Chicago, IL

May 17, 2010

The Gleacher Center - The University of Chicago
450 North Cityfront Plaza Dr.
Chicago, IL 60611
Session 1:
"Alliance Builders" Breakfast Meeting
7:00 A.M. - 8:45 A.M.
Breakfast, meeting time for members and their guests, and an industry leading Platinum member keynote

Mona Pearl, Founder & COO, BeyondAStategy
Mona Pearl’s experience in international strategic development has been vital in helping companies design and execute their global strategies and transactions. She is known for her out of the box thinking and  developing creative solutions to tough challenges which produce bottom line results.  These activities led to companies growing their business across-borders, leveraging their global competitiveness and addressing cross-cultural issues in international markets. Ms. Pearl lived in three continents, and is multi-lingual.  She was quoted and interviewed in the international media.  She has co-authored two published books, is an adjunct Professor at DePaul University teaching International Business and regularly publishes columns on global competitiveness.

 


Session 2:
Private Equity Panel and Expert Breakout Session
9:00 A.M. - 10:45 A.M.
PE panel discussion followed by round tables led by PE fund managers

Adam Schecter, Managing Partner, WHI Capital Partners

Adam_SchecterSam Seraphim is a Partner at Fieldston Investors SIGI, LLC, a private equity sponsor of lower middle market acquisitions in industrial goods and services. Fieldston Investors makes control investments and adds value to the business by professionalizing management, developing a strategic direction, focusing on new product development, reinforcing information systems and keeping an eye on exits. Sam Seraphim was also Founder and Managing Partner of SIGI, a private equity firm based in New York City. Through Fieldston Investors and SIGI, Sam has participated in private equity transactions exceeding $500 million of mid-market private equity acquisitions and divestitures.

Prior to Fieldston Investors, Sam Seraphim was President and CEO of an engine component manufacturer for the automotive industry. He also co-founded the Park Avenue Bank, NA and was its President and CEO during organization. He led a unit of Chase Manhattan Bank, NA that arranged and provided $1.7 billion in project finance for infrastructure and industrial projects, such as a refinery, truck assembly, food processing, diverse manufacturing operations, hotels and a container handling facility. At McKinsey & Co., Inc. and subsequently in his career, he rationalized operations and improved profitability of Fortune 500 companies, public companies and private companies in a number of industries.

Dave_GezonDave Gezon, Senior Managing Director, Midwest Mezzanine Funds

Dave is the founder of Midwest Mezzanine Funds (“Midwest”), a 17 year old lower middle market mezzanine firm. Fund IV’s investors include primarily pension funds, insurance companies, fund of funds and Bank of America. Since its inception in 1992, Midwest has invested over $450 million in 70 companies made up of manufacturers, distributors and service businesses. Dave has previously served on the Boards of several portfolio companies including Apex Microtechnology, Bell Sports, E.H. Baare, Chemetron Railway Products, Fab Tech and Nailite. He is a frequent speaker on the topic of mezzanine including the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago’s Private Equity Conference, Association of Corporate Growth and Turnaround Management Association.  He received a B.S. in Finance from Miami University (Ohio) and an M.B.A. from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management.

Peter_MogkPeter E. Mogk, Partner, Huron Capital Partners, LLC

Pete is responsible for sourcing, evaluating, executing and managing investments made by the firm. He has held a variety of senior management positions with operating companies and in the investment banking industry. His experience includes corporate mergers and acquisitions, investments and divestitures, financial structuring, recapitalizations, debt and equity underwriting, corporate development and strategic planning. Prior to Huron, Pete was Vice President & Treasurer of Penske Corporation, a privately-held investment group with over $12 billion in revenues with interests in manufacturing, truck leasing, logistics, retail automotive, and motorsports industries. Prior to Penske, he held senior management positions with Nesbitt Burns Securities, Inc., the investment banking division of the Bank of Montreal  (Chicago), and The Northern Trust Company. Pete currently serves as a Director of American Mobility and Guest Services, Inc., TouchPoint Print Solutions Corp., and Excel Homes, Inc. He holds a B.S. in Economics from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago with concentrations in finance and economics