How to Maximize Sell-Side Value and Ensure Buyer Upside

Al Melchiorre is President and founder of MelCap Partners, a middle market investment banking firm that he founded over 22 years ago, Over the past few years, MelCap has been recognized as boutique investment banking firm of the year multiple times by The M&A Advisor. MelCap's clients are predominately privately-held, family owned businesses going through a once in a life-time transaction.

Brian is the Co-Founder and Director of Growth & Development at Sgt. Clean Car Wash. Founded in 2013, Sgt Clean Car Wash is an express exterior chain, currently with twelve locations throughout Northeast Ohio. Sgt Clean is a five time Inc 5,000 winner, four time Weatherhead 100, three time Vet100 winner and recipient of two Smart Culture Awards. Brian spent eight years in the United States Marine Corps and graduated from Kent State University with an undergraduate degree in Business Management. Brian also holds a Commercial Real Estate License at Gerspacher Group.

Patrick Pitrone began his career with USA Insulation when he joined the family business, USA Insulation of Cleveland, in 2004. After spending 2 years in the Cleveland Flagship learning everything from Lead Generation and Sales to Installation and Asset Management, he spearheaded the growth of the business via Franchising. With the help of Staff members, he has grown the business to over 100 units in 20+ states to become the largest Residential Retrofit Insulation Franchise System in the U.S.

In 2015, USA Insulation acquired their long-time supplier of their proprietary foam insulation and moved the operation from New York to Cleveland, Ohio. Now, the product is made in the same facility where the Franchisor resides, making quality control and distribution a key component to their success.

In December of 2020, USA Insulation was acquired by The Riverside Company in the newly created Threshold Brands portfolio. Pitrone has stayed on as Brand President, eventually being promoted to Group President of Threshold Brands, supporting all brands in the group.

Pitrone is a graduate of Ohio University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Human and Consumer Sciences. Pitrone is a BPI Certified Professional, past Board President of Entrepreneur’s Organization of Cleveland, and a member of Insulation Contractors Association of America. He resides in the Cleveland, OH area with his wife and two sons.

At Gridiron Capital, Joe focuses on new investment opportunities, due diligence, and value creation at current portfolio companies. Joe currently serves on the boards of Erie, Essential Cabinetry Group, Foundation Wellness, and Leaf Home™. Joe previously served on the boards of Gridiron Capital partnerships, including Electronic Systems Protection, Quality Solutions, and Ramsey Industries.

Prior to joining Gridiron Capital, Joe founded Head Start Capital in 2007, where he was chairman of the board of Enjoy Life Natural Brands, the leading allergen-free food company. Previously, Joe served as president of TDA Capital Partners focused on international middle market consumer, manufacturing, and service investments. Joe worked with General Electric as a process engineer, a quality control engineer in a military procurement business, a shop floor manager, and a financial and operational measurement manager in GE’s Manufacturing Management Program. Joe started his career working on the loading dock, in accounts receivable, and as an off-hours dispatcher in his family’s short haul trucking business.