Montana Spirit and Master Storyteller

At Shoreline, we owe much of our identity and success to the vision and leadership of our founder, Phil Currie. A proud Montanan at heart, Phil grew up in Montana and carried that spirit with him throughout his life. He was a University of Montana alumnus, a lifelong fan of the Grizzlies, and served honorably in the U.S. Army Reserve, experiences that shaped his discipline and commitment.

Phil was more than just a business leader; he was a gifted storyteller. Well known among his children and grandchildren for his engaging tales, he understood the power of narrative. This appreciation for storytelling became a cornerstone of Shoreline’s approach. We have always taken pride in being exceptional writers by telling compelling stories that reveal the true value of our clients’ businesses. This approach has helped us consistently achieve the best possible outcomes for our clients over the years.

Entrepreneurship, Insight, and Building Shoreline

Throughout his career, Phil shared his knowledge far and wide. He presented across the Southwest U.S. to Vistage groups of business owners, educating many on “How to Realize the Value of Your Business and What You Should Be Doing Now.” These presentations reflected his deep commitment to helping business owners succeed.

Before founding Shoreline, Phil was a serial entrepreneur in Spokane, Washington. He started and sold several businesses, each to a single buyer. Later, reflecting on those sales, he realized how much value was left on the table without competition among buyers. This insight became one of Shoreline’s core tenets: generating competitive bids to maximize value for our clients.

In the late 1980s, Phil and his wife Linda moved to San Diego so they could be closer to their children, both attending USC. Early on in San Diego, Phil took on turnaround CEO roles. One key insight from these engagements was that many businesses were not the right size for their market, so his focus was on resizing companies to fit their potential.

Phil founded Shoreline in 1992, though the challenges of building an M&A advisory firm alone soon became clear. In spring 1994, Tim Malott was introduced to Phil, joining the firm that September. What followed was a business partnership spanning over 30 years. In those early years, Phil was the primary rainmaker while Tim led many engagements, a balance that powered Shoreline’s growth.

A Legacy of Leadership

Around 2015, Phil began stepping back from day-to-day operations. Though he eventually retired as an owner, he remained an active supporter and kept an office at Shoreline until his passing in late 2025.

Phil’s goal had always been for Shoreline to become the M&A firm of choice in San Diego, a goal he eventually came to see realized. He took pride in the fact that many of our clients came entirely from referrals by other professionals. He often said that the only advertising Shoreline ever invested in was a $500 promotion for WD-40 Company in the San Diego Business Journal, to support CEO of the Year Garry Ridge, underscoring Phil’s belief in relationship-driven business.

Beyond his work ethic, Phil was someone who believed in working hard and having fun, a spirit that continues to thrive at Shoreline today. Over the years, he was a mentor to everyone who joined Shoreline, teaching us the importance of listening. As he famously said, “You don’t learn anything when you’re talking.” His simple yet powerful advice to always ask ourselves “and then what?” remains a vital part of our negotiation approach.

Phil Currie’s legacy is woven into everything we do at Shoreline, from writing the compelling stories of our clients to the values we uphold and the relationships we nurture. We honor him not only as our founder but as the heart and soul of our firm.