Rethinking Real Estate in M&A: Avoiding Costly Mistakes and Missed Opportunities

Dustin is an award-winning business journalist, bestselling author, and the chief content officer of Smart Business. Over the past 30 years, he has interviewed thousands of business and civic leaders, and helped more than 50 CEOs and entrepreneurs transform their ideas into books. A trained investigative politics reporter and former digital media entrepreneur, Dustin joined Smart Business in 1997 after serving as an editor at several daily newspapers.

Jim Dockey’s vision for VORTEQ is inspiring. The multifaceted CEO built a world-class team, strategically strengthening the company’s footprint and capabilities, naturally leading to their management-led company buyout in 2021. He’s expanded the company’s network of locations (now internationally), enabling opportunities for continued growth and market expansion. Jim’s deep experience in the industry started with science. This Pennsylvania native has a degree in Metallurgical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh and brings a very strong technical background of metals and coatings. For almost 30 years, Jim has had a successful career in a variety of areas, including multiple executive roles, plant operations, technical sales, marketing, and product development. His innovative spirit and strategic sensibilities firmly establish him as a notable industry leader.

Paul Oris currently serves as a Senior Vice President with Tecum. In this position, Paul is responsible for sourcing and analyzing mezzanine debt and equity investment opportunities for the firm. He is involved in all stages of the investment lifecycle, including sourcing, diligence, execution, and portfolio value creation.

Paul is a Board Member for Keystone Foam, The Lewis Group, and Chemistry, and a Board Observer for Automotive Systems Warehouse, Good Feet Store, Five Point Dental Specialists, CDE Services, Shake Smart, and NewGuard.

Before joining Tecum in 2018, Paul was a Senior Associate with Grossman Yanak & Ford, a public accounting firm based in Pittsburgh, PA. During his three years at GYF, Paul worked in the tax department, primarily assisting with private equity and real estate clients.

Paul received an M.S. in Accounting from Pennsylvania State University. He is a CFA Charterholder and a licensed CPA in Pennsylvania. He currently serves on ACG Pittsburgh’s Future Corporate Leaders Board and CFA Society of Pittsburgh’s Emerging Leaders Group.

With over 20 years of experience, learning the business from some of the best mentors in the world, Kevin founded Totum in 2019 to continue the journey of providing clients with unparalleled service and expertise. Always dedicated to assisting occupier clients by helping them make sound real estate decisions that drive overall business success his first passion and specialization is in corporate tenant advisory services assisting occupier clients on their decisions throughout the United States. Kevin is a creative expert that is client centered and experienced in strategic planning, project management, site selection, and lease negotiation and has developed a unique and dynamic approach to corporate real estate that not only protects the client’s interests but also generates the best financial results.

Dedicated family man, friend and volunteer, Kevin is passionate about being “all in” on every aspect of his life, whether business, family or pleasure. Dedicated involvement includes but not limited to Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM), Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR), NAIOP, and the Urban Land Institute (ULI), United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Cleveland, Ronald McDonald House, Blessed Francis Seelos Academy and Leadership Pittsburgh (XXXV).