The story of each life abounds with unexpected twists and turns. Michael “Mickey” Brunton (LCU ’17) came from Luton, England to LCU and the dusty plains of West Texas in 2013 on a soccer scholarship. He credits LCU as being “the foundation of [his] story.” Brunton now lives in Chelsea, NY, working for Eaton Partners, a division of Stifel (NYSE: SF).
In addition to the lure of a soccer scholarship, Brunton credits Coach Lee Williams for his final decision. “I had opportunities to attend schools in Florida and the Northeast, but Coach Lee Williams convinced me that LCU was the right fit and on reflection, he couldn’t have been more correct.” Some of Brunton’s favorite memories of LCU are directly connected to people and relationships. Reflecting on soccer, he observed, “I was fortunate to play alongside an incredibly talented group of teammates while traveling across the country to compete. I look back on that time with fond memories.”
LCU’s professors, coaches, and courses had a profound impact on Brunton’s journey. Coach Williams continues to be, “both a mentor and close friend.” His life-altering decision to major in finance stemmed from a conversation with Tiffany Gibson in the Rec Center. Furthermore, he notes, “Professor Mack challenged me to pursue my master’s in finance at Texas Tech, a decision that opened numerous doors professionally.” Along the way, these professors—and many others—provided encouragement and advice. His favorite classes—finance and accounting—helped in his understanding of, “how to value a business and determine its intrinsic worth.”
Currently, Brunton is the Managing Director and Co-Head of GP-led Secondaries for Eaton Partners and is based in the Midtown Manhattan office. At Eaton Partners, they advise financial sponsors, limited partners, and other stakeholders on complex capital raising and liquidity solutions. Brunton’s team focuses on GP-led secondaries, one of the fastest-growing segments of the private markets, helping sponsors generate liquidity for existing investors while positioning high-quality assets for future growth. The transactions are highly strategic and often resemble M&A processes in terms of complexity and execution.
Brunton’s wife, Ryley, whom he met during his senior year at LCU, is currently an attorney in New York City with an impressive career of her own. Brunton also praises her, observing that Ryley is, “an incredible partner who keeps me grounded and, although a challenging task, does her best at keeping me well-balanced.”
For LCU students and alumni, Brunton has the following encouragement: “Don’t be afraid to pursue opportunities that seem out of reach. Moving from England to West Texas, and eventually to New York, certainly wasn’t a conventional path, but each step opened doors I never could have anticipated. Work hard, stay curious, and build genuine relationships—try to find something in common with everyone. The finance industry is surprisingly small, and people remember those who are dependable, humble, and willing to help others succeed.” From the lush island of England to the blustery plains of Texas, and now in the bustling city of New York, Brunton’s story reflects the results of diligent effort combined with encouraging mentorship and support. We are proud to have Mickey Brunton as part of our LCU alumni family.