Dealmakers Roundtable: State of M&A in the Middle Market
Presented By: Bank of America | Merrill
The past few years have been volatile, with rising interest rates, inflation, and lots of uncertainty across numerous sectors, but the reality is that deals are getting done. Join us as we pull back the curtain with a group of investors, c-suite executives, and financial experts for a rousing conversation on where capital is flowing, industries that are attracting investments, and what it takes to get M&A deals done.
Moderator:
President, Greater Philadelphia; Managing Director & Private Bank Market Executive, Pennsylvania & Delaware
Bank of America
As market president, Jim Dever is Bank of America’s leader in Philadelphia. He connects businesses, families and individuals to the banking and investment teams that help improve their financial lives. He also leads the work to deploy Bank of America’s resources to address social and economic concerns and build strong communities. In addition, he is global commercial banking market executive for Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey and Delaware, overseeing a team that provides banking solutions to companies with annual revenues of $50 million to $2 billion.
Panelists:
CEO
PeopleShare
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.
Managing Director – Investment Banking
Bank of America
Fritz Franz is a Managing Director in EGRC Investment Banking Group in New York City. His primary responsibility is to advise clients in the aerospace, defense and government services sectors in North America. He is responsible for day to day coverage and relationship management for his clients, and partners with colleagues around the world on other A&D companies.
Fritz has 18 years of experience in the financial services industry. He began his career at Bank of America in 2010 in the Global Industrials Group. In 2014, he served as the group’s inaugural Chief Resource Officer, managing the team of junior investment bankers.
Prior to joining Bank of America, Fritz was a sellside equity research analyst at The Buckingham Research Group in New York. He published equity research on companies in the oil & gas, land drilling and well service sectors.
Fritz holds a BA from Colgate University and an MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College.
Fritz is a member of the Board of Trustees at Western Reserve Academy in Hudson, Ohio.
Managing Partner
SeventySix Capital
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.