Samuel J. Agresti

Shareholder, Board of Directors
Brady Ware

Sam Agresti is a key part of Brady Ware’s leadership team contributing to overall firm strategies, operations, and growth for both the firm and its staff. Sam has also helped update numerous processes and procedures to handle the leadership transition and go-to-market strategies for the firm including reshaping Brady Ware’s forward-thinking focus, key vendor, and consultant relationships.

Tom Baker

Senior Vice President
Northcreek Mezzanine

Tom joined Northcreek in 2015 and is a Senior Vice President responsible for new deal origination, deal execution, underwriting, and portfolio management. Prior to Northcreek, Mr. Baker worked in the Leveraged Finance Group at Fifth Third Bank where he was responsible for deal screening of new and existing credit opportunities as well as on-going portfolio management. Tom focused on leveraged buyouts, add-on acquisitions, and dividend recapitalizations for sponsor-backed middle market companies in various industries. Prior to this role, Mr. Baker completed Fifth Third Bank’s Commercial Associate Program which included multiple rotations throughout the commercial bank. Mr. Baker has a B.S. in Finance from the University of Dayton.

Navid Bashardoust

CTO & Co-Founder
Star Source

Accomplished IT professional with 18+ years of experience in developing enterprise-scale client solutions focused on data management, leveraged infrastructure, integration and multi-tenant IT solutions. Business savvy while having a diverse background in the technology lifecycle including: planning, architecture, engineering, deployment, operation, and support roles.

Kevin Bruegge

Managing Director - Private Wealth Advisor
Merrill

Kevin is a Managing Director and Private Wealth Advisor with The Evelo|Singer|Sullivan|Bruegge Group, a Merrill Private Wealth Management team. With over 20 years of experience advising owners on all facets of their financial picture, Kevin specializes in pre-liquidity strategy and competitive sell-side preparation. He works closely with entrepreneurs to align personal and business goals, optimize tax outcomes, and prepare for transformative financial events. His approach includes powerful pre-planning strategies to help owners maximize outcomes before, during, and after a liquidity event.

Steve Brunker

CEO
Brain-CA Technologies

Steve Brunker is CEO and Co-Founder of Brain-CA Technologies, an early-stage startup building the Brain-CA Estimator — a patented, hardware-native AI architecture enabling low-power, on-device learning without arithmetic. Steve drives strategy, growth, and investor relationships, positioning Brain-CA as a Silicon Catalyst portfolio company with three U.S. patents and a $7.2M seed round. He brings three decades of senior IT leadership, including CIO roles at Hillman Solutions and LSI Industries.

Shawn Byerly

Managing Director
Copper Run

With longstanding experience in Investment Banking, Shawn brings a deep understanding of the needs of PE executives and business owners alike. Clients appreciate his relational approach and expert guidance through all stages of their transactions. Prior to Copper Run, Shawn garnered great experience originating, structuring, negotiating and closing more than 50 leveraged finance deals for First Financial Bank and managing different industry verticals at Fifth Third Bank.

Keith Carlson

CEO & Managing Partner
Roebling Capital Partners

I am a senior finance professional with a broad skill set that expands well beyond the confines of traditional finance. The positions I've held within a leading Private Equity Group, two Global Banking Institutions, a middle-market investment bank and a Fortune 500 Company has given me a myriad of experience in areas such as a) Mergers and Acquisitions (sell-side and buy-side), b) Capital Market Solutions (Senior Debt, Subordinated Debt, Equity, etc.), c) Underwriting, d) Deal Structuring and Negotiations, e) Due Diligence, f) Business Development, g) Financial Analytics and Analysis, h) Modeling (valuation analysis, DCF, leveraged buyout, etc.), and i) General Management. As a result of my skills and other intangible qualities, I have been able to achieve success in numerous situations within other non-finance areas of organizations I have worked.

Todd Collins

Market Leader
Vistage Worldwide

Todd Collins is a Cincinnati, Ohio-based Market Director at Vistage Worldwide, where he supports and coaches CEOs, business owners, and executives in the Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana regions. He is focused on helping leaders drive business success and develop their teams through peer advisory groups.

Todd Colpron

Managing Partner
Eliakim Capital

Todd Colpron, a Registered Representative with Piper Jaffray, has over 25 years of experience in business development, strategic planning, and capital raising. As the Managing Director at Sozo Holdings LLC, he has been involved in organizing and capitalizing private and public companies in a variety of transactions that total more than $1B in capital. The Dallas-based private equity firm invests in technology, oil & gas, and real estate, with a special focus on photonic integrated circuits.

Previously, he has served as an advisory board member at Attune Medical and The Richard G. Lugar Center for Renewable Energy at Indiana University and Purdue University at Indianapolis (IUPUI) and as an advisor at The Institute for Philanthropic Excellence.

He studied for a bachelor's degree at Washington State University and holds several licenses, including Series 7, 6, 63, and insurance.

Nick Conti

Vice President
3 Rivers Capital

Nick Conti is a Vice President at private equity firm 3 Rivers Capital. Nick makes investments in family and founder owned businesses, which merges his passion for investing and working with private companies. Prior to his current role, Nick spent time helping large corporations complete acquisitions and venture capital investments and providing strategic advice to private companies in financial services.

Josh Curtis

Managing Partner
Footprint Capital

Josh works with business leaders on ownership transactions and liquidity events, including sell-side and buy-side engagements and transactions, such as management buyouts, succession and exit planning, ESOP formations, capital sourcing and leveraged recaps. Prior to leading Footprint Capital, Josh was vice president at Insource Spend Management Group. He led Insource through two synergistic acquisitions and ultimately, its sale.

Brad East

Vice President, Finance
Navigate Capital Partners, LLC

After a long career as a consulting and audit partner in large regional firms, Brad joined Navigate Capital Partners to lead the finance function for our second lien SBIC fund operations.

Richard Flynn

Partner, UHY LLP; Managing Director,
UHY

Rick has over forty years of experience in providing auditing, consulting and tax services to a variety of businesses and organizations. Before joining UHY, Rick founded Flynn & Company, Inc., where he successfully delivered outstanding service to clients within the areas of entrepreneurial services, manufacturing, distribution, construction, and non-profit organizations. Rick is passionate about helping organizations grow and empowering his team to reach their full potential. 

Brendan Fowler

Managing Director
Vaco

Brendan Fowler is Managing Director with Vaco and specializes in solutions that help organizations navigate complex business events. Over the past 10+ years, he has partnered with private equity sponsors and corporate leadership teams to address transaction readiness, acquisition integration, finance transformation, and leadership gaps, delivering the expertise organizations need to accelerate execution and create value.

Gavin Fox

Principal
Heartland Ventures

Gavin is Director of Business Development at Heartland Growth Partners, leading the sourcing and intermediary coverage for all of Heartland's private equity deals. Prior to Heartland, Gavin spent time at 154 Partners, a NYC-based private investment firm that manages $400M of committed capital.

At 154 Partners, Gavin led business development focused on proprietary sourcing and intermediary coverage across the services sector and sports and live events ecosystem.

Prior to 154 Partners, Gavin was a Senior Associate at Soundcore Capital Partners. Gavin received a B.A. from Bellarmine University.

Ely Friedman

Founder & Managing Director
Truce Capital Advisors

Ely has 10+ years of selling businesses with less than $250 million in annual revenue or helping businesses of that size grow through acquisitions. As the Founder and Managing Director of Truce Capital Advisors, he directly relates to the mindset of business owners. Ely is happily married with a 4 year old daughter here in Cincinnati.

Abram Gordon

General Counsel
STAQ Pharma

Abram manages legal affairs, compliance, and corporate governance for STAQ Pharma. He is an attorney with over 20 years of legal and management experience spanning multiple industries. Before his time at STAQ Pharma, he held leadership roles at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC), serving as the Executive Director of the Proton Therapy Center and as an Interim Vice President for Innovation Ventures.

John Gray

Senior Vice President | Middle Market Banking
Fifth Third

Experienced Commercial Relationship Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the financial services industry. Skilled in Business Relationship Management, Cash Flow Management, Commercial Lending, Customer Service, and Banking. Strong finance professional with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) focused in Finance from Morehead State University.

Kevin Gusweiler

Principal & Co-Founder
eGateway Capital

Kevin Gusweiler is a principal and co-founder of eGateway Capital, where he’s primarily responsible for identifying and analyzing investment opportunities, leading deal execution and helping portfolio companies scale. Prior to launching eGateway, Kevin spent two years at Fort Washington Capital Partners (‘FWCP’) where he was responsible for various private equity investments. Before FWCP, Kevin held various leadership positions at Fifth Third Bank, most recently as a senior member of their corporate development team focused on inorganic growth. Kevin graduated from Miami University with a BS in Finance and lives in Cincinnati with his wife and growing family.

Bradley Haas

Shareholder/Attorney
Katz Teller

Brad Haas is a Shareholder and corporate/M&A attorney at Katz Teller, a midsize commercial law firm focused on middle market companies and mergers and acquisitions. Brad has spent 40 years handling mergers and acquisitions, on both the buy and sell side, and providing guidance to clients concerning strategic planning, business expansion, exit strategies, finance, and contract matters. Brad is dedicated to helping private business owners achieve their goals through acquisitions and well-planned exit strategies.

Leon Hampton

Attorney
Dinsmore & Shohl LLP

Leon is an innovative and forward thinking corporate and business attorney. He focuses his practice on business law, corporate governance, and mergers and acquisitions. Leon has worked with a wide range of clients, from startups and nonprofit organizations in the earliest stages of formation to established Fortune 500 companies. His experience also includes both international and domestic transactions.

Jason Hauer

CEO
HauerX

Jason Hauer is the founder and CEO of HauerX, where he backs, builds, and acquires AI-native companies that rewire how the world's biggest brands grow, operate, and compete. He previously co-founded and sold an Inc. 500 innovation firm serving 350+ of the Fortune 1000, including Nike, P&G, and American Express, and writes the Tuesday Growth Brief.

Ashley Hess

Partner-in-Charge, Cincinnati Office
Baker Hostetler

With more than 25 years of experience as a corporate and M&A attorney, Ashley has broad experience representing public and private companies on matters ranging from mergers, acquisitions and divestitures to joint ventures, corporate governance and complex corporate transactions. He works with growing businesses across a broad range of industries, including automotive / mobility, manufacturing, consumer products and fast-food restaurants. He co-chairs the firm’s Automotive / Mobility national industry team and has extensive experience in the automotive industry, including advising clients on M&A, new manufacturing plants and plant expansion projects, electrification and electric vehicles, connected technologies, fuel cells, autonomous vehicles, technology acquisitions and licensing, supply chain matters, joint ventures and other collaborative relationships.

Chadd Hunt

Partner & Head of Origination
The HiGro Group

As Partner and Head of Origination at HiGro, Chadd has nearly 20 years of private equity and capital raising experience. He specializes in sourcing off-market deals and driving growth for portfolio companies. His expertise spans business and tech-enabled services, as well as media, and he leverages a broad network to deliver strong outcomes for investors and management.

Rashaad Ingram

Senior Vice President
Howden Group

Tanveer Kathawalla

Managing Partner
Pioneer1890

Tanveer has spent the past fifteen years at the intersection of capital and critical industries. He began as a venture investor backing deep technology companies before becoming an operator at a satellite startup, where he served as founding CFO and helped launch the world’s first commercial optical communications satellite. He later became a growth-stage operator and investor, leading P&Ls and global M&A across multiple defense technology companies and using special situations acquisitions to drive scale and strategic expansion.

Those experiences shaped his belief that enduring industrial capability requires patient ownership and aligned capital. That conviction led Tanveer to found Pioneer1890, an investment platform focused on acquiring and stewarding founder-owned businesses that form the backbone of America’s defense and industrial base. Through legacy-minded buyouts, the firm provides permanent ownership, operational support, and long-term capital to preserve what founders have built while strengthening the capabilities that advance the arsenal of democracy.

Tanveer holds an MBA from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business and a BA from The George Washington University. He is a frequent lecturer and speaker on the defense industrial base, innovation, and capital formation. His perspectives have been featured in publications including The Wall Street Journal and Breaking Defense.

Sean Kelley

Managing Director, Business Development
Gridiron Capital

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.

Lee M. Koury

Managing Director
Smart Business Network LLC

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. 

Andrew Loff

CEO
Building Composites

Andy Loff is the CEO of Building Composites and a serial entrepreneur with expertise in engineering, manufacturing, construction, and business strategy. He has founded and grown multiple successful companies by combining strategic vision, authentic leadership, and hands-on execution to build innovative organizations, high-performing teams, and customer-focused solutions that create long-term value.

Braden Martini

Senior Vice President, Private Wealth Advisor
Merrill - Evelo|Singer|Sullivan|Bruegge Group

Braden Martini is a Partner and Private Wealth Advisor with The Evelo|Singer|Sullivan|Bruegge Group within Merrill's Private Wealth Management division. The Group is a nationally recognized private wealth advisory team serving senior-level public company executives, private business owners and ultra high net worth families across the country.

Ryan McGovern

Managing Director & Investment Committee Member
Star Mountain Capital

With over 25 years of experience, Ryan was previously a partner at Nomura Mezzanine, a ~$500 million senior debt and mezzanine fund business sponsored by Nomura. Prior to helping launch Nomura’s private credit fund business, Ryan was at AIG-MezzVest, a ~$750 million mezzanine fund sponsored by AIG. Ryan started his career in investment banking at Stephens Inc. and at HSBC. Ryan holds an MBA from HEC Paris and a BA from Vanderbilt.

Ryan Moeller

Vice President
RC Capital

Ryan joined RCC in 2019. Ryan began his career as a senior Associate in PwC’s audit practice, where he focused on public company audits. He then served as a Manager in Western and Southern Financial Group’s Treasury and Corporate Finance department.

He graduated from The Ohio State University with a BSBA, magna cum laude, in Accounting and obtained an MBA from Xavier University’s Williams College of Business with an emphasis in finance. He has been a licensed CPA since 2014.

Mary Beth Molloy

President & CEO Peer Advisory Chair
MBM ELEVATE

Mary Beth Molloy is an accomplished executive and advisor with experience in CEO peer groups, strategy, sales, marketing, consulting, technology development, and outsourcing. She has led global, cross-functional teams across public corporations, private firms, nonprofits, and her own consultancy. Mary Beth has managed P&Ls exceeding $100 million, worked internationally, and relocated three times for leadership roles.

Jason Motz

Principal
Whitehouse Capital (H.I.G.)

Jason is a Principal in WhiteHorse Capital’s Cincinnati office. He is responsible for originating, structuring, and executing middle market financings for both non-sponsor and private equity backed transactions. Jason has over 14 years of experience within private credit, leveraged finance, and equity investing across a broad range of industries. He is primarily focused on the Midwest Region.

Prior to joining WhiteHorse, Jason worked at Northcreek Mezzanine, focused on mezzanine debt and equity transactions. Prior to Northcreek, Jason began his career at KeyBanc Capital Markets where he focused on sponsor backed leveraged finance and syndications.

Jason earned a B.S.B.A. in Finance, Economics, and International Business from the Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University.

Brian Nutt

Founder
TTUN Ventures

Brian Nutt is a serial entrepreneur whose career began in technology startups before shifting his focus to investing in and acquiring strong, family run companies after his last exit. His journey took a pivotal turn in 2018, following the sale of his software company, Codigo, to out of town Private Equity.

TTUN Ventures was founded to provide an alternative. Our mission is to lower the friction between sellers, operators, and capital. We invest our time in creating connections so when opportunities arise, we have capable operators to introduce to sellers and a network of willing investors ready to act.

Nicholas Scharfeld

Senior Manager
Clark Schaefer Hackett

Nicholas specializes in Transaction Advisory Services (TAS), aiding in both buy-side and sell-side transactions. Nick’s focus on due diligence allows him to help clients evaluate their quality of earnings and cash flow and improve their operational effectiveness. He has accumulated substantial experience conducting due diligence across a wide variety of industries. Nick offers his clients important insight when assessing a possible acquisition, and how to best negotiate and structure a transaction. Nick also has extensive experience in fund formation, fundraising, operation, and liquidation of limited partnerships and limited liability companies.

Tony Shipley

Chairman
QCA Ventures

Tony Shipley is a founder and Chairman of QCA Ventures based in Cincinnati, Ohio. QCA was one of the first angel groups formed in the Midwest and is an inaugural member of Angel Capital Association (ACA). He is also Chair Emeritus of ACA and the founder of the Angel Investor Foundation. He has founded and/or invested in over 120 start-ups or early-stage companies including direct investments and the family of Funds he co-manages.

Jeff Sopp

Founder & CEO
Kensington Hill Partners

Jeff is Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Kensington Hill Partners, brings over 20 years of experience in general management, customer success, and service delivery in B2B software. He brings passion and experience for enabling organic and M&A business growth through scalable and repeatable processes.

As an advisor, board member, and investor, he assists companies across varying industries for strategic growth, sustainability, and diversity to provide potential M&A opportunities. Focused on initiatives that help build communities and businesses, KHP has assisted hundreds of companies providing the most current and strategic initiatives tailored client success.

Kensington Hill Partners was built on a foundation of forming long term relationships. Focused on c-suite clients and national brands, Kensington Hill Partners has developed a reputation for assisting high growth companies nationally. Board of Director development and recruitment have been a sustaining part of KHP since its inception, which delivers strategic perspectives to its clients and member partners.

Sopp is very involved in the community and is an active member in the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD), Young Professional’s Organization (YPO), and International franchise association (IFA). Mr. Sopp was a proud recipient of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year (EY EOY) for “Realizing Business Potential” and the Smart 50 Business Award.

Always interesting in further developing great leaders, Mr. Sopp recently published a book, Words Matter,  that is focused on leadership concepts, phrases and life experiences to help leaders navigate relationships with professionalism and integrity.

John Wilke

Head of Business Services
Jungle Jim's Market, Inc.

John Wilke is Head of Business Services at Jungle Jim’s International Market, where he leads the company’s finance, technology, human resources, legal, risk management, and marketing functions. He focuses on driving operational excellence, leveraging technology to improve performance, and supporting the strategic growth of one of the nation’s most distinctive and successful independent retailers.

Todd Wilkowski

Partner
FBT Gibbons LLP

Todd Wilkowski leads the outside/fractional general counsel services practice at FBT Gibbons, utilizing his experience serving 7 years as the first general counsel of a fast growing national concrete construction company. He acts as a strategic, "get to yes" problem solver and trusted business advisor to his privately held and/or family owner business in various industries.

James Zimmerman

Managing Partner
Taft

James is a transactional attorney and partner-in-charge of the Taft Cincinnati office. Drawing on more than 20 years of experience, he represents clients in the structuring and execution of complex transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, equity and debt financings, securities offerings, and strategic partnerships. His clients include businesses, investors, and entrepreneurs across a wide range of industries, with an emphasis on the technology and fintech sectors.