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Session B

Maximizing Value in your Sell-Side Transactions

Presented By: Gridiron Capital, LLC / Aon

The secret to securing a high valuation when selling your business comes down to a few key factors, chief among them building great businesses that sustain long-term value both before and after the sale. Join a group of entrepreneurs, investors, and M&A experts as they go beyond the deal to discuss the importance of finding a buyer that is truly a great partner; why strategic planning helps align vision and execution; and how to get your house in order before the deal goes down.

Moderator:

Sean Kelley
Managing Director
Gridiron Capital, LLC

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

Panelists:

Perry Papantonis
SVP & Partner, Aon People Transaction Advisory Services
Aon

Perry is a Partner in the Aon People Advisory practice and is based in Morristown, NJ. Perry has been consulting exclusively on the people issues raised in the context of all forms of complex global corporate transactions for over 20 years. Perry is an attorney by background and is admitted to the NY and NJ State Bars.

Prior to Aon, Perry was the Global HR Integration and M&A COE Leader at Zimmer Biomet, where he led all people-related acquisition and divesture activity and building of an HR M&A team, methodology, playbook, tools, and training protocols. In addition, Perry led all global HR activity as part of Zimmer Biomet’s spin-off of its Bone Healing, Spine, and Dental businesses.

Prior to Zimmer Biomet, Perry spent over 20 years building and leading the HR M&A practices at several global consulting firms. Perry was a Partner and the Americas Leader for Ernst & Young’s People Advisory Services M&A practice, the M&A Practice Leader at Exequity LLP, and the Global HR M&A Practice Leader at Hewitt Associates.

Joseph Saldutti
Managing Director
Gridiron Capital, LLC

Prior to joining Gridiron Capital, Joe founded Head Start Capital in 2007, where he was chairman of the board of Enjoy Life Natural Brands, the leading allergen-free food company. Previously, Joe served as president of TDA Capital Partners focused on international middle market consumer, manufacturing, and service investments. Joe worked with General Electric as a process engineer, a quality control engineer in a military procurement business, a shop floor manager, and a financial and operational measurement manager in GE’s Manufacturing Management Program. Joe started his career working on the loading dock, in accounts receivable, and as an off-hours dispatcher in his family’s short haul trucking business. Joe received a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Duke University. He holds an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. Originally from New Jersey, Joe and his family reside in Wilton, CT.

Sean Williams
CEO
Foundation Wellness

Results driven CEO with over 20+ years experience in both big and small consumer products companies including leadership roles with 3 different billion dollar brands. Has been part of teams that have driven breakthrough results in both North American and International roles. Strategic and inspirational leader who gets the most out of the teams by driving accountability, teamwork and optimism with a passion to win and have fun.

Conference Location

24 Public Square
Cleveland, OH 44113
Tel: (216) 696-5600