Committee

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.

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.

Mary E. Auch is regional president of PNC Bank for Central Ohio. With a career spanning 30-years at PNC, Auch has extensive banking experience and deep roots in Columbus. She began her career as part of the bank’s Retail Development Program in 1995 and then moved into Corporate Banking in 2001. She has been the regional president since 2019.

As the Vice President, Client Advocate at Lockton, Nick is dedicated to business growth, client satisfaction, and a high performance culture while directing expansion in Columbus, Ohio. With 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 middle-market and large employers.

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.

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.

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 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 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 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.

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.

Kacie leads the firm’s Franchising + Distribution practice and serves as outside general counsel to franchisors in launching their concepts and ensuring ongoing franchise compliance throughout the life of the system. As a senior director in the firm's M+A team, she advises buyers and sellers on deal strategy throughout a diverse range of significant and complex transactions. Her clients range from small businesses with single-company stores or multiple franchised locations to national franchisors requiring compliance with state and federal regulations.

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 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 is a CFO who has completed over 20 buy-side transactions for public, private and PE-sponsored companies during his career as well as leading two PE-sponsored, sell-side exits at Salon Lofts Group, LLC and Sunless, Inc. He previously was the CFO of CK Construction Group, Inc. in Westerville, OH.

As Founder, Andy focuses on future growth opportunities and helps to perpetuate the company’s culture.

Prior to starting Arise with his partner, Andy was with Tri-W Group as a Managing Director from December 2016 to January 2022. Tri-W Group is a private family investment firm based in Columbus, Ohio and continues to be an important partner alongside the Arise group.

Before joining Tri-W, Andy spent twenty years with Worthington Industries, a publicly held company based in Columbus, Ohio. While at Worthington, Andy had several leadership roles, including Sales Management, Vice President of Purchasing and eventually became the President of Worthington Cylinders, a $1.1 Billion global leader of pressure vessel and related products with 21 manufacturing locations in six countries with over 3,400 employees.

Ben is responsible for cultivating and nurturing client relationships, structuring and implementing core investment strategies, and evaluating alternative strategies and deal analysis for clients. Prior to joining Trinity in 2018, Ben spent 15 years within regional and multi-state banking corporations (PNC Bank, First Merchants) providing the financing and banking services in support of individual and corporate clients. He has a strong track record in helping clients navigate complex business and tax issues, business valuations and transactional structuring.

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.

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 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. 

As senior director and director of transaction advisory services at GBQ, Wade coordinates a team of 10 professionals, highly skilled in various aspects of transactions, including valuation, due diligence, ESOPs, tax structuring and buy and sell side advisory. He also serves as chief liaison to Footprint Capital, GBQ’s investment banking affiliate, where he helps complete investment banking deals. Since 2015, GBQ’s transaction group has collectively worked on over 550 transactions.

Catherine Lang-Cline is a highly accomplished CEO, entrepreneur, and C-Suite executive who brings an innovative vision and design thinking to various sectors, including consumer products and services, financial services, and technology. Catherine has a proven track record in creating high-value business models such as marketplaces and digital platforms and deep expertise in entrepreneurship, strategy, marketing, and human resources. She also brings a deep background in board governance through her extensive experience serving as a board director for non-profit and industry boards.

Catherine is an experienced community and not-for-profit Board Member currently serving on the Columbus Chamber of Commerce Board, Executive Committee, and Strategy Committee, Board of Trustees for the Columbus College of Art and Design, and former Board Member of the Greater Columbus Art Council, Executive Committee, and Finance Committee. Catherine also served as president/chair of the National Association of Women Business Owners, Columbus Chapter, and its Public Policy Committee, both locally and nationally.

With 20 years of experience as the Founder and CEO of Portfolio Creative, Catherine Lang-Cline is heralded by her peers as a top executive with five consecutive years as Columbus CEO - Most Admired CEO, Most Influential Entrepreneur, Smart Woman - Progressive Entrepreneur Award, Smart 50 Award, Business First Influential Women to Know, Small Business Leader Award - Finalist, NAWBO Visionary Award - Finalist, six years honored as an Inc. 500-5000 Fastest Growing Privately-Owned Companies, WELD "Women You Should Know", Columbus Chamber Entrepreneur of the Year, Business First Best Temporary Employment Agency, six years awarded the Business First Fast 50, E&Y Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist.

With a solid foundation of 15 years of experience in marketing for Fortune 500 companies and small to mid-sized businesses, Catherine Lang-Cline has honed her skills before starting and scaling her own business in 2005. Her expertise in marketing and design has been instrumental in her success in consumer goods, personal products, banking, travel, and more.

As a business leader, public speaker, and thought leader, Catherine Lang-Cline is a beacon of innovation in entrepreneurship, strategy, marketing, human resources, and culture building. Her thought leadership, showcased in blogs, articles, her podcast Illumination Bureau, and her podcast The Secret Art of Business, has inspired large-scale changes within organizations that positively impact the bottom line. Her speaking engagements at The Ohio State University, Keynote - Women’s Conference at The OSU Fisher School of Business, The American Staffing Association, WBENC Catch the Wave, and the WSBA Women’s Leadership Conference have further solidified her status as a thought leader.

Catherine earned a Staffing Professional Certification with the American Staffing Association for over a decade. She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Northern Illinois University.

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.

Leadership development and program management have been the cornerstones of my recent roles, culminating in my current position as Vistage Chair. I empower CEOs and business owners through peer advisory groups and one-to-one coaching, fostering a culture of intentional growth and strategic decision-making. The skills honed in my Executive Director roles such as performance management and goal setting, are now instrumental in guiding leaders towards transformational success.

My commitment to leadership excellence is demonstrated through certifications like the Predictive Index Practitioner and Ken Blanchard SLII, which enable me to drive results and enhance the effectiveness of talent within organizations. At Vistage, alongside facilitating expert-led workshops, I am passionate about selecting members who are eager to thrive in a collaborative environment, ensuring they receive tailored mentorship that catalyzes their personal and professional evolution.

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 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 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.

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.

Al Melchiorre is President/CEO and founder of MelCap Partners, a middle market investment banking firm that he founded over 25 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.

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 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. 

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 is Vice 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.

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

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.

Having founded RMD Advertising in 1992, I sold the agency after more than three decades of dedication to the team and food clients we served. In this role, I was responsible for the strategic direction which propelled RMD’s growth and success.

We worked with bluechip clients such as Rudolph Foods, Barney Butter, Raybern's, Agave & Rye, Little Caesars Fundraising, Graeter’s Ice Cream and more to develop new strategies for their businesses and distinctive brands.

RMD’s culture focused on team and employees, and centered around three pillars and one unifying purpose: To take excellent care of each other, and the clients we served. We did so by being committed to the pillars of Forward Thinking, Leadership by Example, A Commitment to Team, Growth Mindedness and perhaps most importantly, Gratitude.

Rish serves as a trusted advisor to commercial clients in the Central Ohio market and beyond – providing a full range of banking solutions to meet their financial objectives and needs. With 25 years in similar roles throughout Central Ohio, he brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Northwest team.

Demetrius advises businesses on the tax implications of reorganizations, business transactions, and multistate operations. He assists clients in resolving tax disputes with taxing authorities, including the U.S. Tax Court, the Internal Revenue Service, and state and local agencies. Representing clients ranging from small business owners to multinational corporations, Demetrius is a trusted advisor known for providing practical, sound business tax counsel.

Olivia is responsible for executing business services investment opportunities, and working closely with external partners and the broader Unity team to Build Better Together.

Most recently an Analyst at Main Street Capital Corporation on the Investment Team, where I had the opportunity to work alongside great investment professionals and management teams.

She has a BBA in Finance and BA in Spanish from Baylor University, magna cum laude.

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.

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 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 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 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 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.

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.

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 is an accomplished operator of private equity and publicly traded companies, and entrepreneur. He currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer of Foundation Wellness, a global manufacturer of health and wellness products. In late 2024 Foundation Wellness was sold in a successful sponsor to sponsor transaction from Gridiron Capital to Bansk Capital.

RJ has led mid-market companies for over 25 years and has completed approximately 30 buy-side/sell-side transactions around the globe for a total deal value of $1.5B. Using his foundational background as a CPA he has prepared and executed multiple exits in private equity and publicly traded companies. He has also served as a board member of private equity and privately held companies.

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).

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 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.

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 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.