Gene Arenson

Gene Arenson serves as Director of Sales for Creative Planning Business Services, where he is responsible for business development, operational support, and developing synergies across the firm’s turnaround, restructuring, and sell-side advisory practices. With a focus on sourcing, structuring, and executing engagements for both healthy and distressed businesses nationwide, Gene plays a key role in expanding the firm’s reach and impact.

Gene brings over 35 years of experience in the commercial and industrial lending industry, with deep expertise in asset valuation, capital advisory, and relationship development. He most recently served as a founding member and Senior Vice President of Business Development for a Midwest-based appraisal and auction firm, where he worked with a wide range of clients including lending institutions, law firms, restructuring advisors, private equity funds, and corporations.

Prior to that, Gene was an operational Vice President and director of the world’s largest machinery and equipment valuation practice dedicated to asset-based lending. In that role, he directed thousands of engagements for asset-based lenders and major corporations across the globe, including projects in Mexico, Canada, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

Gene began his career with American Appraisal Associates on the West Coast, where he focused on public sector valuations for schools, cities, and utility districts. In 1991, he returned to the Midwest to lead the central region for Valuation Resource Management as Vice President, where he was responsible for production, scheduling, and staff training. He later joined AccuVal Associates in 1997, where he was instrumental in the firm’s growth, serving in roles that spanned appraisal, operations, and business development. In 2011, Gene joined HYPERAMS and played a central role in driving business growth through his extensive Midwest referral network.

Gene is a qualified expert witness for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court system and is highly active in professional associations. He is a member of the Midwest Business Brokers and Intermediaries (MBBI), Chair of the Milwaukee Committee for the Secured Finance Network (SFNet), and a member of the Wisconsin Professionals Network (WPN).

Gene has been a dedicated member of the Turnaround Management Association (TMA) for more than 20 years, serving in various leadership roles including Milwaukee Co-Chair, Chapter Secretary, and Committee Member for the Chicago/Midwest Chapter. He currently serves as a TMA Global Trustee and remains actively involved in planning educational and networking events as part of the Milwaukee Programs Committee.