March 4 - 5, 2025 | Miami
Kick off the Independent Sponsors Summit with an evening of networking at the Ritz Carlton, Miami. Join fellow attendees for pre-conference welcome drinks from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
Sponsored by
Welcome to the 18th Independent Sponsor Summit! Join us for the official opening and welcome remarks to kick-start the day.
The two day agenda is filled with keynotes, expert-led panels and interactive workshops, that deliver valuable insights and knowledge from industry leaders discussing the latest trends and best practices.
Managing Principal, Value360 Practice
CohnReznick
Claudine oversees an integrated team of transaction, valuation, restructuring, project
Claudine Cohen leads a dynamic team specializing in transaction advisory, valuation, restructuring, project finance, dispute resolution, performance improvement, merger integration, carve-outs, M&A insurance advisory, and sustainability advisory. With a keen eye for identifying opportunities and navigating challenges, Claudine ensures her clients achieve optimal outcomes, safeguarding and enhancing stakeholder value throughout their business lifecycle.
Join James Kohnstamm, Executive Vice President, Economic Development for Miami-Dade, as he uncovers how the region’s dynamic growth is creating prime opportunities for mid-market and lower middle-market M&A activity. This session will spotlight Miami-Dade’s high-growth sectors—such as technology, healthcare, and logistics—and provide actionable insights on how independent sponsors and capital providers can capitalize on the region’s economic momentum.
Moderator
Co-Chair
Akerman’s Corporate Practice Group
Jonathan Awner serves as Co-Chair of Akerman’s Corporate Practice Group. Recognized by numerous publications as a preeminent corporate lawyer, Jonathan advises private equity firms, independent sponsors, strategic buyers, and business founders in M&A and recapitalization transactions in automotive retail, aviation, business services, consumer products, distribution, hospitality, logistics, manufacturing, technology, and other industries. Jonathan focuses on middle-market domestic mergers and acquisitions, private equity investments, public and private securities transactions, and corporate governance matters.
Executive Vice President, Economic Development
Miami-Dade County
James Kohnstamm is an experienced economic development professional who is passionate about expanding economic opportunities for all . As Executive Vice President for Economic Development, Kohnstamm leads a team that advises local, national and international business leaders on the economic trends and attributes of Miami-Dade County and delivers customized services to support expanding and relocating business that are making job generating investments. As an International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Certified Economic Developer (CEcD), Kohnstamm has directly managed over 200 economic development projects that have generated over 15,000 jobs and $3 billion of investment for Miami-Dade County. Clients include: Amazon, Blackstone, Boeing, Deloitte, Ford, JP Morgan Chase, LATAM Airlines, Microsoft, Ryder System, Spotify, Telemundo, Univision, and UPS. Kohnstamm is an ex-officio board member of the Coral Gables Florida Chamber of Commerce. Prior to joining The Beacon Council, Kohnstamm worked for The University of Miami School of Education and was a high school English and History teacher. A Seattle native, he holds a MA degree in International Administration from The University of Miami and a BA in Anthropology from Connecticut College.
The 100-Day Plan: From Plan to Reality Post-Acquisition
Deep dive into the crucial 100-day plan, often grouped with broader post-closing strategies but deserving its own focus. Panelists will share what they prioritize in their 100-day plans versus what they actually accomplished after closing, and reflect on what they would change in future deals. Learn the key milestones, common challenges, and real-world adjustments needed to maximize value in the critical first phase of a new investment.
Moderator
Managing Director
CohnReznick
As a Managing Director in CohnReznick’s Merger Integration and Carve-out Services practice, David Morris has more than two decades of leadership experience in mergers, integrations and separations, corporate restructuring, transaction due diligence, and synergy realization for both private equity and corporate clients. He specializes in leading clients through carve-outs and integrations from pre-deal operational diligence through Day 1 and the development and negotiation of Transitional Service Agreements (TSA).
Managing Director
Exeter Street Capital Partners
Franklin Staley joined the Patriot Capital Group in January 2020 to lead Exeter Street Capital Partners, Patriot’s micro-cap buyout strategy that makes control equity investments in promising lower middle market businesses with $2-$5 million of EBITDA within the industrial growth & technology, business, consumer and healthcare services sectors across North America. Mr. Staley brings more than 25 years of private equity, advisory and strategic operating expertise to Exeter Street Capital Partners.
Prior to Exeter Street, he spent over nine years with DC Advisory LLC (formerly Signal Hill), where he founded the firm’s sponsor coverage effort and was a Managing Director in the Business Services practice area. Prior to joining Signal Hill, Mr. Staley spent nine years as a Principal and founding member of Meriturn Partners, LLC, a private equity fund focused on buyouts of lower middle-market companies in basic industries. Among other duties, he was responsible for all aspects of sourcing, evaluating, conducting diligence, structuring and leading transactions, managing strategic capital events within the portfolio, as well as other portfolio monitoring activities and fund oversight duties. Previously, Mr. Staley was the CFO and Vice President of Strategy for Axcellis, Inc., an early-stage software developer in the security alarm and systems integration industries. He has prior investment banking experience with Cowen & Company, Lehman Brothers, and Chase.
Mr. Staley serves as a director of the Josephine B. & Allen P. Green Foundation, an organization focused on development initiatives in rural Mid-Missouri region, where he grew up.
Join your peers for a series of lively and interactive discussions on the most pressing topics you are facing today. The small group format will enable you to make meaningful connections and come up with out-of-the-box solutions to shared challenges.
Discussion Moderator
Managing Partner
Ice Miller
Discussion Moderator
Partner
Virtus
Discussion Moderator
Private Capital Consultant
Insperity
Discussion Moderator
Partner, Private Equity and Independent Sponsor Leader
Lippes Mathias
Discussion Moderator
Managing Director
ECA
Burt Francis is a Managing Director of Business Development at ECA. He works with clients to fill permanent and project based roles. Burt has wide-ranging experience in engineering, business leadership and management consulting in various industries including aerospace, software, financial services, and manufacturing. This includes notable tenure with Oliver Wyman, The Boeing Company, General Dynamics and Starbase Technologies Inc.
Burt graduated summa cum laude, with a B.S. and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Discussion Moderator
Partner
Holland & Knight
Kevin Christmas is a private equity attorney in Holland & Knight's Charlotte office, and is a co-head of both Holland & Knight's Search Funds and Independent Sponsors teams. Mr. Christmas has substantial experience representing domestic and international search funds, independent sponsors and private equity funds in connection with capital raising, mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, leveraged buyouts, financing, equity structuring, general corporate advisory work and related matters.
Mr. Christmas has extensive experience advising clients on the full life cycle of business issues, from company formation and capital raising to exit strategies. He serves a portfolio of clients across various industry sectors, including healthcare, life sciences, financial services, distribution, software, retail, education and manufacturing. Mr. Christmas' practice includes representation of private equity funds, search funds, independent sponsors, family offices, entrepreneurs, family-owned businesses, and public and private companies.
Prior to joining Holland & Knight, Mr. Christmas was a corporate partner at international law firms based in Charlotte and Philadelphia.
Workshop Overview
Co-Founder & CEO
Verivend
Verivend, led by Rodney Reisdorf, the CEO and Co-Founder. With a track record of turning early ventures into successful companies, Rodney is now revolutionizing the private investment market.
Verivend is designed to make investment transactions as effortless as using Venmo. Their mission is to provide a straightforward, seamless, and secure experience for General Partners and Limited Partners managing capital.
By eliminating the traditional complexities and security issues associated with raising and deploying capital, Verivend stands out as the Venmo for Private Capital. It's the only platform specifically built to address the inefficiencies and security challenges in the private market.
Moderator
Partner
Sadis
Senior Manager, M&A Advisory Lead, ODD/PMI
Withum
Travis Loomis is a member of Withum’s Supply Chain Compliance Services Team. With over ten years of experience in supply chain and M&A consulting, Travis specializes in operations strategy, process design and improvement, supply chain optimization, merger integration management, and data analytics. His industry expertise spans Consumer Products, Manufacturing, Distribution and Logistics, Retail, Food & Beverage and Healthcare. He works with clients to build and sustain strategic competitive advantages and drive bottom-line benefits informed by candid communication and data-driven insights.
Travis has worked in both factories and corporate offices, learning best-in-class manufacturing principles & distribution methodologies. He has led transformational projects in the Midwest and nationwide to help clients improve operations and drive sustained growth. His expertise includes financial & manufacturing cost modeling, network strategy & design, inventory optimization, profitability improvement, technology selection and implementation, process mapping & optimization, integration planning, and synergy execution.
Partner
Pine Street
As the independent sponsor space evolves new models and strategies are emerging to meet the demands of a competitive market. This session will explore the innovative approaches sponsors are using to differentiate themselves, how the industry is growing, and the new possibilities being created. From alternative deal structures to fresh opportunities for collaboration with capital providers, join us to examine the next evolution in the independent sponsor space and the future of deal-making.
Moderator
Partner
Ice Miller
Thomas Kesoglou is the Chair of the firm’s Private Equity Practice. He is also a member of the firm's Board of Directors. Mr. Kesoglou represents private equity funds, mezzanine funds, SBICs, BDCs, family offices and independent sponsors providing strategic and legal advice in their investment strategies, including leveraged buyouts, mezzanine financings, growth capital transactions, early and late stage private equity investments and secondary transactions. Mr. Kesoglou also advises these investors in connection with the management of their portfolio companies, including acquisitions, dispositions, follow-on debt or equity investments, bridge loans, restructurings, recapitalizations, employment matters, stock plans and other general corporate matters.
Mr. Kesoglou represents privately held companies in connection with the sale of their business to strategic or financial investors. He also represents large U.S. and foreign corporations in connection with their investment and M&A activities in the United States.
In addition to advising his clients, Mr. Kesoglou actively seeks transaction opportunities to refer to financial investors in order to facilitate introductions and transaction opportunities.
Mr. Kesoglou is a frequent public speaker on corporate legal matters and has authored several articles published in leading magazines, including Buyouts, Financier Worldwide, and The Deal. He was named AM&AA Conference Chair of the Year and AM&AA Chapter Leader of the Year by the Alliance of Merger & Acquisition Advisors and serves as the New York Chapter President.
Prior to founding Ice Miller's New York office in 2015, Mr. Kesoglou practiced in the private equity groups of Am Law 200 firms in New York. Prior to becoming an attorney, Mr. Kesoglou worked as an investment banker in the Real Estate Finance and Securitization Group of CIBC World Markets in New York.
Founder and Managing Partner
Full Guard Capital
Josh Welk founded Full Guard Capital and is responsible for developing investment theses, sourcing and evaluating opportunities, and managing the firm’s investment portfolio through strategic and executive support. Prior to founding Full Guard Capital, Josh spent several years as a C-level executive of a rapidly growing telecom and technology services company. Prior to his operating role, Josh spent over a decade in private equity and mergers and acquisitions of privately held and family owned businesses, primarily with Argosy Private Equity. During his career, Josh has been involved in and completed over 25 transactions. Josh holds a BA from Franklin & Marshall College and an MBA from Columbia Business School.
Managing Partner
Penstock
Dave has over 24 years of experience with middle market companies and has participated in more than 60 private capital transactions as a principal investor or co-investor. In addition to supporting management by serving on the boards of more than a dozen private companies, Dave has developed expertise in sourcing investment opportunities, evaluating businesses and industries, conducting and facilitating due diligence, raising capital, and negotiating transaction documents.
Dave is a Founder and Managing Partner of Penstock Equity, a provider of equity capital to independent sponsor-led buyouts in the lower middle market. He is also the Founder of Quadec Private Capital, an independent sponsor firm. Prior to Penstock and Quadec, Dave was a partner at Peninsula Capital Partners, a private equity and mezzanine capital provider, and a partner at Strength Capital Partners, a committed capital and independent private equity firm in Birmingham, MI. Dave started his career with PricewaterhouseCoopers’ middle market advisory and transaction services practices for 7 years before transitioning into private investing.
Dave was born and raised in the Midwest and earned his BBA degree from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan, where he also earned his MBA. Since 2013, Dave has taught an MBA course at Ross titled “Entrepreneurship through Acquisition”. He also currently runs the “Zell Entrepreneurship through Acquisition Program” under the Zell-Lurie Institute at Ross, mentoring dozens of students in pursuit of careers in search funds, private equity, and M&A.
This Chatham House discussion will explore the growing trend of independent sponsor partnerships and the value they bring. These collaborations can enhance bandwidth, improve deal flow, and combine complementary skillsets for greater value creation. Join an open exchange of insights on how strategic partnerships can drive success for both emerging and established independent sponsors.
Discussion Points:
Facilitator
Partner
Cornerstone Capital Partners
Steve has been a private equity investor since 1998 with an emphasis on middle-market manufacturing and industrial service companies. He has invested in transactions totaling $300 million in enterprise value. Since joining Cornerstone Capital Partners in 2006, Mr. Altman has directed the investment in six portfolio companies. Prior to joining Cornerstone, Steve was a Principal with Long Point Capital. Before Long Point, Steve worked for Masco Corporation and affiliates for ten years in a variety of operational, financial and business development roles, primarily focused on turning around troubled operating divisions. His last position was as President of an operating division. Prior to Masco, Steve worked as a CPA for middle-market companies in the Boston office of Arthur Andersen.
Steve currently is a director of Global IFS, Eastern Vault, Riviera Bronze and Zander Solutions. He has served on the Board of Directors of Arch Aluminum and Glass, Atlantic Plywood, CHI Overhead Doors, Craftsmen Industries, National Print Group, and RAD Technologies.
Steve is a CPA (inactive) and earned an MBA with Distinction (Beta Sigma Gamma) from the University of Michigan and graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Vermont with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
Success stories are inspiring, but some of the greatest lessons come from failures. In this Chatham House session, seasoned independent sponsors will share their real-world experiences of deals that went wrong, why they did, and the invaluable lessons they learned along the way. From challenging situations to tough decisions, these insights will provide an honest look at the pitfalls of deal-making and how failures can ultimately shape future success.
Facilitator
Principal
Prodos Capital
Creative Deal Sourcing: Uncovering Off-Market Opportunities (IS Session)
Everyone talks about “proprietary deal sourcing,” but what does it really mean? This chatham house discussion dives into tactics Independent Sponsors are using to creatively find off-market deals. Be prepared to share insightful stories and actionable strategies that go beyond the traditional approach to sourcing deals.
Discussion Points:
Facilitator
Managing Partner
LP First Capital
In this Chatham House discussion, capital providers will have the opportunity to openly share how they evaluate Independent Sponsors (IS) for successful partnerships. Discussing key criteria such as track record, deal sourcing strategies, alignment of interests, and operational expertise. Discover what makes an IS a valuable partner and explore strategies to build long-term, profitable relationships that align with your investment goals.
Discussion Points:
Facilitator
Co-Founder & Managing Partner
Focused on discussing active deals with a funding source, connect with the Independent Sponsors or Capital Providers specializing in investments in the industry sectors and markets you focus on. In advance of the event you will be provided with a full list of attendees, so you can choose to meet with the most relevant contacts and evaluate the potential for future business partnerships.
Sponsored by
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Join us to celebrate the rapidly evolving Independent Sponsors space. This ceremony will provide a fantastic opportunity to come together and recognize the remarkable achievements within the industry.
Sponsored by
Join us for a dynamic and reflective discussion between Lifetime Achievement Award recipients Bruce Lipian, Richard Baum and Drew Adams exploring their pivotal roles in shaping the independent sponsor model. From the early days to becoming industry innovators and leaders, this conversation will blend humor, history, and insight.
The Origin Story: The journey to gaining industry-wide respect and rebranding the model.
Lessons Learned: Strategies for sustainability and preserving longevity
Collaborative Innovation: The power of partnerships and a strong community in driving shared success.
Future Perspectives: How the independent sponsor model has stayed relevant and adaptable, and its legacy for future leaders.
Moderator
Partner
Platt Richmond
Managing Partner
Consumer Growth Partners
Richard Baum co-founded Consumer Growth Partners (“CGP”) in 2005 and is the Managing Partner. CGP is a hybrid investment and advisory firm with an exclusive focus on companies in the retail (channel agnostic) and non-perishable branded consumer products sectors. Prior to CGP, Richard spent 16 years on Wall Street as a top-rated Equity Research Analyst at Credit Suisse, Goldman Sachs and Sanford Bernstein & Co. where he followed specialty retail companies.
Previously Richard spent six years in merchandising at Bloomingdale’s and began his career at the Boston Consulting Group. He is currently President of the Retail Marketing Society (www.retailmarketingsociety.org) and serves on the board of 2 private companies. He recently stepped down from the board of Vera Bradley (NYSE: VRA).
Richard lives outside New York City in Westchester County with his wife. He has two adult sons, one a corporate attorney in DC and the other a musical theatre composer, arranger and vocal coach in New York City. Richard is happy to work on projects involving retail and consumer products companies.
Managing Director
StoneCreek Capital
President
StoneCreek Capital
Drew is the President of StoneCreek Capital LLC. Drew has been involved in direct equity investing and leveraged financings for over 35 years. Prior to StoneCreek, Drew was with Wells Fargo Bank in Los Angeles where he developed and managed a successful portfolio of highly leveraged loans. He has been responsible for over $1 billion in leveraged transactions as a senior lender and equity principal. Drew currently oversees the day-to-day operations and investment activity at StoneCreek. Drew has served on the board of directors of Outsourcing Services Group, FoodHandler Holdings, Delafoil Holdings, BarrierSafe Solutions International, Fire-Dex LLC, Brand & Oppenheimer, Kova International, SteelHorse Automotive, Pinnacle Exhibits, Access DMC, Mob Scene and Montana Silversmiths.
This session will focus on understanding the investment profiles of different capital sources when selecting the right capital partners, including equity capital providers, SBIC funds, family offices, and private equity firms. Discover insights on how to effectively match deals with the appropriate partner, helping sponsors maximize their chances of success. Learn how to navigate the landscape of capital partners and ensure your deals align with their goals and strategies.
Moderator
Partner, Co-Chair, Transactions Department
Winston & Strawn
Serving as co-chair of Winston’s Transactions Department, Brad has extensive experience advising financial sponsors, alternative asset managers, family offices, and private companies in connection with a wide range of strategic transactions and corporate matters. He is an integral member of one of the broadest and most active middle-market private equity groups in the U.S.
Brad represents private investment funds, hedge funds, family offices, lending institutions, and other alternative asset managers on complex business transactions. He counsels clients in structuring, negotiating, documenting, and executing leveraged buyouts, take-private transactions, minority recapitalizations, growth equity investments, distressed and special situations, PIPE transactions, joint ventures, business combinations, and other commercial transactions. Brad also advises on the implementation and execution of exit strategies through divestitures, public offerings, and recapitalizations.
Brad also represents public and private companies and private equity investors in the management of their portfolio companies in connection with a variety of matters, including: mergers and acquisitions; senior secured and subordinated debt offerings and refinancings; mezzanine debt offerings; high-yield note offerings; public equity offerings; workouts; and corporate reorganizations.
In addition, he represents real estate funds in a variety of transactions, including fundraising and formation; acquisitions; financings; and dispositions of office buildings, multi-family, residential, and mixed-use developments.
Brad regularly represents founders, entrepreneurs, and emerging and established entities in growth-oriented capital raises as well as liquidating transactions and recapitalizations.
Principal
o15
Javier is a Principal at o15 and is primarily responsible for originating and executing private credit & equity investment opportunities, as well as portfolio management.
Prior to joining o15, Javier was a Vice President at Truist Securities where he held various roles including Healthcare Services industry coverage, M&A, and capital markets transaction origination and execution. Javier also had responsibility for structuring and underwriting credit products for Private Equity leveraged buyouts across the Healthcare industry while at Truist Securities.
Prior to Truist Securities, Javier held roles at Boyne Capital, CVS Health, and BMO Capital Markets. Javier received his BS in Economics from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Founding Partner
Ocean Avenue Capital Partners
Duran Curis is a Founding Partner at Ocean Avenue Capital Partners where he focuses on special situation and small company investment opportunities. Prior to co-founding Ocean Avenue, he launched and managed the HRJ Special Opportunities Funds, a series of multi-manager funds focused exclusively on turnaround, distressed and restructuring investments on a global basis. Previously, he was Head of the U.S. office of LGT Capital Partners, where he managed LGT’s U.S. private equity investments. Duran began his private equity investment career at Pacific Corporate Group working with major global institutional investors. He received his MBA from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University and his B.S. from Bowling Green State University in Ohio. Duran is a CFA Charterholder and a member of the CFA Institute.
Partner
Garnett Station Partners
Dan is a Partner at Garnett Station Partners. Prior to joining GSP, Dan was a Partner and Co-Head of Consumer & Retail at Comvest Credit Partners. He served as a member of the Executive Committee and Investment Committee and played an instrumental role in growing the firm’s AUM from $250M to over $12B during his 13-year tenure. Prior to Comvest, Dan was a Senior Director at Dymas Capital, an affiliate of Cerberus, which he joined at inception and grew to be a leading sponsor finance platform with $3B AUM. Prior to Dymas, Dan spent time at Arthur Andersen, Heller Financial, and Salomon Smith Barney early in his career. Dan received an M.B.A. from the University of Michigan and is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame.
Chief Executive Officer
Aspen HR
Mark Sinatra is the CEO of Aspen HR, where he leads the strategic direction and growth of the company. Prior to Aspen HR, Mark was CEO of Staff One HR, where he led the company through a period of substantial growth highlighted by achieving the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies for four years in a row, and culminating in Staff One HR’s sale to its largest privately-held competitor, Oasis Outsourcing, in December 2017. Mark oversaw the Western half of the country for Oasis Outsourcing until its sale to Paychex for $1.3bn in December 2018. Prior to his leadership experience in the HR industry, Mark worked as a consultant and investment banker.
Actively involved in his community and industry, Mark has served as a Board director for NAPEO and ESAC and two non-profit
This session will explore practical approaches to securing favorable tax treatment from the outset, optimizing tax structures during the life of an investment, and planning for a tax-efficient exit. Gain actionable insights into minimizing liabilities while maximizing returns, and discover how strategic tax planning can significantly impact your bottom line.
Moderator
Partner
Citrin Cooperman
Nichol Chiarella is a partner and Citrin Cooperman's Mergers and Acquisitions Tax Practice Leader, with over two decades of experience in public accounting. She provides high level tax planning and consulting services related to buy-side, sell-side, and restructuring transactions involving private equity firms, closely-held businesses, business owners, and high net worth individuals within the technology, manufacturing and distribution, wholesale, retail, cannabis, healthcare, real estate, staffing, and professional services industries.
Nichol handles transaction tax matters for private equity funds, independent sponsors, limited liability companies (LLCs), domestic partnerships, corporations, and S corporations. She specializes in buy-side and sell-side tax advisory, including tax due diligence, pre-transaction planning, tax structuring, and modeling, and post-transaction compliance support. She also handles mergers, divestitures, and restructuring matters, in addition to helping privately-held business owners transition to related parties.
Nichol also leads the firm’s global diversity, equity, and inclusion mission, branded as CC EDGE (Empowering Diversity and Gender Equality). In this role, she interfaces regularly with all CC EDGE leads in each of our metro geographies in the United States and in India.
Nichol's specialized tax knowledge and network of professional contacts allows her to act as a resource not only for her clients, but for other professionals seeking solutions for their clients and customers.
Managing Partner
Exaltare Capital Management
Mr. Simmons is a seasoned private equity professional who has closed over 20 principal transactions exceeding $3B in aggregate transaction value over a 20-plus year private equity career.
Omar also ran ECP Planet Fitness as CEO and Executive Chairman from 2012-2021 increasing ECP from 15 to over 100 units before successfully exiting the business.
Omar currently serves as a board member to ECP-PF (Planet Fitness), EVG (Urban Air), ECM-GF (The Good Feet Store), InXpress Global, and the International Franchise Association.
Prior to co-founding Exaltare, Omar was a Director at Windjammer Capital Investors, a leading middle-market private investment firm with over $2B under management. Prior to Windjammer Capital Investors, he was a co-founder and Managing Director at Reliant Equity Investors, a private equity firm based in Chicago. Omar also worked at leading private equity firms such as Summit Partners and McCown DeLeeuw. He started his career helping Fortune 500 businesses as a management consultant at Marakon Associates.
Omar graduated from Harvard Business School with honors, following his graduation from Princeton University.
Managing Partner
Acharya Capital Partners
David Acharya is the Managing Partner of ACP where he oversees all aspects of the firm’s investing, management, and strategic activities. He brings over 25 years of investing and transacting experience to ACP. He is a frequent speaker at industry events and is recognized by his peers for his expertise in private equity, capital markets, and portfolio value creation.
Before establishing ACP, Mr. Acharya was a partner of AGI Partners, LLC, a private equity firm, and played a key role in the development of the firm including strategy, hiring, and fundraising. He served on the board of directors for Impact XM and On Location until its successful exit to a global private equity firm.
Earlier, Mr. Acharya was a Director of an NYC-based private equity firm where he was responsible for investment sourcing and execution. Among other accomplishments, he sourced and executed Revolution Dancewear, co-sponsored with Incline Equity Partners, and was sold to Audax Group.
Previously, Mr. Acharya was a Vice President with Apprise Media, a private equity firm focused on niche media investments, where he worked with the founders of PRIMEDIA, a former KKR founded portfolio company. Mr. Acharya invested over $200 million in niche media companies across digital, events, and print products in North America, Europe, and Asia. He made significant contributions to Apprise Media’s largest portfolio company Canon Communications, a B2B media company. Canon was successfully sold to United Business Media in 2010.
This Chatham House Discussion will explore best practices for executing deals in a competitive environment, from getting deals signed and financed to post-close strategies for driving organic growth with limited resources. Hear advice on overcoming challenges throughout the deal lifecycle, including, execution and integration, in a confidential setting.
Discussion Points:
Moderator
Partner
Benesch
Bill specializes in mergers and acquisitions, general corporate and commercial transactions, private equity, and debt and equity finance.
Bill has been involved with the founding and growth of new ventures, has taken companies public, and has acquired, sold, financed and combined many others along the way. Bill’s transactions have also included cross border elements. His diverse industry experience includes advertising and digital media, wealth management and financial services, technology consulting, business services, cannabis industry, direct marketing, manufacturing, distribution, food, health care services, medical devices, retail and transportation.
Bill is a seasoned deal attorney, who for over thirty years has helped many clients successfully complete a variety of public and private transactions and successfully navigate a variety of business and legal challenges.
Bill regularly provides responsive, thoughtful and effective legal and business advice to the leaders of the Business enterprises in a wide range of sizes and industries, often acting as the client’s principal legal counsel.
This Chatham House discussion explores the trends, challenges, and opportunities for capital providers navigating the Independent Sponsor landscape. discussing the good, the bad, and the ugly aspects of investing in this space. Attendees can expect valuable insights to enhance their approach to independent sponsor investments.
Discussion Points:
Facilitator
New State Capital Partners
John joined New State Capital Partners in 2013. Prior to joining, John spent over 14 years in investment banking. Most recently, John was an Executive Director in the Financial Sponsors & Leveraged Finance Group at UBS Investment Bank, where he was responsible for originating and executing leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations and refinancings as well as co-covering middle market private equity firms. Prior to UBS, John was at Credit Suisse First Boston (previously Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette) in the Private Placements Group, where he helped raise over $2 billion for growth companies in a variety of industries. John began his career at Deutsche Bank in the Commercial Real Estate Finance Group.
John graduated from the University of Chicago with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics.
As traditional financing options become more competitive, independent sponsors are exploring alternative debt solutions to successfully close deals. This Chatham House discussion will focus on creative and flexible lending options tailored to the independent sponsor model. We’ll examine how these alternative debt sources can provide customized capital structures and offer the agility needed to navigate complex transactions—empowering independent sponsors to execute deals with greater control and efficiency.
Moderator
Managing Director
Brown Gibbons Lang & Company
Jason F. Sutherland is a Managing Director and leads BGL’s Debt Capital Markets group, arranging financing for clients across the credit spectrum including asset-based loans, senior cash flow loans, unitranche loans, and junior debt.
Jason’s professional experience extends to nearly every corner of the debt capital markets, including roles in debt advisory, balance sheet underwriting, loan syndications, and high yield securities.
Prior to joining BGL, he was a Director in the Leveraged Finance group at William Blair & Company, where he focused on arranging debt capital solutions for a variety of middle market clients. His previous experience includes seven years at Bank of America, where he spent two years in Leveraged Finance and five years in Commercial Banking. Jason’s clients include private and public companies as well as private equity sponsors.
Moderator
Managing Director
Brown Gibbons Lang & Company
Olivier Lopez is a Managing Director and a leader within BGL’s Debt Capital Markets group. He has 15 years of experience in banking, all within debt capital markets.
Prior to BGL, Olivier was a Director in William Blair’s Leveraged Finance Group. His experience also includes time spent at Bank of America Merrill Lynch and JP Morgan.
Standing Out: Differentiation for Capital Providers in the Independent Sponsor Market (CP Session)
In this closed-door discussion, we’ll explore how capital providers can stand out and differentiate themselves in the competitive independent sponsor market. Join us for a deep dive into strategies that help capital providers win over top sponsors, build long-term relationships, and enhance their value proposition.
Key Discussion Points:
Facilitator
Managing Partner
Queens Court Capital
Azhar is a successful entrepreneur, operator and investor with over 20 years of experience investing and building businesses. Azhar has a track record of success in private equity and special situations investing and his experience spans the gamut from sourcing, transaction execution, value creation and exit. Prior to founding Queens Court, Azhar worked at firms such as Advent Capital, Perry Capital, Credit Suisse and Morgan Stanley. Throughout his career Azhar has been a successful private markets investor across a variety of industries. Azhar served as Chairman of the HairCuttery Family of Brands, VCG Holdings, and is currently the Chairman of Pet Resort Hospitality Group. Azhar was also part of the founding team of Convene, an Inc 500 real estate services business.
Azhar is a graduate of Columbia University where he received a B.A. in Mathematics and Economics as well as Columbia Business School where he received his M.B.A.
Workshop Overview
Chief Executive Officer
Aspen HR
Managing Director of HR and Client Services
Aspen HR
Jeanine Schottler is the Managing Director of HR and Client Services for Aspen. Jeanine brings over 20 years of experience, serving in both corporate HR and outsourced capacities.
Before joining Aspen, Jeanine served as the Director of HR Services at Oasis Outsourcing where her teams were responsible for delivering HR services to over 5,000 client organizations and 250,000 worksite employees. During her tenure, Jeanine gained experience in acquisition integration and scaling service operations. She holds a Masters in Organizational Performance and Change from Colorado State University and has earned SHRM-SCP, SPHR, and PHRca designations.
Oriented to building new connections and expand your network Focused on discussing active deals with a funding source, connect with the Independent Sponsors or Capital Providers specializing in investments in the industry sectors and markets you focus on. In advance of the event you will be provided with a full list of attendees, so you can choose to meet with the most relevant contacts and evaluate the potential for future business partnerships.
Sponsored by
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