareholders and directors of a company, the Assignment is a voluntary transfer of all the business assets to a Trustee, or Assignee, in trust, for the specific purpose of selling the business assets as a going concern or to liquidate the assets.
During the Assignment, the Assignee may also serve as interim senior management or other executive roles in order to maximize recovery. At the conclusion of the asset recovery, the Assignee is required to pay creditors under priorities established by law. The Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors allows Rally to maximize recovery by reducing professional fees and other expenses, thereby generating a potential return for creditors that would not be possible through a more time-consuming judicial proceeding.
Trade Creditor Agreements
Working in collaboration with debtors’ and creditors’ attorneys alike, Rally professionals negotiate and monitor compliance of forbearance agreements, formal payment plans, extension agreements and moratoriums as required by the specific circumstances. This service is a viable option to both debtors and creditors who find themselves in business situations that can be remediated by consensual arrangement, but are experiencing temporary financial difficulties and are unable to generate sufficient cash flow to pay debts.
Court-Appointed Receiverships
Rally professionals serve as court-appointed receivers for real estate and business assets. At the request of a secured lender or other stakeholders, these appointments involve specific oversight, direction and authority during foreclosure, ownership disputes and even litigation proceedings. Rally utilizes the support of technical and administrative staff and resources to protect the disputed assets and bring the matter to a successful resolution.
Financial / Operational Due Diligence Services
Selected Experience
Rally provides comprehensive due diligence services, including collateral review, financial and compliance due diligence to help lenders, prospective investors, and/or buyers make informed decisions. Our findings, observations and recommendations are summarized in a concise and complete written report tailored to each specific engagement. Our ability to advise underperforming and high-growth companies extends to commercial credit, collateral and liquidation valuation, ineligible calculations, account verifications, forensic auditing and accounting systems. Our experience allows us to provide practical perspectives and levels of observation that often extend far beyond the numbers. Our expertise includes the following industries:
- Manufacturing (OEMs, Tier I and II providers, etc.) and Construction (General and Sub Contractors)
- Distribution and Warehousing
- Hospitality
- And all other specialty industries such as Floor Planning, Title Keeping, Mortgage and Lease portfolios, Agricultural, Trucking and Logistics
Litigation Support
Our litigation support services include expert witness testimony, such as corporate solvency and insolvency opinions, providing complex analytical analyses for D&O causes of action and forensic fraud review.
Real Estate and Construction Services
Selected Experience
Rally has expertise in the management and administration of commercial, industrial and residential real estate properties and construction projects. Our team has provided a variety of services to owners, private investors and institutional lenders on hundreds of troubled real estate projects throughout the country. We have served as court-appointed receiver, CRO, project manager and/or REO advisor. Our proficiencies include construction management and loan administration, acquisitions, turnarounds, workouts, refinancing, asset dispositions, document evaluations, liquidations, project completion and more.
Faith-Based & Not-For-Profit
Selected Experience
Because of the extensive financial reporting required in accepting private donations and other challenges related to today’s economy, the number of faith-based and not-for-profit organizations facing financial crises continues to grow. Rally is frequently called upon to provide customized consulting services, including redesigning business models, cash budgets, projections and performance improvement, staff contingency plans and Board development to financially stabilize faith-based and nonprofit entities.
Specialty Services
Selected Experience
Rally consultants offer a wealth of expertise in addressing the unique requirements presented by financially challenged organizations, such as daycare facilities, faith-based properties and operations, schools, medical facilities, hospitality facilities, livestock operations, financial services, professional service providers and not-for-profit entities. Our services include consulting, accounting, construction management, advisory services and more. In cases of distressed special-use facilities, Rally professionals apply their technical skills to stabilize each situation by providing immediate site and financial reporting, managing all associated aspects, and ultimately turning a short-term crisis into long-term viability. As with every matter, Rally’s goal is to complete a transaction in a cost-effective and expeditious manner while also protecting and maximizing the value of an asset to the benefit of all stakeholders.
Hospitality
Underperforming hotels, motels and restaurants, including those in foreclosure, insolvency or receivership, create challenging and complex management situations. Oftentimes, this niche area requires fast-acting property valuation and financial assessment, followed by immediate action. Rally has successfully completed this process numerous times. Our professionals have deep experience in this area and have served as Receiver or have been retained as trusted consultants for various-sized hotels, motels and restaurants throughout the country. We assist lenders throughout the entire situation, including preserving pre-foreclosure occupancy rates, serving in day-to-day management roles, and stabilizing operations to maintain or improve the value of the asset.
United States Department of Justice
Rally has served as a government contractor working for the U.S. Marshals Service to oversee, manage and protect government-seized assets in fraud cases. Most recently, our work in this area includes providing daily care and treatment, training, transportation, boarding, and other essential services for 400 quarter horses on 19 farms throughout the country during the largest seizure of livestock in U.S. history from former Dixon, Illinois Comptroller Rita Crundwell. To read a full case study on this specific receivership, click here.
Medical
Our team provides effective and customized solutions that improve operational performance and financial profitability for all types of health care facilities, including hospitals, medical offices and ambulatory care centers. A recent example includes the successful turnaround of R&M Aviation, Inc., d/b/a AeroCare Medical Transport Systems, Inc., a provider of worldwide air ambulance and medevac services. In this case, Rally acted as financial advisors to the debtor in Chapter 11 proceedings, working to stabilize the company’s operations and aid in formulating a restructuring plan that maximized value and creditor recovery. To read a full case study on this specific matter, click here.