Samuel Agresti

Director
Brady Ware & Company

Sam joined Brady Ware as partner in January 2006. He leads the firm’s Dealership Services team, working with dealerships to decrease their tax burden, maximize tax benefits, streamline processes and financial reporting, increase profits, prevent fraud, and expand operations to new markets. He links these services with overall tax, audit, and strategic planning initiatives to help his clients realize financial rewards across their businesses.

Michael Arguelles

Partner
Stonehenge Partners

Mike Arguelles heads the new business origination efforts for the firm. He is also active in deal execution and portfolio company oversight. Prior to joining Stonehenge Partners in 2002, Mike was a VP at Huntington Capital Investment Company, where he performed in similar a role.

Mike graduated from The Ohio State University where he received his BS, BA in Finance in 1993. In 1998 he graduated from The Ohio State University with his MBA in Finance.

Matt Backiewicz

Senior Vice President
Hamilton Capital

During Matt’s more than 20 years of experience in a variety of professional industries, he has demonstrated a passion for building strong relationships and helping people, teams, and businesses achieve their goals.

Matt’s values align well with our firm’s Core Values and his aspirations to create opportunities for growth and impact within our community make him a great fit here at Hamilton Capital.

Nick Bellanca

VP, Market Leader
Lockton

As the Vice President, Market Leader at Lockton, Nick is dedicated to business growth, client satisfaction, and a high performance culture while directing expansion in Columbus, Ohio. With over 20 years of experience in insurance, employee benefits, and consulting, Nick advises data-driven employers who are committed to leading-edge solutions for their organizations. His expertise lies in healthcare plan design, risk management, self-funding, benefits communication, and total rewards consulting, with a focus on private equity, middle-market and large employers.

Christopher Brodman

President
Metz Lewis Brodman Must O’Keefe LLC

Christopher Brodman is a founding member of Metz Lewis. He is the President of the Firm, a member of the Firm’s Executive Committee and a member of the Corporate Group. His diverse client base values him as a dedicated, practical, and experienced business advisor and general counsel.

He has a wealth of business experience which allows him to help clients identify and achieve strategic business and legal objectives. Chris also has vast experience representing clients in business transactions, with an emphasis on mergers and acquisitions.

Robert Brown

Partner
Bricker Graydon Wyatt

Bob serves as General Counsel for numerous closely held, often family owned, businesses, which by its very nature, encompasses corporate, real estate, employment and commercial litigation matters. He is experienced in all aspects of contract reviews and negotiation, mergers and acquisitions, and regularly handles the negotiations, acquisition, development and leasing of commercial properties.

A significant portion of Bob’s practice is representing clients who are exploring purchasing a franchise, for whom Bob guides them through due diligence and negotiation processes.

Bob also assists small businesses in all aspects of initial startup including entity selection and incorporation. His litigation experience includes prosecuting and defending non-compete lawsuits, contract disputes, and representation of financial institutions.

Nicole Callam

Senior Vice President, Market Executive
PNC

Nicole Callam is the Corporate Banking Market Executive for PNC Bank in Columbus Ohio.  She has a passion for helping people and companies achieve their goals.  Her banking experience across various industries, companies and institutions has given her insight into the many and varied approaches to financing, structuring and supporting growth.  Her current team supports middle market and large corporate clients in the Central Ohio region in a wide range of transactions.  The team leverages PNC’s national franchise to bring expertise in partnership with a local delivery model to execute solutions that solve problems for our clients.

Frank Capella

Founding Partner
Oxer Capital

Frank is founding partner of Oxer. By partnering with community banks as investors and obtaining additional capital through the SBA, Oxer has invested in over 28 companies since 2016. Capella originates and manages portfolio companies , in addition, to sitting on Oxer's investment committee, and has been involved in financing middle market companies for more than 30 years.

Hugh Cathey

CEO
RxCelerity

A serial entrepreneur, Hugh Cathey has just embarked on his 10th early-stage company. From his early career at AT&T, and going through several start-ups on the West Coast, Hugh moved to Columbus in 1996 to start a tech company financed by a VC group.

This was followed by a series of tech company start-ups in both software and health-tech.

Today, Hugh is CEO of a health-tech company based in Columbus.

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.

Scot Crow

Member
Dickinson Wright PLLC

Scot manages the firm’s corporate, M&A, private equity, securities and tax practices, and is also the head of the cannabis group, which consists of more than 40 attorneys throughout the U.S. and Canada. He has extensive experience in corporate, mergers and acquisitions and tax law and has served as lead counsel in mergers and acquisitions, private equity investments, private offerings, venture capital financings, mezzanine debt offerings, divestitures and other related financial transactions, in a number of industry sectors, including the cannabis industry.

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.

J.D. Davids

Managing Partner
SmartMoney Ventures

Jeff (J.D.) Davids is a seasoned startup executive and founder with over 25 years of experience building companies in California. He has raised over $100M in venture capital and corporate investments and has closed over $1 Billion in exit transactions. He is a speaker, teacher & advocate for entrepreneurs and veterans and is a Marine Corps veteran himself.

Cindi Englefield

Co-Founder, Chief Investor Relationship Officer
Accelerating Angels

Cindi Englefield is a serial entrepreneur, co-founder of Accelerating Angels, and president of Accelerating Angels Foundation. Her role is to source deals, guide investment decisions, and lead the due diligence team. Cindi enjoys investing in innovative technology businesses and working with portfolio companies. She leads the Foundation to support women founders, activate new angel investors, and build a collaborative angel investment community.

Todd Federman

Managing Director
North Coast Ventures

Todd Federman is Managing Director of North Coast Ventures, a Cleveland-based venture firm with 500+ individual LPs and $100M+ deployed across 90+ startups.

Todd joined North Coast at its founding and has led the firm for over a decade. Previously, he was a Manager at DiamondCluster and a brand strategy consultant to AOL. He also co-founded One With Nature, a natural body care line sold in 4,000+ stores.

Todd holds a B.S. in Finance from Kent State and an MBA from Duke’s Fuqua School of Business.

Chris Greenfelder

CFO
ANS

Chris has been a CFO in the middle market for the last 14 years. Throughout his career, he has worked in large, publicly traded companies, multi-generational, family-owned firms, and private equity sponsored companies. Chris has provided leadership on approximately 20 mergers and acquisitions, as well as leading two PE-sponsored exits. His industry experience primarily spans construction and engineering, consumer products manufacturing (mostly food and beverage) into the grocery retail and foodservice channels, and multi-unit consumer services.

Zachary Guisinger

Co-Founder & CEO
Arise Industrial Manufacturing

Zac Guisinger is Co-Founder and CEO of Arise Industrial Manufacturing, a Midwest-based metal fabrication and stamping platform. He leads the company's acquisition strategy targeting sub-$5M EBITDA light-to-medium metals fabrication businesses across priority end markets including aerospace, defense, agriculture, and data center infrastructure. His operating foundation spans 30 years at Worthington Industries, including P&L ownership of a $200M segment with 900 employees.

Benjamin Hartings

Partner
Trinity Financial Advisors

Ben Hartings, CFP® joined Trinity Financial Advisors in 2018 as a Partner at the Columbus-based multi-family office. With over 20 years in wealth management and a prior career in capital markets at PNC and First Merchants, Ben specializes in comprehensive investment strategy and holistic wealth planning for affluent families. His family's entrepreneurial roots span car dealerships, agricultural businesses, and retail operations.

Erin Herbst

Director
Kegler Brown Hill + Ritter

One of the firm’s most experienced transactional attorneys, Erin has led corporate deals of all sizes for public and private companies alike. She is a senior member of the firm’s deal team and plays a key role in managing strategic transactions and business operations that require compliance with public securities regulations.

In addition to her transactional experience, Erin also leads the firm’s engagements with non-profit organizations. She was recently recognized for excellence in the profession by attorney rating service Chambers USA, which describes Erin as “efficient, accurate, and thorough, with excellent people skills.”

Joe Huber

Founder & CEO
Huber Equity Group

Joe Huber is the founder and CEO of Huber Equity Group. Joe brings more than ten years of real estate investment experience and has achieved a 100% profitable track record across 56 unique deals. At Huber Equity Group, he is responsible for client relations, reviewing markets, overseeing asset management from acquisition to disposition, and directing company values and vision.

Nick Jozwiak

CFO
ForCast Orthopedics

Nick is a highly regarded financial executive with extensive experience consulting and managing investment deals in startup companies from both sides of the table. His expertise and rapport with investors have resulted in him serving in a variety of Board of Director positions and formally joining several start-ups in an executive capacity to head finance operations and oversee investor communications, fundraising, and overall strategic direction. He has raised over $100M in equity and debt financing from a broad array of investors.

He earned the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation in 2014, and holds a BS degree in Finance, Economics, International Business, and Risk Management & Insurance from The Ohio State University.

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.

Mary Kenney

Columbus Market Lead
Heartland Ventures

Mary joined Heartland in 2022 on the Investing team and transitioned to the Community team in 2024.

In this role at Heartland, Mary leads engagement with LPs and Midwest industry leaders to ensure Heartland’s portfolio aligns with their strategic needs.  

Prior to joining Heartland, Mary worked in non-profit fundraising, technology, and strategy consulting, managed customer success at an AI startup, and led strategic initiatives at an Ivy League university. She leverages these varied experiences in operational and strategic analysis, team building, and collaborative problem-solving to foster meaningful partnerships with and amongst founders and investors in the Heartland community.

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. 

Catherine Lang-Cline

Co-Founder, Former Owner & Former CEO
Portfolio Creative

Catherine Lang-Cline was the co-founder and longtime CEO of Portfolio Creative, where she was recognized for her leadership as Columbus CEO’s Most Admired CEO for five consecutive years, as well as Most Influential Entrepreneur, Smart Woman - Progressive Entrepreneur Award, Smart 50 Award, Business First Influential Women to Know, six years honored as an Inc. 500-5000 Fastest Growing Companies, WELD "Women You Should Know", Columbus Chamber Entrepreneur of the Year, and six years awarded the Business First Fast 50.

A respected thought leader, Catherine sold her business and is now sharing her insights through Catherine Lang-Cline, LLC, on navigating business as a female business owner through her speaking engagements, articles, and her book, The Rules of the Game for Women in Business.

Josh Lau

CEO
Nymbl Systems

Josh is the co-founder and CEO at Nymbl Systems, leading the company’s strategic direction with his strong technology and business background. Josh’s experience working as a consultant for an O&P clinic ignited his passion for improving healthcare through technology, ultimately leading him to establish Nymbl Systems. Under his leadership, Nymbl has expanded its market presence, increased revenue, and secured key investments, including a growth equity partnership with Frontier Growth.

Shannon Lee

Chair
Vistage Worldwide

Shannon Lee is a Vistage Chair in Central Ohio, mentoring executives in private advisory groups to help them make better decisions and achieve better results. A coach, speaker, and facilitator, she authored Servant Leader Mindset and has built leadership curriculum for audiences ranging from first-time managers to executives. She lives in Central Ohio with her husband and their three dogs.

Dan Lindberg

CFO
SCATR

Dan’s career is marked by extensive achievements across multiple industries, including Financial Services, SaaS/Technology, Consumer Products, and Industrial Chemicals. His unique background encompasses FP&A, Controller functions, and strategic program management, making him exceptionally suited to drive SCATR’s financial vision.

Most recently, he served as Vice President of Finance at Prevedere, where he spearheaded initiatives leading to a high-profile acquisition. Additionally, his leadership at Emplifi and Meeder Investment Management demonstrated his capability to align financial operations with organizational objectives, delivering impactful results.

Raj Malik

Partner  
Pixel Perfect Ventures

Raj Malik is a Partner at Pixel Perfect Ventures and a distinguished deal maker with a proven track record of building, operating, and successfully exiting multiple global technology companies in a variety of industries from healthcare, SaaS, ecommerce and security. Over his career, Raj has served as a Board Director, Advisor, CEO, and Lawyer leading complex M&A transactions while also guiding boards and management teams of multiple high growth companies. Raj's passion is working alongside visionary teams to help build enduring companies and mission-driven organizations that drive real, positive and tangible change across various industries.

Nathan McGill

Managing Director
Grandview Partners

Nathan is the Managing Director of Grandview Partners. He has spent his career directly investing in lower middle market companies across a wide range of industries. Nathan has executed nearly $400 million of private equity and debt investments (subordinated debt, preferred equity, minority/majority common equity) in a variety of transaction types, including management buyouts, recapitalizations, and growth capital investments.

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.

Anthony Melchiorre

Managing Director & Principal
MelCap Partners, LLC

Anthony is responsible for the management of MelCap’s investment banking engagements. In his role, Anthony manages the firm’s clients, deal processes, buyers and investors, and investment banking staff. Anthony also manages and supports the development of the firm’s offering memorandums, financial analysis and models, industry research, and proposals.

Renee Milyiori

Executive Director, Banker
J.P. Morgan Private Bank

Renee Milyiori is a Banker and Executive Director at J.P. Morgan Private Bank in Columbus, Ohio where she specializes in wealth management and exit planning, offering tailored financial strategies to high-net-worth clients. Her over 20 years of experience in financial services and deep understanding of ESOPs (Employee Stock Ownership Plans) allow her to provide strategic advice for business owners considering succession planning.

Renee's ability to connect complex financial concepts with practical strategies makes her an invaluable resource for her clients, ensuring their financial goals are met with precision and care.She has a strong focus on working with and connecting family members and professional advisors to ensure comprehensive and cohesive financial planning.

Renee holds an MBA in Finance and Accounting from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Miami University.  She also holds multiple certifications, including CFP® (Certified Financial Planner), CPWA® (Certified Private Wealth Advisor), and CEPA® (Certified Exit Planning Advisor), which attest to her expertise and dedication to professional excellence.

Renee was elected President of ACG Columbus in 2024 and is the co-founder of the ACG’s Women in Transactions (WiT) group.  She has also been active in the ESOP Association and isan active member of the Conway Family Business Center, demonstrating her leadership and commitment to the business community.

Steve Morris

Chairman
ASG | Chute Gerdeman

I’m a strategic advisor, board chair, and connector who helps businesses and teams figure out what’s next. I specialize in navigating transitions—whether scaling, evolving leadership, or exploring exit strategies—by aligning people, process, technology, and culture to unlock long-term value.

After founding and scaling ASG (now an ESOP), I’ve shifted my focus to supporting companies at critical inflection points. I work best with founders and leadership teams who care about legacy, alignment, and building with others—not just for them.

Brandon Nelson

Executive Director / Market Executive
JP Morgan Chase & Co.

Brandon Nelson is a Market Executive/ Executive Director in the Middle Market segment for Central and South Ohio, Northern Kentucky, and West Virginia. In this role, Brandon manages teams which provide middle market clients with customized, comprehensive financial solutions along with best-in-class service. He also serves as a member of the Ohio Market Leadership Team. 

Prior to coming to JP Morgan Chase, Brandon spent 20 years at Hancock Whitney Bank, a regional bank in the Southeast, most recently serving as a Senior Vice President/ Team Lead in the Commercial Banking Department. Brandon has extensive experience in middle-market/commercial lending and relationship management across various industries. A staunch supporter of fairness for all, Brandon was a member of the inaugural Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council for Hancock Whitney. 

Brandon is a life-long learner having developed a hunger for knowledge at an early age which he carried with him to Tulane University, receiving his Bachelor of Science and Management Degree (Finance), and subsequently the University of New Orleans, earning a Master of Business Administration Degree with a concentration in Finance where he achieved a 4.0 GPA. In 2013, Mr. Nelson graduated from the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute program and was voted “Co-Commencement Speaker” for the class. In 2017, he completed the Graduate School of Banking at LSU program where he was only the 106th out of 16,000 graduates in the School’s history at the time to achieve straight “A’s”. Brandon received his Graduate Certificate in Accounting from the University of Connecticut in 2021 and obtained his Series 63 & 79 licenses in May of 2022. 

Kelly Noll

Managing Director, Valuation Services
GBQ Capital Advisors

Kelly Noll is a Chartered Financial Analyst and Managing Director at GBQ Capital Advisors. After graduating from Ohio University, she began her career in banking and pivoted to business valuation nearly 20 years ago. She loves helping clients understand the valuation process and seeing them succeed in increasing their business value.

Rob Ouellette

Partner
Ice Miller LLP

Rob Ouellette is a partner in the Business Group and focuses his practice on complex corporate transactions, mergers and acquisitions, particularly private equity investments and transactions, and a range of financing transactions.

Rob actively assists clients from a wide variety of industries including manufacturing, distribution, logistics, financial services, high technology and professional services; and at all levels of the capital structure.

Prior to joining Ice Miller, Rob practiced for 20 years with Schottenstein Zox & Dunn Co., LPA where he was co-chair of the Corporate Practice Group for 12 years and a member of the management committee.

Tom Pampush

Chair - Business Group
Ice Miller LLP

Tom is Chair of the Firm’s Business Group where he focuses his practice on complex corporate transactions, mergers and acquisitions including private equity and independent sponsor investments and transactions, debt and equity financing transactions, as well as general corporate and commercial matters. He also serves as outside general counsel for a wide array of closely held businesses, family offices and entrepreneurial businesses.

Tom’s practice encompasses a variety of industries including manufacturing, technology, software, franchising, energy and alternative energy, retail, real estate, construction, wholesale, marketing and advertising, and personal and professional services ranging from financial services, wealth management and accounting to healthcare and related services.

Prior to joining the Firm’s Business Group in 2000, he served as Vice President and General Counsel of Shoe Corporation of America, Inc. Tom holds a Certificate in Family Business Advising from the Family Firm Institute.

Jeff Parson

Business Performance Advisor
Insperity

Helping business leaders unlock growth through proven HR strategies. As a trusted advisor at Insperity, I work with companies to streamline operations, elevate performance, and build strong teams. Let’s connect if you're looking to scale smarter, reduce risk, and lead with confidence

Tina Provost

Former CEO
Five Star Fans

As CEO of Five Star Fans, she led a platform that unites college sports fans and gives college athletes the easiest way to maximize their NIL. A former varsity athlete and proud Ohio State alumna, she previously served as Head of Continuous Improvement at a global animal health distribution company. She currently sits on several Ohio State University boards, including the Alumni Association Board of Directors, Varsity O and the Cheer and Brutus Alumni groups. Outside of work she lives in Dublin with her nine‑year‑old son and enjoys mentoring young athletes and entrepreneurs. Passionate about people and innovation, she strives to build communities that empower individuals in sports, business and beyond.

Sue Reninger

Vistage Chair, Columbus
Vistage

Sue Reninger is an authentic and passionate leader with unique and extensive experience building companies and brands in all channels. Driven to advocate for leaders and entrepreneurs while growing sales through strategic partnerships and a commitment to consistent, measurable execution, Reninger firmly believes entrepreneurial thinking can change the world.

As a three decade-long business owner and now an executive coach and Vistage chair, she has found that being an entrepreneur and working with colleagues and other leaders to grow influence, decision making abilities and companies/team overall is a gift. As a business owner, she experienced the high "high's" and the low "low's" that come from being an entrepreneur and a leader, and wants to use these experiences to help today's leadership. She lives by the personal values of leadership by example, an unparalleled commitment to teams and living a life of gratitude.

Nathan Rish

Senior Vice President - Middle Market Commercial Banking
Northwest Bank

Nathan F. Rish is a Senior Vice President at Northwest Bank in Columbus, Ohio, with over 25 years of commercial banking experience. He specializes in middle-market relationship management, credit underwriting, and business development. Rish is recognized for his consultative approach, strong client partnerships, and active engagement in community and nonprofit leadership.

Demetrius Robinson

Shareholder
Roetzel & Andress LPA

Demetrius brings over a decade of experience advising companies on business and tax law matters. As shareholder at Roetzel & Andress, Demetrius advises companies on the tax implications of tax-free reorganization, employee benefits and welfare plans, acquisitions and divestitures, and multi-state nexus issues. In addition, he assists clients in resolving tax-related issues with taxing authorities including the U.S. Tax Court, Internal Revenue Service, and state and local taxing authorities.

Olivia Schmidt

Associate, Business Development
Unity Partners, LP

Unity Partners is a $330MM principles-based private equity firm focused exclusively on services business, both office-based and field-based. We partner with strong middle-market management teams, typically investing in companies with $5M - $20M of EBITDA, and support growth through improvement and strategic M&A.

Kyle Shen

President & CEO
Nexceris

Kyle Shen is the President & CEO of Nexceris, an electrochemical and catalyst solution provider for companies scaling up from lab to launch. Kyle has run companies in various industries, resulting in several successful exits.

Dwight Smith

Executive Board Member
Various Companies

Smith is the founder of Sophisticated Systems, Inc. (SSI), a technology services and solutions firm he started in 1990. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, SSI was at the top of its game and doing well – until it wasn’t. Turning SSI from a company with a $715,000 loss and $2.1 million in debt to the highly profitable and award-winning company it turned into was the proving ground for some of Smith’s biggest leadership lessons.

Smith's inspiring stories are lessons in triumph and failure. They are an amazing journey from being a rebel youth to a thought leader in the board room of some of this nation's most influential companies.

As a speaker – with compassion, authenticity, and humility – Smith inspires, informs and motivates his audience to be the great leaders they are meant to be.

Smith is available as a keynote speaker on topics covering business, leadership, and motivation.

Mark Smolik

Chief Legal Officer
DHL

Mark Smolik is general counsel and chief compliance officer of DHL’s supply chain operations throughout the Americas. He also serves as global chair of DHL’s supply chain legal practice group and is responsible for leading the legal, commercial contract management, government incentives, and compliance teams throughout the Americas.

Smolik serves as the chairman and founder of Qualmet LLC, a platform for in-house counsel and legal operations professionals to measure the value of services provided by external counsel and other legal service providers. Before DHL, Smolik was senior vice president, general counsel, and chief ethics officer of Safelite Group, Inc. Before Safelite, he served as Sherwin-Williams’ senior corporate counsel.

He serves on the CSU|LAW Board of Visitors and has lectured twice in the past two years at the law school about the rapidly changing legal market and its implications for legal education.

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.

Wolf Starr

CEO, Atlas Partners
Managing Partner, Ohio Impact Fund

Wolf Starr is the founder of Venture Atlas, a venture and leadership advisory firm working with family offices, angel networks, and venture capital teams to build modern, inclusive investment platforms. His work focuses on capital strategy, community engagement, and network design—helping investors align strong financial performance with measurable social and economic impact.

Catherine Strauss

Managing Partner
Ice Miller

Catherine Strauss is the Managing Partner of Ice Miller's Columbus office. She is also an adviser and advocate for employers with workforces in Ohio and nationally. She is also a skilled coach to human resource professionals and business executives. Preferring practical outcomes based on a keen knowledge of the law and common sense judgment, Catherine is an effective adviser in managing risks and conflict avoidance.

When disputes are unavoidable, Catherine is a tenacious trial attorney, having successfully represented employers and businesses in all types of legal proceedings, both in Ohio and nationally.

Finally, Catherine serves as a neutral investigator in all types of matters involving or impacting employees.

Daniel Tetelman

Senior Manager of Corporate Development and Investor Relations
Greif, Inc.

Dan Tetelman currently manages global Corporate Development as well as Investor Relations for Greif, Inc., (NYSE: GEF) a publicly traded global industrial packaging company with approximately 250 locations in 37 countries. He focuses on creating value through his dual role by optimizing Greif's product portfolio through M&A and properly articulating that value creation to the investment community to drive long-term performance.

Prior to his current role, Dan held roles at Greif in Global Corporate Accounting and Financial Reporting. Dan is a University of Dayton graduate (BSBA / MBA) and obtained his Certified Public Accounting accreditation prior to beginning his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP.

Andrew Thomas

Founder & CEO
Acculon Energy

Andrew Thomas is an accomplished executive in the energy storage and battery technology sector, currently serving as Co-Founder and CEO of Acculon Energy. Based in Columbus, Ohio, he brings over 15 years of industry experience, with a career spanning roles in business development, sales, and product development. Andrew holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Miami University and executive education at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management.

Stephen Thompson

CFO
Primary Aim, LLC

Stephen Thompson is Chief Financial Officer and Franchise Owner of Primary Aim, LLC, partnering with brothers Tim and Ben Thompson. Following the sale of 65 Wendy's restaurants in 2024, Primary Aim operates 13 Wendy's restaurants across Central and Southeast Ohio and owns a growing portfolio of commercial real estate. Stephen serves as Vice Chair of the Wendy's Franchise Association "WFA" Finance Committee, previous WFA Board Member and is a charter member of the Wendy's CFO Forum.

Michael Timm

Senior Portfolio Manager, Principal
Johnson Investment Counsel

Michael joined Johnson Investment Counsel in 2015. He is a Senior Portfolio Manager and Shareholder of the firm. Before joining the firm, he received a Bachelor’s degree in both Accounting and Finance from Wright State University. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) designation and the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) certification and is a member of the CFA Society of Columbus.

RJ Valentine

Entrepreneur/Former PE C-Suite Executive
Foundation Wellness

RJ Valentine is an accomplished entrepreneur, executive, and board member leading private equity-backed and public companies. He has served as CEO, COO, or CFO in multiple companies. Most recently he was CFO of Foundation Wellness, where he helped lead the company’s sale in late 2024 from Gridiron Capital to Bansk Capital and completed his planned exit by early 2026.

He has completed 30 global buy-side and sell-side transactions totaling $1.5 billion and has deep expertise in value creation, exit preparedness, and maximizing exit outcomes.

Faith Voinovich

Principal
Ohio Innovation Fund

Faith Voinovich is a Principal at Ohio Innovation Fund where she serves as a key member of the investment team. Since joining the team in 2018, Faith has led investments spun out of top research institutions, helped facilitate numerous follow on equity (and non-dilutive) rounds across the portfolio, assisted on several M&A exit transactions (value exceeding $500 million), and served in a variety of board roles including at Invirsa, Clarametyx, Genetesis, DatAnchor, Complion (merged with Realtime CTMS), and Stirling Ultracold (merged with BioLife Solutions, NASDAQ: BLFS).

Andrew Vollmer

Managing Director
BellMark Partners, LLC

Andy is Managing Director and Co-CEO of Bellmark Partners, LLC, and head of the firm’s Cleveland office. Andy has 30 years of investment banking experience, having personally completed well over 100 M&A, special committee, and board advisory assignments. Previously, he was with KeyBanc Capital Markets, where he was head of the sponsor coverage, consumer & retail, and M&A investment banking groups.

Julie Ward

Audit Partner
Crowe LLP

Julie is an Audit Partner with Crowe and has over 18 years of experience. She serves upper middle-market privately owned clients in the manufacturing, distribution, and service industries. Julie’s clients range in size from $20 million to more than $1 billion in revenues, across a wide range of industries and companies with multi-national and multi-state operations and complex accounting and audit issues. Julie works with family owned and private equity owned businesses.

Kyle Young

President
Double L Management

Kyle Young is the President of Double L Management, a commercial contracting umbrella firm headquartered in Westerville, Ohio. He manages a diverse portfolio of specialty construction and engineering companies.

Dean Zody

Founder & CEO
GhostWave Inc.

Dean Zody is a business-oriented Global Operations Leader with an engineering background delivering innovative solutions with measurable growth and profitability. Accomplished background in start-ups, cost reduction initiatives, and operations management in telecommunications, chemical and consumer product. Multiple disciplines include operations, supply chain, procurement, and logistics. Strong database and data analytical skills. In 2016, he founded GhostWave, commercializing patents from Ohio State University.

Frank Zonars

Partner
Vorys

Frank is a partner at Vorys, a national law firm headquartered in Columbus. 

Frank advises privately owned companies in merger & acquisition and joint venture transactions.  Frank represents private equity firms and their portfolio companies, family offices, startup companies and other growth-oriented companies and entrepreneurs in numerous industries including manufacturing, technology and fintech, retail and consumer brands, consumer services, industrial services, esports and gaming and others.  Frank guides clients through strategic and financial merger & acquisition transactions on both the buy- and sell-side, joint ventures and other business combinations, capital raises and other transactional matters.  Frank is a leader in the Vorys private equity practice, which represents private equity firms and their portfolio companies in a broad range of matters across the United States.

Brian Zuercher

Partner
The Northbound Group

Brian is a Co-Founding Partner of The Northbound Group. Northbound helps companies prepare for an optimal value at exit by aligning strategic direction and key team member alignment. Brian serves as a GP for 1870 Ventures, a venture studio bringing brilliant IP to market. 1870 Ventures discovers, funds, and builds companies around breakthroughs that originated at universities and institutions. Brian has been the co-founder of several companies and is passionate about supporting entrepreneurs in the Central Ohio region.