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Committee

Chairman

Fred Koury

Fred Koury

President & CEO

Smart Business Network


Fred co-founded Smart Business Network in 1989 with a single publication in Cleveland, Ohio. In the years since, he has built the company into a leading multimedia and content marketing business providing print and digital marketing services to a national client base.


Host Committee

David Allen

David Allen

Executive Director & Market Team Lead

J.P. Morgan Private Bank


David Allen is an Executive Director and Market Team Lead in the Cleveland office of J.P. Morgan Private Bank, covering Northern Ohio. Dave manages a group of professional advisors and specialists dedicated to designing integrated strategies that help families plan, invest, bank and borrow. A native of Cleveland, he delivers a local presence, extensive industry experience and the global capabilities of J.P. Morgan.

Dave is particularly focused on working with executives, entrepreneurs and business owners to help unlock the value of their concentrated wealth. As a former Chief Operating Officer, he is attuned to the diversity of their needs and takes a personalized approach to address their complex ecosystem. Dave is a dynamic leader who builds an environment of excellence for team members and clients alike. He is known for his ability to solve problems, remove obstacles and turn challenges into successes.

Over the course of his 20+ year career, Dave has built a well-diversified and successful background in financial services. Before joining J.P. Morgan, he was the Chief Operating Officer with Equity Trust Company, and spent the majority of his career in senior roles with Goldman Sachs Asset Management.

Dave has a B.S. from Miami University and an M.B.A. from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, specializing in Finance, Strategy & Marketing. He holds FINRA Series 7, 9, 10 and 63 securities licenses.

 

Robert Berdanier

Robert Berdanier

Managing Director

Riveron


Robert Berdanier is a Managing Director in Riveron’s Business Restructuring & Turnaround Services practice. His focus is on middle-market companies, both distressed and healthy, seeking financial and operational improvement through interim leadership and re-organization. Robert is a seasoned restructuring professional, with significant experience in the manufacturing, distribution & hospitality.

 

Bob Campana

Bob Campana

CEO

Campana Capital


Bob leads Campana Capital, a private equity, venture capital and real estate development firm. Bob previously served as president of P.C. Campana, master provider for the steel and foundry industries in North America. He is active in the community and serves on the boards of numerous for-profit and nonprofit organizations, including Northwest Bancshares.

Andrew Connors

Andrew Connors

Managing Director, Chief Growth Officer

Fairport Wealth


Andrew R. Connors is a Certified Financial Planner™ professional with 20 years of experience in the personal financial management arena. He has experience in advising family business owners how they can align their personal, family and business goals. His mission and purpose is to positively impact the long-term well-being of closely-held and family business owners by helping them create and maintain multi-generational wealth. He is known for his ability to translate complex financial strategies and concepts into understandable, actionable ideas.

Prior to receiving his MBA from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University, Andrew attended John Carroll University where he earned a B.S.B.A. He earned his Certified Financial PlannerTM (CFP®) designation from the College of Financial Planning.

 

Jacob Derenthal

Jacob Derenthal

Partner & Business Services Group Chair

Walter Haverfield


As partner and Chair of Walter Haverfield’s Business Services Group, Jake focuses his practice on representing public and private companies, entrepreneurs, private equity firms, and financial and institutional clients in a broad range of corporate and securities transactions. He has extensive experience with matters involving mergers and acquisitions, debt and equity issuances, corporate restructurings, venture capital and angel investing, strategic alliances, and corporate governance matters. Jake also counsels management, directors, and shareholders in connection with entity formation, contract negotiation, operational and employment issues, commercial leasing, financing, and exit strategies. He is knowledgeable on transactions involving healthcare, manufacturing, technology, aerospace, real estate, and service sectors.

Dominic DiPuccio

Dominic DiPuccio

Partner, Chair Mergers and Acquisitions Group

Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP


Dominic focuses his practice on mergers and acquisitions, and public and private equity and debt securities offerings. He represents entrepreneurs, emerging-growth, and seasoned companies (public and private), investors, venture capital, and private equity funds, and real estate sponsors in a wide variety of corporate finance transactions. Dominic is chair of Taft’s Mergers and Acquisitions group.

Tim Eippert

Tim Eippert

Chief Executive Officer

Stratus


Born and raised in Ashtabula, OH, Tim graduated from Kent State University before purchasing MC Sign Company and steadily grew its services to include signage, energy, refresh & remodel construction, facilities maintenance services, and brand environments. Tim sold to private equity 4 times, in 2008, 2015, 2017, and 2021 and has remained CEO throughout. The company name is now Stratus.

Frank Fantozzi

Frank Fantozzi

President & Founder

Return on Life Wealth Partners


Frank Fantozzi, CPA, MST, PFS, CDFA, AIF®, CEPA, is the President and Founder of Return on Life Wealth Partners, formerly Planned Financial Services, an independent registered investment advisor (RIA) providing families and businesses in Northeast Ohio and nationwide with access to a full suite of wealth management and corporate retirement services. An accomplished business owner and board member, his broad experience includes entrepreneurship, business growth and non-profit fundraising.

Michael Fedeli

Michael Fedeli

Portfolio & Business Development Associate

Clearstead


Mike Fedeli serves clients by building relationships that lead to financial value and clarity. Mike specializes in promoting Clearstead’s Private Client Services to high-net-worth individuals in the local market. He began his career as a Portfolio Manager working with clients and their investment needs and during that time achieved the CFA Designation.

Umberto P. Fedeli

Umberto P. Fedeli

CEO

The Fedeli Group


Umberto is an active investor and entrepreneur. His firm, The Fedeli Group, is one of Ohio’s largest privately held risk management and insurance firms, specializing in property and casualty, employee benefits consulting, workers’ compensation, environmental risk management and surety. Umberto sits on numerous private company boards, is a managing member of Strategic Value Bank Partners LP, and has previously held positions on the boards of many other public and private entities. He is a member of the board of directors of the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and serves as chairman of the Government and Community Relations Board.

Todd Federman

Todd Federman

Managing Director

North Coast Ventures


Todd Federman is the Managing Director of North Coast Ventures. North Coast has seven funds comprised of over 450 of Ohio’s leading investors, entrepreneurs, and business leaders - making it the largest, single-chapter investor group in the country. North Coast and its investors have deployed over $100M of capital in over 80 early-stage companies since 2007.

Bob Girton

Bob Girton

Partner

Edgewater Capital


Bob Girton is a partner at Edgewater Capital, a private equity firm focused on investing in smaller performance materials businesses. In addition to traditional PE roles in sourcing, executing, and managing investments, Bob chairs Edgewater’s DEI initiative and is the partner in charge of the firm’s business development efforts. He lives in Shaker Heights, is a life long learner, and is very proud of his two kids, Ava and Theodore.

Kelly Greene

Kelly Greene

VP, Mergers & Acquisitions

Park Place Technologies


Kelly Greene is the VP of Mergers & Acquisitions at Park Place Technologies.  In her 10 years at Park Place, Kelly has facilitated in excess of 30 acquisitions globally, in each of those years meeting or exceeding the company’s targets for growth by M&A.  With a background in industry, customer service and the human capital of organizations, Kelly brings added perspectives and tools to the economic calculus of deal-making.

Aaron Grossman

Aaron Grossman

President & CEO

TalentLaunch


A 20+ year industry veteran, Aaron Grossman is widely considered a true visionary and innovator within the staffing and recruitment sector. Having grown up in an entrepreneurial family, Aaron decided to leave a successful position with one of the largest staffing agencies in the world to start his own employment agency in 2001. Alliance Solutions Group, headquartered in his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio, is a full-service staffing and recruitment firm, with a variety of specialties that focus on specific industries and job disciplines. Today, Aaron is the CEO of the TalentLaunch Network, a network of independently operated staffing and recruitment companies that share technology, accounting & finance, talent operations, legal, and marketing support.

J. David Heller

J. David Heller

Co-founder, President & CEO

The NRP Group


David Heller is President, CEO and Co-founder of the NRP Group, one of the largest multifamily development, construction, and property management companies in the U.S., having developed more than 58,000 apartment homes since 1994 and currently managing over 29,000 residential units across a fifteen-state footprint. Heller is a dynamic community leader, serving as the board chair of The Jewish Federation of Cleveland for the 2019-2022 term and is currently active on several boards across the City of Cleveland. He was recently named Multi-Housing News’ 2023 Executive of the Year.

Ansir Junaid

Ansir Junaid

Founder, CEO & Chairman

Junaid Group


Ansir Junaid is the Founder, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of Junaid Group. He also serves as Co-Founder, Principal, and Senior Advisor at Morningside Group. With extensive experience in global manufacturing, supply chain, real estate, and mergers & acquisitions, both domestically and internationally, Mr. Junaid is a recognized leader in these fields.

Mr. Junaid is actively involved in numerous corporate and civic boards, prioritizing programs that support medical research, economic growth, and the empowerment of youth and women through expanded access to education and healthcare. As the Founder, CEO, and Chairman of the Junaid Group, a privately-held conglomerate, he oversees a diverse array of industries focused on full-service supply chain solutions and sustainability. His expertise has propelled the Junaid Group of companies (SupplySide, Morningside Group, Packaging Supplies, Prime 360, Southwood, and others) to serve hundreds of customers, including Fortune 500 companies such as Amazon, Target, UPS, Home Depot, and Lowe's, particularly excelling in logistics management and packaging services.

Mr. Junaid is renowned for transforming fragmented markets into sustainable growth engines through innovative techniques and technology integration. He has redefined traditional supply chains to foster new relationships between large retailers and suppliers across Asia, Dubai, and Africa. Additionally, he collaborates with private equity firms to convert fragmented businesses into valuable acquisition targets with a national presence.

His civic engagement is equally significant, demonstrated through his extensive work with local and international philanthropies and political initiatives. The Junaid Family Foundation (JFF), established in 2021, serves as a platform for his philanthropic efforts. Notable examples include his role as the 2024 co-chair of the PanAm Masters Games in Cleveland, a collaboration with Kirk Humanitarian Foundation and the Government of Pakistan on a groundbreaking multi-micronutrient supplementation program supporting over 2 million women, and providing grants to local organizations helping resettle refugees in Cleveland.

Mr. Junaid is also dedicated to advancing educational opportunities for girls and young women in rural Pakistan through initiatives like The Citizen Foundation and Hunar Foundation. His philanthropic contributions have earned him recognition, including being honored by Crain's as a 2020 Notable Immigrant Leader.

Outside of his professional and philanthropic endeavors, Mr. Junaid enjoys golfing, racing, supporting the JFF sponsored racing car, traveling, and spending quality time with his family

Jayne Juvan

Jayne Juvan

Partner and Chair of the M&A and Securities & Capital Markets Practice Groups

Tucker Ellis LLP


Jayne Juvan chairs both the Mergers & Acquisitions and Securities & Capital Markets practice groups at Tucker Ellis. She counsels public and high-growth private companies, private equity firms, and venture capital firms from initial formation through all stages of the business life cycle. Jayne navigates complex issues in transactions of all sizes and has been a key advisor on deals valued at more than $1 billion.

 

 

Kurt Kappa

Kurt Kappa

Chief Lending Officer

First Federal Lakewood


Kurt Kappa is the Senior Vice President, Chief Lending Officer at First Federal Lakewood, the largest depositor-owned community bank headquartered in Ohio with assets of $2.5billion. In this role, Kurt oversees all commercial, consumer lending, treasury management and investment services lines of business.

Jerry Kelsheimer

Jerry Kelsheimer

President & CEO

Medic Management Group


Jerry Kelsheimer serves as President & CEO at Medic Management Group, where he oversees daily company operations and sets the company’s overarching business strategy. He joined Medic Management Group in 2018.

In his role, Jerry is responsible for strategic planning, corporate development, and supporting clientele in achieving their business objectives. He leverages his expertise to help increase clients’ financial returns, enhance revenue cycle efficiency, manage risks, and improve patient outcomes and satisfaction.

With more than 30 years of experience in the professional services industry, Jerry is a proven leader known for a client-first attitude and delivering exceptional results. Throughout his career, he’s been responsible for creating remarkable client experiences; driving revenue, profitability, and market share; and generating and maintaining a high-performance workplace culture. Areas of expertise include process development, capital markets, change management, talent acquisition and development, project management, team building and motivation, financial budgeting, sales/risk management, product development, and corporate finance.

Prior to his current role, Jerry served as Managing Director and Principal of Exodus Capital Partners where he assisted privately owned companies and their shareholders. His career also includes senior leadership roles as Region Chairman, CEO, and President of Fifth Third Bank, Northeastern Ohio and President, Northern Ohio Region, Huntington National Bank.

Jerry earned his Bachelor of Science in finance from Indiana University and is a graduate of the Huntington Executive Leadership Program at Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University. He presently serves on the boards of University Hospitals Health System, The Center for Health Affairs, Rudolph Libbe Group, Inc., and GMI Industrial Corporation. He is a former director or trustee of other organizations including The Greater Cleveland Partnership, Destination Cleveland, Cleveland Development Advisers, Cuyahoga Community College, United Way of Greater Cleveland, the Tri-C Foundation, and Foundation Software, Inc.

Bobby Kingsbury

Bobby Kingsbury

Managing Director

MCM Capital Partners


Robert Kingsbury is a Managing Partner at MCM Capital, a lower middle market private equity fund based in Cleveland, OH focused on acquiring niche manufacturing and value-added distribution companies. His responsibilities include deal evaluation and execution, management of portfolio companies and managing Limited Partner relationships.

Prior to joining MCM, Mr. Kingsbury was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 8th round of the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft. He spent six years playing professional baseball as an outfielder in the Pirates organization, participated in the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, and was a 2008 inductee into the Fordham University Athletic Hall of Fame.

Lee M. Koury

Lee M. Koury

Managing Partner

Smart Business Network Inc.


Lee is managing partner of Smart Business Network Inc., a national events, media and marketing company founded in 1989, primarily responsible for expanding the company’s Aspire deal-making conference 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. 

Brian Krusz

Brian Krusz

Founder, Director of Growth & Development

Sgt. Clean Car Wash


Founded in 2013, Sgt Clean Car Wash is an express exterior chain, currently with 16 locations throughout Northeast Ohio. Sgt Clean is a five time Inc 5,000 winner, five time Weatherhead 100, 3 time Vet100 winner, Smart50 Honoree and two time Smart Culture Award recipient. Brian spent eight years in the United States Marine Corps and graduated from Kent State University with an undergraduate degree in Business Management.

Kevin Leonard

Kevin Leonard

President & COO

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Stouffer Realty & The Preferred Realty


I am a big picture thinker, innovator, and revenue-generating powerhouse with 18+ years of experience in Real Estate, development, investing, mortgage, title and insurance. I am tactical, driven, and persuasive and have proven to thrive in the most challenging economic landscapes. As a readily adaptable and well-networked senior executive, I position my brands for success and keep ahead of the competition. I make the most of cutting-edge technologies for automation, productivity, and accountability. Analyzes and synthesizes data to forecast opportunistic trends in the market. As a growth-minded leader of leaders, I influence stakeholders to buy into my vision through a deep commitment to success.

 

Jared Maloof

Jared Maloof

CEO

Standard Wellness


 

 

Stephen McHale

Stephen McHale

Founder, Director & CEO

Graici


For more than 30 years, Stephen McHale has successfully built data, analytics and technology companies across health care, mainstream media, and more. Now he is dedicating his experience as founder and CEO to his latest venture, UnifyWork, a workforce intelligence platform powering equitable regional talent delivery networks. 

Al Melchiorre

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.

Corrie Menary

Corrie Menary

Partner

Kirtland Capital Partmers


Corrie Menary joined Kirtland in the summer of 2004 as an intern and returned full-time in June of 2005.  Prior to joining Kirtland, Corrie was an analyst in National City Bank's Debt Capital Markets group and worked in the bank's credit underwriting department.

She received her undergraduate degree from The Ohio State University and a master’s in business administration from Michigan State University.

Dwight Montgomery

Dwight Montgomery

President

National Christian Foundation Ohio


Dwight Montgomery serves as the President of The National Christian Foundation of Ohio, whose mission is to mobilize resources by inspiring biblical generosity. Dwight has 34 years of experience as a financial professional and was the CEO of his own wealth management firm. Through his leadership and vision his firm became one of the most respected financial firms in the Columbus Ohio area.

In 2013, Dwight sold his firm in order to devote his time to the ministry of NCF. Dwight is also a member of the coaching team at SMART Concepts Group. SCG is focused on providing financial advisors strategic and operational advice to achieve business success. Team members help advisors define their operating models and processes to enhance growth, drive performance and the value of their business.

Prior to his career in financial services, he was an educator and college football coach.

Dwight received his BA in Education from The Ohio State University and his MA in Education from Bowling Green State University. Dwight currently holds a Certified Financial Planner CFP® designation and a Certified Kingdom Advisor® designation. He is active in the community serving as a board member for, For Columbus. Leisure time for Dwight involves fishing, fishing and more fishing. Dwight lives with his wife Dona in Dublin. They have three children, Matt, Luke, and Ellie.

 

David Pease

David Pease

Partner

Pease Bell CPAs


David's role as Managing Director with Pease Capital Advisors includes directing the day to day operations and leading client relationships. He also plays a pivotal role in evaluating client opportunities, term sheet preparation, and negotiations.

Prior to founding Pease Capital Advisors, David worked in corporate insurance consulting, with a specialty of mitigating risk during a transaction.

Boyd Pethel

Boyd Pethel

Executive Vice President - Metro Commercial Banking

First National Bank


 

 

Phil Ryan

Phil Ryan

Partner - Co-Lead Private Equity Services

Cohen & Co.


Phil Ryan is an assurance partner in Cohen & Company's Cleveland office and co-leads of the firm’s national Private Equity industry services group. In his Private Equity Market Leader role, Phil helps develop, implement and execute the firm's strategy towards private equity firms and owned businesses. He helps provide tailored, industry-focused solutions across the private equity ecosystem, including at the fund level, operating company level and M&A advisory.

Jerry Schill

Jerry Schill

Founder & CEO

Schill Grounds Management


Jerry Schill founded Schill Grounds Management in 1993, and as CEO he sets the strategic vision for the company and makes executive and financial decisions that drive profitable growth and scale.

Beginning in 2020, Jerry partnered with Argonne Capital to proactively drive consolidation in the highly fragmented commercial grounds management and snow and ice removal industry by acquiring independent privately held businesses that add contiguous geographic expansion for SGM.

Jerry has three decades of leadership experience, and he believes in running the business with family values, integrity, respect and honesty. He also holds leadership positions with industry professional organizations including serving as an active member of the Accredited Snow Contractors Association’s Government Affairs Committee and the Ohio Landscape Association’s Snow and Ice Committee.

Jerry earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Glenville State College, where he was the wide receiver on the football team and was a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He is also the founder of Holiday Feast, an annual event that provides free meals for thousands of people in the Cleveland area. Jerry’s contributions to the industry were recognized when he was chosen for the National Leadership Award by SNOW Magazine and Lawn & Landscape Magazine.

Jeff Schwab

Jeff Schwab

Sr. Vice President - Private Equity Services

Oswald Companies


Jeff coordinates the analysis of a target company’s exposure to risk in the areas of commercial insurance, employee benefits, retirement plans and life insurance strategies. The group delivers a comprehensive review and understanding of the entire risk profile of the target company; including the insured and uninsured exposures faced by an entity. The group also projects pro-forma costs for the target to allow for reliable financial modeling post close.

Greg Skoda, Jr.

Greg Skoda, Jr.

Partner

CBIZ


Greg is a Partner at CBIZ (formerly Marcum LLP). He helps clients build and grow their businesses while maintaining necessary compliance requirements. He does this through the development and execution of strategic plans, providing creative guidance in raising and deploying capital, helping stakeholders and their families maximize their returns, protect and transfer their assets.

Cheryl Strom

Cheryl Strom

Partner

The Riverside Company


As a highly experienced private equity professional, I bring a range of capital choices to business owners, management teams and advisors. Utilizing growth capital, non-control capital, majority-stake equity partnerships, full acquisitions, and debt for small and middle-market businesses, I can help your company or client. Tapping into 16 years of experience at The Riverside Company, I lead the firm’s Origination initiatives with deal source firms and referral sources based throughout the Midwestern United States. Together with a team of 16 Origination professionals across North America, we collectively establish new stand-alone companies, also called platform companies; and find and complete add-on acquisitions which enable Riverside's portfolio companies to expand by adding new product lines, service offerings, or geographies.

 

Aurora Toth

Aurora Toth

Partner & CMO

Chief Outsiders, LLC


Aurora is a Partner & CMO at Chief Outsiders, where she helps B2B and B2C clients in the areas of brand strategy, differentiation and implementing go-to-market execution plans to accelerate value creation. All Chief Outsiders are battle-tested Strategic Operators ™ who work fractionally to transform marketing & sales for clients across varying industries. Aurora’s collaborative style and metrics-based approach to marketing strategy, delivers quick improvements that lead to sustainable growth.

Chip Weinberg

Chip Weinberg

Managing Partner

Weinberg Capital Group


Mr. Weinberg is the current Managing Partner of Weinberg Capital Group. Prior to joining Weinberg Capital, Mr. Weinberg served as Managing Director of Global Acquisitions and Business Development for Hawk Corporation (AMEX: HWK), a manufacturer of specialized components used in the aerospace, industrial and specialty consumer markets. Additionally, Mr. Weinberg was an Assistant Attorney General for the state of Ohio under the term of Attorney General Lee Fisher.

Ed Weinfurtner

Ed Weinfurtner

Executive Chairman & Co-Owner

Great Day Improvements


Ed is an entrepreneur and founder of Blue Olive Partners, LLC, a business investment and operating partnership. He has been an owner, investor, and operator of multiple privately held businesses in a variety of industries over the past 40 years.

Ed is Executive Chairman and Co-Owner of Great Day Improvements, the parent company of the Patio Enclosures, Stanek Windows, Universal Windows Direct, and Champion Windows & Home Exteriors brands. Great Day employs over 2,350 people in 126 locations serving 77 metropolitan markets throughout the U.S. Since 2017 the company has grown 10X in size and is now ranked as one of the Top 5 largest DTC residential remodeling companies in the US.

Amy Willey

Amy Willey

Member, M&A Group

McDonald Hopkins


Amy Willey is a Member in the firm’s Business Department and Mergers and Acquisitions Practice Group. Her practice is focused on representing both strategic buyers and sellers including private companies and private equity funds in various types of transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, leveraged buyouts, distressed acquisitions and dispositions, and investments. 

In addition to her merger and acquisition practice, Amy works extensively with family and privately owned companies on a variety of general corporate matters, including commercial contract negotiation, structuring business organizations, compliance and operational issues and business succession planning. Amy also works with companies in structuring and consummating venture capital and securities offerings. 

She has a strong passion for helping entrepreneurs and businesses on corporate social governance matters to help impact-driven companies continue to grow the revenues while having a positive social impact by assisting with business initiatives ranging from social finance and impact investing to organizational matters for “b corporations.” Amy brings this passion to her M&A practice by helping both buyers and sellers to ensure cultural alignment and integration planning in their transactions, and works as general outside counsel for companies with the dual objectives of profit and purpose. 

Amy earned her J.D., cum laude, from the Case Western Reserve University School of Law in 2013. She also received a Master of Elementary Education, summa cum laude, from Arizona State University in 2009 and a B.A. in political science from Yale University in 2007, where she served as a coordinator for Dwight Hall, the largest campus-based student-run service organization in the country.  Following her undergraduate studies, she joined Teach for America as a corps member where she taught fifth grade and computers in Phoenix, Arizona, where she helped facilitate professional development programs and district curriculum development

Conference Location

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