XPX Tri-State Summit 2025

New York City: Deal! or No Deal!

Location

The Offices of Citrin Cooperman - 50 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY

Date

Wednesday, March 26th, 1:30 - 7:00 pm EST

Moderators & Panelists

David Barral

Speaker
Vice President, Wealth Management, The Northern Trust Company

David Barral, VP at Northern Trust, crafts tailored financial plans to help clients achieve their goals. A CPA and CFP® with extensive tax advisory experience, David also teaches financial courses at NYU. He holds degrees from St. John’s and Villanova and actively contributes to financial planning committees and journals.

Nichol Chiarella

Panelist
Partner – M&A Practice Leader, Citrin Cooperman Advisors LLC

Nichol Chiarella, M&A Tax Practice Leader at Citrin Cooperman, has 20+ years of expertise in transaction advisory, tax structuring, and compliance. She leads diversity initiatives and specializes in buy-side and sell-side tax planning. Nichol supports industries ranging from technology to real estate, fostering client success in private equity transactions.

Brian Ciszczon

Moderator
Partner – National Tax Office Practice Leader, Citrin Cooperman Advisors LLC

Brian Ciszczon, Citrin Cooperman’s National Tax Office Leader, specializes in complex tax advisory with 25+ years’ experience. Focused on equity, debt, real estate, and international tax matters, Brian also authors articles and teaches tax strategy courses. Previously a partner at PwC and RSM, he brings deep expertise across industries.

Carrie DiLauro

Panelist
Director, Operations, Hamilton Robinson Capital Partners

Carrie DiLauro, Director of Operations at HRCP, oversees investor relations, marketing, and operational management. With 20+ years in manufacturing and fund administration, she drives efficiency through system improvements. A Cornell and Harvard alum, Carrie excels in fiscal responsibility and global process optimization.

Daniel Eisemann

Panelist
Senior Vice President of Corporate Development, Fairfield-Maxwell Ltd

Daniel Eisemann, SVP of Corporate Development at Fairfield-Maxwell, leads deal execution, portfolio management, and restructuring. With 15+ years in M&A and performance improvement, he has held key roles at Asgaard Capital, FTI Consulting, and Alvarez & Marsal. Daniel holds degrees from Johns Hopkins and UVA Darden, serving on boards like SpeedPro Imaging and UBS.

Terry Hannafin

Presenter
Partner, Carter Morse & Goodrich

Terry Hannafin, Partner at Carter Morse & Goodrich, advises family-owned businesses on M&A transactions. With 15+ years in deal execution across industries, he serves on boards for Exit Planning Exchange and AM&AA. A Boston College alum and former NCAA athlete, Terry is deeply involved in youth sports and resides in Connecticut with his family.

Paul Hsiao

Featured Speaker
Executive Director - Asset Allocation, Chief Investment Office (CIO), UBS Wealth Management

Paul Hsiao, Executive Director in UBS's Asset Allocation team, crafts portfolio recommendations for $1.7 trillion in assets, leveraging a decade of financial services expertise. Specializing in economics, macro research, and advisory, he identifies trends and risks to drive investor success. Paul collaborates with media and executives to simplify finance, empowering clients to achieve their goals.

Diane Johnston of UBS Financial Services, Inc. is a member of XPX Tri-State

Diane Johnston

Presenter
Senior Vice President - Wealth Management, UBS Financial Services, Inc.

Diane Johnston, XPX Tri-State Chairperson and SVP of Wealth Management at UBS Financial Services, navigates complex financial landscapes to assist business owners and small institutional plans (ERISA/E&F) in wealth management. With over two decades of expertise, she provides tailored financial strategies, tackling regulatory, tax, and investment challenges. Diane's passion lies in empowering clients to connect with their wealth and optimize outcomes, especially for endowments and foundations. A Long Island resident, Diane enjoys sailing, exploring new sports, and indulging her artistic pursuits through writing, painting, and sketching.

Alex Lirtsman

Panelist
Co-Founder and CEO, CorralData

Alex has over 20 years of experience in data, innovation, and digital strategy. He founded and scaled Ready Set Rocket into a top digital transformation consultancy, working with major brands like BlackRock, JPMorganChase, NBA, and ACLU. Now, as CEO of CorralData, he leverages AI to help regulated industries securely democratize data without traditional BI complexity or LLM risks. CorralData integrates with hundreds of platforms for instant insights. Alex also teaches Digital Strategy and AI at NYU and Baruch’s Zicklin School of Business, focusing on MBA/MS programs.

Matthew Rappaport

Panelist
Co-Chair Tax Group, Falcon Rappaport & Berkman, LLP

Matthew Rappaport, Co-Chair of Tax at Falcon Rappaport & Berkman, specializes in tax planning for real estate, private equity, and closely held businesses. Known for innovative solutions in 1031 Exchanges and Opportunity Zones, Matthew guides clients in structuring and compliance. He serves ultra-high-net-worth families and collaborates across financial disciplines.

Paula Campbell Roberts

Panelist
Managing Director, Chief Investment Strategist for Global WealthGlobal Client Solutions, Global Macro, Balance Sheet & Risk, KKR

Paula Roberts, KKR’s Chief Investment Strategist for Global Wealth, advises on macroeconomics and private asset allocation. With two decades in investment strategy and economics, Paula chairs KKR’s Global Wealth Investment Council and drives inclusion initiatives. A Yale and Harvard alum, she serves on prominent boards like the NYC Ballet and advises the Federal Reserve.

Richard Rudolph

Panelist
Founder and Managing Director, Rudolph Capital, LLC

Rich Rudolph, Founder of Rudolph Capital, brings 25+ years of experience acquiring and managing family businesses. Formerly with Bradford Equities, he has overseen $400M+ in acquisitions, building trusted relationships with business owners. Rich holds degrees from St. Bonaventure and Boston College and resides in Connecticut with his family.

Moderators & Panelists

Kevin Alft

Panelist
CEO, ActionCOACH of Texas
Value Growth Path5 Ways to More Profits
Sean Barnes of WSS Solutions is a member of XPX Houston

Sean Barnes

Panelist
President, WSS Solutions
Value Growth Path Building a Strong Leadership Team

Sean is a seasoned cross-functional leader with over two decades of progressive expertise in Leadership Development, Digital Strategy, Operational Excellence, Human Resources, ESG, and HSE. Driven by a passion to harmonize leadership and operational excellence, he founded WSS Solutions and hosts "The Way of The Wolf" podcast.

Through these platforms, Sean is dedicated to developing exceptional leaders and building high-performance teams that consistently surpass expectations. His mission is to empower organizations to achieve sustainable success by encouraging a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.

Daniel Brunello of Bernstein is a member of XPX

Daniel Brunello

Presenter
Bernstein
Legacy PathAdvanced Tax Strategies

Daniel L. Brunello is a Director in Bernstein’s Wealth Strategies Group and is based in the firm’s Houston office. He is a leader in the firm’s Business Owner and Professional Practice Owners groups, where he consults with advisors, their professional partners and clients as an expert in a wide field of complex investment planning topics for high-net-worth individuals who are business owners. Topics include planning for the sale of a practice, succession planning, trust and estate planning techniques, and maximizing benefits from charitable planning vehicles.

Daniel has been at Bernstein for 20 years, and has over 25 years of industry experience. He has published research on various planning topics in multiple white papers and articles for industry journals and has published multiple blogs on Bernstein.com. He earned his BBA in finance from the University of Texas at Austin, and his MBA from the Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University. Daniel is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, has earned the Certified Exit Planning Advisor designation, and is a member of the Houston Business and Estate Planning Council.

In his free time, Daniel enjoys spending time with his wife and three children, watching college football, and volunteering with a Boy Scout troop.

Jack Chang of DGP Capital is a member of XPX Houston

Jack Chang

Panelist
Managing Director, DGP Capital
Legacy Path How Much Is Your Business Worth
Frank deVay of Chaffe & Associates, Investment Bankers is a member of XPX Houston

Frank deVay

Panelist
Managing Director, Chaffe & Associates, Investment Bankers
Transfer PathRiding the Rollercoaster of Selling Your Business

Rob Ferguson

Ferguson Alliance
Legacy PathMo Money, Mo Problems

Philippe Flichy

Presenter
Sykur
Value Growth Path How to Uplift your Technology: AI, Cybersecurity, Operating Systems

Philippe Flichy guides mid-market companies in their cyber risk management. He is a seasoned executive with experience in Fortune 500 companies and contributed to the 2002 Salt Lake Olympics Intranet. He strategically aligned digital technologies with business objectives at Schlumberger, Baker, Hughes, and Weatherford.

An MIS graduate from Boston University, he has been a long-time member of the Infragard Houston Chapter, on which he serves on the Board. Infragard is a partnership between the FBI and the private sector aimed at protecting U.S. Critical Infrastructure. He is also a member of ISSA (Information Systems Security Association) and ISACA (Information Systems Audit and Control Association). Philippe has received numerous awards from the Society of Petroleum Engineers for leading various thought-leadership initiatives in data management and security within the oil and gas community. Additionally, he is an international speaker who has delivered hundreds of presentations worldwide and sits on private companies’ boards.

Dr. David Flint

Lunch Keynote
Clinical Professer, Texas A&M University, Strategic Planning
Lunch KeynoteThink Beyond Value

David Flint is a professor, mentor, musician, world traveler, and as an entrepreneur, a habitual risk taker. He has been engaged in entrepreneurial activities since the early 1980s across multiple industries and is presently involved in board, leadership, or advisory positions across business endeavors in software applications, real estate, and insurance. David serves on the board of several not-for-profit organizations with both domestic and international activities and is passionate about helping businesses, entrepreneurs, and individuals succeed.

Rich Hall

Presenter
Exit Planning Advisor, Rich Hall Group
Legacy Path From Passion to Profit: Shaping Your Business Legacy

Rich Hall is a trusted Business Advisor, M&A Advisor, and Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) dedicated to helping business owners prepare themselves and their companies for successful transitions. Drawing from a corporate career spanning executive leadership, business turnarounds, and mergers & acquisitions, Rich offers an unparalleled blend of experience and strategic insight.

As the founder of Rich Hall Group, he specializes in aligning business value with owners' financial goals, ensuring that their legacy and hard work translate into lasting success. Rich’s work has led to transformative results, including tripling the exit value of a family-owned software company and guiding a technology business from near insolvency to record-breaking revenue and profitability.

Rich’s approach centers on building value-driven, sellable businesses while preparing owners for their next chapter. His process addresses critical challenges like valuation uncertainty, operational risks, and personal readiness, turning complex transitions into seamless, rewarding outcomes.

An accomplished speaker and author of The Exit Planning Journey, Rich engages audiences with practical strategies and real-world insights. He is a recognized leader in his field, serving as a Silver Fox Advisor, CEO Roundtable Chair, and mastermind group facilitator. Rich’s expertise spans industries, including oil & gas, technology, healthcare, manufacturing, and professional services.

A lifelong learner, Rich holds a BS in Management Science from Georgia Tech and an MBA from the University of Houston. Outside of work, he’s a dedicated husband, father, and mentor who prioritizes faith, family, and relationships.

Rich’s philosophy is simple yet impactful: “Build a valuable business today, so when opportunity knocks, you’re ready to answer.”

Sharon Heaton

Presenter
CEO, SBLiftoff
Transfer Path What to Know Before Selling Your Company

Brandon Henry

Presenter
Mosaic
Legacy Path Mo Money, Mo Problems

Before founding Mosaic, Brandon spent time at some of the nation’s largest financial firms, where he had the opportunity to advise hundreds of business owners and their families on the intersection of business, tax, and succession planning. Today, Mosaic serves a handful of Texas based entrepreneurial families with significant liquid holdings. Client families are typically first-generation founders with most of their success tied up in their operating company and real estate while trying to navigate the inevitable complexities that accompany substantial success. These families tend to outsource the bulk of their technical needs such as tax, legal, investment, and insurance to specialists that commonly work independently, rarely communicating or collaborating with each other.

Amy Holmes of Goodrow Holmes, PLLC dba Goodbiz.Law is a member of XPX Houston

Amy Holmes

Co-Presenter
Founder, GoodBiz.Law
Transfer Path Skeletons in the Closet: How Cleaning up Your Company Adds Value

Amy Holmes is a seasoned attorney with 20 years of experience advising businesses on corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, and strategic legal matters. As a Co-Founder of GoodBiz.Law, Amy collaborates with clients to deliver tailored legal solutions that align with their business goals. Her expertise spans a variety of industries, including energy, infrastructure, and private equity, where she has successfully navigated complex transactions and operational challenges.

Steven Kesten

Steven Kesten

Panelist
Manager, BoyarMiller
Transfer PathRiding the Rollercoaster of Selling Your Business

Erik Konicki

Panelist
Legacy PathHow Much Is Your Business Worth
Gregory Kostiuk of StratEX Sales LLC is a member of XPX Houston

Gregory Kostiuk

Co-Presenter
Founder/President, StratEX Sales LLC
Value Growth Path5 Ways to More Profits
Michael Landers of UHY LLP is a member of XPX Houston

Michael Landers

Panelist
Partner, UHY LLP
Transfer Path Riding the Rollercoaster of Selling Your Business

Michael Landers brings over 20 years of extensive audit and business advisory experience, concentrating his practice in strategic financial planning and corporate transactions. His proficiency includes M&A, deal structuring, SEC reporting, and ensuring GAAP compliance, which positions him as a resource for both public and privately held companies. Michael conducts thorough due diligence reviews, where he assesses accounting policies, earnings quality, working capital, cash flow, asset valuation, and operational processes.

His approach enables him to provide nuanced insights that significantly enhance the strategic decisions and financial structures of his clients. His ability to integrate complex financial data with strategic business planning makes him a crucial figure in guiding significant corporate transactions and a trusted advisor to each of his clients. 

Robert Latham of IBG Business M&A Advisors is a member of XPX Houston

Robert Latham

Panelist
IBG Business M&A Advisors
Legacy Path How Much Is Your Business Worth

Bob Latham is the managing partner and principal at IBG’s Texas and Arizona offices. He offers extensive M&A experience in the purchase and sale of businesses in the manufacturing, construction, maintenance, aviation and distribution sectors and in logistics and other B2B services. Buyers and sellers benefit from Bob’s 30-plus years of hands-on business experience and a uniquely broad range of skills, experiences, and abilities. His key attributes in deal-making are creative problem solving, attention to detail, and follow-through–qualities that provide him with a rare perspective in helping business owners achieve their purchase and sale objectives.

Daniel Magill of ClearPath Results is a member of XPX Houston

Daniel Magill

Co-Presenter
CEO/Founder, ClearPath Results
Value Growth Path Bringing it All Together: Optimizing Intangibles: Increasing the Value of Your Company Through 90-Day Sprints
Chris McCarty of Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) is a member of XPX Houston

Chris McCarty

Co-Presenter
EOS Implementer, Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS)
Value Growth PathBringing it All Together: Optimizing Intangibles: Increasing the Value of Your Company Through 90-Day Sprints
Matthew McFarlane of Quadros Migl & Crosby is a member of XPX Houston

Matthew McFarlane

Co-Presenter
Shareholder, Quadros Migl & Crosby
Transfer Path Skeletons in the Closet: How Cleaning up Your Company Adds Value
John McKee of Encore Advisory Group is a member of XPX Houston

John McKee

Panelist
Principal, Encore Advisory
Value Growth Path 5 Ways to More Profits
Nancy Mills of Lowenberg Consulting Group LLC is a member of XPX Houston

Nancy Mills

Presenter
Business Prosperity Advisor, Lowenberg Consulting Group LLC
Legacy PathFrom Passion to Profit: Shaping Your Business Legacy

Based near Houston, Texas, Nancy Mills is a Business Prosperity Advisor with Lowenberg Consulting. She works with business owners to get the most out of their company, using a proven process to maximize business value and minimize taxation.

Given that most business owners' wealth is tied up in their business, 75% of business owners plan to exit in the next 10 years, but only 30% of businesses that go to market will sell; she helps business owners beat these odds.

Before becoming a Business Prosperity Advisor, Nancy has 20 years of global business experience; in advertising, consumer insights, management consulting, strategic marketing, mergers and acquisitions, operations, sales, and innovation.

She advised senior executives at multinational companies - including Unilever, Procter & Gamble, L’Oréal, Johnson & Johnson, Estée Lauder, Colgate-Palmolive, and Mary Kay on marketing, innovation, and distribution strategy. She also had clientele such as Miami Cancer Institute, MD Anderson, and Quanex Building Products, whom she guided in growth strategy.

However, Nancy prefers working with small and mid-sized businesses, for their positive impact on local communities.

She holds an MBA in International Management from Thunderbird School of Global Management and a BA in Mass Communication, summa cum laude from Texas State University. She speaks Italian fluently as a second language and lived in Europe for 5 years.

A native Texan, Nancy loves spending time with her family, going to the theater, swimming, boating, riding, walking her dog, gardening, and birding.

Ken Sanginario of  is a member of XPX

Ken Sanginario

Keynote
Closing Keynote Growing Value Versus Growing Revenue

Jessica Seff

Presenter
Statesman
Transfer PathWhat to Know Before Selling Your Company
Ryan Seifert of Teric Technology LLC is a member of XPX Houston

Ryan Seifert

Presenter
CEO, Teric Technology LLC
Value Growth PathHow to Uplift Your Technology: AI, Cybersecurity, Operating Systems

Jeff Smith

Opening Keynote
Executive Vice President, Veritex Bank
The Economy and Your BusinessA Macro and Micro Economic Update and it's Impact on your Business
Rusty Smith of EOS Worldwide is a member of XPX Houston

Rusty Smith

Co-Presenter
President, EOS Worldwide
Value Growth Path Bringing it All Together: Optimizing Intangibles: Increasing the Value of Your Company Through 90-Day Sprints

Shanna Trenchard

Panelist
Transfer Path Building a Transfer Team: Wealth Advisors and Exit Planners Paving the Way for Your Success, Outsource HR & Finance
Johanna Watson of Artemis Partners is a member of XPX Houston

Johanna Watson

Presenter
President & CEO, Artemis Partners
Value Growth PathBuilding a Strong Leadership Team

Johanna Watson is the visionary founder and owner of Artemis Partners, a Houston-based executive search firm dedicated to empowering businesses with exceptional leadership talent. Since its establishment in 2015, Artemis Partners has grown into a nationally recognized organization, serving clients across the United States with a unique, tailored approach to executive and direct searches. Johanna’s mission has always been clear: to deliver client-focused solutions that prioritize cultural alignment and drive organizational success.

Under Johanna’s leadership, Artemis Partners has expanded its offerings beyond executive search to include robust training and development programs, comprehensive outplacement support for public companies, and customized executive coaching and career accelerator initiatives. This holistic approach not only ensures businesses find the right leaders but also supports long-term growth and adaptability.

Andrew Walker of Bernstein Private Wealth is a member of XPX Houston

Andrew Walker

Moderator
Vice President, Private Wealth Advisor, Bernstein Private Wealth
Transfer PathBuilding a Transfer Team: Wealth Advisors and Exit Planners Paving the Way for Your Success, Outsource HR & Finance
John Walker of Walker Law PC is a member of XPX Houston

John Walker

Panelist
SBA Lending
Transfer Path Building a Transfer Team: Wealth Advisors and Exit Planners Paving the Way for Your Success, Outsource HR & Finance
Dustin Williamson Headshot

Dustin Williamson

Moderator
Managing Director, vcfo
Legacy Path How Much Is Your Business Worth

With more than 25 years of financial and management experience, Dustin is mentoring and empowering our team of finance and HR consultants, spearheading our quality program, and driving strategic growth in the area. Highly analytical and forward-thinking, Dustin’s areas of expertise include structured finance, strategic planning, valuations, turnarounds, traditional and unconventional investments, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, global business management, executive partnerships, international negotiations, and revenue growth.

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