Our Story
JLS Capital Strategies LLC (“JLS Capital”) is an independent financial advisory firm specializing in raising capital for infrastructure projects. With an experience base covering over 70 countries, 160 projects, and $50 billion in finance, JLS Capital distinguishes itself in its ability to structure complex transactions in a range of infrastructure sectors to meet investment and credit criteria of equity and debt providers, and to restructure troubled transactions to work out new, sustainable arrangements. JLS Capital offers a full range of modeling, negotiation, due diligence, and other financial advisory services to take projects from start – project concept and loan application – to finish – final commitment and financial closure.
JLS Capital’s experience is concentrated in emerging markets where project risks are typically the greatest, commercial lenders are often risk averse, and investment hurdles can be substantial. Many of our engagements involve “agency” debt from export credit agencies, multilateral development agencies, and other publicly affiliated agencies. While agencies participate in risky markets and can offer reasonable debt terms, borrowers – especially those new to agency lending – are not always satisfied with rigid credit standards and long processing times that can characterize agency lending. JLS Capital provides the value added services our clients need to succeed – to get to loan agreements, debt restructuring, and loan disbursements more quickly and on stronger terms.
JLS Capital consistently adds value to its clients by offering on each engagement:
- Unwavering commitment and dedication and relentless work ethic
- A focus on listening to understand the underlying interests that drive deals to closure
- Maturity of perspective needed to focus on and analyze critical issues
- Creativity to explore solutions to complex problems on transactions large and small
Let JLS Capital know your toughest challenges on your most complex transactions. We will help your project and your business to be successful.
Transaction Team
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Tel: +1 (202) 375 8903
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Founder and President
John Schuster
John Schuster is the founder and president of JLS Capital Strategies, LLC. He advises U.S. and international clients on structured and project finance transactions. In 30 years in the infrastructure finance industry, Mr. Schuster has led and advised deal and project teams on more than 200 separate transactions, involving nearly $50 billion of approved project loans for infrastructure projects in the power, oil/gas, mining, satellite, semiconductor and other sectors.
Work Experience
Vice President and Head of the Structured Finance Division of the Export-Import Bank of the United States
Prior to founding JLS Capital, Mr. Schuster served 15 years at Ex-Im Bank. As the Vice-President and Head of the Structured Finance Division, he grew the division’s lending to over $10B per year, leading the Ex-Im Bank into new sectors such as satellites, renewable energy, mineral mining, nuclear power, and semiconductor manufacturing, while expanding the bank’s portfolio in traditional segments of oil & gas and power. As a result of his leadership, Ex-Im was awarded several Deals of the Year and was selected Export Credit Agency of the Year and Multilateral of the Year in 2013. Prior to assuming leadership of the Structured Finance Division, Mr. Schuster was a Managing Director, where he led deal teams originating many of the division’s most challenging cases in the power, petrochemical, and satellite sector.
Head of International Finance Advisory at PA Consulting Group
Mr. Schuster headed the international finance advisory practice at Hagler Bailly, where he advised agency, bank, and corporate clients with a focus on project financing of IPP projects in emerging markets. He authored Power Project Finance, a seminal work on power project finance in developing countries.
Head of International Finance Advisory at ICF Consulting
Mr. Schuster managed the international finance advisory practice for ICF Consulting’s energy group, advising agency, banking and government clients on project finance, risk allocation, financial feasibility, and other matters. He advised on successful debt restructurings on power and coal assets in the U.S. and Australia, and advised on competitive bidding programs in the U.S.
Education
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
Master of Public Policy
GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY
Bachelor Arts