Committee

Tyler Ashley is the Head of Business Development at McNally Capital, where he focuses on the strategic execution and management of McNally's origination efforts, including sourcing and evaluating new investment opportunities.

Prior to joining McNally, Tyler worked as the Vice President of Originations for Excellere Partners, a Denver-based private equity firm. Prior to that, Tyler was an Associate for JMC Capital Partners in Boston. Tyler began his career working in various roles within the media and technology industries.

Tyler earned an MBA from Babson College F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business and a Bachelor of Science in Business from Wake Forest University.

As Area Managing Partner for Fortium Partners, the #1 provider of technology leadership as a service, Kevin Barnes works with clients to solve enterprise challenges by providing operational IT leadership. He is a 3 time CIO and has held numerous executive positions across diverse industries including consumer goods, retail, construction, real estate, agriculture, and distribution. A highly sought after technology advisor, Kevin also served as executive leader for a corporate venture capital division and a board member of its portfolio companies.

Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA) builds a collaborative life sciences ecosystem and advocates for a pro-innovation business climate. The organization champions Colorado’s health innovation ecosystem and life-saving technologies that make a global impact.

Elyse Blazevich leads CBSA’s efforts to create co-opportunity for this vibrant, fast-growing community, through Capital + Growth, Policy + Advocacy, Education + Networking, and Workforce Development through the Colorado BioScience Institute. She’s a proud advocate for the state’s life sciences ecosystem, which provides high-paying, mission-driven jobs to more than 38,000 Coloradans. The community is a fundraising powerhouse, raising $1.2 billion in 2023 and $1.47 billion in the first six months of 2024.

Elyse led the launch of Colorado Hub for Health Impact earlier this year, a national economic development campaign that positions Colorado as America’s epicenter for life sciences innovation. With support from more than 20 partners, the campaign represents the first-ever large-scale investment to attract new life sciences companies, talent, and investors to Colorado.

Prior to joining CBSA, Elyse co-founded Securisyn Medical and served as COO and CFO, where she and her team secured $15 million in capital, including $4 million in non-dilutive government funding, and expanded the product pipeline from one to five devices. She remains a member of Securisyn Medical’s Board of Directors.

Born and raised in Colorado, Elyse holds a B.A. in biology from Colorado College and an M.S. in organizational leadership from CSU Global. She is also a graduate of the Colorado BioScience Institute’s Executive Leadership program.

Ted Brown is a Lockton Partner, as well as, President of Risk Solutions for the West series, and is responsible for the strategic growth and investments of our largest P&L. Ted is also accountable for the growth and performance of our Real Estate and Development
practices as well as his client’s balance sheet protection and the overall client experience.

Responsible for business development initiatives at the firm, including the origination and evaluation of investment opportunities. Based in Denver, John manages Trivest’s deal relationships across the Rocky Mountain region. Prior to joining Trivest, he was at Lion Equity Partners where he was involved with sourcing new investment opportunities in the lower middle market. He received his B.S. in finance from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University.

Jared provides his business clients with legal counsel on entity formation and organization, general corporate matters, equity incentive plans, financing and capital markets, and mergers and acquisitions.

Jared advises clients on all aspects of entity formation, including choice of entity decisions, and prepares all related governing documents such as bylaws, shareholder agreements, and operating agreements. Once an entity is formed, Jared aids his clients with general corporate matters such as equity compensation arrangements, including profits interests, stock options, and phantom equity plans. He also helps his clients with commercial contracts, such as master services agreements, independent contractor agreements, and data licensing agreements.

Jared represents companies, as well as angel investors and venture capital investors making investments in private companies. He has experience with capital raising through the sale of convertible debt, SAFEs, and common and preferred stock sales.

Jared has successfully represented his clients on complicated deals worth as much as a billion dollars in transaction value. He represents private companies, public companies, and private equity clients across all categories of participants in M&A transactions and has represented clients across a wide array of industries, including the health care, technology, software, design, manufacturing, and professional services industries. 

Adam Fiedor is a Managing Director with GLC Advisors & Co., LLC, an independent investment banking firm focused on senior-level expertise and objective guidance. With over twenty years of investment banking experience, Adam is a strategic advisor to entrepreneurs and board of directors with a demonstrated history of creating value to stakeholders across a number of industries.

Mike Franson is an experienced financial advisor who has worked with a variety of middle-market businesses in both the public and private sectors. Over the course of his career, Mike has completed over 100 transactions with a total value exceeding $4.0 billion. He co-founded St. Charles Capital (SCC), a top M&A boutique headquartered in Denver, where he served as President & CEO, leading the firm to 25 investment bankers. In 2014, SCC was sold to KPMG, and Mike became the Global Head of TMT M&A, overseeing a team of 200 investment bankers focused on middle-market TMT M&A across 80 countries.

Mike has also led SCC's merchant banking efforts, investing in growth, buyout, and recapitalization transactions. He continues to hold investments in several of these transactions and serves as an active board member for Outlast Technologies GMBH and Chairman of Slumber Cloud. Mike successfully exited a private equity investment in Adam's Polishes in 2020, where he served on the board of directors. He was the lead M&A advisor to CoorsTek from 2003 to 2019, advising on over $1.3 billion in transactions and helping to build the company into a global market leader with ~$1 billion in annual revenue.

Currently, Mike serves as lead director of the board of directors of Northwest Pipe Company (NWPX), a publicly traded company and market leader in North America manufacturing large-diameter steel water transmission pipe and precast concrete pipe. He has also served on eleven other for-profit boards, including three other public company boards.

Zach Frisch is a serial entrepreneur. Zach started his first company when he was seven years old. After college, Zach worked on Wall St. and then moved back to Colorado to work for Trammell Crow developing and acquiring real estate in Colorado and California. In 2000 the Brazilian government privatized the telecom industry and Zach moved there to work a $2.5B startup and helped build the largest telecom company in Latin America in less than one year deploying all wireless technology.

For the past 22 years Beverly Gibson has been one of the leading Business Performance Advisors at Insperity, helping companies implement HR and business performance solutions. As a CBPA, Bev acts as a key business consultant to her clients. During her tenure with Insperity, she has been a perennial member of the Insperity Chairman's Club and attained the level of the eleven-million-dollar club.

John J. Hanley, Managing Director at J.P. Morgan Private Bank’s Denver office, leads the Closely Held Business team. With extensive experience, he provides tailored wealth management solutions to entrepreneurs and business owners, guiding them through growth, succession planning, and sales. His expertise ensures clients achieve their financial goals and successfully transition their businesses.

Carolina Hensley has spent almost her entire career focused on investing in family-owned and founder-driven businesses. She has experience along the entire capital structure, from a brief stint as a commercial lender, a few years as a mezzanine debt lender, and for the past 12 years she has been with Progress Equity Partners, an independent private-equity firm in Denver. Being involved in the deal process from sourcing to portfolio management and the eventual exit, she really enjoys meeting entrepreneurs and working alongside them and their teams as they plan and execute on their strategic vision.

John advises public and private corporations, private equity funds and investors on deal structures, capital formation, acquisitions and dispositions, corporate finance, operations and governance matters. His clientele includes start-up and emerging companies seeking capital, established corporate entities, and commercial interests seeking growth through acquisition, partnership, and consolidation of resources.

A significant portion of John’s practice focuses on “off-market” or distressed acquisitions, assisting clients in acquiring distressed assets, often through Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code. These transactions include significant acquisitions in traditional and non-traditional energy.

As a former CPA, John brings extensive, real-world financial experience to his clients’ representation and an ability to understand the financial impacts of deal structures. He often consults with directors, auditors, and committees on both compliance and investigative protocols and corporate governance issues.

Tracie brings over 19 years of experience in private equity marketing, communications, and origination as the Director of Marketing; Tracie leads the day-to-day execution of Excellere's marketing and communications strategies and overall brand strategy. These initiatives include balancing creativity with analytical skills while supporting the firm’s origination efforts and investment opportunities.

I have over three decades of B2B experience and PE investment. I currently lead KTC Instruments and I am an Operating Partner in a private equity firm. My board tenure spans multiple organizations, focusing on audit and compensation committees. I write on value-based management, executive compensation, and strategy alignment, championing sustainable growth

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. 

With 20 years of Hospitality experience as an owner/operator of 14 bars and restaurants in Illinois, Wisconsin and North Carolina, Matt took that knowledge and understanding of consumer trends and in 2013 launched Crafthouse Cocktails. Along with co-founder Charles Joly, Matt brought to market the first super premium Ready-to-Drink/Ready-to-Serve bottled cocktails. Still independently owned, they have expanded to over 20 markets and have national partnerships with Virgin Voyage cruise line, Amtrak and Ambassador Theatre Group.

As the Director of Business Development at BDO, I am passionate about building meaningful relationships within the local market. With a robust background in private equity, real estate investments, manufacturing, and energy, I bring a wealth of expertise to my role.

My commitment to driving growth and creating opportunities for clients and partners is evident in my strategic approach and innovative solutions. I am dedicated to understanding the unique needs of each client, ensuring tailored strategies that foster success and long-term partnerships.

In my role, I excel at identifying new business opportunities and forging strong connections that benefit both BDO and our clients. My ability to navigate complex markets and deliver results has made me a trusted advisor and a key asset to the BDO team.

Outside of my professional endeavors, I am an advocate for community engagement and enjoy participating in local events and initiatives. I believe in the power of collaboration and am always eager to explore new ways to work together.

Taylor Merritt is Chairman and CEO of the Merritt Family Enterprise, a values-driven organization in its third generation of stewardship by the Merritt family. The organization consists of manufacturing companies, as well as diverse investment holdings, primarily in commercial real estate and private equity. Taylor has been recognized personally as a Colorado Titan 100 honoree, as well as a Family Business Magazine CEO to Watch.

Marcia leverages over 10 years of financial services expertise and 20 years in business advisory to guide clients through complex deals. Drawing from 100+ service offerings, including tax, advisory, and attest, she works closely with business owners, CFOs, and executives. Marcia has extensive experience across private equity, real estate, healthcare, and SaaS industries, among others.

Gregory "Greg" Ramos has more than 25 years of experience helping companies large and small execute on their strategic vision through mergers and acquisitions, strategic business transactions, corporate reorganization and succession planning. Greg has closed more than 90 M&A transactions in that time, with an aggregate value exceeding $13 billion, and numerous private offerings aggregating hundreds of millions of dollars.

James Raymond has always had a passion for US Manufacturing. Blessed with an opportunity to lead a 100+ year old Colorado company he is leveraging his diverse background to bolster operations and find growth opportunities.

Dr. Afshin Safavi is a founder, CEO, councilman, consultant, board member, scientist, entrepreneur, and investor in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, animal health, technology, and real-estate sectors with multi-billion-dollar turnovers in biological products and is responsible for multiple drug products in the market today. He has founded Colorado Health & Tech Centers (CHTC) and BioAgilytix Labs, one of the most successful multi-billion-dollar Contract Research Organizations (CRO) known internationally.

He has extensive experience establishing and leading teams in pharmaceutical and manufacturing companies. Before founding Colorado Health & Tech Centers (CHTC) and BioAgilytix Labs, he worked for various organizations, including AAIPharma, Bayer Biologicals, Talecris BioTherapeutics (Grifols), Nobex Corporation, GlaxoSmithKline, and IGEN International.

Dr. Safavi obtained his B.S. in Biochemistry from UCLA and his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Kentucky Medical School. He completed a two-year postdoctoral assignment at the Emory University, Department of Pathology.

James Samuelsen brings 10 years of experience in M&A spanning from public companies to corporate development within family office portfolios and now with Bluejay Capital, an independent sponsor focused on Transportation and Logistics. He currently manages the investment process from sourcing through closing and value creation plan execution alongside management teams at Portfolio companies. He joined Bluejay to help form the principal investing group in 2019 and has been a junior partner in the firm since 2022

Jenna Schlageter is a Director on Bow River Capital’s Private Equity team where she is responsible for deal origination and sourcing strategies. Prior to joining Bow River Capital, Jenna spent 14 years in various banking roles. She was a middle market Relationship Manager at BMO Harris Bank, providing financing solutions to closely held businesses, including working capital, lines of credit, acquisition financing, recapitalizations and equipment financing. Previously, she managed relationships at National Bank Holdings, a Denver-based lower middle market cash flow lender. There, she focused on growth capital, leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations and syndications for private equity firms throughout the United States. Jenna holds a B.S. from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.

Chad brings two decades of experience investing in private and public businesses. Prior to founding Black Lake, he was at leading private equity firms HIG Capital and AEA Investors, which manage over $60B collectively. He also invested in long/short global equities with SAC Capital and Tiger Cub, Fox Point Capital. Chad began his career as a management consultant with McKinsey & Company. He earned an MBA with Honors from the Wharton School and a BS in Chemical Engineering with Distinction from the University of Wisconsin.

Mark Spiecker is President of STAQ Pharma, a 503B Outsourcing Facility in Columbus, OH and Denver, Colorado that will provide sterile injectable compounded medications to hospitals across the country. Prior to joining STAQ, Marks’s career spanned a number of strategy and leadership roles. In each role Mark utilized his passion for business development, process improvement and innovative operations to successfully guide complex organizations through significant change.

Mark is the former CEO of Sharklet Technologies, Inc. a medical device firm that developed a texture inspired by Sharkskin to control bacteria on surfaces. Mark exited Sharklet to a Bioscience group out of China, providing significant returns to shareholders. Mark is an active community leader, currently serving as a Chair and Board Member of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, a Trustee at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Prior to 2019, Mark served as Chair of the Board of the Colorado Biosciences Association.

Founder of a private capital firm that employs industry-specific skillsets to make strategic investments in distressed and turnaround situations and merger and direct investments in private and pre-public companies.

Bo Sutton is a Co-Founder and Partner of Liftout Capital and has nearly 15 years of private investing experience. Prior to co-founding Liftout Capital, Mr. Sutton was a Director at Bow River Capital where he led acquisition and sale transactions focused on Business and Industrial Services. He served on numerous boards and was Chairman of Ocean Tomo.

Prior to Bow River, Mr. Sutton worked as a private equity real estate investor, investing in distressed real estate debt at Platform Ventures and agricultural real estate at Resource Land Holdings.

Mr. Sutton currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Young Americans Center for Financial Education.

Mr. Sutton earned an MBA with an emphasis in Finance and a BS in International Business, both from the University of Colorado. Mr. Sutton is a CFA Charterholder.

Craig Thomas is a Managing Director and the Chief Marketing Officer at Brightstar Capital Partners. Craig focuses on creating and accelerating the firm’s marketing strategy. He also works directly with Brightstar’s portfolio companies, helping them optimize their internal and external marketing strategies and processes to improve performance.

Lyle Wallace has more than 20 years of experience counseling corporations and private equity clients through acquisitions, dispositions, and mergers, both domestic and international. He has represented clients in more than two hundred transactions during his career and has developed a reputation not only as a talented legal practitioner, but also a practical problem-solver.

Russ is an experienced CFO consultant with a strong background in business and complex securities valuation. He is passionate about supporting owners’ financial infrastructure, reporting, and planning to achieve long-term business growth.

Russ maintains an active presence in the Denver non-profit community, helping charitable organizations lead from the front while optimizing fundraising and operations. He is an active partner with Social Venture Partners Denver, and legacy member of Denver Children’s Foundation. Outside of the office, Russ enjoys the outdoors, fly fishing and backcountry snowboarding.