Buy-Side Reward: How to Avoid the Blindside Risks

Jim is a native of western Pennsylvania and is Managing Director and Pennsylvania Region Head CIBC Bank USA. Over his 30-year banking career, Jim has focused on providing relationship-driven commercial banking services to middle market companies. He joined The PrivateBank & Trust Company (acquired by CIBC June 2017) in September 2014 to spearhead the founding of a Pittsburgh office. Prior to that, he was with TriState Capital Bank and Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania. He began his career with PNC in Pittsburgh. Jim has a finance degree from Bucknell University and a master’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh. He serves as Treasurer of the Board of Junior Achievement of Western Pennsylvania, is a member of the board of the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth and is President of the school board of directors at Seneca Valley School District. Jim has been married for 29 years and has two sons, ages 25 and 21.

Steve, founder and CEO of SYNQ3 Restaurant Solutions, is a leader in disruptive innovation for the restaurant industry. A true Imagineer of the restaurant business, Steve’s vast knowledge of “all things restaurant” is challenging traditional paradigms—and driving dramatic change in the business. Last year Synq3 processed 23M automated restaurant interactions, this is more than every other company combined.

Jeff has focused his career on providing accounting, auditing and consulting services to privately held companies and not-for-profit organizations. His experience includes furnishing compliance services such as audits; providing due diligence and investigation services related to business acquisitions; performing fraud investigations; developing and compiling projected and forecasted financial statements; and evaluating, selecting and implementing information systems for companies.

Dale has over 30 years of experience as an investment banking professional as well as a chief executive officer, chief financial officer, treasurer, family office executive and strategic/financial advisor in a variety of industries, bringing a wealth of experience to Stone Pier Capital. Dale has focused his career on serving lower middle market companies (firms with less than $100mm in enterprise value) and their stakeholders—the market that Stone Pier Capital primarily serves.  

Stone Pier Capital Advisors is a boutique investment banking firm that serves lower middle market companies and their owners. Stone Pier offers sell-side services, buy-side services and select capital raise and strategic financial consulting services. 

Mr. Olsta is a Managing Director with CIBC Cleary Gull. He joined Cleary Gull in 2004 and has 20 years of transaction experience. Mr. Olsta has advised numerous clients in a variety of industries and has significant experience in Technology and Tech-Enabled Business Services. Mr. Olsta previously worked for A.G. Edwards investment banking and Deloitte & Touche. Mr. Olsta earned an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis, a BBA with a concentration in Accountancy from the University of Notre Dame and the professional designations of CPA and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).