The Smart Business Dealmakers Dealmaker of the Year Awards recognize exceptional individuals who are shaping the landscape of business and innovation in Philadelphia.
In addition, The Philadelphia Dealmakers Hall of Fame recognized a class of dealmakers that has made an often-groundbreaking impact on their organizations, industries and the region over the course of decades in business.
We celebrated the accomplishments of the 2025 class of winners on September 11 at the Philadelphia Smart Business Dealmakers Conference. Together, they provide a strong picture of the Philadelphia business community.
Dealmaker Of The Year Honorees
Jeff Brazwell, CEO of Promise to Perform Industries. As CEO, Jeff Brazwell led the management buyout of Promise to Perform Industries, the 76-year-old manufacturer of cranes and hoists under the Spanco and Lug-All brands. Backed by a blend of personal investment, bank financing and private equity from Blue Highway Capital, the deal secured the company’s future in local hands. Since then, Jeff and his partners have executed a complete turnaround, driving performance improvements across every key metric.
Domenic Colasante, CEO of 2x. AI-powered go-to-market firm 2X has grown from a self-funded startup into a global subscription-services leader with more than 1,200 employees. Co-founder and CEO Domenic Colasante led the company through its first institutional capital raise with Recognize Partners at a $94 million valuation in 2023, then nearly tripled the business before closing a secondary with Insight Partners in 2025 at a $275 million valuation. This rapid trajectory highlights 2X’s disruptive model and Domenic’s bold leadership.
Kyle Fisher, CFO of Sila Services. Sila Services is one of the country’s largest HVAC, Electrical and Plumbing platforms headquartered in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. Goldman Sachs’ private equity arm acquired a majority stake in Sila Services from Morgan Stanley Capital Partners, valuing the company at about $1.8 billion. The purchase price represents a ~18x multiple of the company’s 12-month EBITDA, which was just under $100 million as of December 2024. The transaction was supported by $650 million of senior debt and revolver financing. Previously, the company raised $600 million of debt financing since 2021.
Dean Grabelle, SVP & General Counsel, Hanwha Philly Shipyard. Senior Vice President and General Counsel Dean Grabelle led the $100 million acquisition of Philly Shipyard by South Korea’s Hanwha Group, a deal requiring approval from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and coordination across multiple jurisdictions. Alongside negotiations, he managed high-stakes litigation that threatened operations and local jobs — ultimately securing a favorable outcome that kept the transaction on track. Today, under Hanwha’s ownership, Philly Shipyard is positioned for new growth, job creation and expanded capabilities, thanks to Dean’s steady leadership and strategic insight. Congratulations, Dean!
Bradley Korman, Co-CEO of Korman Communities. Korman Communities, a fully integrated real estate firm, marked a strategic milestone when its Elements Horsham property and adjacent land were acquired by First National Realty Partners for $16 million in 2024. Co-CEO Bradley Korman helped steer this high-performing transaction, which delivered strong value while aligning with FNRP’s strategy in a prime Philadelphia submarket. The deal underscores Korman Communities’ ability to create, manage, and monetize premier real estate assets.
Lee Minkoff, Jesse Serventi, Kevin Spear, and Adam Swank of Renovus Capital Partners. Renovus Capital Partners, based in Wayne, Pennsylvania, has built a reputation for transforming the Knowledge and Talent sectors. Between 2022 and 2025, the firm completed 10 acquisitions to create Harbor, the premier digital transformation partner to the legal industry. In 2025, Renovus sold a majority stake in Harbor to BayPine while retaining significant ownership, marking a milestone that underscores Renovus’ vision and ability to scale platforms in high-growth industries.
Social Impact Honoree
Tracey Welson-Rossman. Tracey is the CMO of Chariot Solutions and Founder of TechGirlz. She has built her career at the intersection of technology, entrepreneurship and advocacy — using every platform as a way to expand access and opportunity. As Co-Founder and CMO of Chariot Solutions, she helped establish one of Philadelphia’s leading software development firms, while also shaping its brand and market presence. Beyond the boardroom, Tracey founded TechGirlz, a nonprofit that has empowered thousands of young women nationwide through hands-on technology education, and later ensured its future impact by facilitating its acquisition by Creating IT Futures in 2019. Today, as Founder and CEO of Journal My Health, Tracey continues to innovate — transforming health care by giving individuals, especially women, the tools to track and harness their own health data.
Dealmakers Hall of Fame
Jeff Benjamin. Jeff Benjamin has spent more than 25 years shaping Philadelphia’s dining landscape and redefining what it means to build restaurants with both excellence and heart. After partnering with Marc Vetri to launch Vetri Cucina, he helped grow the Vetri Family into a nationally recognized collection of acclaimed concepts, including Osteria, Fiorella, and Pizzeria Salvy, as well as expansions into Las Vegas. Alongside his work in hospitality, Jeff co-founded the Vetri Community Partnership, bringing food education and nutrition programs to thousands of students and families across Philadelphia. He is also an author, investor and mentor, sharing his insights with entrepreneurs and his passion with the next generation.
Today, Jeff continues to shape the industry as co-founder and operator of iconic restaurants, while also serving on the boards of Federal Donuts and Simply Good Jars. His legacy is not only in the memorable meals and celebrated concepts he’s helped create, but also in the opportunities he has fostered for others across the hospitality and foodservice community.
Kailash Kalantri. For more than 25 years, Kailash Kalantri has been at the helm of Acclaim Systems, guiding the certified minority-owned technology solutions firm through steady growth, innovation and transformation. Under his leadership, Acclaim has expanded into commercial, state and federal markets, earning recognition as an SBA 8(a), GSA and Microsoft Solutions Partner. By acquiring and modernizing legacy platforms, Kailash and his team created solutions now in use across more than 30 states — spurring job creation and driving technology advancement in Pennsylvania and beyond. His commitment to impact extends further as an advocate for IT oversight reform and stronger governance in state technology programs.
Beyond his role at Acclaim, Kailash has been a tireless supporter of Pennsylvania’s innovation economy, serving as Treasurer and Director of the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority and as a member of the Commonwealth’s Venture Investment Committee. His career stands as a model of entrepreneurial leadership, public advocacy, and community engagement. A builder of businesses and an advocate for progress, Kailash’s influence will resonate for years to come.
