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Scott J. Adelson

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at HOULIHAN LOKEY
Board
Since June 10, 2024
Age
63 years
Education
Earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Southern California and an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Tenure
Joined the firm around 1986 and built a distinguished career at HLI by holding roles such as Senior Managing Director, Co-President from 2013 to June 2024, and now serving as CEO.

Also at HOULIHAN LOKEY

DAP
David A. Preiser
Vice Chairman
ING
Irwin N. Gold
Co-Chairman, Chairman of the Board
SLB
Scott L. Beiser
Co-Chairman

About

Scott J. Adelson has built a remarkable career at HLI, culminating in his appointment as the Chief Executive Officer in June 2024. His journey at the firm began over three decades ago, and during that time he has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership and expertise in financial services.

Throughout his tenure, he has contributed significantly to the evolution of the firm’s corporate finance practice, overseeing major transactions and fostering strategic growth initiatives. His roles as Senior Managing Director and later Co-President allowed him to shape the firm's business strategies and client relationships, highlighting his profound impact on HLI's long-term success.

In addition to his leadership at HLI, his professional contributions extend to serving on several boards of public and private companies, where he has played a key role in corporate governance and strategic decision-making. His dedication and innovative approach have not only propelled the firm’s advancement but have also earned him recognition in the broader financial services community.

$HLI Performance Under Scott J. Adelson

Past Roles

OrganizationRoleDate RangeDetails
Motorcar Parts of America, Inc. (Nasdaq: MPAA) Board of Directors January 2008 to September 2022 Board membership role
QAD Inc. Board of Directors April 2006 to November 2021 Board membership role
Houlihan Lokey (HLI) Co-President and Global Co-Head of Corporate Finance N/A [N/A]Held leadership overseeing corporate finance activities
Houlihan Lokey (HLI) Co-President 2013 – (Pre-CEO) Senior executive responsible for strategic planning, client relations, and business development
Houlihan Lokey (HLI) Global Co-Head of Corporate Finance N/A [N/A]Oversaw various corporate finance activities
Houlihan Lokey (HLI) Senior Managing Director in the Corporate Finance Group 2002 – (Pre-CEO) Involved in mergers, acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, and capital raising activities

Fixed Compensation

Data from  FY 2024
Component NameAmountPayment ScheduleAdditional Details
Salary $500,000Annual, paid in 2024Fixed annual base salary
Stock Awards Granted for 2023 Performance 13,593 restricted Class B shares (Grant-Date Fair Value: $1,190,747)Vest in four equal installments on May 15, 2024, 2025, 2026, and 2027Restricted stock award subject to continued employment

Performance Compensation

Data from  FY 2024

Performance Compensation Details for 2024

The Non-Equity Incentive Compensation for fiscal 2024 is based on the company’s revenue performance and is awarded as a mix of cash and equity components. The following table summarizes the key metrics and terms:

ComponentDetail DescriptionValueCitation
Aggregate AwardTotal performance-based compensation award$4,000,000
Cash PortionCash award split into two payments: one on May 15, 2024 and another payment (of $850,500) on November 30, 2024$3,093,750
Equity PortionAward converted into restricted Class B stock; number of shares determined by dividing $906,250 by the average closing price over 10 trading days post announcement6,701 shares; Grant-Date Fair Value: $898,470
Performance MetricRevenue benchmark set as the average revenue of fiscal years 2021-2023$1.87 billion
Actual RevenueActual fiscal 2024 revenue used to determine bonus pool$1.91 billion
Maximum Bonus PoolAt 100% achievement of the revenue benchmark, bonus pool would be 4.0% of fiscal 2024 revenue$76,576,160
Individual TargetsThere are no individual numerical thresholds, targets, or maximums set for executive awardsN/A
Vesting ScheduleVesting of the equity portion is done in four equal installmentsVesting on May 15 for each year from 2025 to 2028
Evaluation PeriodPerformance evaluated based on fiscal 2024 revenue performance relative to fiscal years 2021-2023Fiscal 2024 vs. FY21-FY23

Additional Notes

  • The Compensation Committee plays a key role, using its discretion in determining incentive awards based on both company performance and individual contributions.
  • Detailed conditions such as vesting and employment continuation are critical elements in the incentive structure.