Founding Partners

Ernest is a retired career Naval Officer, previously serving in a wide variety of positions from combat zones, program management, pentagon resourcing and requirements, engineering duty, ship building programs, weapon system development, and other areas. As a member of the Miami tribe of Oklahoma, he is the go-to advisor for Tribal groups across the M&A, capital access, federal contracting, financial services, and commercial real estate verticals.

Prior to founding BWP, Ernest was the Senior Executive for the Miami tribal-owned entities, the founder of numerous companies, and the principal owner of an advisory firm focused on tribal business matters. Ernest is subject matter expert on political and business matters pertaining to government contractors, with a special focus on American Indian Tribal transactions.

Ernest received his B.S. in Electrical Engineering at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN and his M.B.A. from the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia. He also holds advanced degrees in Naval Architecture, Electrical Engineering, and Environmental Science from MIT, Georgia Tech, and Johns Hopkins University. Ernest is also a licensed professional engineer..

New York, NY       |        Sarasota, FL          |          Washington, DC    

Rob has 15 years of investment banking transaction experience, working with firms in the government contracting, manufacturing, industrials, telecom, financial, tech, and healthcare industries. He provides advisory and execution services to BWP’s clients in connection with strategic initiatives and mergers and acquisitions activities. His focus is transaction marketing, negotiation, and execution of BWP’s engagements.

Before founding BWP, Rob was a Vice President at Hammond Hanlon Camp, a healthcare investment banking firm, providing M&A and capital raising advisory services to Hospital and Health System clients.  Prior to that he provided M&A, capital investment, and capital advisory services to large business and middle market companies with roles at PNC Mezzanine Capital, Barclays Capital, and J.P. Morgan investment banking groups.

Rob received his B.A. in Economics from Colby College in Waterville, ME and his M.B.A. from the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia.

​​advisers & strategists

Burton Woodward Partners