Franco Silva

Experience

1. Managing Director

   Prairie Capital Advisors, Inc.

   Sep 2007 — Present · Chicago, IL, US

   Franco Silva joined Prairie Capital Advisors in 2007 and is a shareholder in the firm. He leads Prairie’s downtown Chicago office and the ESOP Construction Advisory practice. Franco specializes in Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) formations and capital raising engagements within the construction industry.As a trusted advisor, Franco partners closely with construction clients to navigate the complexities of ownership transition. By understanding each client’s unique situation and long-term goals, he designs tailored strategies that deliver the best possible outcomes for Prairie’s construction clients. Franco successfully completes numerous transactions each year, demonstrating his commitment to achieving exceptional results.In addition to his client work, Franco leads professional roundtables and educational seminars for Prairie’s ESOP partners and for business owners considering an ownership transition. He is a frequent speaker at national conferences and forums, including the Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA), the National Center for Employee Ownership (NCEO), and The ESOP Association, where he presents topics such as ownership transition planning, ESOP advisory, capital management, and succession planning.Franco is a past President of The Illinois Chapter of The ESOP Association and has authored numerous thought leadership pieces for Prairie, CFMA, and the Associated General Contractors (AGC). He’s also been recognized as a Top 40 Under Forty Honoree in 2019 by the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts (NACVA).

Education

• DePaul University

  BS, Finance and Accounting

  2003 — 2007

Skills

• Divestitures
• Valuation
• Mergers