Business Advisory, Management & Investor Network
The Advisors Group serves as a valuable resource providing a wealth of practical advice on strategic, operational, financial, and sales and marketing issues as well as a trusted source of client opportunities, transaction-oriented events, and investor leads. Depending on the client need and the nature of the project or transaction, the advisors could actively work with the client as an integral part of the Bison team. Bison considers the Advisors Group as a proactive extension of its core team capabilities and an important part of its professional community network.

Mike Berthelot—Chairman, TransTechnology Corp. and CEO, Cito Capital
Senior corporate executive and private equity investor. Formerly Chairman and CEO of TransTechnology Corp (NYSE:TT), a $60-million global leader in the design and manufacture of rescue hoists, cargo hooks, and lifting systems for civilian and military aircraft and formerly a $330-million multinational manufacturer of specialty fasteners; President and Founder of Berthelot & Associates, an accounting firm based in Cleveland; Board member, consultant, and investor for a number of publicly and privately-held small and middle market companies.

Phil Comerford—Managing Director and Head of M&A, ING Capital LLC
Senior M&A investment banker focused on middle market transactions. Formerly with WestLB Merchant Bank, BHF Bank, and Citibank.

Jim Cook—Managing Partner & Co-Founder, Silverhawk Capital Partners LLC
Senior private equity professional, Board member and investment banker. Co-Founder of Silverhawk Capital Partners, a private equity firm investing in middle market manufacturing, service and distribution businesses. Formerly a Partner of First Union Capital Partners; Vice President-Investment Banking at Kidder Peabody & Co.; Vice President-Corporate Banking at The Bank of New York.

Jim Cornell—President, Praxiis Business Advisors
Senior operational and general management executive with extensive experience in business and organizational development, strategic planning, turnarounds, M&A, contract negotiations and business valuations. Expertise in the security services, government contracting and real estate management industries. Formerly COO and CFO of National Security Corp., a publicly traded security services company; Special Advisor to the Board of Pinkerton Government Services, a government protective services company; Director of Business Operations/Contract Administration of DynCorp, a government contract management company. Mr. Cornell is the author of 3 books on turnarounds, corporate performance management, and business operations analysis.

Scott Fabricant—COO and CFO, NQ Environmental and Senior Corporate Manager/M&A Advisor/Business Consultant
Senior operational manager, financial executive and business consultant. Extensive experience as an interim CEO, COO, and CFO for a number of small to middle-market companies; an advisor to private equity funds’ portfolio companies; a domestic and international sales and marketing consultant; a private equity fund manager; an M&A and investment banking advisor; a joint venture/partnership/strategy consultant; and a turnaround/restructuring specialist. Formerly a Managing Director of Centerprise Advisors, a middle market accounting/advisory firm; Cofounder of a private equity fund; President & CFO of Nucleotech LLC, an international biotechnology company; Partner of Price Waterhouse.

Bob Fortunato—Partner and Co-Founder, Anvil Capital
Senior sales and marketing executive and private equity investor with extensive experience working with small to middle market companies in the catalogue/retail, import/export and leisure industries. Formerly the President & Founder of RAF & Associates, a management consulting company specializing in management succession planning, operations improvement and marketing development; President & CEO of Chadwick Miller, an importer and manufacturer of giftware and housewares merchandise; CEO of Advanced Marketing Concepts; finance, operations and strategic planning executive for Waldenbooks, Bloomingdales and Gimbels.

Pat Gentile—EVP and CFO, American Banknote Corporation
Senior financial executive and former Senior Auditor at BDO Seidman.

Ben Giess—Partner and Co-Founder, Anvil Capital
Senior private equity professional. Co-Founder of Anvil Capital, a private equity firm investing in manufacturing, service and distribution businesses in the lower end of the middle market. Formerly a Partner & Co-Founder of Hampshire Equity Partners, a member of the Corporate Finance Group at GE Capital and a Credit Department Manager for the Boston branch of Algemene Bank Nederland.

Parker Gilbert—President, Brand Building Ventures LLC
Senior marketing/brand management executive with major consumer brand companies in the personal products, food and pharmaceuticals segments and private investor. Formerly VP-Marketing at Playtex Products, Inc. for Banana Boat hair and skin care products; Marketing Director/Senior Product Manager at Playtex Products, Inc. for feminine and baby care products; Marketing Manager at Campbell Soup Company for the Pepperidge Farm product line; Product Manager at American Home Products Corporation for the Whitehall Laboratories Division; Corporate Bond Trader at Salomon Brothers.

Dave Graham—President, H.D. Graham & Co. and Partner, GK Partners LLC
Senior management executive, consultant, interim manager and private investor. Currently serving as Chairman, President & CEO of Jamaica Capital Corp, a real estate development firm, President of H.D.Graham & Co., LLC, a management consulting firm specializing in acquisition due diligence, interim and turnaround management services (in the energy, technology, environmental and water services industries) and Partner of GK Partners LLC, a private equity firm investing in small middle market companies. Formerly Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer of Citizens Utility Company, a NYSE-listed company in the water, electricity, gas and telecom sectors; Manager at Arthur Anderson & Co.

Paul Hayes—Vice President-Audit, The Warnaco Group, Inc.
Senior accounting, internal auditing/compliance and financial management executive. Formerly Partner of Deloitte & Touche; Divisional CFO of Foamex International.

Dick Herriott—President, Independent Financial Services, Inc.
Senior financial services executive, private investor and Board member with significant experience in real estate finance and structured transactions. Formerly Founder & President of The Herriott Companies, a private real estate investment group; Loan Officer, The Equitable Life Insurance Company.

Da Kim—President, Tiger Management Group
Senior private equity professional with more than 15 years experience in equity investments and mezzanine loans to middle market companies. Founded Tiger Management Group, a merchant banking group focused on investment opportunities in the lower middle market; Senior Advisor to a $50 million mezzanine SBIC fund; Co-Founder of Westbury Partners, a $150 million private equity fund; VP, Ecoban Finance, a private investment subsidiary of SK Group (Korean conglomerate); Principal of Atrium Capital Corporation, a private equity investment group.

Mike Klockenga—Partner, GK Partners LLC and EVP & MD, DHR Intl.
Senior operating executive, private investor, and executive recruiter. Expertise in manufacturing operations/plant management, product design and engineering, global strategic procurement, supply chain management, production planning, quality assurance and logistics. Formerly VP, Operations-North America/Europe for Stanley Mechanics Tools, a division of The Stanley Works, $700 million division of the $2.5-billion international tools and hardware company; VP, Operations-North America for JWA (Johnson Outdoors), a $400 million spinoff of SC Johnson Wax focused on branded sports and camping goods; Plant Manager/Manager of Operations & Plant Engineering for Sundstrand Aerospace, a $800-million aerospace division of Sundstrand Corporation; Project/Process Engineer, Maintenance Supervisor and Staff Engineer with Caterpillar and PPG Industries.

Phil Limeri—President, Shepherd Advisors, Inc.
Senior financial manager with experience in accounting, private equity, financial/operations management, strategic planning, restructuring and portfolio/risk management. Formerly Director Risk Management-Private Equity at ING’s Alternative Asset Management Group; CFO of Hampshire Equity Partners; Senior Manager-Financial Recovery Services for financial restructuring/bankruptcy & Manager-General Audit at BDO Seidman.

Art Leshin—Formerly CFO, Gucci America, Inc.
Senior financial executive with extensive experience in the luxury goods, apparel, specialty and supermarket segments of the retail industry. Formerly CFO of Gucci Group's $300-million U.S. wholesale and retail operation and was responsible for finance, accounting, operations, inventory control/warehousing, distribution, MIS, and real estate; VP-Finance and Controller of Miller Wohl, Inc., a $285-million, 420-store specialty retailer of women's apparel; Controller of Lionel Leisure, Inc., a 65-store specialty retailer; Controller of K-Mart Apparel Corporation, a $1.5-billion, 1,800-store women's apparel subsidiary of K-Mart; Assistant Controller of Bohack Corp., a supermarket chain; Senior Supervisor at Peat Marwick Mitchell & Co., responsible for general audits.

Phil Limeri—President of Shepherd Advisors, Inc.
Senior financial manager with experience in accounting, private equity, financial/operations management, strategic planning, restructuring and portfolio/risk management. Formerly Director Risk Management-Private Equity at ING’s Alternative Asset Management Group; CFO of Hampshire Equity Partners; Senior Manager- Financial Recovery Services for financial restructuring/bankruptcy & Manager- General Audit at BDO Seidman.

Steve Limpe—Chief Executive Officer, Petro-Chem Development Co.
Senior corporate executive and entrepreneur with experience in senior corporate management, private equity/merchant banking and investment banking. Formerly President, CEO & CFO of Beenz.com, a leading online currency, rewards and loyalty program provider; President & CEO of Acoustiguide Corp, a leading worldwide provider of audio tour services to museums, historic sites and tourist attractions; SVP & Principal of Gefinor (USA), Inc., a U.S. subsidiary of a German merchant bank; Cofounder & Partners of Vestrock Partners, private equity investor in and financial advisor for lower middle market companies; Associate of Investment Banking Division at Merrill Lynch.

Charles McGill—Adjunct Professor of Finance, NYU's Stern School of Business and Senior Advisor to Private Equity Funds
Senior corporate executive with domestic and international expertise in M&A, joint ventures and strategic alliances, corporate strategic planning and restructuring with significant experience in the consumer products, restaurant/food service, and information services industries. Formerly a senior management executive with W.R. Grace, Ogden Corporation, The Pillsbury Company/Diageo PLC, Dun & Bradstreet and Fortune Brands.

Jay Nader—Cofounder, Total-Content LLC
Internet, media, and entertainment/education content entrepreneur and startup manager. Formerly President of Woodley Ventures, an early stage venture capital investment group; Co-Founder and President of Questar, Inc., a home entertainment company; Brand Manager, the Quaker Oats Company.

Tom Opladen—Managing Director, Kestrel Consulting LLC
Senior management consultant, corporate interim executive, restructuring advisor, Board of Directors member, and senior investment banker with experience in the consumer products, medical, construction, power generation, and financial services industries. Formerly Managing Director, Grammar & Co. and President of The River Group both management consulting, investment banking, and financial advisory firms; Chairman and CEO of Graham Field Health Products (Chapter 11 restructuring); SVP of the Investment Banking Group, and Director of the Corporate Finance and Private Placement Groups at Bank of America; VP, Corporate Finance at Shearson Loeb Rhoades.

Stephen Oster—Chairman, The Oster Group, Inc.
Senior corporate executive, management consultant, and private investor with expertise in turnarounds, crisis management, financial restructurings, acquisition and divestiture programs, and corporate advisory services. Formerly Chairman and CEO of A.J. Oster Company, the largest brass mill products manufacturer and distributor in the U.S. and the largest pewter metal manufacturer in the world, which was sold to Cookson Group PLC; President of Oster Industries, a real estate investment and venture capital company focused on the alternative energy, technology, and bio-medical sectors; affiliation with the consulting group of New York-based merchant bank Carl Marks & Co.

Van Parker—Principal, Halyard Restructuring Group/Sippican Group LLC
Senior management consultant, credit executive, and interim manager. Formerly interim COO of Avienda Technologies, Inc., a provider of advanced Internet-based communications systems and networks; Senior Credit Officer of Xerox-Corporate Finance Division, provider of leasing, secured/unsecured financing, real estate investment, and technology-based funding for domestic and international companies; VP-Project Finance at Kidder Peabody & Co.; senior credit officer at Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company.

Peter Saulnier—Managing Director, Harding Capital LLC
Senior corporate financial executive and former senior M&A and corporate finance investment banker. Formerly Chief Financial Officer & SVP of Country Road Communications LLC, a privately-held regional CLEC telcom carrier; Director-Head of Packaging Industry Group at SG Cowen Securities Corp; Associate Director-Natural Resources Group at Bear Stearns & Co.; Director-Industrial Coverage Group at Smith Barney, Inc.; Associate-M&A Group at Paine Webber, Inc.; Analyst-Corporate Finance Group at Drexel Burnham Lambert.

Bill Schink—Vice President, Citigroup Private Bank
Senior investment banking and corporate finance executive with a specialty in media, communications, and entertainment. Formerly Managing Partner and Founder of Dixon Capital Partners LLC; Director-Media/Telecommunications Group at BNP Paribas; Senior Vice President of Corporate Finance Group at GE Capital Corporation; Vice President of Corporate Finance Group/Entertainment/Communications at Security Pacific Merchant Bank; Vice President of Corporate Finance Department/Media Group at Bankers Trust Company.

Diane Smith—President, D. Smith Ventures LLC
Senior private equity professional, portfolio manager and Board member with extensive experience in both the US and Latin American middle market private equity markets. Formerly Managing Director of Electra Partners (where she focused on equity and mezzanine growth capital and buyout investments in middle market companies and established Electra’s private equity JVs in Brazil and Argentina); Managing Director of Lincoln Ventures Group (leveraged buyout investment group); Vice President of Manufacturers Hanover’s corporate finance group; Business Development Officer for several Spanish manufacturers of industrial and consumer products.

Phil Smith—Principal, Halyard Restructuring Group/Sippican Group LLC
Senior financial advisor and corporate banker focused on restructurings, corporate finance, and international M&A and project finance for middle market companies. Formerly Managing Director of International Strategy Services, Inc., an advisory firm specializing in M&A, restructurings, project finance, and JVs in Latin America and Europe; SVP, New York Corporate Division of The Bank of New York.

F.R. "Pete" Talbot—Senior Advisor to Private Equity Funds
Senior management executive in the banking, investment banking, and financial services industry and Operating Affiliate for a leading private equity fund. Formerly EVP of Community Banking at Comerica Bank; SVP of Financial Products and Services at American Express; Managing Director and Head of Administration and Operations at First Boston; EVP and Head of Global Consumer Markets at Bank of America; President of John B. Coleman Company; senior financial management positions at Citibank/Citicorp and Ford Motor Company.

Bob Wickey—Cofounder and Managing Director, Equinox Investment Partners
Senior private equity professional experienced in equity, junior capital, and mezzanine investments. Formerly SVP and Limited Partner at Kleinwort Benson (USA) Inc., equity and mezzanine investments on behalf of KB and third-party funds; VP and Limited Partner of Capital Growth Partners, subordinated debt and preferred investments for third-party investment partnerships; Senior Investment Officer/Team Leader at John Hancock Life Insurance Company, private senior/mezzanine debt and equity investments and buyout fund commitments; Corporate Banking Officer at Hartford National Bank & Trust Co.

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