Committee

Mike Alam is Chief Strategy Officer of Allied Resources Group, a well-respected parent company to an enterprise of organizations that provide niche services to clients in critical infrastructure. Since 2019, he has been an instrumental part of the company, overseeing mergers & acquisitions, corporate development, and financing activities. Mike also boasts ten years of accumulated experience in leadership roles at Marshall & Illsley (now BMO) and PNC Bank, which has enriched his extensive knowledge of strategic decision-making, team management, and driving successful business growth. This unique culmination of expertise is what plays a crucial role in acquiring new business opportunities, as evidenced by ARG's success in securing two new companies since his tenure began in 2019. Mike is known for his approachable leadership style, fostering an environment where employees feel comfortable and encouraged to share their ideas, promoting effective collaboration within the team.

Kamil Ali-Jackson, Esquire has co-founded several specialty pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies and successfully transitioned those companies through multi-million-dollar acquisitions by global pharmaceutical companies. Kamil’s career spans almost four decades, as a life sciences serial entrepreneur, C-suite leader, and attorney. Kamil currently serves as an independent director for two NASDAQ-listed life sciences companies and a private online luxury retail company. Kamil is also a trustee for her alma mater, Princeton University, and an adjunct lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School.

David Bovenizer is a co-founder that has built Lionheart Industrial Group into a global diversified group of industrial manufacturing business with three platforms in combustion systems; pneumatic valves; and precision aerospace and defense components. He has completed more than 30 transactions totaling over $2.0 billion in value including leveraged acquisitions, cross-border M&A, public debt offerings, joint ventures, acquisitions and divestitures.

William Bowie is the Founder, President & CEO of Empower Construction—a utility construction firm specializing in the installation of utility infrastructure around the United States. One of North America's leading utility construction companies, William leads the company's objectives, vision, and overall strategy.

Della Clark’s vision for minority entrepreneurship is not about counting the number of successful businesses but about making businesses count. Since 1992, Ms. Clark has brought this vision to fruition as President of The Enterprise Center (TEC) – an organization at the forefront of its region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, guided by the mission to cultivate and invest in minority entrepreneurs to inspire working together for economic growth in communities. The Enterprise Center accomplishes this by accelerating the capacity of minority business enterprises to compete in any marketplace through business education, access to capital, management support, and connections.

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.

As the Tax Market Leader of the firm’s Philadelphia practice, Dominic oversees client development and go-to-market strategies throughout Philadelphia, aligning with the firm’s strategic business objectives. With over 18 years of experience, Dominic advises clients and colleagues on tax matters related to complex business transactions, mergers & acquisitions, joint ventures and growing businesses.

Dominic’s background includes working with pass-through clients, both S Corporations & Partnerships, with multi-state and foreign operations. His pass-through technical experience includes creating and maintaining Section 704(b) and tax capital accounts, Section 752 liability allocations, Section 704(c) allocations, targeted allocations, basis adjustments resulting from transfers, and redemptions of partnership interests, shareholder basis tracking and choice of entity analysis. As a result of tax reform, Dominic was a member of the BDO Team assembled to be a local and regional technical resource for Section 199A.

Dominic has significant experience serving clients in a variety of industries. He has extensive knowledge in pass-through taxation providing tax planning, consulting, and preparation services to private equity funds; private equity backed portfolio companies; closely held businesses; real estate entities, real estate management and development companies; and real estate funds. He also advises clients regarding individual taxation issues.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants

EDUCATION
M.S., Taxation, Villanova University
B.S., Accounting, Gwynedd-Mercy University

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.

As a global CEO, COO, and Board Director with extensive operational experience, Brandon has built, led, and advised private and public companies during complex business evolutions and exits through challenging turnarounds, disruptive transformations, scaling, and strategic pivots. Widely recognized and trusted by the Fortune 1000 as a leading Latino AI, drone, and robotics industry expert. Brandon currently serves as the CEO and a Board Director at Exyn Technologies, a leading autonomy and robotics company. He also co-founded and serves as a Board Director at ReadyMonitor, the leading drone-in-a-box solutions provider in the United States.

Dan Diorio is the CEO and founded Telco Holdings Inc. (now Thinc Forward) in 2012 with the aim of providing technical, economic, and strategic business resources to help clients increase profitability and operational efficiency. Since that time, Dan has acquired multiple other companies and owns regional offices in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Ohio with more on the horizon. Under Dan’s leadership, the company has grown into a highly successful team of over 60 people delivering complex projects and building effective solutions across a wide array of clients.

Prior to founding Thinc Forward, Dan founded numerous other businesses with a proven track record of building new teams, developing services and practices, and then growing the organization to high profitability and eventual sale. His expertise spans negotiation, IT, network technology, fortune 500 consulting, telecommunications, and strategic partnerships with a mission to consistently provide superior service in cost reduction, security and compliance, and overall operational improvement. Dan has built and maintained key relationships in the industry for close to 30 years.

Marc Dispensa is an accomplished serial entrepreneur, a revered business coach, and a strategic visionary. Since 2020, Marc has collaborated with over 100 companies, driving remarkable improvements in their strategic direction, execution, and overall outcomes.

As a lifelong entrepreneur, Marc embarked on his entrepreneurial journey at 21. He has since founded and successfully exited three companies in technology and artificial intelligence (AI). Notably, Marc holds five U.S. patents in AI, a testament to his unwavering dedication to innovation.

Marc is a passionate advocate for small businesses, with a love for initiating new ventures and aiding fellow entrepreneurs in achieving success. His primary objective is to empower other visionaries in the entrepreneurial world, guiding them every step of the way on their journeys.

Jim brings over twenty years of financial industry experience to the team. As portfolio manager, Jim oversees the investment strategies and portfolio management for each of our clients. In this role he creates and manages discretionary model portfolios, implements strategies overseen by select third-party managers and customizes investment strategies tailored to each client’s unique circumstances and risk tolerance to help them reach their goals. Jim has a wealth of experience deploying sophisticated strategies to help professionals, business owners and their families with their complex financial needs. Jim is committed to building long-lasting relationships with clients to better understand their needs, help them navigate their financial lives and to serve each as a true fiduciary.

Prior to Hightower, Jim served as First Vice President and Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch for nearly a decade. He previously worked for several years as an Associate Vice President and Financial Advisor at AG Edwards and Sons, where he began building the team's advisory practice as it exists today. 

Deborah Fell is Managing Partner at Chief Outsiders leading a team of fractional Chief Marketing and Chief Sales Officers driving value creation by accelerating sales, identifying new market opportunities, increasing marketing & sales alignment, and improving effectiveness and efficiencies for mid-market companies. During Deborah’s corporate career, she was SVP, Global Marketing for Marriott International & Division Manager AT&T.

Patty is a Partner at Third Arch Investments, a Philadelphia-based investment firm making long-term investments in high quality small businesses. She has 15 years of investment, advisory, and portfolio oversight experience dedicated to lower middle market businesses across a variety of industries, including the media, consumer products and manufacturing sectors. Prior Third Arch, Patty was a Principal at Versa Capital Management. She began her career as a financial analyst at Rothschild Inc., where she focused on consumer M&A and restructuring.

Scott Gray, former CEO launched Clincierge in 2015 and sold it in 2024. He co-founded Gray Consulting, Inc. in 1994 which focused on global pharmaceutical meetings management services. In 2013, a biotech customer outlined their challenges getting patients to medical sites for participation in a global clinical trial. Clincierge® was born to remove the obstacles, thus improving recruitment, retention, and the speed to market for new treatments.

James Hipolit advises both buyers and sellers on strategic transactions, focusing on mergers and acquisitions. He takes a leading role in counseling buyers, sellers, and company owners in M&A transactions across a broad range of industries, including technology, manufacturing, food and beverage, health sciences, health care IT, financial services, insurance, home services, transportation, and construction. His clients also rely on him for advice and counsel related to corporate governance, structuring, and corporate finance matters.

David Horowitz joined Everberg Capital in 2020 as a Partner and Member of the Investment Committee. Everberg provides flexible debt and non-control equity solutions to the middle market. Previously, he was a Managing Director in Macquarie Principal Finance, and a Vice President in Goldman Sachs' Special Situations Group. He graduated from the Pennsylvania State University’s Schreyer Honors College.

Nick is the Head of Business Development and Investor Relations at L2 Capital. Prior to leading these segments, Nick supported all aspects of L2’s investment activities, including sourcing and evaluating new investment opportunities, performing due diligence, executing deals, and providing post-investment support for the portfolio companies. Prior to L2, Nick worked on the private equity investment teams at both ABS Capital Partners and Harren Equity Partners.

Sarah Ivy, Esq., focuses her practice in the areas of employee benefits law, executive compensation and taxation. She has more than 20 years of experience analyzing regulations under the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) and Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and applying those rules to a range of benefits plans such as qualified retirement (401(k), 403(b), profit-sharing and pension plans), welfare benefits plans, non-qualified deferred compensation plans and equity-based compensation plans.

Because many types of employee benefits involve the use of insurance policies, Sarah has significant experience evaluating and advising clients with respect to health insurance products, the use of life insurance as a funding mechanism for deferred compensation and business succession planning and the advantages and disadvantages of self-insuring certain benefits.

Sarah advises clients across all industries including both for-profit and nonprofit organizations with respect to compliance with complex employee benefits regulations and employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs). She works closely with clients to design benefits plans that maintain compliance with federal law and assists employers involved with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) or Internal Revenue Service (IRS) audits or reviews.

She counsels companies on the design and documentation of executive compensation arrangements including severance agreements as a business transition planning tool. She has substantial experience evaluating and advising with respect to various types of methods used to fund certain benefits, including, but not limited to self- insurance, split-dollar life insurance, key man life insurance and other forms of insurance-based products. Sarah also advises clients on employee benefits issues that arise in merger and acquisition (M&A) transactions. She also conducts reviews of various employment-related documents such as employee handbooks, employment  agreements and non-compete agreements.

Prior to joining Saxton & Stump, Sarah worked as an executive compensation, employee benefits and ERISA attorney with various law firms including Stevens & Lee, P.C., Fox Rothschild LLP and McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC. Most recently, she was a partner with FisherBroyles, LLP in Philadelphia.

Vinod is a highly experienced international management consultant with 15+ years of expertise in technology and consulting across India, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. As an active investor since 2013, he founded Konglo Ventures, an angel network with 150+ global investors, successfully syndicating $7mn+ into 20+ startups with 4 successful exits. Vinod holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from NIT Calicut, India, and an MBA from European Business School, Germany. He currently manages Callapina Capital, an early stage VC fund focused on India and the US, and serves as Principal at Amane Advisors, a global water sector strategy and advisory firm. Based in Philadelphia, USA, Vinod frequently travels between Europe, the US, and India.

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. 

Lizzie Lange is a partner in the Corporate & Securities Practice Group at Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP. Experienced in complex transactions, Lizzie works with public and private companies, private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies and other clients in a variety of industries and focuses her practice on mergers and acquisitions, venture capital, corporate restructurings, private securities offerings, divestitures and general corporate matters. Lizzie also leads the firm’s full-service ESG practice and regularly advises clients on ESG, B Corp and social impact matters.

As Chief Strategy Officer, Natasha is at the forefront of establishing strategic partnerships and driving company growth. With more than 20 years of experience, Natasha oversees the company’s overall strategy, administration, community relations, future development, budget planning, and operations. Natasha provides executive leadership to uniquely position Strother Enterprises for long-term expansion to advance the company’s mission of delivering food service solutions to clients anywhere.

Natasha is a graduate of Lafayette College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering, and a graduate of Fox School of Business at Temple University with a Master’s in Finance.

Raymond Lee is the Founder and CEO of Careerminds, a global, virtual outplacement company launched in 2008. He has over 18 years of human resource, outplacement, and career consulting experience, and he’s also a certified retirement coach.

Raymond pioneered the concept of virtual outplacement after years of delivering traditional outplacement in a variety of HR roles and saw a huge opportunity to align career transition programs with the way people were actually looking for jobs. When Raymond started the company, he had one goal in mind: to create forward-thinking transition programs that reduced employee stress. This included developing robust software to personalize the transition experience for all levels of the organization, and hiring expert consultants to support participants every step of the way.

Raymond holds his bachelor’s in psychology and a master’s degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Louisiana Tech University. He sits on the Careerminds Board of Directors, is the President of the Philadelphia Society of People and Strategy, and is an active speaker and contributor to HRPS & SHRM. Raymond’s been featured on SiriusXM 111 Business Radio, Wall Street Journal and Fox Business News.

Keith Lipman is the CEO and co-Founder of his second B2B SaaS start-up. Keith successfully co-founded, grew (from 2 to 150+ employees) and exited his first company, Prosperoware. He is also an investor and provides scale consulting to software companies.

Keith is a recognized thought leader in the legal services industry. Keith was recognized as an ILTA Lifetime Achievement Award finalist and ILTA Vendor Thought Leader of the Year finalist while Prosperoware also was named a finalist for Innovative Solution Provider of the Year.

Prior to Prosperoware, Keith worked in law firms as both a lawyer and an administrative director, later serving as a legal technology consultant to firms. He has authored multiple articles for Bloomberg, InsideCounsel, LTN, ILTA Peer to Peer, and others, and was a contributing author of the books Corporate Governance Best Practices: Strategies for Public, Private, and Not-for-Profit Organizations, and Law Firm KM: Driving Practice Innovation and Redefining Service Delivery.

Mr. Lipman earned his BA, JD, and MBA from Temple University.

Lori Lombardo is a Principal at Entrepreneur Partners, investing in B2B and B2C Direct Marketing, Printing, and Business Services companies. In addition to facilitating direct investments, Lori advises family-owned strategic acquirers on both buy-side and sell-side transactions including acquisitions and divestitures, as well as corporate development strategy and execution.

Paul focuses his practice on business, concentrating in mergers and acquisitions, securities, banking, and corporations. His practice includes complex transactions. Among other recognitions, Paul maintains an "AV" Martindale Hubbell rating, he’s been ranked The Best Lawyers in America®, under the following categories, Banking and Finance, Mergers and Acquisitions, Securities and Capital Markets.

Deirdre L. McAleer is the Market Executive for Pennsylvania Business Banking at Bank of America where she manages 14 relationship managers covering the eastern part of the commonwealth. With 30 years client management and business development experience, Deirdre most recently served as senior client manager in Bank of America’s Global Commercial Banking. She brings a history of strong Commercial Banking performance and is a lifelong Philadelphia resident.

Ms McAleer spent 3 years on the board of Pennsylvania Ballet and the Corporate Partners Board of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. She current services on the Board of Philadelphia Mural Arts.

Ms McAleer holds an MBA from Villanova University and a BA from Amherst College

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.

Carol Lee Mitchell is the Head of Growth Business Segments for Business Banking at Bank of America. Her responsibilities include building and investing in business growth related initiatives and creating an excellent client experience for business owners by driving innovation and investment into strategic growth efforts for all business owners.

Ms. Mitchell is passionate about the development of equitable opportunities for all business leaders. She is often called upon to share her perspectives on a variety of business owner topics by national and local media outlets like Fox, NBC, ABC, and others. She is also a lecturer at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania committed to working with future business leaders and was recently named one of the 2023 Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business by the Asian American Business Development Center (AABDC).

Meera R. Modi is a leading M&A attorney and trusted advisor to founders, executives and businesses, navigating them through mergers, acquisitions, sales and other strategic ventures. Meera has created a niche practice of advising founders on strategic exit and liquidity options, whether to strategic buyers or financial buyers such as private equity firms and other institutional investors. Meera has extensive experience with deals involving representation and warranty insurance, which experience has helped numerous sellers significantly minimize their post-sale transaction liability.  In addition, Meera has experience representing buyers in rollup transactions and advising on post-transaction integration matters. 

Courtland Scaccetti is a Managing Director and Head of Business Development at Graham Partners. Courtland sources and evaluates new investment opportunities and also provides ongoing support for a number of Graham Partners’ current portfolio companies. Prior to joining Graham Partners, Courtland worked for Sixpoint Partners, LLC. A native of the Philadelphia area, Courtland enjoys golfing, playing sports, fishing, traveling, and spending time with his family when not working.

Michael A. Schroeder has served as President of Roundstone since 2005. Mike offers more than twenty-five years of management experience and has a proven track record of building and leading fast-growing, innovative insurance businesses.

Roundstone is a health benefits captive providing self-funded solutions to small and mid-sized employers. Recognized as one of the fastest growing companies in America by Inc. 5000 for six consecutive years as well as a winner of the Northeast Ohio Top Workplaces Award since 2019, Roundstone’s continued success is a testament to the ever-increasing demand from business owners for a better way to fund their employees’ health benefits.

Prior to Roundstone, Mike served as Vice President and General Counsel for an insurance company while it transitioned into a NASDAQ listed AM Best A-rated insurer. He founded a medical malpractice underwriter and drove rapid growth prior to its acquisition. Mike also held senior executive positions with a worker’s compensation insurer, a non-standard auto insurer, and served as an associate of a Cleveland law firm. Named a finalist for the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2022, Mike is known for his innovative thinking in the insurance industry. He received his Juris Doctorate from The Ohio State University College of Law and received his Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Tulane University.

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.

Brian leads Kreischer Miller’s Business Advisory group, which offers an array of services including M&A/transaction advisory, business valuation, transition/exit planning, and ESOP consulting.

Brian is experienced in business valuations, transition planning, due diligence, and merger and acquisition activities. He helps his clients by actively working with them to solve issues, provide recommendations, and offer opportunities for success. Brian’s experience includes working with a variety of privately-held and family-owned businesses such as manufacturers, distributors, professional service companies, and internet-based organizations.

Tom has spent the last 22 years at Bank of America/Merrill Lynch where he considers himself an “Intra-Preneur”. He is the founder of a 9 person boutique within the company called Singh & Associates.

He and his team specialize in pre-exit planning for business owners looking to sell their company in 12-36 months. By using their Proprietary financial Modeling Process, they run various simulations and prescribe strategies to help owners maximize their desired outcome.

He also oversees the Avalon location of Merrill Lynch managing 9 Billion of client assets and has been named the top 13 “Best in State Wealth Advisors” list by Forbes Magazine – 4 years in a row.

Chad Stender is a Managing Partner at SeventySix Capital. Chad is known as an entrepreneur, venture capitalist, tireless networker and prioritizes giving back.

SeventySix Capital was founded in 1999 and invests in startup sports technology companies. SeventySix Capital was an early investor in Whistle Sports, a global sports media company (acquired by Eleven Sports), Philadelphia-based Nerd Street, a community of competitive and recreational video gamers that produce a series of esports tournaments, leagues, and casual gaming events, and VSiN (acquired by DraftKings), the first media network dedicated to delivering the news, data and expert analysis of the rapidly growing sports betting industry, co-founded by acclaimed sportscaster Brent Musburger.

Chad is a Board Member at FORTË, KYX World, NFTPro, Quintar and a Board Observer to collectID and Nerd Street. Additionally, Chad was the Board Member for Vigtory, a next-generation sports book that was acquired by fuboTV.

In addition, Chad is a Co-Founder of SeventySix Capital Sports Advisory and he played an integral role in solidifying SeventySix Capital’s partnership with Rubicon Talent, a leading sports marketing agency.

Prior to SeventySix Capital, Chad worked in the sports and entertainment industry for the Walt Disney Corporation, Philadelphia 76ers, Philadelphia Flyers and Comcast Spectacor.

Chad has been involved in non-profits and served on the boards of the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia, Challah for Hunger and Tribe 12.

Chad was awarded the 2018 Philadelphia Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 and the 2018 Southern New Jersey Business People’s 40 Under 40.

Chad received his Bachelors in Business Administration from James Madison University and his Masters of Science in Sport Management from from East Stroudsburg University and studied abroad at the University of London.

Mike directs Fulton’s commercial activities with Middle Market companies throughout the Bank’s five-state footprint. His entire 25 year banking career has been focused on the needs of midsized companies, primarily family-owned businesses, in the Mid-Atlantic region. He earned his MBA from the University of Virginia’s Darden School and his bachelor’s degree is from American University.

The Jada Ai Project was started in Spring of 2017 by Computer Scientist Diego Torres, together with a global team of private Researchers, with the goal of creating a functional, safe and ethical Artificial General Intelligence, a theoretical type of AI that could match and one day surpass human intellect.

Saul has been with Berwind for almost 25 years, serving in various roles. In his current position, he participates in all aspects of Berwind’s portfolio management, including M&A sourcing and execution, and strategic planning. Saul has executed on dozens of domestic and international transactions representing billions of dollars in value. In previous roles, he has served as Vice President and Controller for the corporate headquarters and General Counsel for Berwind’s Consumer Products Group.

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.