BERO - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Financial Analyst
• Forensic Accountant Financial Analyst

Ammar Susnerwala is a financial analyst and forensic accountant at The BERO Group… Ammar Susnerwala is a financial analyst at The BERO Group. He received an undergraduate degree in Engineering from the University of Mumbai and a master's degree in Finance from the University of Illinois - Chicago. Ammar joined the BERO Group in the summer of 2022. While pursuing his education, his involvement in various organizations included the Cultural Committee, Finance and Investment Group (FIG), and the Portfolio Management Team (PMT). Previously, he had worked as a Junior Financial Analyst in a contracting company which specializes in structural facades. In this position, he gained valuable knowledge and experience related to budgeting, forecasting, reporting, analyzing financial statements and project valuation using discounted cash flow analysis.

Job Titles:

• Certified Public Accountant
• Director

Bryan Berghauer is a Director at The BERO Group. Bryan is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Bryan received his BA in Economics and BSB in Finance & Information Systems from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities and his MBA and MS in Accounting from Marquette University. Bryan provides accounting and financial consulting services pertaining to valuations of privately held companies, economic damages for commercial and intellectual property disputes, and forensic accounting issues in a wide range of matters. Bryan's experience with valuations of privately held companies includes professional services, manufacturers and distributors, real estate holding companies and industrial services providers, among others. Bryan's intellectual property valuation and damage quantification consulting experience includes utility and design patents, trademarks, and trade dress. Bryan has consulted on intellectual property litigation matters concerning a wide range of technologies including industrial equipment, industrial controllers, consumer products, and medical devices. Bryan's experience also spans a wide array of commercial litigation matters. Bryan's forensic accounting and damage quantification experience includes automotive dealership disputes, breach of contract matters, business valuation disputes and other similar matters. Bryan has consulted on commercial litigation concerning a wide range of industries including: automotive, retail, toys, medical devices, insurance, banking and industrial products among others. Prior to joining the firm, Bryan was a risk reporting analyst for a hedge fund. In this role, Bryan was involved with analysis and reporting on risk capital, liquidity, private equity and the overall portfolio. Bryan also has worked in various roles for a large bank. In these roles, Bryan was involved with settling securities, implementing systems and reporting and process improvements.

Job Titles:

• Marketing Coordinator
• Paralegal / Marketing Coordinator

Christine Hattori has worked in the legal field for over 28 year as a paralegal for small to midsize firms. Her role with The BERO Group has been in business development.

Job Titles:

• Office Manager
• Webmaster
• Office Manager for the Chicago

Deirdre E. Walton is the Office Manager for the Chicago branch of The BERO Group, and the firm's Webmaster. She has a bachelor's degree in Fine Art, in addition to certifications in Web Development and Design. Her skills include advanced proficiency in the use of multiple Adobe graphics applications, as well as, the administration and use of Microsoft Office 365 programs and SharePoint technologies. Prior to joining The BERO Group, Ms. Walton held the position of Office Manager and Webmaster for the McGovern & Greene firm for more than 10 years. She had overseen multiple projects involving IT installation management and maintenance, interior office space designs and relocations, the graphic design, development and production of marketing materials, and the administrative responsibilites inherent to managing the office of a professional forensic accounting firm located in the Chicago Loop.

Job Titles:

• Office Administrator and Paralegal
• Paralegal / Office Administrator
• Paralegal With

Elizabeth Bergman is the Office Administator and a Paralegal with The BERO Group. She assists clients and personnel with document management, research and paralegal services.

Job Titles:

• Accountant
• Financial Analyst
• Forensic Accountant Financial Analyst

Emily Crivello is a financial analyst and forensic accountant at The BERO Group. She received her degree in Accounting and Finance from Carroll University in 2019 and is currently studying for the CPA exams. Ms. Crivello joined the BERO Group as a full-time financial analyst in May of 2021. Ms. Crivello provides financial accounting and consulting services pertaining to economic damages issues and intellectual property matters. Her recent work experience in public accounting has included the auditing of manufacturing and distribution companies. Early in Ms. Crivello's career, she had interned at various manufacturing companies throughout her college years. She also gained valuable experience working as an intern and Junior Financial Analyst for The BERO Group from May through September of 2016.

Job Titles:

• Consultant
• Litigation Support and Commercial Contract Damages Consultant

Jack is a Consultant for The BERO Group. Jack specializes in construction claims and dispute resolution… Jack A. Lazarczyk is a Litigation Support and Commercial Contract Damages Consultant for The BERO Group. With over 20 years of combined architectural/engineering and financial experience in both the public and private sectors, he specializes in construction claims and disputes resolution, contract accounting, lost profits, business interruptions damages assessments, and contractor/vendor audits. Prior to consulting for The BERO Group, Mr. Lazarczyk held a position as a Director for the firm. Before joining Bero, Jack was a Senior Manager at McGovern & Greene, LLP. He has, in the past, provided financial management services at a capital projects department of major municipal park system and a large architectural / engineering services firm. He also developed and monitored monthly cash flow projections of capital improvement projects as well as budgets of architectural and engineering projects. Mr. Lazarczyk started his professional career on the construction site as an architectural representative on a major institutional project. Professional Designations and Certifications:

Job Titles:

• Certified Public Accountant
• Senior Director
• CFF, CVA, Fellow
• CFF, CVA, Fellow / Senior Director
• Consultant and Expert
• Senior Director in Charge of the Litigation Support

Jim McGovern is a Senior Director of The BERO Group. Jim is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA)… James L. McGovern is a Senior Director in charge of the Litigation Support, Economic Damages, and Contract Accounting practices at The BERO Group. He is a CPA, Certified in Financial Forensics and a Certified Valuation Analyst. Mr. McGovern works as a consultant and expert witness for law firms, corporations, governmental and law enforcement agencies on matters involving complex financial and economic damage issues, including those stemming from contract disputes, intellectual property infringement, business interruption or devastation, and shareholder/partnership disputes. In addition, he has extensive experience assisting federal government contractors with Cost Accounting Standards and Cost Principles compliance and with preparation of requests for equitable adjustment and termination for convenience settlement proposals. In the area contract disputes, Mr. McGovern has analyzed the economic impact to both owners and contractors from delays and disruptions on construction projects through the country. His experience with intellectual property infringement damage analysis includes cases involving patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets. He is regularly called to testify as an expert witness and has testified in both state and federal courts as well as before the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals. As an arbitrator, McGovern has adjudicated disputes involving construction delay and disruption, business valuation, distribution of profits, and project accounting. Prior to joining The BERO Group, Jim McGovern was a founding partner of the McGovern & Greene LLP forensic accounting firm. He was also a partner in a mid-size accounting practice, a partner in a boutique litigation/construction claims practice, and a divisional controller at a NYSE traded company. Active in his local community, as well as professional organizations, Mr. McGovern served as Treasurer for the Village of Oak Lawn, IL and is a Past National President of the National Contract Management Association (NCMA). He has been awarded the title of Fellow by the NCMA, having received its National Achievement Award for Outstanding Service and Commitment to Professional Excellence in 1998. His memberships in various organizations include: NCMA, the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants; the Illinois CPA Society; the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts; the Intellectual Property Owners Association, and the Licensing Executives Society. Professional Designations and Certifications:

Job Titles:

• Certified Public Accountant
• Director
• Senior Director
• CVA

Joe Laur is a Director of The BERO Group. Joe is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA). Joe received his BBA in Accounting from the University of Notre Dame. Joe joined the firm in 2000 and he provides accounting and financial consulting services pertaining to economic damages and valuation issues with an emphasis on commercial litigation and intellectual property matters. Joe has been designated as an expert and has testified in several commercial litigation matters in both federal and state courts. In his time with the firm, Joe has consulted on more than 200 litigation matters involving issues such as patent infringement, trademark infringement, trade secrets and breach of contract, among others. Joe's consulting experience has been in a number of different industries, including manufacturing, medical equipment, electronics, consumer products, commercial goods, automotive repair equipment, real estate and agricultural. Prior to joining the firm, Joe was a manager in the assurance and advisory department of a Big 4 public accounting firm in Milwaukee. In this role, Joe led numerous audit and consulting engagements and was also involved with several acquisitions and dispositions. Joe has given presentations on patent damages, other damages related topics and various accounting issues. Joe is a member of numerous professional organizations, including: • Licensing Executive Society (co-chair of the Wisconsin chapter, 2008 - 2011; chair of the Wisconsin chapter, 2012)

Job Titles:

• Director
• CFE

Nick Romans is a Director at The BERO Group. He is a CPA and Certified Fraud Examiner… Nick Romans is a Director at The BERO Group. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) and received his BA in Accounting and MS in Professional Accounting from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee. Nick joined the firm in the fall of 2010. He provides accounting and financial consulting services pertaining to valuation issues and economic damages issues with an emphasis on commercial litigation and intellectual property matters. Nick's intellectual property valuation and damages quantification consulting experience includes utility and design patents, trademarks, and trade secrets. He has consulted on intellectual property litigations concerning a wide range of technologies including industrial equipment, manufacturing and consumer products. Nick's experience also spans a wide array of commercial litigation and forensic accounting matters, including automotive dealership disputes, breach of contract matters, business valuations and fraud investigations.

Job Titles:

• Certified Public Accountant
• Founder
• Managing Director
• CVA

Rick Bero is the Managing Director of The BERO Group. Rick is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA)… Rick Bero is the Founder and Managing Director of The BERO Group. He is the Chair of our Intellectual Property practice and Co-Chair of our Commercial Litigation practice. Rick is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA). Rick received his BBA in Accounting and Finance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Rick provides accounting and financial consulting services and expert testimony pertaining to economic damages and valuation issues in a wide range of litigation matters with an emphasis on commercial litigation and intellectual property matters. Rick's experience spans more than 34 years and he has testified as an expert more than 160 times in trials, depositions, arbitrations and other hearings. Rick has testified in federal and state courts across the country and has been named an expert in approximately 30 states. Rick's experience spans a wide array of commercial litigation and bankruptcy matters. His commercial litigation experience includes breach of contract, tortious interference, fraud, false advertising, dealership disputes, lender liability and other matters. Rick's intellectual property valuation and damages quantification experience includes utility and design patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade dress, and trade secrets. Rick has served as an expert in intellectual property litigations covering a wide range of technologies including pharmaceutical, electronics, medical imaging, medical devices, software, construction and heavy equipment, automotive, consumer products and many others. The BERO Group was formerly part of Corporate Financial Advisors, LLC, a firm Rick co-founded in 1995. Prior to co-founding Corporate Financial Advisors, LLC, Rick was the Wisconsin Practice Leader for Coopers & Lybrand's National Litigation & Claims Service practice and an executive consultant with Peterson Consulting in Chicago and Milwaukee. Rick has presented, instructed and written articles on topics including intangible assets, intellectual property damages, working with experts and various accounting issues. Rick has authored The Litigator's Damages Blueprint: The Pragmatic Solution, as a guide to his five-step process to help litigators build a strong damages analysis. He also authored the chapters on patent infringement damages, design patent damages and trade secret damages in The Comprehensive Guide to Economic Damages, currently in its sixth edition. He is the lead instructor of the intellectual property damages course for the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts and is a former instructor for an international CPA review course. Rick has been active in community affairs and in numerous professional organizations, including: • Intellectual Property Owners Association (Damages Committee Member, 2004 - Present)

Job Titles:

• Certified Public Accountant
• Senior Director
• ABV, CFF
• ABV, CFF / Senior Director

Ron Bero is a Senior Director of The BERO Group. Ron is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA)… Ron Bero is a Senior Director of The BERO Group. He is the Chair of our Valuation practice and Co-Chair of our Commercial Litigation practice. Ron is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), accredited in business valuation (ABV) and Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF). Ron received his BBA in Accounting / International Business from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1986. Ron works with attorneys, government agencies and businesses. He provides accounting and financial consulting services primarily in the form of expert testimony pertaining to economic damage and valuation issues in a wide range of civil litigation matters. Ron's experience with The BERO Group spans more than 15 years and he has testified as an expert more than 50 times in trials, depositions, arbitrations and other hearings in both state and federal courts. Ron's forensic accounting and damage quantification experience includes solvency opinions, automotive dealership disputes, breach of contract matters, failure to deliver technology, fiduciary breaches, erroneous business valuation, personal injury, music copyright valuation and other similar matters. Ron has served as an expert in commercial litigation matters concerning a wide range of industries including: automotive, retail, toys, trucking, waste, energy, securities, medical devices, insurance, banking and manufacturing, among others. Prior to joining the firm, Ron held Chief Financial Officer, Vice President of Operations and Information Technology, Auditor and other senior-level positions in the U.S., Canada and Eastern Europe. Ron has been involved in numerous industries as diverse as food service distribution, heavy manufacturing, forest products, mining, pulp and paper, construction, retail and waste management. Ron has performed financial, fraud, operational and other forensic investigations in more than 100 companies on a global level from tiny Alaska Native Corporations to Fortune 500 companies. He has integrated the operations and systems in more than 40 acquisitions, performed due diligence globally and facilitated numerous company restructurings and turnarounds. Ron has given presentations on topics including damages, business valuations, accounting theory and the prevention and detection of fraud. Ron has been active in community affairs and in numerous professional organizations, including: • American Institute of Certified Public Accountants