Solomon Q&A: Coaching the Team, Running the Plays

By CEO Marc Cooper

David Shiffman joined the firm in May 2012 and, in addition to continuing as Co-Head of the Consumer Retail Group, he was recently promoted to Head of Investment Banking. We talked about how the role strengthens coordination and senior oversight for clients—and how it supports Solomon’s next generation of bankers.

Those who know David know he’s a huge New York Rangers fan. So, it’s no surprise he talks about leadership in sports terms—coaching the team, building the bench, and running the plays that deliver for clients.

David, it’s great to have you join Solomon’s senior leadership team as Head of Investment Banking. Can you share your perspective on this new position?

Thank you, Marc. A simple way to think about it is: you set the strategy and we coach the team and run the plays. And like great teams in hockey, the details matter—when everyone knows their assignment and we change lines seamlessly, clients experience smoother execution and better outcomes.

My role helps ensure each engagement is led as a coordinated senior effort—aligned with our CEO and in close partnership with the Heads of Investment Banking, M&A, and Capital Advisory—so we can elevate the conversation, anticipate issues earlier, and help teams operate with precision and confidence.

In practice, we’ll connect the dots faster and bring seasoned judgment to the moments that matter—especially in complex, high-stakes situations. From the first conversation through closing, clients should feel they have one coordinated team in their corner, not separate groups operating in parallel.

How does this role support the firm’s long-term growth plans?

A core priority is continuing to develop talent—strengthening our teams and helping bankers grow into more effective leaders and advisors. When we invest in mentoring and empowering employees—as our Distribution Group Head Jason Kliewer describes it—both colleagues and clients win.

I’m also focused on helping scale the firm, without losing what makes Solomon special: outstanding industry expertise, a collaborative culture, and people who genuinely care about clients and each other. The goal is to build a deeper bench—so we’re not just winning one game, but sustaining performance over a full season to win the Stanley Cup of M&A, year-after-year.

David, you’ve spoken before about titles and leadership expectations. How does that philosophy carry into this new role?

A title doesn’t make you smarter or faster—it comes with responsibility and expectations. The market sees a difference, and that difference has to be earned every day.

For me, this role is about setting the standard, supporting our teams, and delivering for clients at the highest level—consistently. It’s like being a captain: you don’t just show up when the puck drops; you set the tone in practice, you take responsibility when things get tough, and you make the people around you better. That’s how you build a team clients trust in the biggest moments.

How does this appointment reinforce Solomon Partners’ position in the market?

As markets become more dynamic and transactions more complex, clients want experienced judgment and end-to-end solutions—and they want to know their advisors are fully aligned.

My goal is to help Solomon stand above competitors by combining deep industry expertise with collaborative execution, while investing in the next generation of bankers who will carry that standard forward. Ultimately, it’s about showing up for clients with the same discipline and commitment you’d expect from a team chasing a championship—prepared, connected, and accountable.

With your promotion to Head of Investment Banking, how will you balance that role with your ongoing responsibilities as Co-Head of the Consumer Retail Group?

It comes down to bench strength and “rolling four lines”—keeping pace without ever taking our best players off the ice. Jeff Derman’s promotion to Co-Head gives the Consumer Retail Group a highly experienced partner collaborating with me on day-to-day execution and sector coverage. That enables me to devote attention to Consumer Retail clients, and help colleagues strengthen key relationships.