Committee

Stephanie Acheson is VP of Customer Success at Ezderm, where she has spent nine years helping scale the company from founder-led to private equity-backed in partnership with Serent Capital. A Cornell University graduate in Applied Economics & Management, she focuses on delivering premium client experience while building AI-driven processes that enable sustainable growth. Avid tennis player and mom of two.

Blair Badham is a Managing Director at Lafayette Square®. Prior to joining Lafayette Square®, Blair served as Managing Director, Mergers and Acquisitions at Butler Snow Advisory. During his time at Butler Snow Advisory, he led sell side, buyside and capital raise transactions for privately owned and closely held businesses. Prior to joining Butler Snow, Blair managed the market launch and business development activities of EBSCO Capital, the investment division of EBSCO Industries. Headquartered in Birmingham, EBSCO Industries is a privately held conglomerate comprised of over 20 businesses and more than $2.5 billion in annual revenue. Before his role at EBSCO Capital, Blair served in multiple capacities for Jemison Metals, a Birmingham-based steel service center, including strategic planning, cultivating new territories, implementing software-based supply chain management tools, and developing and managing relationships with Fortune 500 industrial conglomerates. Blair began his career in commercial banking, and spent five years with First Commercial Bank's commercial and industrial lending team, where he managed numerous middle market relationships for the bank.

Blair earned a B.S. from the University of Alabama in 2003 and an M.B.A., with honors, from Samford University's Brock School of Business in 2009. He is an active member of the Rotary Club of Birmingham and serves in multiple roles for his church.

Brett R. Benson is a Private Wealth Advisor in Morgan Stanley’s Private Wealth Management division. With over 20 years in financial services, he partners with affluent individuals and families to build highly customized wealth management strategies aligned to their goals and complexities. A Purdue University graduate, Brett is based in Florida, volunteers at the Florida Aquarium, and enjoys time on the water with his family.

Celina Berglund is the founder and CEO of BROGAV Solutions, a women-owned company providing sourcing, infrastructure, and installation solutions for data centers. Known for her resourceful, solution-driven approach, she helps customers navigate complex projects with flexibility and speed while also inspiring the next generation through technology education and entrepreneurial leadership.

Jason Besse, CFA, is the President of Marquis Homes.

Mr. Besse worked across multiple departments within public homebuilding, including land acquisition, land development, and operations, reaching the role of VP of Operations for Taylor Morrison. Most recently, Jason was with Century Communities as Division President, overseeing all aspects of the homebuilding operations across the West Florida region.

Mr. Besse holds an MBA and a B.A. in Finance from Florida Gulf Coast University.

Steven Bold has over fifteen years of alternative investment management experience with the majority of that time spent evaluating, structuring, negotiating and managing direct private debt investments and, to a lesser extent, private equity investments in the U.S. middle-market. At Star Mountain, Mr. Bold is involved in the firm’s direct investment and portfolio management activities.

Prior to Star Mountain, Mr. Bold spent six years in the Business Finance Group at Cerberus Capital Management, culminating his tenor as a Senior Vice President. He was responsible for originating, evaluating, structuring and executing senior secured debt investments, primarily in partnership with middle market private equity sponsors. His role included leading underwriting and diligence efforts, negotiating transaction terms, coordinating legal documentation, overseeing deal execution and portfolio monitoring. Mr. Bold’s experience spans a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, refining, business services, engineering and construction, automotive, healthcare and technology. He has led complex diligence processes, including operational site visits, quality of earnings analyses and management assessments, and has supported portfolio companies through acquisitions, refinancings, restructurings and operational transformation initiatives.

Prior to joining Cerberus, Mr. Bold was a Senior Associate in the Principal Finance Group at Macquarie Group, where he evaluated senior secured, junior capital, structured equity and common equity investment opportunities and coordinated deal team diligence efforts. Previously, he was an Associate at AEA making junior debt and structured equity investments. Mr. Bold began his career as an Analyst in Leveraged Finance Origination at UBS Investment Bank.

Mr. Bold earned a Bachelor of Science in Physics from the University of Notre Dame.

Rob Brown has a background in both operating management and investing. He has led organizations to multiple Private Equity and Strategic transactions totaling over 1 billion in proceeds to his investors.

Currently his investment portfolio includes Technology Managed Services, Marine and Boating industry along with Healthcare. He co-founded and serves as the President of DataStrike.

Chris brings 25 years of business acumen to the CEO & President role at Valpak in the areas of manufacturing, technology and sales. His expertise has been in business transformations, including the implementation of a state-of-the-art printing facility, giving Valpak a distinct competitive advantage in the direct mail space. Chris has been instrumental in designing and growing new product lines, driving sales initiatives – at Valpak, as well as its subsidiary companies, like the former Savings.com – and implementing Agile Enterprise principles that have boosted efficiency and while driving down costs. He has spearheaded thoughtful technology innovations, including transitioning from paper-based processes to a complete digital suite of sales tools that have optimized selling time, improved customer experience and driven revenue. Chris is also active in the local community, where he enjoys fostering growth in the technology sector of the greater Tampa Bay area by serving as a board member and past Chairman of the Tampa Bay Technology group.

As Director of Business Development and Communications, Christine Caven engages with investors, venture capital firms, incubators, entrepreneur support organizations, and universities to tell the story of PS27 Ventures and the PS27 Foundation to create lasting partnerships. Christine has been involved in dozens of investments and has been working in venture capital for over ten years. Caven also focuses on data-driven content marketing for PS27 Ventures and its portfolio companies. Her successes include helping them pitch on Shark Tank, present on Good Morning America, showcase products on The View, and secure features in publications like Forbes, Tech Crunch, and Entrepreneur magazine.

Giving back to the community, Christine serves on the board of directors for Women in Technology & Entrepreneurship and is passionate about women's inclusion in the startup and finance industries.

Kyle Davis, Business Performance Advisor with Insperity, works directly with business owners and executive teams to address operational gaps, workforce challenges and growth constraints. Leveraging Insperity’s 40 years of experience it helps companies adopt proven strategies, modern tools and scalable systems that strengthen leadership effectiveness, fortify team performance and create a more resilient operational foundation.

Bradley Fincher is a senior relationship manager and head of CIBC Private Wealth’s Tampa office with over 25 years of industry experience. In this role, he fosters new and existing relationships with high net worth clients, family offices, foundations, endowments and key intermediaries. He currently sits on the CIBC Private Wealth hedge fund investment committee, where he helps support the firm’s hedge fund strategic direction. He formerly served on the firm’s national ambassador board, where he helped bring additional tools and resources to clients by collaborating with 150 senior CIBC professionals across the nation, from 11 distinct lines of business, to systemize firmwide cross-line of business collaboration.

Cory Gaffney joined The Anderson Group in 2006. Previously, Mr. Gaffney worked in private equity at Wynnchurch Capital. In addition, Mr. Gaffney worked as an Equity Research Associate and Investment Banking Analyst with Thomas Weisel Partners and Raymond James Financial.

Cory also has previous work experience with Beacon Strategic Resourcing, a provider of Asian manufacturing outsourcing services to United States-based manufacturing and distribution companies.

Cory is a graduate of Yale University (BA) and earned an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Jeff Galgano is a C-level entrepreneurial executive and board member with approximately 35 years of operational and transactional experience. Mr. Galgano spent 18 years as an Investment Banker, then over 15 years as a strategic CFO for 2 private equity backed companies. As CFO, he was an integral member of the ownership and executive teams overseeing all strategic and operational matters of the companies. He presently is a member of the Board of Directors for Ent Credit Union ($10 billion in assets) and The Crisis Center (provides emergency shelter and services for victims of domestic violence).

In 1998, Mr. Galgano moved to Denver to open and lead A.G. Edward's Corporate Finance office. He then led Stifel Nicolaus' Denver Corporate Finance office until 2006. During the course of his Investment Banking career, he was involved with over 75 public and private capital raising, and merger and acquisition transactions.

In 2006, he was a principal in the leveraged buyout of Tidel Engineering and became its CFO. Over the 12+ years as CFO, Tidel was bought and sold by 4 private equity companies, created and spun-off a successful division, and participated in multiple dividend recaps. In 2018, he joined Grease Monkey as CFO. During his tenure, the company was sold by a private equity company and purchased by another and completed over 35 acquisitions with Mr. Galgano leading the M&A team for most of the transactions.

Mr. Galgano earned his MBA from Northwestern University's J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management and his BS from DePaul University. He was named one of the Denver Business Journal's "40 Under 40". He has been and continues to be a guest speaker in multiple business and alumni forums.

Rahul Gupta is the Managing Partner of RKG Holdings, an investment and development firm managing a diverse portfolio encompassing real estate, private equity, venture capital, and private companies across the United States. His expertise lies in active real estate investment and development, with a primary focus on retail and hospitality projects in Florida.

Rahul's professional background includes extensive experience as an investment M&A banker, where he has successfully led mergers and acquisitions transactions and capital raises exceeding $30 billion in value. He has worked with prestigious firms such as JP Morgan, Greenhill, and Bear Stearns.

In addition to his professional achievements, Rahul is actively involved in the community. He has served on the ULI Mixed-Use and Placemaking Council and is a member of the St. Pete Downtown Partnership. He also serves as an advisor to Mudita Venture Partners.

Rahul is based in St. Petersburg, Florida, where he resides with his wife and two children.

Derek is a biotech entrepreneur and board member with over 30 years of experience in the contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) industry. He has a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from RSM Erasmus University and a Masters in Cell Biology from Harvard University where he completed his thesis on a new CAR-T.

His mission is to support the biotech revolution and create value for patients, customers, and investors.

Tim R. Holcomb PhD is CEO at Embarc Collective, a tech innovation leader for early-stage tech entrepreneurs ranked as the top incubation program in N America by UBI Global. Embarc's mission is to empower Florida’s entrepreneurs and startup talent to build bold, thriving, and highly impactful companies that are scalable and help shape the state of Florida into a leading technology hub. Tim has 35+ years of strategy, international business, and startup experience, including work in 25+ countries. He is a serial founder with two successful exits and has advise(d) startups and high growth companies that have raised more than $700M in venture, growth equity, and PE funding.

With more than 25 years of financial services experience, Marc came to Morgan Stanley in 2012. Committed to his clients, he believes that trust and confidence are the foundation for any successful relationship. Through hard work and dedication, he endeavors to exceed client expectations. He provides well-balanced solutions for each client based on their respective goals, tolerance and needs. A graduate of the University of Michigan, his experience with Bo Schembechler helped shape his commitment to integrity, ethics, and values.

Matt Kane has nearly 20 years of experience in strategic growth, business development, and deal origination across private equity, real estate technology, business services, and sports. At Align, he focuses on building relationships with lower-middle-market business owners, exploring M&A transactions and helping position them for successful outcomes. Matt previously led marketing and origination at Mangrove Equity Partners and served as Director of Strategic Growth at Compass, where he managed multi-state expansion and acquisition initiatives. Earlier in his career, he held senior business development roles at Aramark and Comcast Spectacor. He holds a finance degree from Pennsylvania State University.

At Gridiron Capital, Sean focuses on developing new business partnerships, marketing, communicating with business owners, and managing investment sourcing and exit planning. Prior to joining Gridiron Capital, Sean served as vice president at BB&T Capital Markets in Richmond, Virginia. His responsibilities at BB&T included executing mergers and acquisitions advisory for middle-market businesses, as well as establishing and strengthening business development relationships with middle-market investors. Earlier in his career, Sean worked at Credit Suisse and Deutsche Bank.

Bryce is the founder and Managing Director of the Kenny team, a group of investment professionals that reside within Morgan Stanley’s Private Wealth Management division. Bryce is based in Tampa, Florida however, he and his team work with clients throughout the United States. The Kenny team’s clients are typically high net worth individuals and families. Many are business owners and entrepreneurs or part of a family office. Bryce has been recognized as a top Advisor in the country by several national publications starting in 2012 through present.

Paul ia a senior executive who has led global automotive and chemicals businesses in entrepreneurial and public company settings. Global P&L leader ($3B) with a strong operations, strategy, business development foundation with a focus on environment and sustainability as a competitive advantage. Track record of impact and innovation as a growth-focused CEO of data disposal and electronics recycling company; as President of $2B auto and $3B chemicals companies; as global supply chain and operations leader for a $10B business across 144 factories and 60+ countries; and as co-founder of telematics company that went on to IPO.

Lee is managing director of Smart Business Network LLC, a national events, media and marketing company founded in 1989, primarily responsible for expanding the company’s Dealmakers Conferences throughout the U.S. He plays a key role in establishing corporate policies and developing long-term strategy and growth plans. Previously, he founded and chaired the Growth Group at national law firm Arter & Hadden LLP (now Tucker, Ellis & West), which focused on working with middle-market and high-growth technology companies. 

After retiring from professional baseball, I transitioned into the world of finance and investment, earning an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management with a focus on M&A, finance, and business strategy. That foundation led me to establish True Up Capital Advisors, a boutique investment bank specializing in professional sports transactions and lower middle market operating businesses. At True Up, we provide M&A advisory, capital raising, and strategic consulting, leveraging my deep understanding of the sports industry and business operations. Our firm serves as a trusted advisor to large family offices, helping them deploy capital into sports opportunities both in the United States and internationally, with a focus on Major League Baseball, golf, and minor league baseball.

In addition to True Up, I manage Wayfinder Capital Partners, my family investment vehicle, which focuses on acquiring values-driven lower middle market businesses. We invest in business services, manufacturing, distribution, and low-tech industries, primarily in the Southeast and Southwest, with a strong emphasis on Florida. Through buyouts and co-investments with other family offices, Wayfinder is committed to fostering sustainable growth and preserving the legacy of founders who have built exceptional companies.

My background as a former Major League Baseball player and Olympic medalist has shaped the way I approach investing—with discipline, strategic execution, and a relentless drive to win. I leverage my extensive sports and business network to create new opportunities, unlock additional value, and drive success in every deal. Whether through investment banking, M&A advisory, or private equity investments, I am committed to helping businesses, investors, and entrepreneurs navigate pivotal financial decisions with confidence.

Valerie Lavin, founder, and CEO of Luminary Global knows the importance of being prepared. As a retired Army First Sergeant with 21 years of experience serving our country, Valerie discovered the passion she has for service has extended past retirement and put her on a quest to find ways to serve those Americans who serve their country and their communities. Her first mission of service came naturally as she became involved with the local Veteran Entrepreneur ecosystem. Her passion for helping veterans navigate the business world as entrepreneurs prepared her for venturing into her own business starting Luminary.

While Valerie is still very involved with preparing veterans to succeed in their own businesses, she also wants to support the men and women who are the lifeline between preventable death and hospital care by providing pre-hospital and emergency preparedness products.

Meahgan is the Head of Business Development and Originations for Palladium Equity Partners. Prior to Palladium, Meahgan was Vice President and Head of Global Business Development for KPS Mid-Cap. Meahgan also serves as a limited partner for Dash Fund – a micro-cap venture capital fund looking to invest in the next phase of industry leading entrepreneurs. As Head of Business Development, her primary focus is on new investment generation and intermediary, founder, executive and corporate relationship management across North America and Europe. Furthermore, Meahgan assists portfolio companies with add-on acquisition strategy development and the sourcing of tuck-in opportunities.

Ty is the Managing Partner of Burr & Forman's Orlando office, a former member of Burr's Executive Committee and a member of its Corporate & Tax practice group. His legal practice involves representing clients in general corporate matters, mergers & acquisitions, venture capital and start-up/early-stage financings and other corporate financing transactions.

As a Managing Director at Benchmark International, Mr. Smoot has originated more than 100 deals at Benchmark International and now heads a team that originates each US transaction.

His primary role is to direct the different aspects of origination so that we can identify the most attractive businesses, and properly educate business owners on the M&A process and market conditions. Throughout this process, it is important that we serve potential clients to Benchmark standards and instill confidence in anyone considering hiring us to represent them for this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Mr. Smoot has originated over 100 deals at Benchmark International and now manages the Deal Origination Team that originates all US transactions. 

Lauren Smyers is a Principal, Business Development at Validor Capital with over 10 years of private equity experience. Prior to Validor Capital, Lauren led business development at Weatherford Capital. Previously, Lauren served in marketing and investor relations at The Carlyle Group and Siguler Guff. Lauren earned her BS degree, cum laude, in Behavioral Neuroscience from Northeastern University. When Lauren is not in the office, she can be found on the golf course or pickleball courts.

Doug Starcher is the Managing Partner of the Orlando office of Nelson Mullins, an AmLaw 75 law firm. He is also head of the firm's Florida M&A team. Doug has spent his entire career counseling entrepreneurial business owners from start-up to exit.

With over 25 years of experience in the space, satellite, and telecommunications industries, I am a passionate leader with a proven track record of creating innovative and profitable solutions for the global market. As the Founder, Chair, and CEO of Lonestar Data Holdings Inc., I am leading a venture to pioneer the future of data services from the Moon for the Earth.

I have a strong track record of delivering shareholder value, developing strategic partnerships, and fostering a culture of social responsibility and innovation. I am also an active mentor, advisor, and board member for several not for profit organizations and initiatives that promote the advancement and education of space sciences, commerce, and policy. I hold a Master of Science in Space Sciences from the International Space University and I am both author, and a multi-award-winning documentary film maker and executive producer. When I can't sleep, I read my own bio.

Dirk Taylor operates at the intersection of growth strategy, business development, and investment execution, partnering with founders, executive teams, and capital groups to accelerate enterprise value.

Currently, I serve as Director of Business Development at Medrus Capital Partners, a private equity firm investing across entertainment, technology, consumer products, and real estate. My work centers on identifying, structuring, and executing growth initiatives that expand revenue, strengthen operations, and position portfolio companies for scalable, long-term performance.

Across my career, I have led company formation and scaling, built revenue architectures, secured multi-million-dollar commercial partnerships, designed growth systems, and advised leadership teams through expansion and transformation. I bring an investor’s mindset and an operator’s discipline to every engagement—aligning capital, strategy, and execution to drive both top-line acceleration and bottom-line optimization.

I am drawn to organizations that value disciplined growth, strategic clarity, and high-performance teams. My mandate is simple: turn complex growth challenges into executable strategies that produce measurable results.

Tim Templeton has been sourcing deals for Trivest since 2001. Tim’s focus is to talk with founders to determine if their goals and objectives align with Trivest’s unique approach to private equity, which has earned Trivest the distinction as one of only 15 PE firms in the country recognized as a “Top Founder Friendly Investor” by Inc. Magazine every year since the list’s inception in 2019.

Leader in Redpath and Company's Consulting Services Practice including Valuation, Transactions Advisory, Business Advisory and Accounting Services across multiple industries including Private Equity, Manufacturing, Government, Retail, Healthcare, Financial Services, Construction and Distribution.

Mr. Wallace has advised companies across multiple industries, with particular experience in healthcare and industrials. Within healthcare, he focuses on labs and diagnostics, pharma services, post-acute care and behavioral health.

T.J. Wallace has been a corporate finance professional for almost twenty years, including over a decade in investment banking. He has experience in strategic advisory, including sell-side and buy-side of public and private companies and carve-outs, as well as equity and debt financings. Most recently, Mr. Wallace was a member of the Middle Market investment banking group at BofA Securities (Bank of America) and was previously a member of the Mergers & Acquisitions group at BofA, Prior to this, he held roles in the healthcare investment banking coverage group at Jefferies and Industrials investment banking coverage group at Deutsche Bank.

Mr. Wallace earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Management and History from Bucknell University and a Master of Business Administration from The Johnson School at Cornell University. He is a registered securities professional holding FINRA Series 79 and 63 licenses.