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Session A

Unlocking Value: Sell-Side Strategies for Maximizing Outcomes

Presented By: Jensen McComas / Wells Fargo

Selling your business is more than a transaction—it’s a pivotal moment that shapes your next chapter. This session focuses on strategic sell-side planning, including how to prepare the business for sale, align with the right buyers, and negotiate deal terms that reflect your long-term goals. From timing and legal readiness to wealth planning and maximizing enterprise value, panelists will explore how to approach the deal table with intention. We’ll also examine real-world strategies such as equity rollovers and second bites at the apple that can lead to greater returns post-close.

Panelists:

Dennis Kelly
CEO
Tyto Athene

Dennis Kelly, Tyto’s Chief Executive Officer, brings over 30 years of executive experience in the defense and intelligence industry and a proven record of advancing growth, business development, and operational excellence.

A visionary and strategic leader, U.S. Navy veteran, and a prominent and respected active contributor to the government contracting industry and community, Dennis has held offices such as chief executive officer and president and served in chief operating officer roles in several businesses where he developed strategic plans that successfully led enterprises towards enhanced profitability and unprecedented growth.

Throughout his career, Dennis has served as an executive leader for several fast-growing companies in the government technology and national security sectors.

Prior to Tyto Athene, Dennis served as CEO of Eqlipse Technologies, where he led the development and execution of a growth strategy to expand the company into new Department of Defense and Intelligence Community mission areas. He also led Eqlipse through seven strategic acquisitions and associated integrations over eighteen months.

Dennis holds a bachelor’s degree from Roger Williams University with a major in industrial engineering technology and a minor in computer technology. Dennis also earned an executive MBA from the University of Rhode Island.

William A. McComas
Co-Founder
Jensen McComas

Recognized as one of the region's leading technology attorneys and ranked by Chambers for his corporate expertise, he represents clients ranging from entrepreneurs to Fortune 500 companies on commercial transactional matters. His practice focuses on helping businesses improve their core functions through legal counsel in areas including financing, mergers and acquisitions, venture capital investments, and general corporate matters.

Bill has established himself as an expert in managing and developing commercial technology strategies, providing representation on complex business transactions such as joint ventures, strategic alliances, electronic commerce, outsourcing, and intellectual property management. His unique value stems from his executive business and technology management background, having worked for one of North America's largest book manufacturers and a major global ocean carrier before becoming an attorney, where he developed software and managed major vendor contracts.

A cum laude graduate of the University of Baltimore School of Law with a B.A. in Computer Science from Brown University, Bill has received numerous professional recognitions including being named Lawyer of the Year for Information Technology Law in Baltimore multiple times (2019-2022) and for Copyright Law in 2024. He is a frequent business and technology law columnist for publications including the Legal Times, National Law Journal, Baltimore Business Journal, and The Daily Record.

Peter Russo, Jr.
Certified Exit Planning Advisor (r) & Managing Director-Investments
Wells Fargo Advisors

Pete runs a Certified Exit Planning Advisory team for Wells Fargo Advisors. He helps business owners and corporate executives navigate the complexities of monetizing their business in a tax efficient way that meets both theirs and their employees' goals. Throughout this process, where appropriate, he works in conjunction with an individual’s attorney, investment banker, CPA, and other advisors. He is a regular panelist at M&A events, speaking to the strategies used as executives and business owners create liquidity for themselves and employees. He is also responsible for all of his teams ongoing structures and disciplines.

Conference Location

800 Maple Ave, East
Vienna, VA 22180
Tel: (703) 938-2300