AMBROSEADVISORS - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Vice President
• Vice President at Ambrose Advisors

Brandon is a vice president at Ambrose Advisors. Since 2007, he has had relevant experience in commercial banking, leveraged finance, mezzanine lending, and buy-side M&A. Read More Brandon is a vice president at Ambrose Advisors. Since 2007, he has had relevant experience in commercial banking, leveraged finance, mezzanine lending, and buy-side M&A. His primary responsibilities include capital raising, debt structuring, and execution of corporate finance transactions for Ambrose Advisors' investment banking division. Prior to Ambrose Advisors, Brandon was a senior vice president and relationship manager at Zions Bancorporation N.A. for 10 years. During his time at Zions he structured senior debt facilities for a wide array of uses including growth, refinance, recapitalization, working capital, and leveraged M&A. Brandon also oversaw the formation of the ESOP lending platform and grew the portfolio to $120M for the bank's California affiliate, CB&T. Prior to his commercial banking experience, Brandon worked as a corporate finance associate in private equity and mezzanine lending with a focus on privately held companies in infrastructure, telecom, and apparel. Brandon received his MBA and Graduate Certificate in Financial Analysis & Valuation from the University of Southern California. He received a BA in Business Administration from Arizona State University. He is an active member of the National ESOP Association and the Trojan Alumni Association of Orange County.

Job Titles:

• Chartered Financial Analyst
• Managing Director
• Principal
• Managing Director at Ambrose Advisors

Brian is a principal at AmbroseAdvisors™. He has 15 years of experience in M&A, corporate finance, valuation, corporate strategy, and development. He is responsible for the management and execution of M&A and Corporate Finance transactions across Ambrose's core industry focus areas. Prior to joining Ambrose, Brian was the manager of business strategy and corporate development at Celanese Corporation, a Fortune 500 chemicals, and specialty materials company, responsible for the execution of buy-side and sell-side M&A initiatives along with other strategic objectives. Before Celanese, Brian was a vice president at Eureka Capital, a middle-market investment banking firm, principally supporting the consumer and industrial practices, but advising ESOP clients across a wide spectrum of industries. Previous to Eureka, he was a senior associate at BCC Partners, a boutique investment banking firm, and a senior finance representative at Caterpillar Inc., Solar Turbines Division, focused on managing foreign exchange and commodity exposure. Brian received an MBA from the University of California, Irvine, and a BS in Finance from San Diego State University. He currently serves as the Director of Diablo Publications, an ESOP owned company. Brian holds his General Securities (Series 7) and State Securities (Series 66) Registrations through FINRA. Brian is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and received an MBA from the University of California, Irvine, and a BS in Finance from San Diego State University. He currently serves as the Director of Diablo Publications, an ESOP owned Company. Brian holds his General Securities (Series 7) and State Securities (Series 66) Registrations through FINRA. Brian is a managing director at Ambrose Advisors. He has over 20 years of experience in M&A, corporate finance, valuation, corporate strategy and development. He is responsible for management and execution of M&A and Corporate Finance transactions across Ambrose's core industry focus areas.

Job Titles:

• Certified Public Accountant
• Manager

Danae L. De Ley is a Certified Public Accountant. She received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Danae brings extensive accounting firm experience. Read More

Job Titles:

• Vice President
• Associate at Ambrose Advisors
• Vice President at Ambrose Advisors

Jason is an associate at Ambrose Advisors. He has 3+ years of relevant experience in mergers & acquisitions, corporate finance, valuation, corporate strategy and financial consulting. He is responsible for providing support on M&A and Corporate Finance transactions across Ambrose's core industry focus areas. Prior to joining Ambrose, Jason was an analyst at Eureka Capital Partners, a middle-market investment bank, responsible for execution of M&A and business valuation initiatives. Before Eureka Capital Partners, Jason was an engineer at CBRITE, Inc., a technology start-up co-founded by Nobel Laureate Alan Heeger. Jason graduated cum laude from University of California, Berkeley with a B.S. in Engineering. Jason serves as Vice President at Ambrose Advisors, bringing over eight years of experience in ESOP, mergers & acquisitions, corporate finance, valuation, corporate strategy, and financial consulting. His primary responsibilities include managing and executing ESOP and M&A transactions and facilitating capital-raising activities.

Job Titles:

• Vice President
• Vice President at Ambrose Advisors

Kashish is a vice president at Ambrose Advisors. His primary responsibilities include capital raising, debt structuring, and execution of corporate finance transactions for Ambrose Advisors' investment banking division. Read More Kashish is a vice president at Ambrose Advisors. His primary responsibilities include capital raising, debt structuring, and execution of corporate finance transactions for Ambrose Advisors' investment banking division. He has experience in a wide array of industries, including business services, consumer products, construction, energy, industrial products, manufacturing, distribution, government contracting, retail, restaurants, and technology, among others. Prior to joining Ambrose, Kashish was a summer analyst at Houlihan Lokey in their Los Angeles office. While at Houlihan Lokey, Kashish worked on a number of transaction opinions, including: fairness opinions, solvency opinions, valuation opinions, and ERISA & ESOPs. He also provided support on mergers and acquisitions and other financial advisory services. Kashish graduated Cum Laude from the University of California at Los Angeles with a B.A. in Economics. He is a Registered Investment Banking Representative (Series 79 and 63) through FINRA.

Job Titles:

• Managing Director

Manny is a Managing Director at AmbroseAdvisors. His career in ESOP advisory services began in 1998 when he first utilized this unique, tax-efficient tool to provide a business owner client with the ability to sell his company in stages. Read More Manny is a Managing Director at AmbroseAdvisors. His career in ESOP advisory services began in 1998 when he first utilized this unique, tax-efficient tool to provide a business owner client with the ability to sell his company in stages. Manny has since worked with hundreds of financial advisors and their business owner clients to achieve ownership-succession objectives and estate planning goals. Prior to joining AmbroseAdvisors, Manny's 40+ year career in the financial services industry began as a formally trained corporate banker. Then during his 21-year career at Merrill Lynch, Manny developed an extensive background in ESOPs, M&A, retirement planning, wealth management and business consulting. This professional background provides Manny with a strong skill set to assist business owners in structuring a tailored path to transition ownership of their companies. Manny is a third generation Tampa, Florida native. He and his wife welcomed the fourth generation, their triplet daughters, 24 years ago. Manny is a graduate from the University of South Florida, is a certified Chartered Retirement Plan Counselor and holds his Series 7, 63, 66 and 79 registrations through FINRA.

Job Titles:

• Senior Managing Director

Marcus is a senior managing director of AmbroseAdvisors™. His career in ESOP third-party administration began in 2002, initially as a response to demand for better TPA services from the ESOP clients of his CPA firm. Since that time Marcus has become a trusted advisor to scores of ESOP-owned companies in California, Hawaii, DC Metro, and throughout the nation. Marcus' passion is for helping companies maximize the value they receive from their ESOPs by helping them truly understand and make sense of the many complicated issues they face. Marcus consults on ESOP feasibility studies, technical compliance testing, repurchase obligation strategy, and is a recognized national expert on GAAP ESOP accounting and tax reporting. He is an active member of the nation's leading employee ownership advocacy organizations, The ESOP Association ("TEA"), the National Center for Employee Ownership ("NCEO"), and Employee-Owned S Corporations of America ("ESCA"). He is also a member of TEA's national Finance Committee as well as the Interdisciplinary Advisory Committee on Fiduciary Issues, and a regular speaker at the Association's national and chapter conferences. Marcus is a true believer in the power of employee ownership in a successful organization, and enjoys keeping up-to-the-minute on the many technical aspects of ESOP implementation, administration, accounting, and monitoring. Marcus is a Certified Public Accountant in California with knowledge and experience in individual, trust & estate taxation as well as consulting for audit and review engagements for ESOP-sponsoring companies. He graduated from Brigham Young University after a two-year mission in Buenos Aires, Argentina where he became fluent in Spanish. He is a proud husband and father of three sets of twins. He actively volunteers for the Boy Scouts of America and his local church. He also serves his local United Way agency as board chairman.

Job Titles:

• Senior Managing Director
• Managing Director at Ambrose Advisors
• Senior Managing Director at Ambrose

Mark O'Keefe is a managing director at Ambrose Advisors. He has more than 20 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions, debt and equity financing and financial restructuring He is an industry generalist and has experience in wide array of industries, including healthcare, aerospace & defense, consumer products, manufacturing, distribution, business services and technology. Mark O'Keefe is a senior managing director at AmbroseAdvisors™. He has more than 20 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions, debt and equity financing and financial restructuring He is an industry generalist and has experience in wide array of industries, including healthcare, aerospace & defense, consumer products, manufacturing, distribution, business services and technology. Prior to joining Ambrose, Mark was a managing director, Chief Compliance Officer, and partner of Eureka Capital Partners where he focused on mergers and acquisitions, capital raising, and restructuring. Before Eureka, he was a director in Arthur Anderson's global investment banking group where he was active in providing both domestic and cross-border advisory services in North America, Europe, Latin America and Asia. Prior to Arthur Anderson, he was an associate at both Crowell Weedon & Company and H.J. Meyers & Associates where he successfully completed a number of mergers, acquisitions, and public offerings. He started his professional career at William E. Simon & Sons in their private equity group. Mark graduated with his Masters of Business Administration in finance and strategic planning from the William E. Simon School at the University of Rochester and his Mark O'Keefe is a senior managing director at AmbroseAdvisors™. Since 1993, he has experience in mergers, acquisitions, debt and equity financing and financial restructuring. Read More

Job Titles:

• Senior Managing Director
• Senior Managing Director at Ambrose Advisors

Michael Harden is a senior managing director at Ambrose Advisors. He leads Ambrose's Investment Banking division. He has more than 20 years of experience in accounting, mergers, acquisitions, financings, ESOP buyouts and valuations. He is a specialist in ESOP buyouts and therefore has experience in wide array of industries, including energy, technology, government contracting, breweries, manufacturing, distribution, business services and construction. Michael Harden is a senior managing director at AmbroseAdvisors™. He leads Ambrose's Investment Banking division. Since 1993, he has had experience in practicing and completing accounting, mergers, acquisitions, financings, ESOP buyouts and valuations. He is a specialist in ESOP buyouts and therefore has experience in wide array of industries, including energy, technology, government contracting, breweries, manufacturing, distribution, business services and construction. Prior to joining Ambrose, Michael was a managing director and partner of Eureka Capital Partners where he focused on mergers and acquisitions, ESOP buyouts, capital raising, as well as valuation and fairness opinions. Before Eureka, he was a managing director at BCC Capital Partners, a boutique investment banking firm. Prior to BCC, he spent seven years with Credit Suisse First Boston's Mergers & Acquisitions Group. Michael began his career in the audit group of Coopers & Lybrand and subsequently the business valuation group of Arthur Andersen. Michael graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of California at Santa Barbara with a B.A. in Business Economics and Accounting. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). He is a Registered Securities Principal (Series 24) and a Registered Securities Representative (Series 7 and 63) through FINRA. Michael is a past chairman of the ESOP Association's Finance Advisory Committee, for which he continues to serve. Michael also serves as a Director on the Board of seven companies, five of which are 100% ESOP-owned S-Corporations. Michael Harden is a senior managing director at AmbroseAdvisors™. He leads Ambrose's Investment Banking division. Since 1993, he has experience in accounting, mergers, acquisitions, financings and ESOP buyouts. Read More

Job Titles:

• Manager
• Certified Public Accountant in California

Miguel Mazzilli is a Certified Public Accountant in California. He earned his Master's Degree in Business Administration from the University of California, Riverside, and he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from Universidad Argentina.Read More Miguel Mazzilli is a Certified Public Accountant in California. He earned his Master's Degree in Business Administration from the University of California, Riverside, and he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from Universidad Argentina de la Empresa (UADE) in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the California Society of Certified Public Accountants. He is also a licensed accountant in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Miguel joined AmbroseAdvisors as a senior plan administrator and consultant and is now Manager. His previous experience was with a Riverside-based CPA firm where he worked in the accounting and auditing division. Miguel is experienced in auditing construction and manufacturing companies, as well as auditing of employee benefit plans - especially ESOPs. He is experienced in all aspects of ESOP recordkeeping services, trust accounting and compliance testing. His experience with many ESOP clients allows him to communicate simply and effectively with plan administrators about the plan's operational requirements. He is passionate about the ESOP concept and witnesses day after day the benefits for companies and employees alike. Miguel enjoys participating in local community service events and volunteers as a member of the Finance Council of his church. Miguel enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter. His favorite free-time activities are running, playing guitar, excel and photography.

Job Titles:

• Senior Managing Director
• Managing Director at Ambrose Advisors

Phillip is one of the co-founders and a senior managing director at Ambrose Advisors. He has over 20 years of relevant experience in investment banking and corporate strategy/development. He has advised clients across a wide spectrum of industries in the structuring and execution of ESOP buyouts, mergers & acquisitions, capital raising and valuation projects. Prior to joining Ambrose, Phillip was an executive director at Eureka Capital, a reputable middle-market investment banking firm, and he was responsible for execution of approximately 50 engagements. Prior to Eureka, he was a vice president at BCC Partners, LLC, a boutique investment banking firm with a strong focus in complex ESOP buyout transactions. Before BCC, he was a portfolio manager for Far East National Bank, a U.S. subsidiary of a leading commercial bank in the Greater China region. Prior to that, he was an analyst at Ballenger Cleveland & Issa, LLC, a boutique consulting practice specializing in turnaround and distressed engagements. Before his employment with BCI, he was a member of the corporate leadership development program at Pacific Century CyberWorks, the largest telecommunications service company in Hong Kong, where he focused on corporate finance and strategic planning. Phillip received an MBA from the University of California, Irvine and a BA in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley. He has successfully completed all levels of the CPA exam and holds his Series 7 and 66 Securities Registrations through FINRA. Phillip is a member of ESOP Association's Finance Advisory Committee, and serves as a Director on the Board of an 100% ESOP-owned company. Phillip is a managing director at Ambrose Advisors. He has over 20 years of relevant experience in investment banking and corporate strategy/development. He has advised clients across a wide spectrum of industries in the structuring and execution of ESOP buyouts, mergers & acquisitions, capital raising and valuation projects. Phillip oversees capital raising engagements and executes corporate finance transactions for Ambrose Advisors' investment banking division.