Chris Adams, Managing Partner

Mr. Adams is the Managing Partner and Founder of Next Meridian with over 25 years of experience on Wall Street, as an entrepreneur, and as a corporate advisor serving executives and boards of private companies. Prior to this he was a senior executive with Sempra Energy Trading, a +$3 billion full-service energy & commodities trading company (later sold to RBS). In 1996 Mr. Adams co-founded a chocolate manufacturing business in Romania to take advantage of the emerging market opportunity, eventually divesting for >50X invested dollars. He has been involved with numerous M&A transactions, including the acquisition of several Enron businesses for nearly $1 billion, and has many years experience advising executives and board in metals & mining, energy, technology, and health care. He operates around the globe with relationships built on trust and mutual respect from China to Chile.

Mr. Adams holds an MBA from Duke University and a BA from the University of Colorado. He holds the Financial Modeling and Valuation Analyst (FMVA) certification from the Corporate Finance Institute. Chris earned the well known Health Sector Management Certificate, also from Duke University, and a Diploma in Renewable Energy from NC State University. In addition to FINRA licensure he has held an active Real Estate brokers license for >15 years. He has served on several corporate and non-profit Boards, travels, and spends time in the outdoors with his family.

John Illes, Managing Director

John Illes brings over a dozen years of middle market investment banking experience to Next Meridian.  He has worked with middle market companies with mergers & acquisitions activities focusing on sell-side, buy-side and capital raise engagements in the consumer goods, manufacturing, energy and defense/government services business sectors.

Prior to his time in investment banking, John held senior operating executive positions in the United States and Europe with investor-owned companies of all sizes.  John understands the daily pressures of running a business and he knows what it takes to build an organization.  This background gives him a pragmatic perspective of M&A processes that helps build a bridge between owner-operated businesses and institutional & strategic investors.

John earned his MBA from the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University on Dallas., Texas and his Bachelor of Science degree in Public Affairs from Indiana University if Bloomington, Indiana. He is a Six Sigma Green Belt and is a Certified Merger and Acquisition Advisor (CM&AA) with FINRA Series 24, 62, 63, and 79 licenses.

John lives in the Upstate South Carolina area with his wife and their Labrador Retriever. He enjoys cycling, hiking, skiing, nad shooting sports.  

Luis Vega, Managing Director

Luis Vega is a seasoned financial advisor and executive with over two decades of multidisciplinary leadership across the mining, energy, logistics, and retail sectors in Latin America. With deep operational and strategic expertise, he has successfully led corporate transformations, international financings, M&A transactions, and the development of large-scale industrial projects in Chile and Peru.

As CEO and CFO of Minera Tres Valles (MTV), a Chilean copper producer, Mr. Vega played a key role in guiding the company through its transition from private ownership to control by a Canadian TSX-listed entity. He led the post-acquisition restructuring following Vale’s exit, secured critical capital investments, and oversaw the validation of the company’s expansion strategy under the Canadian NI 43-101 standard.

Mr. Vega's background also includes substantial experience in equipment lifecycle management, global procurement, and ERP implementation (notably SAP MM and PM modules). His leadership has consistently delivered operational efficiency and financial discipline, including the successful mobilization of equity and working capital for mining ventures.

He holds an MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, with a focus on Entrepreneurial Strategy and Innovation in Emerging Markets. He earned his Industrial Engineering degree and a Diploma in Computer Science from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Earlier in his career, he graduated with honors from the Chilean Military Academy, ranking first in Artillery Specialization and second in his class overall.

Luis is fluent in Spanish, professionally proficient in English, and has a basic understanding of Russian. He continues to advise boards, investors, and executive teams across the Americas, with a strong emphasis on mining and infrastructure development.

Craig Lundgren, Director of Business Development

Meet Craig, our Director of Business Development. Armed with an undergraduate degree in Industrial Management and a minor in Japanese, Craig embarked on a dynamic career journey. His initial two years teaching English in Japan laid the foundation for his global perspective. Upon his return to the US, Craig honed his skills at Hitachi Electronic Devices as a process quality control supervisor and shop-floor interpreter (Japanese/English). Demonstrating strategic acumen he pursued a Masters in Professional Accountancy and obtained his CPA license. 

Craig's next chapter unfolded with an eight-year tenure as an auditor for manufacturing clients at a prominent public accounting firm. His meticulous approach and financial acuity made him an invaluable asset in navigating complex financial landscapes. Ever adaptable, Craig seamlessly transitioned to business development, dedicating another eight years to fostering growth for the firm.

Since then, Craig has been brining his wealth of experience to his clients, engaging with them to provide strategic business development support and tailored accounting and finance solutions.