Liquidity by Design: Preparing for the Event and Choosing the Right Path

Pete Aden is a partner focused on providing tax, audit, and consulting services for businesses in the construction and real estate industry, and professional services organizations. His experience in the construction and real estate industry runs deep, having specialized in serving the industry since 1999. Pete is very active in community organizations and was recognized by the Colorado Society of Certified Public Accountants (COCPA) as an Everyday Hero in 2017 for the difference he has made in others’ lives and the contributions he has made to developing the next generation of certified public accountants. Pete currently serves as Wipfli’s Rocky Mountains Market Leader. In that role, he oversees a team of professionals who provide audit, tax and consulting services to businesses, organizations and individuals in Arizona and Colorado. Pete is responsible for driving the overall financial results of the market, client development and retention, Wipfli’s brand and value proposition in the marketplace and community engagement.

Anthony Gullickson is a director at Wipfli Corporate Finance focused on supporting the firm’s transaction execution and business development activities. Anthony has been providing M&A services since 2016 and has advised on transactions across a diverse set of industries, including manufacturing and distribution, business services, construction and healthcare.

Eric Miller is an experienced investor and operator with over 19 years in business growth and investment. He co-founded Eagle River Capital in 2017, focusing on both organic growth and acquisitions. Prior to this, Eric co-founded Kodiak Building Partners, a Denver-based acquirer of building products companies, which was sold in 2017 to Court Square Capital Management. At Eagle River and Kodiak, Eric has built expertise in logistics, retail, manufacturing, service, and distribution. He holds a Master’s in Finance (2010) and a Bachelor’s in Business Administration (2005) from the University of Denver.

Dennis Robinson is a veteran construction executive, manufacturer, and turnaround strategist with over 50 years of experience in the mechanical construction and HVAC industries.

Beginning in 1978, Dennis co-founded Robinson Mechanical Company (RMC), scaling it over 20 years into one of Colorado’s largest commercial design-build mechanical contractors before its acquisition by a national consolidator in 1998. He also co-founded Acoustiflo, a specialized manufacturer of high-performance commercial and industrial fan systems, which completed a competitive, high-value M&A exit in 2024.

Known for hands-on operational leadership and crisis recovery, Dennis led the complex turnaround of a distressed 30-year-old mechanical contracting Company in 2014—buying out former leadership and rebuilding it to a successful private equity exit in 2022. Dennis formally retired in 2023, concluding a distinguished career highlighted by three successful enterprise exits.

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 is the founder and CEO of Colorado Health & Tech Centers (CHTC) and General Partner at Summit Impact Partners (SIP).

Prior to that, he founded BioAgilytix Labs, one of the most successful multi-billion-dollar Contract Research Organizations known internationally. He has extensive experience establishing and leading teams in start-ups, as well as Fortune 500 biotech and pharmaceutical companies. He has worked with clients and companies in more than 30 countries. 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 Emory University.