CITIZENS FINANCIAL GROUP - Key Persons

Ben R. Duffy - VP

Job Titles:
  • Vice President
  • Vice President / Atlanta
Ben Duffy is a vice president with Willamette Management Associates.

Benjamin H. Maitski

Job Titles:
  • Senior Associate / Atlanta

Brent A. McDade

Job Titles:
  • Director
  • Director / Atlanta
  • Member of the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants
Brent A. McDade is a director of Willamette Management Associates. His practice includes business valuation, litigation support, and transaction advisory services.Brent has performed the following types of valuation and economic analyses: business and succession planning valuations, acquisition purchase price allocation valuations, asset impairment analyses, restricted stock valuations, blockage discount analyses, reasonableness of compensation analyses, restructuring and reorganization analyses, transfer price analyses, merger and acquisition valuations, fairness opinions, economic damages analyses, income-producing property valuations, phantom stock and employee incentive plan valuations, and employee stock ownership plan ("ESOP") employer stock valuations. He has prepared these valuation and economic analyses for the following purposes: tax planning and compliance (income, gift, and estate), forensic analysis and dispute resolution, financial reporting, martial dissolution, and transaction planning (mergers and acquisitions). Brent has valued the following types of business entities, securities, and assets: contractual rights, contingent consideration, close corporations, close corporation fractional ownership interests, public corporations, intangible assets (including intellectual property), general and limited partnership interests, limited liability company interests, restricted equity and debt securities, preferred stock, proprietorships, options and warrants, and fractional interests in real estate. He has performed valuation or arm's-length royalty rate/transfer price analyses related to the following types of intangible assets: customer contracts, customer lists and customer relationships, employment contracts, going-concern value, goodwill, licenses, noncompete covenants, patent applications, patents, procedural manuals, trade names, trademarks, trained and assembled workforces, and training manuals and documentation. Brent has performed business valuations, economic analyses, and/or financial advisory services for clients in the following industries, among others: alcoholic beverage manufacturing and distribution, apparel, automotive, aviation, building materials, carpet and flooring, chemicals, computers and electronic products, construction, contractors, cybersecurity, distribution, entertainment and sports, fabricated metal products, finance, government contracting, heavy construction, hospitality, insurance, Internet service providers, investment, leisure, manufacturing, natural resources, oil and gas, professional services, real estate, rental and leasing, retail, securities, security, textiles, transportation and trucking, warehousing, and wood product manufacturing. He has served as an expert witness in disputes regarding business valuation and economic damages, particularly lost profits and lost business value, in state and federal courts. He has also been selected as the third appraiser to resolve differences of opinion between appraisers in buy-sell agreement disputes. Previous Experience Prior to joining Willamette Management Associates, Brent was a director and the Tennessee business valuation practice leader at Elliott Davis. Prior to a merger of the Decosimo CPA firm into Elliott Davis, Brent was a director in business valuation and litigation support for Decosimo Advisory Services, as well as an investment banker at Decosimo Corporate Finance. Prior to that, he was a vice president at Mercer Capital Management, Inc. Education Bachelor of Arts, economics and business administration, Vanderbilt University (with honors) Professional Designations & Affiliations Brent is also a member of the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants ("TSCPA"), where he serves on the Forensic and Valuation Services Task Force.

Chad Kirkland - VP

Job Titles:
  • Vice President
  • Vice President / Chicago
  • Vice President With Willamette Management Associates
Chad Kirkland is a vice president with Willamette Management Associates. Chad has valued the following types of business entities and securities: closely held corporation business enterprises, closely held corporation noncontrolling ownership interests, various classes of common and preferred stock, general and limited partnership interests, and limited liability company interests. He has prepared valuation and economic analysis for the following purposes: taxation planning and compliance (federal income, gift, and estate tax; state and local property tax; transfer tax), financial accounting and reporting, restructuring and reorganization, asset impairment analyses, economic damages analyses, shareholder disputes, strategic information and corporate planning, reasonableness of compensation analyses, and nonprofit organization regulatory compliance. Chad has performed business and intangible asset valuations, economic analyses, and/or financial advisory services for clients in the following industries: auto parts manufacturing and distribution, automobile dealerships, business travel management services, chemicals manufacturing, electrical testing and maintenance, employment and recruitment agency services, fleet leasing and management, food brokerage and distribution, global travel agency services, home improvement product retailing and manufacturing, internet domain name services, insurance agencies and brokerages, insurance and reinsurance underwriting, investment banking securities dealing, investment holdings, medical research services, mortgage services and technology, oil and gas equipment manufacturing, payment processing services, personal cosmetic products, real estate development, real estate services, and sporting goods retailing Previous Experience Before joining Willamette Management Associates, Chad served as a manager in the valuation and modeling practice at Grant Thornton LLP. While at Grant Thornton, Chad managed complex business valuation and engagements, and provided financial advisory consulting services, for corporate and individual clients both large and small. Chad previously served as an officer at Northern Trust where he provided investment risk and analytical consulting services to institutional investors and family offices. Prior to working at Northern Trust, Chad was a senior business and financial analyst in the medical device business unit at Cerner Corporation. Education Master of Science, finance, Owen Graduate School of Management, Vanderbilt University Bachelor of Science, banking & finance and applied critical thought & inquiry, William Jewell College

Charles Wilhoite - Managing Director

Job Titles:
  • Managing Director
  • Managing Director and Leader of Tax - Exempt Entities and Health Care Valuation Services Practice
  • Managing Director and Leader of Tax - Exempt Entities and Health Care Valuation Services Practice / Portland
  • Managing Director With Willamette Management Associates
  • Member of the Oregon Society of CPAs
Charles Wilhoite is a managing director with Willamette Management Associates. In addition to his work on all types of valuation engagements for the firm, he is also the leader of our tax-exempt entity and health care services practice. Charles has performed the following types of valuation assignments: merger and acquisition valuations, post-acquisition purchase price allocations, business and stock valuations, ad valorem property tax valuations, forensic analyses, ESOP feasibility studies and employer stock valuations, and economic damages calculations. Charles also has particular expertise in the valuation and economic analysis of professional practices, with a heavy concentration in the health care field. He has testified throughout the country with regard to valuation and economic issues across a variety of industries, including a wide variety of health-care-related matters. Charles has performed business, stock, and intangible asset valuations for clients in the following industries: accounting and consulting, alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverage, apparel, automobile dealerships, automobile parts distribution, banking and finance, construction and contracting, consumer finance, distribution, education, equipment leasing, food service, forest products, health care, insurance, leasing, manufacturing, medical and dental practice, printing, publishing, railroads, retailing, shipping, television broadcasting, textiles, transportation and trucking, and wholesaling. In addition, Charles has estimated the value and/or remaining useful life for the following types of intangible assets: bank customers-deposit, loan, trust, and credit card; certificates of need; computer software; customer relationships; employment contracts; favorable leases; franchise agreements; going concern; goodwill; medical charts and records; noncompete covenants; patent applications; royalty agreements; trained and assembled workforce; and trademarks, service marks, and trade names. Previous Experience Before joining Willamette Management Associates, Charles was a senior auditor for KPMG, an international accounting and consulting firm. At KPMG, Charles specialized in audits in the following industries: automobile, banking and financial institutions, government, health care, manufacturing and construction, lumber, retail, and real estate. Education Bachelor of Science, accounting, Arizona State University Bachelor of Science, finance, Arizona State University Professional Designations & Affiliations Charles is also a member of the Oregon Society of CPAs, the ESOP Association, and the American Health Lawyers Association. Charles served as the conference chairperson for the American Society of Appraisers 20th Annual Advanced Business Valuation Conference. Charles previously served as member of the AICPA ABV Credential Committee, the AICPA FVS 2013 Conference Planning Committee, and the ASA Health Care Special Interest Group (HSIG) subcommittee.

Dakota K. Ask

Job Titles:
  • Associate

Daniel R. Young

Job Titles:
  • Manager
  • Manager / Boston
Daniel Young is a manager with Willamette Management Associates. Daniel has valued the following types of business entities and securities: general and limited partnership interests, closely held business enterprises, and estates. Additionally, Daniel performs financial forensic related services for litigation purposes. He has prepared valuation and economic analysis for the following purposes: marital dissolution, shareholder litigation, gift and estate tax, restructuring and reorganization, economic damages analysis, and corporate planning. Daniel has also performed business and intangible asset valuations in the following industries: financial services, food services, manufacturing, professional services, real estate holding, retailing, and senior living. Previous Experience Before joining Willamette Management Associates, Daniel worked for Edelstein & Company, LLP. At Edelstein, Daniel was a supervisor for the business valuation and forensics group. As a supervisor, Daniel performed research, analysis, and report writing on numerous litigation and consulting projects. Before joining Edelstein, Daniel worked in the advisory group at Deloitte & Touche. During his time at Deloitte, Daniel provided strategy consulting to clients in the media, entertainment, and sports industries. Prior to joining Deloitte, Daniel spent several years in the sports industry in financial analysis. Education Master of Business Administration, Northeastern University Bachelor of Business Administration in management, Northeastern University Professional Designations & Affiliations

Eliza Jones

Job Titles:
  • Associate
  • Associate / Portland
  • Disguised Dividends and Shareholder / Employee Compensation
Eliza Jones is an associate with Willamette Management Associates.

Grant R. Crum

Job Titles:
  • Senior Associate
  • Senior Associate / Chicago
Grant R. Crum is a senior associate with Willamette Management Associates.

Gregory D. Smith - Managing Director

Job Titles:
  • Managing Director
  • Managing Director / Boston
  • Managing Director of Willamette Management Associates
Greg Smith is a managing director of Willamette Management Associates. His practice includes business and asset valuation, corporate finance, and strategic planning. Greg has performed various types of valuations, including fair value in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 805, Business Combinations; ASC 350, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets; and ASC 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation. He also has performed fair market value valuations for corporate tax restructurings, Internal Revenue Code section 409A requirements, and gift and estate tax planning. He has performed these valuations primarily in connection with clients' financial and tax planning and reporting needs, management equity plans and other compensation purposes, compliance with partnership agreements, and general pretransaction strategic planning. Greg has experience in performing valuations for publicly traded and privately held companies, companies with complex capital structures, start-ups, and partnerships. Greg has performed valuations across numerous industries, with particular expertise in the financial services industry, specifically, asset management, including private equity and hedge funds; banks, including money center, commercial, and custody banks; and other capital markets companies, as well as business services, construction, health care, manufacturing, real estate, and technology. Previous Experience Prior to joining Willamette Management Associates, Greg was a managing director at Kroll, LLC (formerly known as Duff & Phelps), where he was part of the firm's valuation advisory services practice. At Kroll, Greg led valuation projects primarily in the areas of financial and tax reporting. Before joining Kroll, Greg was part of PricewaterhouseCoopers' business assurance practice, where he assisted with financial statement audits across several industries. Education Master of Business Administration, finance, University of Maryland Bachelor of Arts, economics, Hamilton College Professional Designations & Affiliations Greg holds the Accredited Senior Appraiser ("ASA") designation from the American Society of Appraisers. ©2024 Citizens Financial Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Willamette Management Associates, a Citizens Company is a brand name of Citizens Financial Group, Inc.

Jackson Crispin

Job Titles:
  • Manager
  • Manager / Atlanta
Jackson Crispin is a manager with Willamette Management Associates. Jackson was a Financial Analyst at Houlihan Lokey as part of the Portfolio Valuation group until 2019. He performed debt, equity, and derivatives valuations quarterly for assets and entities held by private equity firms, business development corporations, and investment banks across industries such as Real Estate, Oil and Gas, and Alternative Asset Management.

Jacob A. Malburg

Job Titles:
  • Senior Associate
  • Senior Associate / Chicago
  • Senior Associate With Willamette Management Associates
Jacob Malburg is a senior associate with Willamette Management Associates. Jacob has valued the following types of business entities and securities: closely held corporation controlling and noncontrolling ownership interests, various classes of common/preferred stock, stock options, warrants, general and limited partnership interests, and limited liability companies. He has prepared valuation and economic analysis for the following purposes: buy-sell agreement planning and compliance, financial reporting requirements (ASC 805, ASC 350, and ASC 718), and taxation planning and compliance (federal income, gift, and estate). Jacob has performed business and intangible asset valuations in the following industries: buildings products and construction, consulting, consumer products, furniture manufacturing, grocery stores, information technology, manufacturing, medical practices, packaging, plastic products, real estate holdings, trucking and logistics, and video games. Previous Experience Before joining Willamette Management Associates, Jacob worked for FV & FMV Valuation, Inc., an independent valuation firm, as an analyst in their Chicago office. During his time at FV & FMV Valuation, Inc., Jacob was responsible for analysis, research, and report writing on valuation projects for various purposes. Jacob also interned at a private equity firm in Chicago, where he was responsible for industry and market analysis. Education Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, University of Cincinnati

Jacob L. Hudson

Job Titles:
  • Senior Associate
  • Senior Associate / Atlanta
  • Senior Associate With Willamette Management Associates
Jacob Hudson is a senior associate with Willamette Management Associates. His practice includes business valuation, economic analysis, and financial opinion services. He performs the following types of valuation and economic analysis assignments: merger and acquisition, business and stock, stock option, forensic analysis, transfer pricing, estate tax, transfer tax, intellectual property, marital dissolution, lost profits/economic damages, and appraisal reviews. He prepares these valuation and economic analyses for the following purposes: planning and compliance (federal income, gift, and estate tax, state and local property tax, transfer tax), forensic analysis and dispute resolution, strategic information and corporate planning, ESOP transaction and financing, and ESOP-related litigation. He performs these valuations for the following types of business entities and securities: closely held corporation business enterprises, closely held corporation noncontrolling ownership interests, various classes of common/preferred stock, general and limited partnership interests, professional service corporations, professional practices, and limited liability companies. Previous Experience Jacob was a financial analyst for Veritiv Corporation in Atlanta, Georgia, prior to joining the firm as an associate. Prior to his role with Veritiv Corporation, Jacob was a client associate with Merrill Lynch in Athens, Georgia. Education Bachelor of science in business administration in finance, with a minor in sports management, from the University of Georgia.

Jesse J. Gillett

Job Titles:
  • Director
  • Director / Boston
Jesse Gillett is a director with Willamette Management Associates. Jesse has performed the following types of business valuations: marital dissolution, shareholder transition, shareholder dispute, exit plan, merger and acquisition, gift tax, estate tax, employee stock ownership plan ("ESOP"), and management planning. In addition to valuation assignments, Jesse works on lost profits/economic damages calculations, postacquisition disputes, forensic analyses, financial forecasting/business modeling, and due diligence and appraisal reviews. The purposes of Jesse's projects typically fall within one of the following contexts: litigation, consulting for litigation, transactional, and advisory-based projects. Stakeholders to his work have included attorney-clients, individual clients or litigants, private company owners, public company management, and boards of directors. Jesse has performed valuation and financial analyses in many industries, including, but not limited to: accounting services, advertising and marketing, asset management, automotive dealerships, boat dealerships, breweries, collection agencies, construction companies, defense and government contractors, education, engineering, insurance agencies, investment management, law, management consulting, manufacturing, medical and dental, printing, restaurants and bars, sales agencies, seafood production, senior living, software, trade contractors, waste/recycling, and wholesaling. Jesse has testified in multiple settings, including: court, federal deposition, and private arbitration. Previous Experience Before joining Willamette Management Associates, Jesse served as a partner in the valuation and forensic department of Edelstein & Company, LLP. Jesse managed engagements involving valuations and forensics for divorce, shareholder matters, and gift and estate tax matters, as well as served in advisory and consulting roles. Jesse also testified in arbitration, deposition, and trial settings. Before joining Edelstein, Jesse served in a forensic, valuation, and litigation support capacity at a boutique consultancy. He also worked in the assurance practice of a Big Four public accounting firm. Education Bachelor of Science in business administration (accounting and finance emphases), University of Rhode Island, 2008. Professional Designations & Affiliations Jesse is Accredited in Business Valuation ("ABV") by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants ("AICPA"). He has earned the Certified Fraud Examiner ("CFE") designation from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. Jesse is also a Certified Public Accountant ("CPA") as licensed in New Hampshire In addition to the designations listed above, Jesse is a Forensic and Valuation Services Section member of the AICPA. Jesse received a 2020 Forensic and Valuation Services Standing Ovation from the AICPA. He is also a past member of the Board of Trustees of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce.

Justin M. Nielsen

Job Titles:
  • Director
  • Director / Portland
  • Financial Adviser Due Diligence in a Transactional Fairness Opinion
Justin M. Nielsen is a director with Willamette Management Associates. Justin has performed the following types of valuation and economic analyses: post-acquisition purchase price allocations, gift tax valuations, estate tax valuations, employer stock valuations (ESOP's), marital dissolution valuations, business and stock valuations, forensic analyses, merger and acquisition valuations, intangible asset valuations, lost profits/economic damage calculations, benchmark sensitivity analyses (for bank risk models), and appraisal reviews. Justin has prepared these valuation and economic analyses for the following purposes: transaction pricing and structuring (merger, acquisition, and restructuring), forensic analysis, fraud, and dispute resolution (including dissenting shareholder appraisal actions and marital dissolutions, as well as breach of contract, lost profits and economic damages, and breach of fiduciary duty), taxation planning and compliance (federal income, gift, and estate tax), employee corporate ownership, strategic information and planning, regulatory compliance, solvency/bankruptcy and reorganization, and fiduciary advice and financial counseling. Justin has valued the following types of business entities and securities: closely held corporation business enterprises, closely held corporation noncontrolling interests, fractional ownership interests, complex capital structures (various classes of common/preferred stock, options, warrants), general and limited partnership interests, proprietorships, professional services corporations, professional practices, and LLP's and LLCs. Justin has managed business valuation, forensic accounting, and securities litigation engagements, or directly performed business, stock, and intangible asset valuations in the following industries: construction and contracting, steel varnishes, coatings, and allied products, legal cannabis, public relations, advertising, printing and publishing, heavy equipment manufacturing, entertainment content, hospitals/ambulatory surgery centers, back-dated stock options, commercial and individual brokerage holdings, computer software/online portals, banks and depository institutions, medical and dental practices, oil development and production, ranching and farming, food and retail stores, insurance, real estate holding companies, wholesaling (including grocery wholesaling), food manufacturing, ultra-premium wineries, regional cable television and internet providers, automotive parts, railroads, hardware manufacturing, and U.S. chartered wholesale funding organizations. Justin has testified in court as well as in private arbitration settings. Previous Experience Before joining Willamette Management Associates, Justin served as a senior director for FTI Consulting, Inc., a publicly traded global expert witness consulting firm. While at FTI Consulting, Inc., Justin provided consulting and testimony services, and managed complex business valuation and forensic accounting engagements, for clients both small and large (including Fortune 500 companies and large international law firms). Justin also previously served as a managing consultant for LECG and Bates Group LLC, expert witness services firms that provide independent expert testimony, produce authoritative studies for industry, conduct economic and financial analysis on disputes and issues, and provide strategic advisory services to clients. Education Master of Business Administration, concentration in finance, University of New Mexico Bachelor of Science, business administration, concentration in finance, Northern Arizona University Professional Designations & Affiliations Justin has earned the certified valuation analyst ("CVA") designation from the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts ("NACVA"). Justin is also a BV candidate, active member of the American Society of Appraisers. Justin also previously served as a board member for Dress for Success Oregon (as well as serving on the Dress for Success Oregon finance committee).

Keegan M. Pando

Job Titles:
  • Senior Associate
  • Senior Associate / Atlanta
  • Senior Associate With Willamette Management Associates
Keegan Pando is a senior associate with Willamette Management Associates. His practice includes business valuation, economic analysis, and financial opinion services. He performs the following types of valuation and economic analysis assignments: merger and acquisition, business and stock, stock option, forensic analysis, transfer pricing, estate tax, transfer tax, intellectual property, marital dissolution, lost profits/economic damages, and appraisal reviews. He prepares these valuation and economic analyses for the following purposes: taxation planning and compliance (federal income, gift, and estate tax, state and local property tax, transfer tax), forensic analysis and dispute resolution, strategic information and corporate planning, ESOP transaction and financing, and ESOP-related litigation. He performs these valuations for the following types of business entities and securities: closely held corporation business enterprises, closely held corporation noncontrolling ownership interests, various classes of common/preferred stock, general and limited partnership interests, professional service corporations, professional practices, and limited liability companies. Previous Experience Keegan was an intern with Three Hill Capital Partners in Boston, Massachusetts, prior to joining the firm as an associate. Education Bachelor of Arts in international and global studies with a concentration in middle east studies from Middlebury College Master of Science in commerce with a concentration in finance from the University of Virginia

Lerry Suarez

Job Titles:
  • Manager
  • Manager / Portland
Lerry Suarez is a manager with Willamette Management Associates. Lerry has valued the following types of business entities and securities: closely held corporation business enterprises, closely held corporation noncontrolling ownership interests, various classes of common/preferred stock, general and limited partnership interests, professional service corporations, professional practices, and limited liability companies. He has prepared valuation and economic analysis for the following purposes: taxation planning and compliance (federal income, state and local property tax, transfer tax), forensic analysis and dispute resolution, marital dissolution, strategic information, and corporate planning, Lerry has performed these valuations for clients in the following industries: agriculture, bars/restaurants, electrical equipment manufacturers, food distribution, forestry products, golf courses, grocery stores, logging, manufacturing, marijuana dispensaries, medical practices, real estate development, real estate holding, retail, telecommunications, transportation, and wineries. Previous Experience Before joining Willamette Management Associates, Lerry worked for Jones & Roth, a regional CPA and business advisory firm, in their business valuation niche. During his time at Jones & Roth, Lerry was responsible for analysis, research, and report writing on numerous projects in the areas of litigation, gift and estate tax, and transactions. Education Master of Business Administration, concentration in finance, University of Portland Bachelor of Science in business administration, University of Oregon

Lisa Tran

Job Titles:
  • Vice President and Leader of Financial Accounting Valuation Services Practice
  • Vice President and Leader of Financial Accounting Valuation Services Practice / Portland
  • Vice President With Willamette Management Associates
Lisa Tran is a vice president with Willamette Management Associates. She is also the leader of our financial accounting valuation services practice. Lisa is an accredited senior appraiser (ASA) of the American Society of Appraisers, accredited in business valuation. She has successfully completed the level 1 chartered financial analyst (CFA) examination of the CFA Institute.

Marc D. Bello

Job Titles:
  • Certified Public Accountant
  • Instructor in Various Valuation Courses for NACVA
  • Managing Director and Boston Office Director
  • Managing Director and Boston Office Director / Boston
  • Managing Director and Office Director
  • Managing Director of Willamette Management Associates
Marc Bello is a managing director of Willamette Management Associates. He is also the director of the Boston office. His practice includes business valuation, litigation support, forensic accounting, and financial and economic analysis. Marc has performed various types of valuations, including fair value and fair market value in the context of litigation, business succession, and shareholder transition matters; restricted stock valuations; and undivided interests in real estate valuations. His forensic accounting services have included shareholder disputes relating to misappropriation of corporate money, business interruption, personal injury, asset and income tracing, and lost profits. He has prepared business valuations, forensic accounting, and financial consulting in the context of marital dissolutions, business disputes, estate and gift litigation and nonlitigation, and business restructuring. Marc has experience in valuing various privately held companies, including start-ups, family-owned businesses, companies with complex capital structures, real estate entities, and partnership interests. Marc has performed business valuations in the following industries, among others: accounting; construction (general contractors, heavy equipment intensive, and residential and commercial); consulting; defense contracting; electrical trade; financial services; grocery and food retailing, health care; heating, ventilation, and air conditioning; hedge funds and private equity; insurance; manufacturing; plumbing; professional services; real estate; retailing; technology; and wholesaling. Marc has been accepted as an expert witness on several occasions. These litigation engagements have related to business valuation matters, forensic accounting analysis, and tax and financial issues. Marc has testified in the U.S. Tax Court and Massachusetts Superior and Probate Courts, as well as in superior and probate courts in other jurisdictions. Previous Experience Prior to joining Willamette Management Associates, Marc was a partner at Edelstein & Company, LLP, a Boston accounting firm, where he directed the firm's business valuation department. At Edelstein, Marc performed business valuations of closely held businesses and pass-through entities. In addition, he provided litigation support in the areas of forensic accounting and taxation for dispute resolution purposes. Before joining Edelstein, Marc performed financial reporting and analysis for Rhodia ChiRex, managed accounting and tax engagements for privately held companies at Ambrosi Donahue Congdon & Company P.C., and managed audit and tax engagements for public and private companies at Grant Thornton. Education Master of Science, taxation, Bentley College Bachelor of Science, accounting, Ithaca College Professional Designations & Affiliations Marc is a Certified Public Accountant ("CPA") and holds the Accredited in Business Valuation ("ABV") and Certified in Financial Forensics ("CFF") designations from the American Institute of Certified Public Accounts ("AICPA"). He also holds the Certified Valuation Analyst ("CVA") and Master Analyst in Financial Forensics ("MAFF") designations from the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts ("NACVA"). Marc is a past chair and member of the Executive Advisory, Litigation Forensic, Valuation Credentialing and Education Quality Assurance of NACVA and served on the various boards from 2008 to 2018. Marc also continues to serve on the Family Law Advisory Committee of Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Inc. Since 2007, Marc has served as an instructor in various valuation courses for NACVA and was honored as an Instructor of Exceptional Distinction in 2008-2013, 2015, and 2016.

Mark F. Abbey - COO

Job Titles:
  • Certified Public Accountant
  • Chief Operating Officer
  • Chief Operating Officer / Chicago
  • Chief Operating Officer for Willamette Management Associates
Mark Abbey is the chief operating officer for Willamette Management Associates. He is resident in our Chicago office. Mark has overall responsibility for executing strategy. He is the point person for overseeing the planning and implementation of the firm's operational initiatives. Mark's day-to-day responsibilities include the management and administration of the accounting, human resources, and information technology operations. His accounting expertise encompasses cash management, financial reporting, budgeting, federal and state income taxes, business and professional liability insurance, and corporate policies and procedures. His human resources expertise includes recruiting, onboarding, staff development, and employee benefits. His oversight of information technology includes the overall IT environment, user support, data backups, network equipment, Internet, and hosted VoIP technologies. Mark's industry experience includes retail, manufacturing, and professional services. Previous Experience Prior to joining Willamette Management Associates, Mark worked as controller and vice president of finance for three closely held companies. Prior to that, Mark worked in the retail industry for Sears Roebuck and Company and Montgomery Ward as a manager of financial planning and analysis. In these positions, he had responsibility for operational budgets, financial forecasts, and inventory management. Education Bachelor of Science in accounting, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio Professional Designations & Affiliations Mark is a certified public accountant, registered in the state of Illinois. He is also a member of the Illinois CPA Society.

Meyer Memorial Trust

Job Titles:
  • Trust, past Chair

Nathan M. Hesch

Job Titles:
  • Senior Associate
  • Senior Associate / Chicago
Nathan M. Hesch is a senior associate with Willamette Management Associates.

Nathan Novak

Job Titles:
  • Director and Chicago Office Director
  • Director and Chicago Office Director / Chicago
  • Director With Willamette Management Associates
  • Office Director
Nathan Novak is a director with Willamette Management Associates and the director of our Chicago office. Nathan has valued the following types of business entities and securities: general and limited partnership interests, restricted equity securities, closely held business enterprises, and estates. He has prepared valuation and economic analysis for the following purposes: taxation planning and compliance (federal income and estate tax), restructuring and reorganization, asset impairment analyses, economic damages analyses, shareholder disputes, divorce, transfer pricing analyses, and corporate planning. Nathan has also performed business and intangible asset valuations in the following industries: education services, publishing, investment management and other financial services, oil and gas production and exploration, real estate holding and management, heating and ventilation installation, water utilities, software manufacturing, food and grocery, household appliance manufacturing, sugar manufacturing, engine and mechanical parts manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, railroad construction and management, health care, insurance services, professional sports, sign manufacturing, and metal working and production. Previous Experience Before joining Willamette Management Associates, Nathan interned at Bank of America - Merrill Lynch in their personal wealth management division. At Merrill Lynch, Nathan assisted in gathering equity and bond research and worked with the financial advisors to help them reach their client's financial goals. Education Bachelor of Science in finance, University of Illinois, College of Business Professional Designations & Affiliations

Samuel S. Nicholls

Job Titles:
  • Director
  • Director / Atlanta
  • Director With Willamette Management Associates
  • Member of the National Center for Employee Ownership
As a director with Willamette Management Associates, Sam manages engagements related to the valuation of business entities and business interests, and the analysis of privately held and publicly traded equity and debt securities. Sam has performed the following types of valuation and economic analyses: noncontrolling and controlling equity ownership in businesses; debt instruments; mergers and acquisitions (appraisal rights, breach of fiduciary duty, and fairness opinions); equity and debt security valuations for estates; equity and debt security valuations for gift tax purposes (business succession planning), family limited partnerships and holding companies, economic damages claims, restricted stock and blockage discount analysis, and ESOP formation and adequate consideration. Sam has prepared these valuation and economic analyses for the following purposes: litigation (breach of fiduciary duty, adequate consideration for disputed mergers and acquisitions in Delaware Chancery Court and other state courts, federal tax disputes, trust disputes, forensic analysis, economic damages, and dispute resolution), taxation planning and compliance (federal income, gift, and estate tax), fairness opinions for transactions, transaction pricing and structuring, ESOP transactions and annual ESOP valuation updates, and personal goodwill calculations for transactions. Sam has valued the following types of business entities and securities: privately held business enterprises, fractional ownership interests in privately held businesses, publicly traded securities, multiple classes of preferred and common stock in complex capital structures, and interest-bearing debt instruments. He has performed business valuations, economic analyses, and financial advisory services for clients in the following industries, among others: industrial (capital equipment manufacturing, defense and aerospace prime contractors and subcontractors, aircraft MRO services, chemical manufacturing, engineering and construction services, road and highway paving services, electrical transmission and distribution equipment, agricultural equipment, construction and earth moving equipment, pollution control equipment); transportation (trucking, maritime ports, barge services, self-driving vehicles, cruise ship chandlers); basic materials (sand and gravel mining for construction, chemicals, metals fabrication, polymer products, cement and asphalt producers); agricultural (timberland and sawmills, fruit and vegetable wholesale, poultry processing and wholesale, automated inspection system manufacturers for quality control); energy (refiners, electrical transmission and distribution equipment, oil and gas exploration and production platforms and equipment, and pipeline construction and maintenance); financial (savings and loan banks, investment managers including hedge funds and mutual fund companies, insurance subrogation); real estate (real estate holding companies); healthcare (biotech and diagnostics); consumer discretionary (automobile dealerships, national fast-casual and full-service restaurant chains, leisure product manufacturers, cosmetics wholesale, event planning, educational services); and consumer staples (funeral homes). Sam has significant experience in many areas of business valuation. He previously served for 12 years as an investment research analyst with both investment banks and investment managers, for 3 years as a venture capital associate, and has been a professor of investment banking since 2012 for the Investment Banking Institute teaching live, in-person courses for class sizes averaging 15 students. As an investment research analyst, Sam served both as a generalist analyzing publicly traded companies in all sectors, and as a sector expert focused on the industrial and life sciences sectors. As a venture capital associate, Sam performed research and valuations of prospective investments in early stage private companies, monitored existing holdings, performed debt recapitalizations structured transactions of limited partnership interests, and assisted with fund accounting. Previous Experience Sam has worked in the financial sector since 1989. Prior to joining Willamette Management Associates, Sam was a buyside investment research analyst at Carret Asset Management (founded by an early pioneer in value investing), a senior research analyst and director of research at W. Quillen Securities, an associate research analyst at Gerard Klauer Mattison (now part of Bank of Montreal), and a venture capital associate at Rockefeller & Company and Wolfensohn Partners. Sam wrote hundreds of research reports disseminated to institutional investors through Thomson/Reuters, and has been interviewed on Bloomberg live TV. Education Master of Business Administration, finance, Yale School of Management Bachelor of Arts, government, Hamilton College Sam is an accredited senior appraiser of the American Society of Appraisers ("ASA") in business valuation. Sam is a member of the National Center for Employee Ownership ("NCEO").

Scott Miller

Job Titles:
  • Managing Director and Portland Office Director
  • Managing Director and Portland Office Director / Portland
  • Managing Director With Willamette Management Associates
  • Office Director
Scott Miller is a managing director with Willamette Management Associates and the director of our Portland office. Scott has performed the following types of valuation and economic analysis assignments: merger and acquisition valuations, business and stock valuations, divestiture and spin-off valuations, fairness opinions, forensic analyses, transfer pricing analyses, property tax valuations, estate tax valuations, ad valorem property tax valuations, intangible asset and intellectual property valuations, marital dissolution valuations, lost profits/economic damages analyses, and appraisal reviews. He has prepared these valuation and economic analyses for the following purposes: transaction pricing and structuring, taxation planning and compliance (federal income, gift, and estate tax; state and local property tax; transfer tax), forensic analysis and dispute resolution, and strategic information and planning. Scott has estimated the value, remaining useful life, and/or license/royalty rate of the following types of intangible assets: customer-related intangible assets, goodwill, and trademarks and trade names. Scott has valued the following types of business entities and securities: closely held corporation business enterprises, closely held corporation noncontrolling ownership interests, various classes of common/preferred stock, public corporation subsidiaries/divisions, general and limited partnership interests, professional service corporations, professional practices, and LLCs. Scott has performed business, stock, and intangible asset valuations for clients in the following industries: accounting and consulting, apparel, architecture, biotechnology, cement, chemical, communications, construction and contracting, grocery stores, high-tech, education, equipment leasing, financial services, food processing, food service, forest products, health care, information technology consulting, insurance, leasing, manufacturing, medical practice, printing, natural resources, public utilities, real estate development, restaurant services, retailing, software, staffing services, telecommunications, and wholesaling. Previous Experience Before joining Willamette Management Associates, Scott was a financial analyst intern with Cogent Valuation. At Cogent Valuation, Scott performed business valuations of companies in a variety of industries. Education Bachelor of Science in business administration, finance, economics minor, University of Oregon, Lundquist College of Business (honors program) Professional Designations & Affiliations Scott has earned the chartered financial analyst (CFA) designation from the CFA Institute, and he is a member of the Portland Society of Financial Analysts.

Steven R. Johnson

Job Titles:
  • Director
  • Director / Chicago
Steven Johnson is a director with Willamette Management Associates. Steven has performed the following types of valuation and economic analyses: lost profits/economic damages calculations, lost asset value calculations, business valuations, merger and acquisition valuations, solvency and capital adequacy determinations, forensic accounting analyses, and employee stock ownership plan ("ESOP") employer stock valuations. Steven has valued the following types of business entities and securities: close corporations, close corporation fractional ownership interests, public corporations, general and limited partnership interests, restricted equity securities, closely held business enterprises, and estates. He has prepared valuation and economic analysis for the following purposes: restructuring and reorganization, economic damages analyses, shareholder disputes, divorce, and corporate planning. Steven has performed valuation and financial analyses in many industries, including, but not limited to: accounting services, architectural firms, asset management, automotive manufacturing, chemical manufacturing, computer hardware, consumer goods, engineering, environmental remediation, gaming, health care, insurance and reinsurance, investment management, media and entertainment, oil refining, senior living facilities, steel manufacturing, telecommunication, and textile manufacturing. Previous Experience Before joining Willamette Management Associates, Steven served as a principal in the financial valuation and accounting practice of Charles River Associates. Prior to that, he was employed by LECG, LLC as an associate within its finance and valuation practice. Education Master of Business Administration, concentrations in finance, accounting, economic, econometrics, and statistics, and operations management, The University of Chicago Booth School of Business (with high honors) Bachelor of Science, finance, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (with highest honors)

Tia Hutton

Job Titles:
  • Manager
  • Manager / Portland
Tia Hutton is a manager with Willamette Management Associates.

Timothy J. Meinhart - Managing Director

Job Titles:
  • Managing Director
  • Associate Member of the American Bar Association
  • Managing Director and Leader of Shareholder Litigation Valuation Services Practice
  • Managing Director and Leader of Shareholder Litigation Valuation Services Practice / Chicago
  • Managing Director of Willamette Management Associates
Timothy J. Meinhart is a managing director of Willamette Management Associates. In addition to his work on all types of valuation and forensic analysis engagements for the firm, Tim is also the leader of our shareholder litigation valuation services practice. Tim has performed the following types of valuation and economic analyses: business and succession planning valuations, acquisition purchase price allocation valuations, asset impairment analyses, restricted stock valuations, blockage discount analyses, reasonableness of compensation analyses, restructuring and reorganization analyses, transfer price analyses, merger and acquisition valuations, fairness opinions, economic damages analyses, income producing property valuations, and employee stock ownership plan ("ESOP") employer stock valuations. He has prepared these valuation and economic analyses for the following purposes: tax planning and compliance (ad valorem, income, gift, and estate), forensic analysis and dispute resolution, financial reporting, transaction planning (acquisition, divestiture, liquidation, bankruptcy and reorganization), fiduciary compliance, and management information and strategic planning. Tim has valued the following types of business entities, securities, and assets: close corporations, close corporation fractional ownership interests, public corporations, intangible assets (including intellectual property), general and limited partnership interests, limited liability company interests, restricted equity and debt securities, preferred stock, proprietorships, options and warrants, and fractional interests in real estate. He has performed valuation or arm's-length royalty rate/transfer price analyses related to the following types of intangible assets: copyrights, customer contracts, customer lists and customer relationships, employment contracts, engineering drawings, going-concern value, goodwill, licenses, noncompete covenants, patent applications, patents, procedural manuals, trained and assembled workforces, trade names, trademarks, and training manuals and documentation. Tim has performed business valuations, economic analyses, and/or financial advisory services for clients in the following industries, among others: actuarial services, advertising, apparel, auto parts manufacturing and distribution, beverage distribution, cable television, chemical processing, commercial banking, consumer finance, commercial and residential construction, commercial real estate holding and management, communication tower leasing, computer and systems consulting, consumer products, convenience stores, cruise line, defense contracting, digital media distribution, door manufacturing, electrical contracting, electrical equipment manufacturing, entertainment and recreation, environmental and engineering consulting, equipment leasing, fintech, floor covering retailing, food brokerage and distribution, food processing and retailing, forestry products, furniture and household product manufacturing and retailing, gaming, general contracting, government contracting, home improvement product retailing and manufacturing, hotel and hospitality, information technology, insurance underwriting and brokerage, internet services and consulting, investment banking, investment holdings (including farmland and other real estate), investment management and brokerage, lamination and film production, logistics, marketing and incentive services, mattress and bedding manufacturing, mechanical equipment manufacturing, medical device development, medical waste management and disposal, metal product fabrication, metals distribution, mobile data communications, mortgage banking, mortgage brokerage, multi-family real estate holding and management, nonmetal product fabrication, oil and gas exploration, production, transportation, and marketing, paint and specialty coating manufacturing, pet supplies distribution, plumbing product manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, printing and publishing, printer and label manufacturing, professional practices, real estate development and brokerage, real estate site selection consulting, restaurant, roadway contracting and construction, sand and gravel mining, sign and dimensional letter manufacturing, software development, specialty packaging, sporting goods manufacturing and retailing, recreational vehicles, temporary staffing services, trade show production, transportation and trucking, travel agencies, water and wastewater treatment equipment manufacturing, wireless equipment manufacturing, and wireline and wireless telecommunication services. On several occasions, Tim has been accepted as an expert witness. These litigation engagements have related to business, stock, and asset valuation matters and economic damages. Tim has testified in the Delaware Chancery Court as well as courts in other jurisdictions. Tim is an accredited senior appraiser ("ASA") of the American Society of Appraisers, accredited in business valuation. Tim has served two terms on the Business Valuation Committee of the American Society of Appraisers from the period of 2012 through 2018. He was appointed to, and served on, the Education Subcommittee and the Technical Topics Subcommittee of the Business Valuation Committee of the American Society of Appraisers. Tim also served on the Board of Examiners of the business valuation section of the American Society of Appraisers. Tim is the past president and a current director of the Business Valuation Association of Chicago. Tim is also an associate member of the American Bar Association ("ABA"). Since 2011, Tim has served on the valuation committee of the editorial advisory board of Trusts & Estates magazine.

Victoria A. Platt

Job Titles:
  • Director of Research
  • Director of Research / Chicago
  • Member of the Special Libraries Association
  • Willamette Management Associates Director of Research
Vicky Platt has served as the Willamette Management Associates director of research for nearly 20 years. Vicky provides valuation, forensic analysis, and transfer price analysis research services in the following areas: industry trends and outlook, national and international economies, local and regional economies, search and selection of guideline publicly traded companies, search and selection of guideline merger and acquisition transactions, search and selection of intellectual property comparable uncontrolled transaction data, federal and other regulations and statutes, judicial decisions, valuation and forensic accounting literature, and financial and capital markets data. She also manages the firm's Chicago research library. Previous Experience Prior to joining Willamette Management Associates, Vicky was a research assistant at Kirkland & Ellis. In this capacity, she specialized in performing technical, medical, legal, and business related research, assisted associates and legal assistants with trial preparation, and maintained authority records in library databases. Prior to that, Vicky provided reference assistance to patrons at Michigan State University. Education Bachelor of Arts, social science interdisciplinary studies, Michigan State University Professional Designations & Affiliations Vicky is a member of the Special Libraries Association and the American Library Association.

Weston C. Kirk

Job Titles:
  • Co - Chair and Founding Member of the Panthers Immersion Programs Alumni Board
  • Managing Director and Atlanta Office Director
  • Managing Director and Atlanta Office Director / Atlanta
  • Managing Director With Willamette Management Associates
  • Office Director
Weston Kirk is a managing director with Willamette Management Associates. He is also the director of the Atlanta office. His practice includes business valuation, economic analysis, and financial opinion services. Weston has performed various types of valuation and economic analyses, including business and stock valuations, debt and promissory note valuations, ESOP formation and adequate consideration analyses, fairness opinions, Internal Revenue Service audit rebuttals, litigation disputes and damages analyses, merger and acquisition valuations, undivided interests in real estate valuations, and intellectual property valuations. He has prepared these valuation and economic analyses for the following purposes: transaction pricing and structuring; taxation planning and compliance (including federal income, charitable gift, estate, and generation-skipping transfer tax); ownership restructuring and recapitalization; buy-sell agreement planning and compliance; ESOP transaction and financing; tender offers; stock option offers; litigation consulting and expert testimony services; and strategic information and planning. Weston has experience in the valuation of various types of business entities and interests, including: private family-owned businesses, private multiple-investor businesses, employee-owned businesses, publicly-traded companies, preferred and common stock in complex capital structures, secured and unsecured notes, options and other derivative interests, conglomerates, general and limited partnership interests, limited liability company membership interests, limited company interests, professional practices, joint ventures, and foreign domiciled corporations. He has performed business valuations in the following industries: accounting, aggregates, architecture, asset management, biotechnology, chemicals, commercial banking, construction, defense contracting, department stores, e-commerce, energy, food retail, furniture manufacturing, grocery stores, hedge funds, IT consulting, literary works and publishing, mining and aggregates, NGL production, petroleum, pharmaceuticals, poultry, precious metal recycling, real estate, software-as-a-service ("SaaS"), software and hardware technology, sports field construction, steel, temporary staffing services, timberland, travel and leisure, trucking and logistics, utilities, waste management, and wholesale distribution, among others. Previous Experience Weston was an intern in the Atlanta office of Willamette Management Associates prior to joining the firm as associate. Education Bachelor of Business Administration in finance, Georgia State University, J. Mack Robinson College of Business (with honors) Certification in economics, Georgia State University, Andrew Young School of Policy Studies Professional Designations & Affiliations Weston holds the certified valuation analyst ("CVA") designation of the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts ("NACVA"). He is a candidate for the accredited senior appraiser ("ASA") designation of the American Society of Appraisers. He is a member of the National Center for Employee Ownership. He was a member of the Balser Symposium advisory committee and served as the 2021 chair, previously serving as the 2020 co-chair. Weston is a co-chair and founding member of the Panthers Immersion Programs alumni board, a board that benefits the Panthers on Wall Street, Panthers in the District, and Panthers in the Valley programs of Georgia State University's J. Mack Robinson College of Business. He also serves on the Robinson Alumni board. He was awarded with the 2020 Georgia State University Alumni Association 40 Under 40 award.

William L. Christensen

Job Titles:
  • Professional Standards Editor
  • Professional Standards Editor / Chicago
William L. Christensen is a professional standards editor for Willamette Management Associates. Will provides quality assurance for all firm communications, including valuation and forensic analysis reports, presentations, exhibits, proposals, and letters. His review ensures that communications are clear and comply with internal and external style, correct spelling, proper punctuation, and writing best practices. He also assists with the editing and production of the firm's quarterly newsletter, Perspectives, press releases, and website. Previous Experience Prior to joining Willamette Management Associates, Will was senior editor at Locksmith Ledger International, where he led the production of a monthly publication and website devoted to helping locksmiths improve their business. Before that, he was managing editor at Consumers Digest, where he was in charge of improving the quality of the publication through additional review and consultation. Before that, he held a number of positions at various newspapers, including the Columbus Dispatch and the Flint Journal, where he learned to produce high-quality work while hitting deadlines that often called for a quick turnaround. Education Master of Science, journalism, Northwestern University, Medill School of Journalism Bachelor of Arts, English, Wabash College (with honors) ©2024 Citizens Financial Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Willamette Management Associates, a Citizens Company is a brand name of Citizens Financial Group, Inc.