Moderators & Panelists
We are excited to introduce our EXIT XPO 2024 speaker lineup! Please come back to this page as we continue to post all our speakers. And please see the Sessions page for the expo timeline and session summaries.
Kelly O. Finnell, J.D. CLU, AIF®
Kelly Finnell is one of the nation's premier ESOP consultants and one of the most sought-after speakers on this subject. He has spoken at more than 300 conferences throughout the U.S., London, and Sydney. He has published 14 articles on the use of ESOPs in ownership succession planning and is the author of one of the most highly-acclaimed books on the subject, The ESOP Coach: Using ESOPs in Ownership Succession Planning. Kelly is the president of Memphis-based Executive Financial Services, Inc. Kelly graduated magna cum laude from the University of Memphis and from its law school.
Learn more about Kelly at: https://www.execfin.com/
Robert A. Douglass, CFA
Rob is the founder of Corbet Capital and has over 20 years of wealth management experience. Before founding Corbet, he was an Executive Director at JP Morgan Securities for seven years, and previously served as an Advisor at Goldman Sachs and Director at Credit Suisse. Rob specializes in advising individuals and families on investments, planning, and philanthropy. He holds an MBA from Vanderbilt's Owen Graduate School and an Honors B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Rob earned his Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation in 2004.
Learn more about Rob at: www.CorbetCap.com
Tony Turner
Tony is a partner of Cohen Pollock Merlin & Small, P.C. where his law practice is focused on estate planning, asset protection, and business succession planning. Tony graduated with honors from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he received both his B.S. and J.D. degrees. He received his Master of Laws in Taxation from Emory University. Tony is a Fellow of The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and has been named one of the top 100 attorneys in America by Worth Magazine.
Learn more about Tony at: www.cpmtlaw.com
Daya Naef
As a seasoned attorney, entrepreneur, business coach, and consultant, I specialize in guiding individuals and business leaders to unlock their full potential and achieve their goals. With over 20 years of experience in the industry and five companies, I understand your unique challenges and have a proven track record of helping clients overcome obstacles and thrive. My personalized and client-centered approach focuses on your specific needs and aspirations. I use practical strategies and transformative techniques to help you gain clarity, build confidence, and create actionable plans for success. Through my coaching, my clients have achieved remarkable successes - starting their own firms, securing multi-million dollar contracts, receiving promotions, and earning raises.
Learn more about Daya at: https://thesuccesspartner.net/
David Hern, CPA/ABV, ASA, CEPA, CM&AP
David Hern is the Founder and CEO of Sofer Advisors, a boutique valuation services and advisory firm. With a deep passion for helping businesses realize their true value, David blends his financial expertise with a personal commitment to legacy planning. His career spans over a decade, with experience ranging from public accounting to investment banking to leading valuation teams at top firms. A proud Georgia Tech alumnus, David is also a dedicated community leader, active in foster care advocacy and various philanthropic efforts. His mission is to empower business owners to achieve successful exits and secure their legacies.
Learn more about David at: https://www.soferadvisors.com
Brad Camrud
Brad Camrud is a co-founder and president of The Link Group, a marketing research consulting firm. With offices in Atlanta and Durham, TLG has over 100 employees (Linkers) and a prestigious client list that includes Eli Lilly, IBM, AstraZeneca and Chick-fil-a. In June of 2024, Brad and his partner sold their stock to an ESOP and the Link Group today is 100% ESOP owned.
Learn more about The Link Group: https://www.tlg.com/
Gerardo Kerik
Gerardo Kerik is a marketing strategist and AI consultant with over 20 years of experience at global brands like Diageo, Disney, and Time Warner. An MBA graduate from London Business School, he founded his consulting agency under the WSI network, helping SMEs achieve growth through digital strategy, performance marketing, and AI integration. Gerardo specializes in using AI to optimize business operations, improve profitability, and drive efficiency. As a Fractional CMO and strategic advisor, he guides companies through the evolving digital landscape toward long-term success.
Learn more about Gerardo at: https://www.wsiworld.com/gerardo-kerik
Caleb Lloyd
Caleb joined Smith + Howard in 2011 and serves as a partner in our Accounting and Advisory practice. Caleb’s extensive experience across multiple industries – manufacturing, distribution, construction and nonprofits, as well as his previous role in our Assurance group makes him an invaluable member of our Accounting and Advisory practice. In his role, he provides services to businesses, including Quality of Earnings, outsourced accounting and controllership, outsourced internal audit, litigation support, SOC and more.
Learn more about Caleb at: https://www.smith-howard.com/
Scott J. Medeiros
Scott has served in numerous senior roles with Fortune 50 enterprises, medium businesses, and small companies. Over the past 27 years, he has garnered experience in sixteen functional areas that span the strategy, execution, and people spectrums of business and previously served as a Marine Corps aviator for 16 years, departing the service as a Lieutenant Colonel. He holds multiple degrees and over eighteen professional certifications including the CEPA designation. Scott is currently the Chief Execution Officer (CXO) for the Rosewood Family of Companies, President of Helmwise, a consulting and coaching firm, and President of XPX Triangle.
Learn more about Scott at: www.helmwise.com
Maria C. Forbes
Maria’s thirty-year consulting career serves privately held business owners and leaders across the U.S. Integrating human capital into growth and continuity planning, Maria rescales tools and processes enjoyed by corporations to help lower middle market business leaders develop transferable value through their biggest asset, their people. With a strong history as a trusted strategic consultant to small business owners, Maria’s work actualizes a single line of sight toward long-term growth through a people-powered workforce as unique contributors to a shared growth plan. Maria’s expertise is engaged as a guest speaker for radio, educational events, and leadership programs around the United States.
Learn more about Maria at: https://firepowerteams.com/
David Shavzin
David is an exit guide to business owners, helping them achieve their best-fit transitions from their companies. His secret sauce: a unique combination of skills in value creation, exit strategy, succession planning, consulting, and business sales. David has designed and perfected a collaborative advisory team approach supporting a single client: a smooth and timely transition of a lifetime, tailored to their specific goals. He founded The Value Track in 2000, is Co-Founder/Past President of XPX Atlanta, past president of IMC, and was a Certified Management Consultant for 20 years. David’s speaking engagements include XPX, FPA, IMC, NAIFA, GSCPA, Rotary, SHRM, and many podcasts.
Learn more about David at: https://getonthevaluetrack.com/
Steven Lustig
Steven Lustig is the founder and CEO of Lustig Global Consulting, which helps companies improve their profitability and cash flow by developing effective supply chain and manufacturing strategies and creating robust Enterprise Risk Management programs. He is a strategic operations executive who held leadership positions in Supply Chain, Quality, Project Management, Manufacturing, and New Product Introduction.
He was awarded Six Sigma Green Belt and Operational Excellence certification, and a Project Management Professional (PMP) designation. Steven holds a BSME from MIT, and MSME and MBA degrees from Georgia Tech.
Learn more about Steven at: https://www.lustigglobalconsulting.com/
Robin Sturgis
Robin Sturgis has 25 years of experience in emerging technologies and cloud-based platforms and is skilled in databases, data visualization, data management, and data-centered software. She leads the infoFluency team and specializes in bridging the gap between business and technology groups, with her knack for putting tech solutions into understandable business terms.
Learn more about Robin at: infofluency.net
Eric Togneri
Eric Togneri is a passionate entrepreneur and investor with over 20 years of experience in the lower-middle market sector. He founded What Is My Biz Worth? to deliver affordable, comprehensive, market-accurate valuations for business owners who want to know the value of their most important asset. Eric also founded and leads Neri Capital Partners to provide Merger and acquisition Advisory services to SMB businesses. He aims to provide solutions that help entrepreneurs Determine, Build, and Realize the value they have created.
Learn more about Eric at: https://www.nericap.com / https://whatismybizworth.com/
Matthew Bradbury
Matt is the founder and managing director of Business Acquisition & Merger Associates, (BAMA) a lower middle market investment bank that has been involved in the sale or purchase of more than $1.7B in transactions. Half of BAMA’s activities are for business owners looking to sell their company; the other half of activities are for private buyers looking to acquire a company. Matt’s experience is broad and includes companies in manufacturing, distribution, B2B and B2C service companies like industrial services, environmental services, facility services, healthcare services, IT services, etc.
Learn more about Matt at:
Amy Sulka
Amy Sulka brings over 25 years of rich experience in business-to-business, complex solutions, and strategic enterprise sales to her role as a sales performance coach. A self-proclaimed "recovering corporate refugee," Amy has dedicated her career to coaching, training, and developing sales talent. Her mission is to elevate sales performance for businesses and selling professionals, tackling familiar challenges like closing deals more effectively, strategizing pricing, and shortening sales cycles. Amy employs the proven Sandler methodology to address specific pain points, such as engaging decision-makers, boosting closing ratios, and fostering a robust sales culture.
Learn more about Amy at: https://go.sandler.com/salessellutions360/
Jim Costello
With 29 years of executive sales leadership, and experience from both sides of the PE desk, I know what companies need to affirm their value through a sound, repeatable, and certain sales infrastructure. Proving pipeline verification, customer retention, and a diversified customer base are issues I have addressed for years. I know the services, processes, and tools you need now to enable you to focus your sales direction with a best-in-class sales process and infrastructure. My goal is to help increase the value of your company through a visible and successful sales and customer retention system.
Learn more about Jim at: https://salesxceleration.bullseyelocations.com/salesxceleration/atlanta/ga/jim-costello-atlanta-ga-28961011?searchlogid=494739875
Will Lee
As a Managing Director at Applied Economics, Will Lee brings over 20 years of experience in mergers and acquisitions, ESOP transactions, and business valuation. He specializes in executing sell-side and ESOP transaction assignments while providing expert guidance on negotiation, structure, and strategy across a diverse range of industries. Mr. Lee has successfully collaborated with business owners in transactions involving private equity firms, publicly traded companies, and large multinational corporations. Dedicated to helping companies unlock their potential, Mr. Lee delivers tailored strategies and actionable insights enabling clients to navigate financial complexities with confidence, achieve their strategic objectives, and foster long-term success.
Learn more about Will at: www.appliedecon.com
Marie B Davis
Marie Davis is an Atlanta, Georgia native. Starting her career as a foster care and adoptions liaison, she then moved to the business sector and obtained a Series 7 and 63 financial license. Active in mentoring children, Marie serves as a Georgia REACH Mentor. As Executive Director of the Georgia Center for Employee Ownership (GACEO), Marie promotes strategic planning for business owners with employee ownership as an option. She is also honored to be the Interim Executive Director of the Missouri Center for Employee Ownership (MOCEO). Employee Ownership Network is the parent company of GACEO.
Learn more about Marie at: https://www.gaceo.org/about-us
Bob Isherwood
Robert is the CEO of AMBAC International, where he champions employee ownership and open-book management to drive performance and engagement. As a business coach, he helps teams navigate complex challenges, focusing on leadership and sustainable growth. Passionate about empowering people, Robert blends his expertise in manufacturing with a deep commitment to employee development and operational transparency. Outside of work, he enjoys DIY home projects and aviation, often spending his free time with Lori working on their flower farm.
Learn more about Bob at: https://www.ambacinternational.com
Rob Swartwood
Rob is a corporate and mergers and acquisitions attorney, and the managing member of Consilium, a boutique corporate / M&A law firm in Atlanta. Rob is a deal expert who leverages 20 years of experience helping business owners exit with optimal value, on equitable terms, without regret. Rob’s leverages his background with large international law firms, representing strategic and financial acquirers throughout the country, to help middle market business owners selling in the $10M to $100M valuation range.
Learn more about Rob at: https://www.consiliumls.com/
Karen V. Mills, Esq., P.E.
Karen Mills, a native of Macon, Georgia, graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology where she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, with honors. She obtained her law degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She also attained the engineering profession’s highest designation by becoming a registered professional engineer in North Carolina and South Carolina. Mills Law focuses on the constantly transforming areas of business and corporate transactional law, contracts law, technology law and mediation services. We offer a variety of legal services pertaining to these distinct areas of law.
Learn more about Karen at: https://www.millslawllc.com/
Trenelle Pierce, MBA
As a Technology Cyber leader, for the past 10+ years, Trenelle has lived at the intersection of humanity & business excellence. She understands that people are the ultimate drivers of success. Trenelle excels at interacting with companies of all sizes on their cyber and security initiatives and mandates, rolling out plans to suit. She drives partnerships for market verticals such as IT Consultants, Business Consultants, Manufacturing, Education, Government Suppliers and Financial Services - and Smaller Enterprises seeking to improve their cyber posture. Trenelle keeps businesses in business! She spent the last 8 years with Cytellix Corporation, a woman-owned cybersecurity software and managed service company. Earning her MBA from Chapman University.
Learn more about Trenelle at: linkedin.com/in/trenellelyiscott-piercemba
David Doerrier
David Doerrier, founder of Present Your Way To Success and author of The Eight Principles of Engagement series, empowers business owners to captivate any audience from any stage. With over 30 years of expertise in corporate training, broadcasting, and presentation coaching, David helps entrepreneurs and their teams master communication strategies that increase sales and build lasting brand loyalty. His proven approach boosts audience engagement, enhances message retention, and strengthens influence. Whether virtual or in person, David’s tailored methods help speakers create lasting connections and drive business success by delivering impactful, memorable presentations.
Learn more about David at: https://presentyourwaytosuccess.com/
Iris Grimm
Iris Grimm has been an executive coach and leadership trainer for over 20 years, helping business owners, executives, and emerging leaders succeed in their roles while maintaining their balance and well-being. With a unique background as a German living in the US, Iris brings a fresh perspective to her work, blending cultural insights with a passion for dogs and lifelong learning. Her signature program, Dog-Gone Leadership, draws on lessons from her experience with dogs and her extensive coaching expertise. It teaches corporate leadership from an innovative perspective that fosters engagement and growth in a creative way.
Learn more about Iris at: https://irisgrimm.com
Alex Mammen
Alex serves as Managing Partner of Heritage Growth Partners, a private family investment firm focused on making non-control equity investments in partnership with owner-managers. Alex has 30+ years of experience and has completed over 70 transactions. At Heritage, he focuses on identifying and investing in private companies and helping management teams achieve their growth objectives. Alex is a graduate of the University of Tampa, where he was a recipient of the President’s Scholarship, and earned an MBA with honors from the Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago.
Learn more about Alex at: www.heritagegrowth.com
Tim Kim
Mr. Kim has two decades of experience providing real estate valuation, consulting, and advisory services – US and abroad, leading complex projects for family offices, pension funds, investment advisors, REITs, and private equity on hotels, development land, apartments, office and industrial). Projects cover estate and gift tax, corporate mergers, acquisitions, financing, and financial reporting. Most recently, Mr. Kim served as an SVP of Real Estate Valuation and Advisory Services at Houlihan Lokey. He has served in management at BDO, KPMG, Prudential, Deloitte, and CBRE. He holds an M.S. in Real Estate with a concentration in finance from New York University and is a Designated Member (MAI) of the Appraisal Institute, a Certified General Appraiser in 10 states.
Learn more about Tim at: https://levelvaluation.com/
Sonny Cohen
Harold M. (Sonny) Cohen is a partner at the law firm Taylor English Duma (Corporate and Franchise teams). Previous roles: A principal at SC Advisory Services, providing strategic consulting services to private equity, restaurant, retail, and franchising organizations; Senior VP of Legal Affairs, General Counsel, and Chief Administrative Officer of Popeyes, overseeing internal audit, risk management, and property management; VP and Corporate Counsel at AFC Enterprises, parent of Popeyes and other brands. His career started at King & Spalding (real estate and corporate law). A Columbus, Georgia native, he graduated with honors from Tulane University and Georgetown University Law School.
Learn more about Sonny at: https://www.taylorenglish.com/person/harold-m-sonny-cohen/
Stephen Opler
Stephen Opler is a partner in the Corporate and Mergers & Acquisitions practices of Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP, a 700-lawyer national firm. Stephen concentrates his practice on the distinctive characteristics of liquidity transactions by and with entrepreneurs. He helps private equity funds, strategic acquirers and entrepreneurial buyers and sellers achieve their goals by leveraging his nearly four decades as an M&A lawyer, entrepreneur, bank founder, investment banker, in-house lawyer, and accountant. Stephen has represented clients in the business services, manufacturing, distribution, retail, consumer products, broadcast television, and financial services industries.
Learn more about Stephen at: https://www.bradley.com/people/o/opler-stephen-a
Paul Raufman
Paul serves as an SBA Banker for the Georgia District of Regions Bank, a leading financial institution serving people and businesses throughout the Southeast, the Midwest, and Texas. Prior to Regions, Paul was the head of Georgia Business Banking at Truist. His team of bankers supported local companies’ strategic needs through banking products and services. Prior roles include BDO for a GA Non-Bank SBA 504 Lender, SBA BDO for a single-location, $200 Million GA Community Bank (Midtown Bank & Truist) and FVP – Business Banker for a Regional (SunTrust) and Super-Regional (Truist) Financial Institution. Paul earned a bachelor’s degree in Finance from UGA.
Learn more about Paul at: www.linkedin.com/in/paul-j-raufman-37638315
First Annual
EXIT XPO Call for Speakers!
We’re looking for engaging, top-notch speakers and content to create an excellent lineup of EXIT XPO sessions that advances our XPX mission of better serving our business owner clients.
If you’re interested in submitting a Session Proposal, read on to learn more about our EXIT XPO audience and the kind of content we’re looking for.
Or you can go right to the EXIT XPO Session Proposal submission form by clicking on the link below.
**PROPOSAL SUBMISSION DEADLINE is August 15th, 2024**
Who Will Your Audience be?
Our membership and EXIT XPO audience are professional advisors to business owners. These include the professionals around the deal (attorneys, financial advisors, bankers, CPAs) and the consultants and coaches working with clients throughout the life cycle of their businesses. These include experts in exit planning, marketing, finance, supply chain, human capital, IT, and more.
What Kind of Content Are We Looking For?
We will present three tracks of content throughout the day. Each topic will be presented twice (although we may add additional topics that are presented only once).
The format will be a panel discussion or a single presenter.
What’s going on in the World of Exit?
What is happening outside the walls of our client companies, yet impacting their business exit planning, value and more. This may be the state of the economy, the state of M&A activity at the time, company value issues, legislative, latest M&A trends.
Value Building and Successful Exits
These sessions will address specific areas of the company and how they can be improved to positively impact the day-to-day as well as to prepare for exit and value growth. This is a wide-open list of everything a company should be addressing: marketing, financial management, human capital, technology, insurance, etc.
Best Practices for the Professional Advisor
This track covers subject areas that are critical to the success of advisory and professional service firms in their growth and for the success of their clients. Again, a broad category that may include marketing and business development, practice development, building collaborative advisory teams, speaking, etc.
What Kind of Content Are We Looking For?
If you’re interested in submitting an EXIT XPO Session Proposal, please fill out the form below, or pass it along to someone you feel would be a good fit for EXIT XPO 2024.
We expect more session proposals than open slots. We will thoroughly review all session proposals and may reach out for further information. There is also a field in the form to indicate your interest in speaking at a subsequent XPX event, should a conference slot not be available this year. In any case, we will let you know of our decision.
**PROPOSAL SUBMISSION DEADLINE is August 15th, 2024**
Exit Planning Sponsors
Supporting Sponsors
XPO Exhibitor Sponsors
XPX ATL Annual Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
