Judi Combs

Ms. Combs joined Stifel in July 2002 to assist the Firm’s growth initiative in the private education and non-profit sectors as well as to increase its banking activities geographically into strategic regions including the Northeast. Ms. Combs was previously employed by a national investment-banking firm since 1991 with a primary focus on the private education sector, with clients in the independent school sector and private higher education, as well as cultural institutions. During her career, Ms. Combs developed an area of expertise in the independent school arena, working with a wide variety of both boarding and day school programs ranging from start-up programs to large, established institutions. In the early 1990’s Ms. Combs assisted Moody’s in the development of the first rating medians for the independent school sector; her credit analysis strengths enable her clients to achieve strong initial credit ratings and multiple rating upgrades over time. Ms. Combs’ credit focus is also instrumental in the development of rating agency and private lending bank strategies, rehearsals & site visit presentations, and credit enhancement solicitation, which has resulted in strong credit assessments & ratings, aggressive bank and credit enhancement bids, and below market pricing of financial instruments. In addition to credit expertise, Ms. Combs’ has developed and implemented alumni, family & friends marketing programs to enhance investor marketing strategies. Over her career, she has assisted with structuring and bringing to market approximately 145 financings totaling over $1.5 billion. Ms. Combs has been quoted in the Bond Buyer and has been a presenter at national and regional industry conferences: National Business Officers Association (NBOA), National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), the National Coalition for Girls Schools (NCGS), Central and Eastern Associations of College & University Business Officers (CACUBO and EACUBO), along with state and regional groups (NJAIS, OAIS, Tri-State Conference and Southern AIS). Ms. Combs has been on the advisory boards for Villa Duchesne & Oak Hill School, St. Joseph’s Academy, Marian Middle School, The Muni Opera of St. Louis and City of Ladue (Beautify Ladue). She is a graduate of Washington University, St. Louis (B.S. in Economics) and a registered securities representative holding FINRA Series 7, 50, 52 and 63.