Convergent Security Group (CSG)

The CSG Team

The CSG Team combines top-tier investment banking and research experience with the deep industry knowledge of the founders of America’s first and highly successful high-tech business accelerator for national and homeland security. The Team is a powerful resource for issuers and investors shaping the Convergent Security™ landscape.

• Mark Sauter, Managing Director

  Mr. Sauter specializes in leading complex M&A transactions to successful completion and supports Legend’s SPAC, security, bio-med and technology practices. He also helps clients of the firm’s Convergent Security Group increase the value of their enterprises by improving their strategies, raising capital and making acquisitions. Mr. Sauter previously served as COO of the Chesapeake Innovation Center, a public-private security technology partnership where his expertise in venture financing, growth strategies and the security market helped member companies win substantial financing, major contracts and profitable exits. His analysis of the security market includes co-authoring widely-quoted white papers and McGraw-Hill’s leading university textbook: “Homeland Security: A Complete Guide to Understanding, Preventing and Surviving Terrorism.” Mr. Sauter’s experience includes serving as a senior executive at several venture capital-backed companies; principal investigator/program manager for a contract with a major U.S. intelligence agency; and an Army officer in infantry and special forces units. Mr. Sauter is a graduate of Harvard University, magna cum laude, and the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism. He holds Series 7 and 63 Registrations.

• Samuel F. Ottensoser, Managing Director & General Counsel

  Since 2004, Mr. Ottensoser has participated at Legend in shaping the emergence and development of Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs) as a major asset class. Mr. Ottensoser has also been active in domestic and international transactions, representing Israeli and Chinese companies raising capital on the NASDAQ and AMEX. He also serves as Legend’s General Counsel, drawing upon over 30 years of experience as a capital markets attorney focusing on corporate financing transactions. Prior to joining Legend, Mr. Ottensoser represented both issuers and underwriters and has structured and negotiated IPO’s, secondary offerings, private placements, PIPES and mergers and acquisition transactions as a senior and managing partner at several New York law firms. He has represented clients in front of the SEC, FINRA, State Blue Sky, foreign and other such regulatory authorities. Mr. Ottensoser received his BA from Yeshiva University and his JD from Harvard Law School.

• Bradley W. McGowan, Managing Director

  Brad McGowan is responsible for deal sourcing & business development for Legend’s Investment Banking Division. Mr. McGowan conducts outreach and builds relationships with institutional investors, Private Equity Groups, Venture Capital Firms and strategic corporate buyers/sellers. Mr. McGowan has over 20 years of financial services and investment banking experience at Merrill Lynch, Lehman Brothers, and UBS. Prior to joining Legend, he was a Managing Director at Jefferies & Co. and worked closely with its subsidiaries including the Aerospace, Defense & Homeland Security group (Quarterdeck Investment Partners), Broadview, the Technology Banking Group, and the Biotech Banking Group. Throughout his career, Mr. McGowan has been an active adviser to small, emerging growth companies. He is a founding partner of MLI Ventures which provides strategic advisory, management and business development assistance to seed and early-stage companies with an emphasis in the technology, security, and biotech / life sciences field, while utilizing the resources at New Jersey Institute of Technology, UMDNJ, and his network at Stevens Institute of Technology and also at Rutgers University — all major hubs of technology, bio-engineering, and designated Centers for U.S. Homeland Security. Mr. McGowan earned an Executive MBA in Finance at the Stern Business School at New York University (NYU) in 1998 and served as his class president two years in a row. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from Lehigh University in 1987. Mr. McGowan is currently a member of the Alumni Board of Trustees of Lehigh University. Mr. McGowan holds Series 7, 63 and 65 Registrations.