Emily V. Biscardi

Founder & CEO
Xelerate, LLC

Emily Venable Biscardi is founder and CEO of Xelerate LLC, an agile and data-driven recruitment process outsourcing provider. She founded the company in 2004 because she believed there was a better way to service customers in the talent acquisition industry by designing and implementing solutions that fill gaps in corporate recruiting programs. Xelerate was named to the 2018 Inc. 5000 list and received the SmartCEO Brava! Award in 2013 and the SmartCEO Hall of Fame Award in 2014.

Charles Bodie

Partner
Drayton Park Capital

Charles Bodie is the founder and Partner of Drayton Park Capital LP, an independent investment firm focused on providing structured and flexible growth capital to lower-mid market operating businesses.

Previously, he was a Partner of London-based Special Situations fund manager Kelso Place Asset Management.

Jonathan Chou

Partner
Eureka Equity Partners

Jonathan is a Partner at Eureka Equity Partners, a Philadelphia-based lower middle market private equity firm focused on making majority and minority investments in companies with revenue up to $100 million in the business services, consumer, healthcare, and specialty industrial sectors. Jonathan is responsible for transaction sourcing, evaluation and negotiation, managing senior and subordinated debt lender relationships, and working with portfolio company management teams on strategic initiatives.

Jonathan also serves on Eureka's Investment Committee. Jonathan currently serves on the Board of Directors of McCue Corporation and is a former Board member of Campus Televideo, Creative Co-Op, Everite Machine Products, FlexManage and Total Military Management. Prior to joining Eureka, Jonathan was an Engagement Manager for L.E.K. Consulting, an international management consulting firm focused on strategy and mergers & acquisitions. Previous to L.E.K., Jonathan executed acquisitions of investment management firms as an Associate with Value Asset Management, Inc., and worked as a Financial Analyst in the investment banking division of BT Alex. Brown Incorporated. Jonathan received an M.B.A. with Honors in Finance, Strategic Management, and Entrepreneurial Management from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a B.A. in Economics from Columbia University.

Ryan Clark

Co-Founder & CEO
PeopleShare, LLC

Ryan is among the most respected leaders in the staffing industry, known for his fierce commitment to providing outstanding customer service and his tenacious pursuit of excellence. His experience includes over twenty years in staffing as well as extensive experience in sales and sales management. Ryan spent seven years working at PDI, the world’s largest contract sales organization supporting the pharmaceutical industry, where he was continuously recognized as a top performer and was promoted several times.

In 2003, Ryan was hired by a major Dallas-based staffing company where he made significant contributions. Within three months, Ryan turned the unprofitable office into one of the most profitable offices in the company. In 2005, Ryan co-founded PeopleShare, a regional staffing firm dedicated to placing candidates in light industrial, administrative and clerical positions. Ryan’s vision was to create a staffing company that provides employees and customers the opportunity to achieve their goals and enhance their overall success. Having the expertise, industry experience, and resources to recruit the best talent for each and every opportunity have been a critical factor in PeopleShare’s success.

Ryan’s determination, drive and talent have propelled PeopleShare into the fastest growing staffing firm in Pennsylvania with 16 locations throughout PA, NJ and DE. Since their first year of eligibility in 2007, PeopleShare has been named “Best Places to Work” by the Philadelphia Business Journal every year and named to the Inc.500/5000 list. In 2015, PeopleShare exceeded $100MM in annual revenue and was acquired by Trivest, a Private Equity firm based in Coral Gables, Florida.

Neil Cooper

Executive Partner
Royer Cooper Cohen Braunfeld LLC

Neil Cooper is the Executive Partner of RCCB, attorneys who think and act like entrepreneurs and business people. Neil focuses his practice primarily on business and corporate law matters, effectively serving as outside general counsel to many of his clients. Neil advises clients on acquisitions and dispositions and a broad range of business agreements, with emphasis on emerging growth and middle market companies, entrepreneurs, and investors.

Jason Cunningham

Vice President, Business Development
Argosy Private Equity

Jason joined Argosy in 2019 as Vice President of Business Development. Mr. Cunningham leads the firm's transaction sourcing and origination activities, bringing more than 18 years of experience as an investment banker and private equity investor focused exclusively on middle market businesses. Throughout his career, Mr. Cunningham has advised middle market clients in across a broad range of industries on public and private company mergers and acquisitions, spin-offs, private placements, strategic alternatives, succession planning and capital formation issues.

Denise Devine

Co-Founder, CAO, and CFO
RTM Vital Signs

David Dunstan

Managing Director
Citizens Bank M&A Advisory

David co-founded Western Reserve Partners in 2004, which was acquired by Citizens in 2017, and has more than 25 years of experience advising middle market companies in mergers and acquisitions and capital raising across a wide range of industries. Prior to co-founding Western Reserve Partners, he was a Managing Director at KeyBanc Capital Markets and Manager of Consumer Investment Banking at McDonald Investments. David started his career at Ernst & Young, where he provided financial consulting and audit services to middle market companies.

Ted Durkin

Managing Director
UBS Financial Services

Ted joined the Financial Services industry in 1994 as a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch in the World Financial Center, NYC.Over the next twenty years he held numerous positions with Merrill Lynch. In April 2000 he transitioned from Financial Advisor to a career in Leadership. Those roles included: Regional Sales Manager in Washington, DC (2000-2002), Complex Director in Norfolk, VA (2002-2005), Managing Director for Philadelphia Complex (2005-20011), and PA/Delaware Markets, Head of the Affluent Segment for ML (2001-2014). In 2015 Ted had the great fortune to join UBS running the Philadelphia/ South Jersey Complex. Today, he is the Market Head for Pennsylvania. Our eight offices comprise 150 FAs, 85 CSAs, and an outstanding Leadership Team supported by incredible specialists.

Annamarie Hellebusch

Owner
AGH Holdings LLC

Annamarie Geppert Hellebusch entered the real estate investment market after practicing for 25 years as a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner. Since 2015, Annamarie has been buying homes in the Montgomery County area and reselling them after extensive renovations. Her team of realtors and subcontractors work closely together to create move in ready homes for her clients.

Jeff Hornstein

Executive Director
Economy League of Greater Philadelphia

Prior to his appointment as executive director of the Economy League in 2018, Jeff Horstein served as director of Financial and Policy Analysis for the Philadelphia City Controller, where he worked on critical issues relating to Philadelphia's fiscal health. Under his leadership, the Policy Unit produced numerous data-driven policy analyses on topics including the city's property tax system, tax delinquency, incentive programs, charter school finances and the state of retirement security.    

Ryan Hurst

Partner
RKL LLP

Robert Kenney

Regional Executive - Director
Alex. Brown

Rob is the Regional Executive of Alex. Brown Philadelphia and is responsible for the management and growth of the office. Rob and his team work with individuals and family offices to create highly customized, comprehensive wealth management solutions. He enjoys helping his clients navigate the complexities of the financial markets and providing strategies that are tailored to their needs and objectives. He specializes in asset allocation and portfolio management, utilizing equity, fixed income and alternative investments to balance risk, returns and liquidity.

Before joining Alex. Brown (now a division of Raymond James), Rob was a vice president of investments at UBS Private Wealth Management, a vice president at the JP Morgan Private Bank and a vice president at JP Morgan Securities. He earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from Bloomsburg University.

Rob serves as a board member of Handi-Crafters, one of the largest employment and disability focused service programs in Chester County. A West Chester, Pennsylvania, native, he lives with his wife, Kelly, and their three children..

Lee M. Koury

Managing Partner
Smart Business Network Inc.

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. 

Rich Mahler

Managing Dir.; Former CEO
Accenture; Revolutionary Security LLC

Rich is responsible for the delivery of IT and OT cybersecurity services across utility, energy, chemical, health and life sciences, manufacturing, retail, and financial services industries. He is also the Global Utilities Lead for Accenture Security.

Prior to Revolutionary Security being acquired by Accenture, Rich was co-founder, President, and CEO. Revolutionary Security provided cybersecurity professional services to enterprise clients.

Prior to founding Revolutionary Security LLC, Rich spent over 20 years at Lockheed Martin and was the Director of Commercial Cyber Services. He also held other leadership positions at Lockheed Martin that involved working with commercial, federal, defense and local government organizations to plan, analyze, integrate and deliver complex systems, with practical experience in cyber security, software development, system architecture, business development, consulting and program management.

Paul Mattaini

Partner
Barley Snyder LLC

Paul has practiced in the business area for over 30 years, concentrating in the mergers and acquisitions, securities, banking and corporate areas. His practice includes complex and sophisticated transactions, and he has participated in hundreds of M&A transactions. For a representative sample of transactions in which Paul has participated at Barley Snyder, please see the tombstone announcements at www.barley.com/Mergers-Acquisitions. Among other recognitions, Paul maintains an "AV" Martindale Hubbell rating and he has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America (Securities, Corporate and Banking and Finance areas) and in Pennsylvania Super Lawyers (Mergers and Acquisitions).

Bob McCormack

Managing Partner
Murphy McCormack Capital Advisors

Bob is Managing Partner and Founding Partner of Murphy McCormack Capital Advisors, a boutique investment banking and corporate advisory firm in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. Mr. McCormack has more than 32 years of financial services experience, and focuses on providing advisory services related to business sales, mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, business valuations, debt and equity financing, and select turnaround projects. He formed Murphy McCormack Capital Advisors in 2005. He previously served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Sun Bancorp, Inc., a $1 billion financial services holding company with bank branches and affiliates located throughout central Pennsylvania.

Jeffrey McGroarty

Chief Financial Officer
Annovis Bio, Inc.

Jeff is a financial executive with experience in investor relations, working with analysts, creditors and financial institutions, planning and analysis, IPOs, capital allocation, SEC communications and reporting, accounting, acquisitions and turnarounds. He is currently the CFO of Annovis Bio, Inc., a clinical stage biotech developing drugs for the treatment of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases and was previously CFO of Safeguard Scientifics.

Louis Rappaport

Partner, Co-Chair, Corporate, M&A and Securities Practice Group
Blank Rome LLP

Jack Reick

Managing Director
Aon

Jack leads client relationships for Aon Philadelphia. Jack delivers a broad range of risk, retirement and health solutions that reduce volatility and improve performance through understanding the needs and priorities of clients; connecting them to Aon's unmatched global resources and expertise; delivering fact-based insights supported by Aon analytics; and recommending optimal solutions to empower their growth. Jack also serves as the Resident Sales Director and is responsible for the growth strategy and execution for the Philadelphia operation.

Jack began his career in 1996 with a global insurance carrier. Jack’s foundational experience includes roles in claims, broking, client management, and sales

Steven A. Scolari

Partner, Co-Chair, Closely Held & Family Owned Business
Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young

Steven provides practical and strategic legal advice to executives and owners of both private and public businesses in connection with a variety of transactional matters. As co-chair of Stradley Ronon’s Closely Held & Family Owned Businesses practice, Steve’s business succession planning engagements encompass corporate, tax, estate planning and family issues, including complex intergenerational shareholder and voting trust agreements and numerous liquidity transactions.

Chad Stender

Partner
SeventySix Capital

Chad is a Partner at SeventySix Capital. Chad is responsible for the business operations and oversees the investments, finance, and administration at SeventySix Capital. Chad sits on the boards of the following SeventySix Capital portfolio companies: Fortë, Quintar and Vigtory (acquired by fuboTV).

Prior to joining SeventySix Capital, Chad worked at a start-up company in the sports industry. In addition, Chad started his career with the Philadelphia Flyers, Philadelphia 76ers, Comcast-Spectacor and the Walt Disney Corporation. Chad earned a Bachelor of Business Degree from James Madison University and a Masters of Science in Sport Management from East Stroudsburg University. He resides in the Philadelphia suburbs with his wife and two kids.

Michael Verrill

VP Strategic Development
The Sharp Financial Group

Mike joined The Sharp Financial Group in 2016, where he focuses his efforts on helping business owners realize financial success for their hard work and taking risks. He provides advice on buying and selling a businesses and raising capital to grow. Across a variety of industries, he has spent more than 25 years building trusted relationships with business owners, entrepreneurs and the advisers they turn to when running their businesses.

Additionally, Mike serves as a board member for a number of community and educational programs in the greater Philadelphia area. He holds a BBA from the Fox School of Business at Temple University.

Adam VeVerka

Managing Director
NewSpring Capital

Adam leads business development efforts for all of NewSpring's investment strategies. Before joining NewSpring, Adam was an Investment Banking Analyst at Credit Suisse where he assisted on several transactions in the financial services and financial technology sectors.  Adam is highly involved in the private equity and venture community with leadership roles in Mid-Atlantic ACG, PACT, AMAA the New Jersey Entrepreneur Network.