"We've dealt with a number of Oncor members over the years and had excellent experiences, working both together and across from them," Ogden says. "Our reputation is that we are easy to work with, aggressive and intelligent on our clients' behalf, practical, but uncompromising on integrity. Oncor to us embodies those traits."

Ogden and Byrnam Wood chairman Joseph Thanhauser met in the 1980s at Pattison Partners where Thanhauser served as a principal and Ogden as a broker. They hung out their own shingle in 1992. "What particularly attracted us [to Oncor] was that the organization is comprised of a leading firm in each market," states Thanhauser. "They mirror our own entrepreneurial outlook, and the alliance is based on principle as well as practicality."

"Byrnam Wood was a natural match for us since Joe and Gordon have existing relationships with principals of several Oncor firms," says David A. Ball, president and CEO of Oncor. "They have an excellent reputation and track record in New York and already conduct business throughout North America and in Europe for their clients."