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Committee

Chairman

Fred Koury

Fred Koury

President & CEO

Smart Business Network


Fred co-founded Smart Business Network in 1989 with a single publication in Cleveland, Ohio. In the years since, he has built the company into a leading multimedia and content marketing business providing print and digital marketing services to a national client base.


Host Committee

Spencer Almy

Spencer Almy

Partner

Citation


Spencer Almy is a Partner at Citation and a member of the Investment Committee. Spencer has over twelve years of experience in financial services, primarily spent in control buyout investing along with structured equity, public equity, and debt investing.

 

Billy Bailey

Billy Bailey

Principal

BP Energy Partners


Mr. Bailey is responsible for deal sourcing, transaction analysis, due diligence, and portfolio company oversight in his role at BP Energy Partners (BPEP).

Prior to joining BP Energy Partners (BPEP), he founded Saltstone Capital Management in 2016, an investment management firm focused on the energy value chain, including green tech companies.

Previously, Mr. Bailey worked for more than six years for the late T. Boone Pickens at BP Capital, where he was a Portfolio Manager for the BP Capital Energy Horizons Fund. He was a member of BP Capital’s Investment Committee, monitored and managed private investments, and worked closely with Mr. Szewczyk.

Mr. Bailey graduated cum laude with a BS in finance from the Culverhouse College of Business at The University of Alabama.

Douglas Bartek

Douglas Bartek

CEO, President, CoFounder

Tango Networks, Inc.


Douglas Bartek is a recognized leader in the technology world with more than 45 years of industry experience. He has led more than 20 successful sales, acquisitions, mergers and financings of high-tech firms. Prior to co-founding Tango Networks, he founded and led Microtune as President, CEO and Chairman, a firm he took public on NASDAQ.

He was a division president of Cirrus Logic, was president and CEO of Acumos, and has held various leadership positions at other leading technology enterprises such as VLSI Technology, Motorola and Honeywell. He has been a regional winner and national finalist as an EY Entrepreneur of the Year, MTBC CEO of the Year, NRCC Businessman of the Year, and a “10 Most Admired CEOs to Watch”

Bartek has an electrical engineering degree from the University of Texas, with highest honors, and both a Masters in Engineering/Computer Science and an MBA from Arizona State University.

He spends his personal time helping with his church and with local charities, most recently as Chairman of 29Acres, an adult living community in north Texas for autistic adults.

Jordan Bastable

Jordan Bastable

Partner/Founder

LongWater Opportunities


Jordan began his investment career as an undergraduate when he co-founded a private investment firm focused real-estate investments. While in college, Jordan also worked for a multibillion-dollar hedge fund. In 2009 Jordan Cofounded LongWater Oppurtunites an alternative asset manager focused on Private Equity and Private Credit.

 

Luke Bateman

Luke Bateman

Managing Director

The Sterling Group


Luke joined Sterling in 2023 as a Managing Director on the Foundation Fund, Sterling's lower middle market fund that targets transactions from $100 million to $300 million in enterprise value. Previously, he was a Partner at Insight Equity where he led investments in the industrial, services, and consumer sectors. Luke received an A.B. in Philosophy from Harvard University and an M.B.A. from The Wharton School.

Gene Bazemore

Gene Bazemore

Head of Industrials Group

Founders Advisors


Gene is Head of the Industrials Group with Founders Advisors based in the firm’s Dallas office. Gene has over 20 years of experience acting as both a principal and advisor to companies executing mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and debt and equity financings. Gene began his career as a process controls engineer and transitioned into investment banking at UBS in New York, where he specialized in industrial technology areas such as automation, instrumentation, sensors and electronics. Gene developed significant transaction expertise while working for Houlihan Lokey in New York and other organizations such as Cooper Industries in Houston and AZZ Incorporated in Fort Worth.

Eddie Bridgers

Eddie Bridgers

Area Managing Partner

SeatonHill Partners, LP


Eddie Bridgers is the Central Region Area Managing Partner for SeatonHill Partners, the fastest growing, national strategic CFO Firm providing Fractional, Interim, and Project level CFO services.  Eddie is well connected in the DFW marketplace and since joining the firm 4 years ago, SeatonHill has quadrupled business and now boasts 82+ elite CFOs nationwide, with 27 in Dallas, 14 in South Texas, and growing rapidly across the Midwest, Northeast, and Southeast regions. 

Eddie is known as an innovative change agent who is adept at building groundbreaking, successful enterprise sales infrastructures that enhance and drive all revenue-connected aspects of the business.  He is a proven, executive sales leader who generates bottom-line results with integrity and purpose.  With 30+ years of demonstrated success in building teams, developing programs, and opening new markets, Eddie has extensive experience in enterprise software, infrastructure/cloud solutions, and financial/operational leadership.

Eddie has also served in senior leadership and executive consultant roles for multiple start-ups and Fortune 200 companies, where he assembled and mentored large-scale national and international sales organizations.

Matt Briggs

Matt Briggs

Director, PE and M&A Practice

DYOPATH


Matt Briggs leads DYOPATH's PE and M&A practice, leveraging 27 years of IT and cybersecurity experience, including 22 years with DYOPATH. Launched in 1996 and based in Houston, TX, DYOPATH is a founder owned and operated industry leader, specializing in IT advisory, outsourcing, and cybersecurity. DYOPATH excels in supporting PE firms with pre-close due diligence and post-close transitions and growth, driving value creation through a broad suite of IT and cybersecurity solutions.

David Brown

David Brown

Chief Financial Officer

Authentix, Inc.


David Brown is the CFO for Authentix, Inc, a private equity owned global authority in authentication solutions. He has 30+ years of diverse global business experience including living and working on three continents. David is an independent director for Perma-Pipe International Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: PPIH), a global manufacturing company providing insulated piping systems. He is a Board Leadership Fellow with the National Association of Corporate Directors and a licensed CPA in Texas.

 

Nick Brown

Nick Brown

Principal

Catalyze Partners


Nick Brown is a Principal at Catalyze Partners, a firm specializing in acquiring advanced technology businesses and intellectual property from Fortune 100 companies. In his role, Nick identifies strategic acquisition opportunities, performs comprehensive due diligence, and collaborates with senior executives to drive growth in portfolio companies. His responsibilities include detailed financial modeling, market analysis, and operational planning to position investments for success. He leads efforts to develop valuation frameworks, secure funding, and create long-term value through innovative strategies. Nick also oversees the integration of acquired businesses, focusing on optimizing operational efficiencies, implementing technology solutions, and creating scalable sales structures. In addition to his investment and operational expertise, Nick is actively involved in the strategic development of Catalyze Partners’ portfolio, including evaluating potential exits and joint ventures.

Marla Cannon

Marla Cannon

Managing Director

Riata Capital Group


Ms. Cannon, Managing Director of RCG, is responsible for the Firm’s business development and investor relations activities. She manages the Firm’s relationships across a broad range of investment banks, sell-side advisors, buy-side advisors, and institutional investors supporting RCG’s investment and fundraising initiatives. Prior to joining RCG, Ms. Cannon was Managing Director at HSBC where she led Sponsor Coverage for the Technology Investment Banking group in New York. Prior to HSBC, Ms. Cannon was a Senior Vice President with BBVA where she was instrumental in the origination and execution of private equity-backed transactions across all sectors. Ms. Cannon also worked in various investment roles with Fortress Investment Group and ORIX Capital.

Ms. Cannon currently chairs the Associate of Corporate Growth’s Women of Leadership committee in New York and is actively involved in promoting connectivity for women in the M&A community. She also serves on the board of directors for Southern Methodist University’s Undergraduate Career Center.

Ms. Cannon holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Southern Methodist University.

Reggie Carter

Reggie Carter

Founding Partner

The Promise Venture


Reggie is a founding partner of The Promise Venture. He is also the Founder and Managing Director of JENGA Capital Funds, an acquisition company focused on partnering with founders and CEO’s in the lower middle market where he leads the firm’s overall strategy, developing targeted investment themes, supervising and closing the transaction. Reggie has over 20 years of extensive operating experience in several Fortune 100 companies through executive leadership, commercial execution & strategy, operations, and finance roles. 

During his tenure at GE, Reggie began his career in the Financial Management Program where he held various finance roles within multiple GE businesses His time at GE Healthcare included leading a market from $300M to $400M in revenue.  Diversifying his experience in biotechnology, Reggie was responsible for the commercial launch of the first disease modifying therapy for the treatment of Alzheimer’s for Biogen's Account Liaisons in the Western US.

Reggie currently serves as a board member for Rainbow Days, Inc., Advisory Board for Healthcare Wildcatters, Advisory Board for Catapult Partners, Advisory Board for University of Arizona Tech Launch, member of Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) and Alliance of Mergers & Acquisition Advisors (AM&AA).

Kendall Childers

Kendall Childers

Vice President

Rosewood Private Investments


Kendall Childers is a Vice President of Business Development at Rosewood Private Investments where she is responsible for sourcing transactions and managing intermediary relationships. Previously, Kendall was Vice President of Business Development at a Houston-based private equity firm, worked in the Sponsor Coverage group at BBVA (now a part of PNC) executing and managing leveraged loans to private equity backed companies across industries, the compliance group at HBK Capital Management, and the Audit Assurance group at KPMG.

Carl Cravens

Carl Cravens

EVP, Chief Banking Officer

Susser Bank


Carl Cravens is the Executive Vice President, Chief Banking Officer for Susser Bank where he is responsible for the bank’s lending, treasury management and marketing activities. He has 30 years of experience in commercial banking, finance and treasury management solutions. He raised private equity and senior debt while serving as Director of Finance for a healthcare firm with 18 facilities in the Southwest. Prior to joining Susser Bank, he was Regional President of Southwest Bank and a Senior Vice President with JPMorgan Chase’s healthcare public finance and not-for-profit group.

 

Julie Stanley Dean

Julie Stanley Dean

Business Performance Advisor

Insperity


Julie Stanley Dean is a Business Performance Advisor with Insperity. For more than 16 years, she has worked with business owners and leaders across numerous industries from early-stage startups through mid-market organizations, helping them maximize their human capital investment while mitigating risk. Insperity, a national provider of scalable HR solutions, has a long history of improving the success equation of businesses across the country.

 

Michael Dellinger

Michael Dellinger

Managing Director

UBS


Michael began investing more than 22 years ago while earning both his Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA) designation and his M.B.A. Today, as the lead of one of the largest teams in Private Wealth Management at UBS, he applies his passion for investing and his expertise in markets and asset allocation to his work for the benefit of his clients.

A 1995 graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, Michael earned his B.A. in Economics with a minor in Business. He returned to McCombs for his M.B.A and graduated with honors in 2003. Today, Michael is a member of the MBA Advisory Board at the McCombs School of Business, the Advisory Board for the Master of Science in Finance program, the McCombs Wealth Management Advisory Board and the Executive Committee for the Chancellor's Council at The University of Texas. Through his involvement and guidance, the McCombs Wealth Management Advisory Board designed relevant curriculum for the newly established, undergraduate track.

Michael joined UBS in 2009, having gained a range of experience at Morgan Stanley dating back to 2002. In 2017, Michael was appointed to the UBS Financial Advisor Advisory Council (FAAC) and eventually served as Co-Chair from 2020-2022. The FAAC is a select group of 14 Financial Advisors who represent all UBS Advisors to address the critical issues and concerns pertinent to providing excellent client service.

Outside of the office, Michael enjoys spending time with his family and volunteering at his church. He lives in Southside Place with his wife, Jennifer, and three children, Walker, Reid and Megan. Michael is a former President of the West University Little League, one of the largest leagues in the country. Prioritizing an active lifestyle, Michael has completed eight marathons and dozens of triathlons, including Ironman Coeur d’Alene in 2005. He serves on the Finance Committee at his church and is an active member of both the CFA Institute and the Houston Society of Financial Analysts.

Jay Desai

Jay Desai

Partner

Kainos Capital LP


Jay Desai is a partner of Kainos Capital, a consumer-focused private equity fund, and has over 20 years of principal investing, investment banking and strategy experience in the food and consumer products sector. Jay re-joined the firm in 2016 after serving as the senior vice president of strategy at CROSSMARK. He is a graduate of Stanford University.

David Fowles

David Fowles

Regional Director, Southeast, Origination

The Riverside Company


David Fowles is a Regional Director at The Riverside Company focusing on originating deal opportunities and qualifying add-on acquisition candidates in the Southcentral and Southeast regions. Before Riverside, Dave spent three years at Mangrove Equity Partners as a Vice President focused on deal origination.

Before that he had a twenty+ year career as a US Army Special Forces Officer (commonly known as Green Berets), where he served with distinction leading special operations forces across the globe, earned three Bronze Star's, including one with a “V” device for valor. He brings a wealth of leadership, organizational, and analytic experience to Origination and Riveside.

When he decided to transition to the private sector, Dave enrolled in the Executive program at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, earning an MBA. He also holds a BA in Political Science from SUNY Oswego.

 

Chris Garvin

Chris Garvin

Principal, Business Development

Gauge Capital


Chris is responsible for identifying and evaluating investment opportunities, deal origination and developing intermediary relationships within the Healthcare sector. Prior to joining Gauge, Chris worked for National Spine & Pain Centers, where he was the Senior Vice President leading M&A for the organization. Earlier in his career, Chris worked in the Corporate Development functions at Dignity Health and CHRISTUS Health and with Moelis & Company as an Analyst in their Investment Banking Division. Chris received his MBA from the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University and his BS in Finance from University of Arizona.

Will	Guthrie

Will Guthrie

Vice President, Business Development

Boyne Capital


Will joined Boyne Capital in 2023. As a Vice President of Business Development, he helps drive the sourcing and origination efforts at Boyne. Prior to joining Boyne, Will served as a Senior Associate on the origination team at Sole Source Capital, a lower-middle market private equity firm based in Dallas, Texas. Will previously worked for Edge Capital Group, where he managed investment strategies across all asset classes for family offices, foundations, and ultra-high-net-worth individuals. Will received his BS in Economics with Financial Applications from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.

Josh Harris

Josh Harris

Partner

Pappas Harris Capital


With a proven track record of entrepreneurship, expertise in acquisitions, and comprehensive knowledge of operations, I support investment strategy development and oversee daily business operations for our growing organization. My specialties include last-mile delivery, commercial real estate, private equity, residential services, and infrastructure.

Andrew Hicks

Andrew Hicks

Investor

Perot Jain


Andrew Hicks serves as an early stage venture capital investor for Dallas-based Perot Jain. In addition to this role, Andrew founded and runs the Horned Frog Investment Network as an adjunct faculty member for his alma mater, TCU. Andrew is passionate about furthering the Dallas-Fort Worth startup and venture capital ecosystem.

Greg Hirsch

Greg Hirsch

Owner

Pella Windows and Doors


Greg brings a rich, 25-year career history of leadership and growth in various industries. He previously served as an executive at Daseke, North America's largest flatbed and specialized trucking company. He successfully scaled the first operating company, doubling its revenue in just three years. Greg later contributed to growing Daseke's corporate revenue to over $1.6 billion. Before Daseke, Greg excelled at Sysco North Texas as a distinguished salesperson and sales executive. Additionally, Greg has a background in public service as a former Mayor Pro Tem for Addison, TX. He originally came to North Texas to play football at the University of North Texas, where he earned both his bachelors and masters degrees. Greg is an active Eagle Scout and remains dedicated to scouting. He and his wife Barbara have been happily married for nearly twenty years and have two teenagers, Michael and Emma.

Ryan Jankowski

Ryan Jankowski

Director of Business Development

Sky Island Capital


Ryan is the Director of Business Development at Sky Island Capital. He is responsible for identifying and evaluating investment opportunities, deal origination and developing intermediary relationships. Prior to joining Sky Island, Ryan was the Director of Business Development at Princeton Equity Group, sourcing investment opportunities across the business, consumer and industrial services sectors. Before joining Princeton Equity, Ryan was a Senior Associate at Gauge Capital, sourcing investment opportunities across the consumer, food and healthcare sectors. Ryan graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a BBA in Finance.

TK Kader

TK Kader

Founder & Former CEO, ToutApp

CEO, Unstoppable


TK Kader is an entrepreneur, international best-selling author, GTM coach and investor. He believes that you can achieve anything through belief, discipline and an unstoppable strategy.

TK worked at Bridgewater Associates (one of the best hedge funds in the world). He then founded ToutApp (backed by Andreessen Horowitz and Jackson Square, two of the best venture capital firms in the world). TK sold ToutApp to Marketo (then owned by Vista Equity Partners, one of the best private equity firms in the world) and was part of the executive team at Marketo that helped drive its transformation and eventual $4.75bn sale to Adobe.

TK now leads the Unstoppable movement to help SaaS Founders build & scale incredible software companies. To date, TK has helped 14+ companies achieve $1M ARR, 6+ companies achieve $3M ARR and helped later stage companies add millions of ARR to their revenue base through his flagship SaaS GTM Coaching Program.

Sean Kelley

Sean Kelley

Managing Director

Gridiron Capital, LLC


Sean focuses on developing new business partnerships, marketing, communicating with business owners, and managing investment sourcing and exit planning. Prior to joining Gridiron , Sean served as vice president at BB&T Capital Markets, executing mergers and acquisitions advisory for middle-market businesses. Earlier in his career, Sean worked at Credit Suisse and Deutsche Bank.

Eliot Kerlin

Eliot Kerlin

Managing Partner

Broadwing Capital


Eliot Kerlin is Managing Partner of Broadwing Capital, a Dallas-based private equity firm he founded with Andrew Boisseau after 14 years of operational private equity investing together. Previously he worked in Dallas and New York with middle market private equity firms.

 

Megan Kneipp

Megan Kneipp

Managing Director, Business Development

Blue Point Capital Partners


Megan Kneipp is the head of Business Development for Blue Point and actively supports the firm’s investment sourcing efforts. Previously, Megan was the Vice President of Business Development at CenterOak Partners. Prior to CenterOak, she was an Associate at Credit Suisse Securities and previously an Associate in Brokerage Services at Direct Development in Dallas. Megan holds a M.B.A. with honors from Southern Methodist University and a B.A. from the University of Texas, with a concentration in Economics.

Lee M. Koury

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. 

Bret Madole

Bret Madole

Member

Steptoe & Johnson PLLC


Bret Madole is a seasoned corporate attorney who brings nearly 40 years of experience in general corporate matters, mergers and acquisitions, banking, and intellectual property to a variety of clients, primarily middle market private companies and entrepreneurs, spanning across many industries. He advises individuals and companies from startup, implementing successful strategies for resolving issues with trademark, copyright, employment, licensing, governance, contracts, leases, mergers and acquisitions, and related matters.

 

Katie Marshall

Katie Marshall

SVP, Business Development

PNC Business Credit


Katie Marshall is Senior Vice President, Business Development Officer for PNC Business Credit, PNC’s senior secured lending group. Based in PNC’s Dallas office, she is responsible for identifying and executing on lending opportunities with existing and prospective clients in Dallas/Fort Worth, North Texas, the Texas Panhandle, Oklahoma and Nebraska. Katie’s focus is largely on partnering with Private Equity firms, family offices or other financial investors to provide financing solutions for M&A transactions in addition to privately-held, family/founder-owned businesses seeking refinancing, growth financing, restructuring, turnaround or special situation solutions.

Ken McDonald

Ken McDonald

Principal

AB Bernstein


I’m What Happens Next...After You Achieve Wealth.
My clients are experts in how they’ve achieved their wealth; I am an expert in helping them find meaning, opportunity and security with what they’ve earned. I help them navigate life’s transitions and connecting them to resources and solutions.

Tell me about an example of how you helped someone find purpose in their wealth.
When working with any client, I recognize that priorities, family dynamics and even the identity of the long-term wealth stewards will change over time. All of these variables are top of mind as I prioritize how to most effectively meet my clients’ trust above all else. By integrating myself into the fabric of these families, I am able to connect with them on a personal and meaningful level. These trusting relationships are the foundation, and most fulfilling part, of my work. It is a significant responsibility, and professional honor, to be invited by my clients to shape decisions that will affect my their lives and those of future generations.

Tell me about the types of clients you work with.
My focus is on the families of self-made business owners and senior business executives. I particularly enjoy working on the “squishy stuff,” such as familial and philosophical complexities, that cannot be solved through portfolio analytics/allocation advice. These families count on my unvarnished advice to help them make the best financial decisions and to create a reasonable and completely customized plan. My goal is to help them feel as good as possible about what they have, as we work to navigate all of their options.

Dan Meader

Dan Meader

Founding & Managing Partner

Trinity Investors


Dan is the founding partner of Trinity Investors (formerlyTrinity Private Equity Group), which was started in 1999. Dan leads the investment committee and leadership team for Trinity and is also the lead partner on several Trinity investments.

Prior to founding Trinity, Dan served as an executive vice president for Tara Capital Partners, LP, a hedge fund focused on investing and trading in public securities. He also spent nine years participating in private equity investments at Sowell & Co. in Dallas, Texas. Dan began his career as a corporate banker at InterFirst Bank of Dallas (now Bank of America); and then worked for ABQ Capital Markets, managing a portfolio of high-yield bonds.

He is a CFA charterholder and was elected to the CFA Institute Board of Governors in 2006, serving two consecutive terms over seven years. While on the board, Dan was also elected to serve as the chairman of the CFA Institute. In addition, Dan chaired several board committees, including the nominations committee, compensation committee, external relations and volunteer involvement committee, and the Presidents Council at CFA Institute. Dan currently serves as a board member for several Trinity portfolio companies.

A graduate of Southern Methodist University, cum laude, Dan received his CFA charter in 1991 and is also a certified public accountant (CPA).

 

Divyabh Mishra

Divyabh Mishra

CEO

AllCaps.ai


Divyabh is a serial entrepreneur creating multiple global startups from inception to successful $100m+ exit. Currently, he is building his next generative AI startup in the accounting industry. Divyabh is an engineer and has an MBA from INSEAD, France.

 

Clarke Nobiletti

Clarke Nobiletti

Managing Partner

Aqueduct Asset Management


Clarke Nobiletti is the Founder and Managing Partner of Aqueduct Asset Management that is an alternative asset manager focused on fixed income and credit markets.

Michael Nolan

Michael Nolan

Development Director

Sales Xceleration


Michael Nolan is the Development Director – Private Equity and Quality of Sales at Sales Xceleration. He is responsible for building relationships with private equity sponsors and helping their portfolio companies grow their topline performance to build value creation and accelerate performance. Michael and his team leverage a collective of 110 sales leaders with portfolio company experience to help their companies grow 32% in year 1, resulting in $1.7B in revenue growth. Their focus is to drive significant growth through strategy formulation, process development, and effective execution in pre-acquisition due diligence, value acceleration during the hold period, and value maximization to support successful exits.

Larry Olschwanger

Larry Olschwanger

Founder

ScrapSource


Larry Olschwanger is the Founder and Former President of ScrapSource, a Radius Recycling Company. Radius is the new brand and assumed name of Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. Previously, he spent 20 years with Commercial Metals Company, serving as Senior Vice President- Recycling.

 

Michael Overstreet

Michael Overstreet

Partner, Corporate M&A

Gray Reed


Michael Overstreet is a corporate and M&A lawyer with unique tax planning skills, helping clients navigate the business, tax and legal challenges of owning, operating, buying or selling a business. His clients include midsize companies, family-owned businesses, family offices, private equity firms and startups across numerous industries, including manufacturing, industrial, energy, construction, automotive, technology, real estate, healthcare and retail.

Michael collaborates with owners, executives and CPAs to design tailored solutions for corporate and tax issues. He has extensive legal experience forming, reorganizing, restructuring, buying and selling companies. Michael has assisted numerous clients with restructurings and tax-free reorganizations to facilitate sales, minimize taxes, protect assets and plan for succession. He also serves as outside general counsel for midsize companies, advising owners and executives on legal and business matters.

Dale Petroskey

Dale Petroskey

President & CEO

Dallas Regional Chamber


Dale Petroskey is President and CEO of the Dallas Regional Chamber (DRC), which was named National Chamber of the year by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives in July 2022. Before joining the DRC in 2014, Mr. Petroskey's career included service as Assistant White House Press Secretary to President Ronald Reagan;Senior Vice President for Mission Programs at National Geographic;and President of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York.

 

Jon Rice

Jon Rice

Area Managing Partner & CMO

Chief Outsiders


Jon Rice is a marketing veteran who takes a hands-on approach to growing revenue while establishing a sustainable marketing process for his clients. In his ten years as a Chief Outsider and over 50 engagements, Jon has been a top performer, known for strategic thinking, a collaborative approach, and for leaving clients with improved marketing capabilities as part of their DNA. Jon has a significant background in multi-unit retail marketing and providing marketing leadership to such major national brands as Midas Muffler, Pizza Hut, Marriott, and Chuck E. Cheese’s.

Dana Silaski

Dana Silaski

Managing Director

Stephens


Ms. Silaski joined Stephens in 1994 and is a Managing Director and senior member of the Private Company Advisory team. Throughout her investment banking career, she has advised private and family-owned companies, often multi-generational, as they consider financing alternatives and paths to maximize value.

Ms. Silaski has played a key role in structuring and negotiating private capital transactions for Stephens’ corporate clients across a broad range of industries and with a variety of capital sources, including family offices. Her experience includes minority and control transactions, preparing for and executing M&A transactions, as well as debt, equity, and equity-linked financings.

Prior to Stephens, Ms. Silaski managed equity and fixed income portfolios at a regional trust company. She is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and earned a BSBA with high honors in finance at the University of Arkansas.

Tom Singh

Tom Singh

Managing Director | Senior Resident Director

Merrill Lynch


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.

 

 

Harold Trinh-Moore

Harold Trinh-Moore

Fund Manager

J.H.M. Capital Group LLC


Harold has a background in Finance industry spanning from hospitals, mortgage companies, and private equity. He is a graduate of Auburn University. He runs a private equity firm in Fort Worth where they are focused on Retail and Manufacturing Industries.

Kyle Turbitt

Kyle Turbitt

Senior Vice President, Origination

Sole Source Capital


Kyle is a Senior Vice President at Sole Source Capital, a lower middle market private equity firm focused on the industrial and service sectors. In his role, he leads investment origination, deal qualification, and building relationships with business owners. Kyle is passionate about helping business owners make the best choices for themselves, their family, and their employees when it comes to selling their company.

Brad Wiginton

Brad Wiginton

Managing Director

Trive Capital


Brad is a Managing Director at Trive Capital, where his responsibilities include identifying and evaluating investment opportunities.

Prior to joining Trive, Brad was a Vice President at Prudential Capital Group, a private investment arm of Prudential Financial, Inc. While at Prudential, Brad was responsible for sourcing, executing, and managing investments in a wide range of industries, including aerospace and defense, transportation, distribution, consumer finance, real estate, restaurants and equipment rental.

Brad began his career as an Associate at PricewaterhouseCoopers, where he was a member of the Investment Management audit practice. Brad received his BS in Business Administration and Accounting from the Williams School of Commerce, Economics and Politics at Washington and Lee University.

 

Eric Williams

Eric Williams

Partner

Akin


Represents clients in mergers and acquisitions and other complex business transactions. Advises public and private companies, private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies. Deep experience representing distressed asset acquirers in distressed and other special situations transactions.

Eric represents public and private companies, private equity buyers and portfolio companies in mergers, acquisitions, divestitures and other complex business transactions. He also advises on securities matters. Eric regularly counsels private equity and other investment vehicles on distressed and other special situations investments, both in and outside of formal bankruptcy proceedings.

Eric has structured complex deals in the health care, infrastructure, technology, media and telecommunications (TMT), energy and retail sectors. He also has extensive experience with industrial and manufacturing companies and business services companies.

Eric is a member of the State Bar of Texas and the Dallas Bar Association.

Thomas Woolsey

Thomas Woolsey

Shareholder

GT Law


Thomas Woolsey has deep experience advising clients with mergers and acquisitions, recapitalizations, financings, and debt and equity offerings in transactions ranging in value from $5M to $1B+. Thomas advises clients in transactions that involve a broad range of industries, including health care, software and technology, energy, manufacturing and construction, real estate, and food and beverage. His clients include private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies, operating companies, and management teams.

Chin Yu

Chin Yu

Advisory Partner in Charge

Calvetti Ferguson


Chin Yu is the Partner in Charge of Advisory services at Calvetti Ferguson. With 25 years of M&A and corporate finance experience, he has closed over $2 billion of financial transactions including mergers & acquisitions, debt placements, and public and private equity transactions. He serves as a Partner and the practice leader of Calvetti Ferguson’s Advisory group which provides services in the areas of M&A transaction advisory, business process improvement, corporate restructuring, valuation, and litigation consulting. The Advisory department serves middle market businesses and private equity focused on M&A transaction services such as M&A deal support, quality of earnings analysis, financial due diligence, and buyer/seller representation. Calvetti Ferguson offers a full range of services from Advisory, Assurance, Tax, Accounting/Backoffice Services, and Technology Risk Services.

 

Conference Location

6430 Gaston Ave
Dallas, TX 75214
Tel: (214) 821-1491