Davis Nelson was promoted to Vice President at BDT & MSD Partners, a merchant bank with an advisory and investment platform built to serve the distinct needs of business owners and strategic, long-term investors. In his role, Nelson covers transaction analysis and execution of both advisory and investment mandates while also working to develop the firm’s relationships within South Florida and the broader Southeast U.S. region.
Nelson joined BDT & MSD as an analyst upon graduating from Rice University in 2020. Originally based in the firm’s Chicago co-headquarters, he has contributed to several marquee transactions, including the Weber Grills Initial Public Offering and the firm’s investments in Cincinnati-based ProMach, Bologna, Italy-based I.M.A., and Miami-based Badia Spices. In 2023, he relocated to Palm Beach, Florida, to support the firm’s commercial expansion in the region. Internally, he supports the firm’s talent recruitment, training, and professional development efforts, including overseeing the Merchant Banking Summer Internship program. For the last two years, he has also served on the committee that oversees the firm’s impact investing initiative, BDTcatalyst.
Nelson graduated summa cum laude from Rice with a B.A. in Mathematical Economic Analysis and a minor in Financial Computation and Modeling. A native of Salisbury, North Carolina, he was a three-time All-American men’s college club lacrosse player, Texas & Louisiana Conference Player of the Year, and team captain. He was also actively involved with the Rice Undergraduate Finance Club and McMurtry College Government.
- Shawn Hutchins, Communications and Marketing Specialist
