Speakers
Karen Spencer
Company: Searchfunder.com, Fetch Strategies
Karen Spencer is one of the founders of Searchfunder.com, a thriving technology platform for search funds with over 15,000 global community members. She is also a Managing Director for Fetch Strategies, a resource for aspiring acquisition entrepreneurs to effectively initiate and manage their search for a stable, profitable business to buy. At Fetch, she provides training, live instruction, personal coaching, and strategic legal and business guidance to entrepreneurs. Karen’s prior roles include Global Counsel for Nike and Partner at Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison.
She received her undergrad in Chemical Engineering from MIT, a J.D. from Harvard Law School, and a Master of Science in Management from Stanford.
Panels: State of the Self-Funded Search Market
Andrew Hoffman
Company: Search Fund Coalition
Andrew Hoffman is the Founder of the Search Fund Coalition and a highly distracted Part-Time Self-Funded Searcher. The Search Fund Coalition was born out of Andrew's own desire to create connection and community during the lonely ETA Journey. Since its inception in 2020, Search Fund Coalition has supported over 3,200 Active Searchers, Industry Service Providers, Investors & Operators through curated educational and networking events. Prior to SFC, Andrew spent 15 years in advertising and marketing—first at large advertising agencies and Sports Illustrated, then within the startup ecosystem—before realizing that entrepreneurship and cash flow are actually a pretty cool combo. He vowed never to use his Finance & Accounting Degree from University of Maryland - College Park, but then entered the world of ETA. Joke’s on him.
Andrew lives in Brooklyn, NY with his wife & daughter. He loves city life, enjoys biking, exploring cultural arts, hiking, and pushing swings at the neighborhood club aka local playground.
Panels: Big Search Deals, and State of the Self-Funded Search Market
Lisa Forrest
Company: Live Oak Bank
Lisa Forrest is a seasoned banking professional with over 35 years of experience, currently serving as the Head of Live Oak Bank’s Searchfund Lending vertical. Renowned for her expertise in SBA and Conventional lending products tailored to the unique needs of SMBs in the lower middle market, she specializes in guiding searchers and SMB acquirers through transactions of up to $25M in enterprise value. Widely recognized as a national go-to resource for her proficiency in SBA LMM M&A deal structuring, Lisa previously held key Sales Management/Business Development roles at Banc of California, Union Bank, Fortune Bank, and played a pivotal role in establishing Wells Fargo's SBA sales presence in the Pacific Northwest/Alaska. Her diverse experience includes serving as the COO for The Money Store/First Union.
Lisa, a graduate with a BS in Finance and Economics and an MBA from California State University, Sacramento, is a sought-after speaker and panel moderator at EtA conferences. She is also a frequent guest on search/SMB industry podcasts and other M&A/EtA association events. Lisa is dedicated to mentoring the Military Veteran/SMB/Search Fund community and brings her passion for golf, outdoor activities, and love for dogs into both her professional and personal pursuits.
Panels: State of the Self-Funded Search Market, and A Case Study in Lending from Pre-LOI to Close
Braden Wayne
Company: Steckler Wayne Cherry & Love
Braden Wayne leads Steckler Wayne & Love PLLC's corporate counsel section, where he serves as outside counsel to various private equity firms, their portfolio companies, and independent businesses. Having operated multiple healthcare and retail startups, Braden is a business attorney who understands the nuances of business transactions and business litigation. This deep, operational experience forms the bedrock of Braden's practice today. His holistic approach leads clients to call on Braden for everything from bet-the-company litigation to debt and equity financing, real estate transactions, mergers & acquisitions, and strategic and operational advice. Braden has been consistently selected by D Magazine as one of Dallas' Best Attorneys and one of Dallas' Best Attorneys Under 40, by Super Lawyers as a Rising Star, and by BestLawyers as "One to Watch".
Braden sits on the advisory board for various clients, and served as Chief Legal Counsel for Jarvis Analytics, a leading dental analytics software provider, prior to its acquisition by Henry Schein One. Prior to joining Steckler Wayne & Love, PLLC, Braden served as co-chair of the corporate law section at a law firm headquartered in Dallas, and as General Counsel for one of the largest diamond and jewelry retailers and wholesalers in the country.
In 2021, Braden was one of only eight attorneys across the country to be named as a "BestLawyer: One to Watch" in the area of Closely Held Corporations and Family Businesses.
Panels: Legal Diligence & LOI Strategy
Jordan Carter
Company: SIG Partners, B&A Group
Jordan Carter is a Founding Partner at SIG Partners, where he advises entrepreneurs and independent sponsors on deal sourcing, due diligence, deal structuring, and capital raises.
He is an investor in multiple private equity and search-sourced companies in the lower-middle market. Jordan is also the CEO of B&A Group, a professional grant services and software company he acquired through a self-funded search. Jordan previously worked with the former Secretary of the U.S. Navy, John F. Lehman, to acquire and build aerospace, defense, government services, and technology companies.
Prior roles include Advisor to the CEO, Private Equity Portfolio Company Operations at Centerbridge Partners, Private Equity Investor at J.F. Lehman & Company, and Mergers & Acquisitions Analyst at Centerview Partners.
Jordan received an MBA from Wharton Business School and a BS in Economics and BBA in Finance from Southern Methodist University.
He serves on the board of YSM Solar & Storage Services, the SMU Cox Alternative Asset Management Center (AAMC) Advisory Board, and the SMU Cox Alumni Board. Jordan serves as an officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve.
Panels: State of the Self-Funded Search Market, Anatomy of Closing a Deal, and Raising Equity
Adam Duggins
Company: New Page Capital
Adam Duggins is originally from Greensboro, North Carolina, and chose the Triad as headquarters of New Page Capital in 2013. For the past decade, Adam has played a number of roles with New Page both in an operating and deal flow capacity. Adam primarily focuses today on acquisitions, search fund investments and strategic and financial overview of the existing businesses. Prior to launching New Page Capital, Adam was VP of Operations for Care Services, a private equity backed, pharmacy benefit management company. Prior to Care Services, Adam was a Manager at Bain & Co.
Adam holds an MBA from the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia. Adam graduated with a BBA in Finance from the College of William & Mary.
Adam is actively involved in coaching a number of sports teams with his 4 boys. In addition, Adam has served on a number of non-profit boards over the past decade including the Greensboro Science Center, YMCA of Greensboro and Launch Greensboro.
Adam and his wife, Laura, have 4 children
Panels: Big Search Deals
Robert Graham
Company: SIG Partners, Pillar Health Group
Robert Graham is a Founding Partner at SIG Partners, where he advises entrepreneurs and independent sponsors on deal sourcing, due diligence, deal structuring, and capital raises.
He is also an investor in multiple other PE and search deals in the lower-middle market and is the CEO of Pillar Health Group, a group of healthcare companies acquired through a self-funded search. During Robert’s tenure as CEO, Pillar Health Group grew annual revenue from $6M to $60M in a little over four years and today employs over 1,500 team members.
As an acquisition entrepreneur, Robert has been honored to be invited to speak at Harvard, MIT, The University of Chicago, Northwestern University, and Indiana University, among others.
Previously, Robert was a Private Equity Vice President at The Sterling Group. At Sterling, Robert worked on multiple acquisitions and helped lead the roll-up of Construction Supply Group, the second-largest distributor of specialty construction supplies in the US. He also served on the board of Specified Air Solutions, a $150M diversified manufacturer of HVAC equipment. Prior to Sterling, Robert was a Product Line Manager for two product lines at Eaton Corporation, a role in which he had P&L responsibility for a $50M business unit.
He is currently a member of the Dallas chapter of YPO. Robert received an MBA from Harvard Business School, a BS in Industrial Distribution from Texas A&M University, and was an Eagle Scout.
Panels: Big Search Deals, Anatomy of Closing a Deal, and Raising Equity
Josh Richman
Company: Symphony Risk Solutions
Josh Richman has exclusively managed all types of M&A/private transactions over his 13-year career in the insurance industry. Prior to joining Symphony, Josh was Senior Vice President, Equity Risk Partners, the leading M&A insurance advisory firm and HUB International, the world’s 5th largest insurance broker. In addition to his work in private equity, Josh is credited with creating the category and is the recognized market leader in insurance services for ETA’s, search funds, and independent sponsors.
Josh has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Finance and Supply Chain Management from Barret Honors College at Arizona State University.
Panels: Insurance Diligence
Derek Pitts
Company: Cayne Crossing
Derek Pitts is Managing Director and Co-Founder of Cayne Crossing. He has over 18 years of M&A experience with a focus on technology and business services companies in the lower middle market. Derek has experience leading corporate development and has significant expertise in roll-ups as well as carve-out transactions. Prior to Cayne Crossing, Derek was a Transaction Advisory Partner at a top 30 accounting firm based in Atlanta, Georgia. Derek began his career at KPMG where he was a Director in the Deal Advisory practice.
Derek attended the University of Georgia for his undergraduate degree (Finance) and then received his Master of Professional Accounting at the University of Texas at Austin. He is a CPA and CFA. He lives with his wife, Brooke, and three children, Caroline, Layton and Laina, in Atlanta, Georgia.
Panels: QofE, Financial & Tax Diligence
Chris Williamson
Company: Cayne Crossing
Chris Williamson is Managing Director of Cayne Crossing. He has over 11 years of M&A and Accounting experience with a focus on business services, technology, and industrial companies in the lower middle market. Prior to Cayne Crossing, Chris was a Transaction Advisory Senior Manager at a top 30 accounting firm based in Atlanta, Georgia. Chris began his career at PwC in the Audit & Assurance practice.
Chris attended Georgia Southern University for his undergraduate degree in Accounting and Finance and his Master of Accounting degree. He is a CPA. He lives with his wife, Mary Kathryn, his two sons James and George, and their golden retriever, Oliver, in Atlanta, Georgia.
Panels: QofE, Financial & Tax Diligence
Andy Harbut
Company: Symphony Risk Solutions
Andy Harbut began his career providing due diligence to private equity firms in 2005. While at Aon Mergers & Acquisitions Group in both New York City and St. Louis, he held the position of Director, won the coveted “Risk and Insurance Magazine Power Broker – Finance” award, and, in a career high, insured a certain crème filled, yellow sponge cake known as the Twinkie. In 2014, he joined Hauser Group, an insurance and employee benefits broker focused exclusively on lower middle market private equity firms and their portfolio companies. He variously led the due diligence, commercial risk placement, and portfolio solutions teams. In 2021, he joined Symphony Risk as the founding shareholder in Symphony Transact. At Symphony, Andy partnered with Josh to build the preeminent insurance broker for searchers.
Andy has a BA from Loyola University, New Orleans and an MBA from the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University.
Panels: Insurance Diligence
Aaron Blick
Company: SIG Partners, Pillar Health Group
Aaron Blick is a Founding Partner at SIG Partners, where he advises entrepreneurs and independent sponsors on deal sourcing, due diligence, capital raises, and operations.
Aaron Blick is also the President of Pillar Health Group, a group of healthcare companies acquired through a self-funded search. He also manages Pegasus, a family office with investments in multiple private companies and search funds. He has over 10 years of professional management experience and a business development background in multiple healthcare industry spaces.
As a partner, principal, developer, and entrepreneur, Aaron has successfully started, acquired, expanded and sold over 12 companies in the healthcare industry. Aaron currently owns and operates a chain of physical therapy clinics spread across major metropolitan areas in Texas and Louisiana.
Aaron received an MA from Fuller and a BA from Texas A&M University.
Panels: Operating & Growing Companies, Sourcing, and Anatomy of Closing a Deal
Luis Aguilar
Company: Matus Capital, Cy’s Linen Service
Luis Aguilar is a Managing Partner at Matus Capital and CEO of Cy’s Linen Service, a group of companies operating in the Linen Rental and Commercial Laundry space currently servicing the Hospitality and F&B sectors in South Florida, which he acquired in late 2022 through a SIG self-funded search. Luis previously worked at Dorilton Capital, a middle market private equity firm, focused on acquiring and operating companies in the middle market.
Prior to that Luis spent 5 years at General Electric completing two leadership rotational programs including Operations Management Leadership and Corporate Audit Staff.
Luis received a Master’s in Supply Chain from Penn State and a BS in Industrial Systems Engineering from Virginia Tech.
Panels: Operating & Growing Companies, and Anatomy of Closing a Deal
Michael Orzetti
Company: Eastern Communications, Porter Square Capital
Michael Orzetti is the founder of Porter Square Capital, an investment firm focused on acquiring and operating middle-market businesses in infrastructure, communications, and mission-critical services. In 2020, Michael successfully led the acquisition of Eastern Communications, a nationwide provider of mission-critical communications technology, where he currently serves as CEO.
Previously, Michael spent time at Bridgewater Associates, Tesla, and the US Marine Corps, where he ended active service as a Captain. A hockey Dad, Michael currently lives in the suburbs of New York City with his wife, five kids, and oversized Goldendoodle.
Michael received his undergraduate degree from the US Naval Academy, and his graduate degrees from Georgetown University and Harvard Business School.
Panels: Big Search Deals
Sarah Andrews
Company: Live Oak Bank
Sarah Andrews is a Senior Loan Officer at Live Oak Bank and has over 12 years of SBA lending expertise. She plays a pivotal role in the Search Fund vertical, where her expertise guides strategic decision-making and financial analysis. She is a dynamic and accomplished financial professional with a proven track record in the world of M&A SBA financing.
With over a decade of experience, Sarah is not just a numbers expert, but a strategic thinker who thrives in finding complex financing solutions. Her insights and meticulous approach have led to impactful outcomes, helping entrepreneurs become owner operations of small businesses across the nation.
Sarah received both her BS and Master’s in Accounting from the University of North Carolina, Wilmington.
Panels: A Case Study in Lending from Pre-LOI to Close
Derek Croft
Company: LiceDoctors
Derek Croft is a former mechanical engineer and a former consulting senior manager with Bain & Company. After consulting with many companies on growth strategy and operational improvements, Derek decided it was time to put the skills he had learned to work by owning and operating his own company. Derek acquired LiceDoctors, a nationwide Lice Treatment Service company, in December 2023. Derek currently lives in Dallas, TX with his wife and 4 children. He is passionate about growth and progress and committed to helping other entrepreneurs along their journey.
Derek received a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Brigham Young University and an MBA from Brigham Young University.
Panels: Anatomy of Closing a Deal
Daniel Jabick
Company: Generation Ready
Daniel Jabick is the CEO of Generation Ready, a leading consulting firm that works hand in hand with educators to maximize student outcomes through comprehensive teacher professional learning and school development services. Before Generation Ready, Dan held various corporate strategy and finance roles including managing the global P&L of a disruptive eCommerce operator where he helped grow the business from $30M to $150M in revenue, and before that working on many large and complex transactions as an investor and advisor.
Daniel received a BS in Accounting from the University of Maryland.
Panels: Anatomy of Closing a Deal
Dave Jasnos
Company: Accutronics
Dave Jasnos is the President of Accutronics, a manufacturer of high-end electronics in the Greater Boston region. Dave acquired Accutronics in 2023 after a two-year search, followed by working in the business as an employee for three years. Prior to pursuing entrepreneurship through acquisition, Dave spent 15 years as a Manufacturing Engineer, Product Developer, Quality System Director, and Startup Founder in the medical device/technology sector.
Dave is an engineer at heart with a BS in Mechanical Engineering from University of Massachusetts, MBA from Carnegie Mellon University, and lives with his wife and two sons in his home state of Massachusetts.
Panels: Operating & Growing Companies
John Petracco
Company: SIG Partners
John Petracco is the Senior Vice President of Business Development at SIG Partners, where he focuses on deal sourcing, analysis of acquisition opportunities, negotiations, marketing, and client relations.
Previously, he worked as SVP of Business Development & Sales at Delta Agriculture Partners, a private equity backed sustainability company with initiatives in biodegradable plastics, biodegradable cardboard substitutes, and carbon sequestration efforts.
Prior to Delta Ag, he worked at Pony Oil in Acquisitions and Divestitures where he bought, built, and sold land-based production units to oil & gas companies. He started his career with UBS Financial Services as a registered client service associate assisting in wealth management, strategy, and trade execution.
John received a BS in Business Administration and Management in the Business Honors Program from Edison State College.