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Session A

Current Sell-Side Considerations

Presented By: Gridiron Capital / Melcap Partners

From exploring emerging opportunities to tips for navigating the broader challenges sellers face, hear from entrepreneurs, investors, and M&A advisors as they discuss the latest trends shaping sell-side strategies, highlighting what buyers are really looking for and how sellers can prepare their companies for the deal.

Moderator:

Al Melchiorre
President
MelCap Partners, LLC

Al Melchiorre is President and founder of MelCap Partners, a middle market investment banking firm that he founded over 22 years ago, Over the past few years, MelCap has been recognized as boutique investment banking firm of the year multiple times by The M&A Advisor. MelCap's clients are predominately privately-held, family owned businesses going through a once in a life-time transaction.

Panelists:

Rocco DiLillo
Chairman
PCX Corporation, City Visitor Inc., PorchLight Destination Services, Advanced Hydro Solutions, Habacoa

Rocco A. Di Lillo was winner of the Ernst & Young, NASDQ and USA Entrepreneur of the year in 1997. Rocco’s career spans the fields of advertising, the development of hydroelectric energy, corporate housing, manufacturing in the construction industry, marina development and philanthropic development. He has operated 12 companies in his career, seven he founded and five he acquired. He founded his first company, City Visitor Inc. in 1980 with the mission of serving travelers and the businesses that serve them. City Visitor published relocation books, visitor guides and specialty publications for Sea World, Rock N Roll HOF, Six Flags, and numerous other museums.

Rocco is the former founder and CEO of Corporate Lodgings and founder of BridgeStreet Accommodations, which provides fully furnished housing for travelers in over 130 markets around the world. Rocco successfully completed an initial public offering of BridgeStreet in 1997 on the NASDAQ market.

In addition, he is the former CEO of Cooperative Resource Services, the third largest relocation company in America which was sold to Allied Worldwide. Rocco is the founder and past chairman of Porchlight Rental Services, the leading provider of professional rental finding services, nationally, for corporate transferees looking for rental assistance in North America.

As Chairman and majority owner of PCX Corporation, the manufacturer of off-site electrical and mechanical gear for the construction industry, Serving International companies like Walmart, Meta, and Amazon, which he sold to Hubbell Controls in 2022.

Rocco is the founder and Chairman of Advanced Hydro Solutions, a developer of hydroelectric facilities for the purpose of generating Green Renewable power.

Rocco is the 2016 honoree of the George Dively Entrepreneurship Award which is granted annually by the Harvard Business School Club of NE Ohio.

Rocco’s latest development is Habacoa, an Iconic Real Estate and Marina in South Abaco, Bahamas. When completed it will be the largest marina in North America and the newest luxury residential community in the Bahama’s. Habacoa will offer a private airstrip, superyacht club, casino, golf courses, upscale hotels, and luxury homes.

Rocco has spent his life working for a variety of charitable and social services organizations. He was inducted into the Dealmakers HOF in 2024. Rocco supports numerous Philanthropic organizations ranging from Health Care, Education and Entrepreneurship. As a supporter of Christian Education, he supports the Northern Ohio Italian American (NOIA)-Northern Educational Legacy Program which serves the advancement of Christian education.

He grew up in NE Ohio and now lives with his wife, Joan of 48 years in Naples, Florida.

Patrick Pitrone
Principal
PJP Companies

Pat is an award-winning Founder and President with 20+ years of experience building highly successful franchise businesses in the Home Services industry nationwide. He spearheaded the growth of USA Insulation via Franchising and grew the business to over 60 units in 20+ states to become the largest Residential Retrofit Insulation Franchise System in the U.S., being acquired by Riverside in late 2020. Pat is now continuing his entrepreneurial journey seeking to acquire a business that fits his investment criteria.

 

Joe Saldutti
Managing Director
Gridiron Capital, LLC

At Gridiron Capital, Joe focuses on new investment opportunities, due diligence, and value creation at current portfolio companies. Joe currently serves on the boards of Erie, Essential Cabinetry Group, Foundation Wellness, and Leaf Home™. Joe previously served on the boards of Gridiron Capital partnerships, including Electronic Systems Protection, Quality Solutions, and Ramsey Industries.

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.

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