Strategic Financing: Powering Growth in a Challenging Economy
Presented By: CIBC Bank USA
Having a diversified capital stack in an evolving economic climate is essential for driving business growth and executing successful deals. This panel features leaders from diverse sectors sharing practical approaches to securing capital, managing risk, and leveraging financial resources for expansion. Gain actionable insights into innovative funding solutions, responding to market challenges, and aligning financing strategies with long-term goals to create value in today’s dynamic environment.
Moderator:
Chief Content Officer
Smart Business
Dustin is an award-winning business journalist, bestselling author, and the chief content officer of Smart Business. Over the past 30 years, he has interviewed thousands of business and civic leaders, and helped more than 50 CEOs and entrepreneurs transform their ideas into books. A trained investigative politics reporter and former digital media entrepreneur, Dustin joined Smart Business in 1997 after serving as an editor at several daily newspapers.
Panelists:
Managing Partner
Trivest
Jamie joined Trivest in 1997 and is involved in all aspects of the firm, including the origination of investment opportunities, completing acquisitions, fundraising, portfolio oversight and firm management. In addition, Jamie leads the firm’s non-control investment strategies through the Trivest Growth Investment Fund. He is a member of Trivest’s Investment Committee and serves on the boards of dozens of current and past portfolio companies. Prior to joining Trivest, Jamie worked in the Audit and Business Advisory Group of PwC, Miami. He received his B.S. in accounting, magna cum laude, from Boston College and his M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.
Partner
KLH Capital
Kyle leads the firm’s business development efforts. He is primarily responsible for identifying investment opportunities, including initial financial, operating, and competitive analysis of businesses. He is a member of the KLH Investment Committee and serves on the board of directors for BMI Merchandise.
Prior to joining KLH, Kyle was involved in a variety of brokerage-related capacities within the wealth management and insurance industry. An active member of the industry, he serves on the board of directors for the ACG Tampa Bay chapter, served on the board of directors of the M&A Source, and was previously the chairman of the Alliance of Merger & Acquisition Advisors (AM&AA).
Kyle graduated from the University of Tampa’s John H. Sykes College of Business with a Bachelor of Science in Finance.
Managing Director Tampa Market Lead
CIBC Bank USA
Luke Posson is a seasoned banking executive with over 18 years of experience in commercial and investment banking. As a Managing Director and the Tampa Market Lead for CIBC Bank USA, he works closely with public, private and sponsor-backed companies to provide customized debt solutions and advisory services. In addition to his work on the Gracepoint Foundation and with ACG Tampa, He is a proud veteran of the U.S. Navy.
Founder and Co-Chairman of the Board
D&H United Fueling Solutions
Experienced executive that believes in inspirational leadership and people culture to drive significant growth, outstanding customer service and enterprise value creation. Founder and Co-Chairman of D&H United Fueling Solutions, a leader in sales, service, installation and compliance of fueling and EV charging systems. The company is a 3-time Inc. 5000 company and has grown to 1400+ team members and 36 offices across the country.