Board of Advisors

Paul Gierosky
Paul Gierosky is a Co-Founder of Evolution Capital Partners, LLC who remains active in the business through his continued responsibilities in Evolution’s Fund I portfolio and will continue to participate in Fund II and beyond as a member of the Board of Advisors. Mr. Gierosky is an experienced operations-oriented investor whose focus has been to invest in growth businesses not currently meeting their full potential. Over the past 25 years, he has been involved in investments in 18 operating companies. Prior to the formation of Evolution in 2005, Mr. Gierosky founded Lucas Precision, Inc., the general partner of various single-purpose limited partnerships formed to acquire companies’ manufacturing metal cutting machinery. Previously, he served as President of Viking Capital Corporation and Viking Steel Company, COO of Mr. Coffee, and as a management consultant with Touche Ross & Co. where he specialized in helping companies improve their operational performance, profitability and cash flow. Mr. Gierosky obtained his BSEE degree from Purdue University, an M.A. degree from the University of Leuven, and an MBA degree from the University of Chicago. back to top

David Dury
Mr. Dury has more than forty years of experience working in the stock market. In 1977 Mr. Dury purchased his own seat on the Chicago Board of Options Exchange and in 1980 incorporated Option Opportunities, Inc. (OOC), which focuses on specialty financial situations in the market, including bankruptcies, turnarounds, workouts and newly emerging companies. OOC operates today using outside contractors for much of the trading and portfolio management, but previously was an active member of the Chicago Board of Options Exchange (CBOE), Chicago Board of Trade and Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME). OOC was also a 20+ year member of the Chicago Stock Exchange (CHX). Prior to OOC, Mr. Dury was with Jeffries & Company in Los Angeles working on the Pacific Coast Stock Exchange. He transferred to Chicago with Jeffries in 1974. Mr. Dury attended the University of Hawaii and completed graduate work at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Brent Clapacs
Brent Clapacs has more thirty years experience in the capital markets. Starting in 1990, Mr. Clapacs held a series of leadership positions with increasing responsibility in Merrill Lynch's global equity and derivatives businesses in San Francisco, Sydney, Hong Kong, New York and London. His responsibilities culminated in the role as Head of Equities for Europe, the Middle East and Africa and as a member of the Merrill Lynch International board of directors and the executive committee. Since retiring from investment banking, Mr. Clapacs has been an investor, advisor and an operating executive in a host of businesses across an array of industries including: biotech, energy, and financial services. He presently is a Partner and the Chief Investment Officer at GLAS Funds, a Cleveland based alternative asset manager. He is a member of the Boards of Trustees of the Ronald McDonald House of Cleveland, Saint Edward High School and the Cleveland Police Foundation. He also serves as a member of Hathaway Brown's Investment Committee and of the Advisory Board of Evolution Capital Partners. Mr. Clapacs was a national merit scholar and holds a degree in economics, cum laude, from Harvard. back to top

Operating Advisors

Cloyd Abruzzo
Mr. Abruzzo created the strategic vision and led the transformation of a privately-held, domestic supplier of wiring harnesses and switch products primarily for the U.S. automotive industry into a publicly-held, global designer and manufacturer of highly specialized electrical components, modules and systems for the transportation industry. During his time as President and CEO of Stoneridge, Inc. (Ticker: SRI) from 1993-2003, annual sales grew from $187 million to $607 million, a compound annual growth rate of 12.5%. Also during his tenure, shareholders’ equity grew from $50 million in 1993 to $243 million in 2003, a compound annual growth rate of 17.2%. Mr. Abruzzo began his career at Stoneridge as its Controller in 1980. Since leaving Stoneridge, Mr. Abruzzo has served as a Director on several boards including Shiloh Industries and Second Bancorp. Mr. Abruzzo is a certified public accountant.

Jon Adams
Mr. Adams is the former President of Ultra Electronics Audiopack, a leader in the design and manufacture of communication systems for demand environments. Mr. Adams acquired Audiopack in 1995 and grew it from 7 employees to over 130 employees. Audiopack was acquired by Ultra Electronics, a publicly traded UK aerospace and defense company in 2005. Prior to acquiring Audiopack, Mr. Adams was COO of Actron Manufacturing Co., a producer of automotive test equipment. He also gained experience at Grid Systems Inc., one of the first Silicon Valley Laptop computer makers. Mr. Adams is a graduate of Harvard College (BA) and Stanford Graduate School of Business (MBA). back to top

Al Denzine
Dr. Denzine has been the President and sole owner of Cortest, Inc., of Willoughby, Ohio since November 1982. Since that time, Cortest's sales have increased tenfold and several significant new products have been successfully introduced. Cortest manufactures a line of laboratory equipment used primarily by the oil and gas industries, and has expanded its product line to include electronic controls and equipment for testing at elevated temperatures and pressures. Cortest customers include major oil companies, steel and alloy producers, and oilfield equipment suppliers. Cortest has twice been awarded a Fast Track 50 Award, presented to the region’s 50 fastest growing companies. In 1995, Cortest's quality system was certified to the ISO-9001 standard. In 1999, Cortest received the prestigious Governor’s “E” Award for excellence in exporting. Dr. Denzine is a co-founder and shareholder in several other businesses in the United States, England and Scotland. Dr. Denzine earned his BSc, MS and PhD in Metallurgy and Materials Science at Case Western Reserve University and is a holder of four patents primarily related to corrosion measurement and control. back to top

Tom DeSantis
Mr. DeSantis is an electrical engineer and the founder of IOtech. IOtech designs, manufactures and markets PC-based measurement instrumentation to small and large organizations throughout the world, including automotive, aerospace, computer, power generation, military, manufacturing, R&D and universities. Mr. DeSantis founded IOtech in 1985 and served as its President and Chief Executive Officer until it was sold to National Instruments (Ticker: NATI) in 2005. Prior to founding IOtech, Mr. DeSantis spent eight years designing scientific measurement instruments at Keithley Instruments (Ticker: KEI). While leading and growing IOtech, Mr. DeSantis gained valuable experience in product development, sales channel management and executing on marketing plans. In addition, Mr. DeSantis has extensive experience in international sales and marketing throughout Canada, Europe and Asia. back to top

Jim Griswold
Mr. Griswold is currently the Chief Investment Officer for Danville Partners. Danville Partners is a privately owned investment company. Mr. Griswold also serves as a Director on several boards including Keithley Instruments, Inc., a publicly held developer and manufacturer of electronic instruments, Flame Control, LLC, a specialty chemicals company, and Simplimatic Automation, a materials handling/automation company owned by Danville Partners. Prior to Danville Partners, Mr. Griswold was a partner with Baker & Hostetler LLP where he worked for over 30 years with entrepreneurs and family business owners, buyout firms, venture capitalists and high net worth individuals to build and/or acquire businesses of all shapes and sizes. His legal background includes extensive work in M&A, equity and debt financings. Mr. Griswold is active in his community by participating on the Board of Directors at University School, Hathaway Brown and Vocational Guidance Services. Mr. Griswold is the past President of the Board at both University School and Vocational Guidance Services. back to top

Michael Marhofer
Mr. Marhofer is a partner with Calfee, Halter & Griswold LLP in Cleveland, Ohio. and is the co-chair of Calfee’s mergers and acquisition practice group and a member of the firm’s executive committee. Mr. Marhofer’s law practice involves counseling closely and publicly-held clients, as well as private equity firms and their portfolio companies on general corporate and business matters, mergers and acquisitions, reorganizations and joint venture transactions. He specializes in consummating mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and divestitures for a wide range of companies and industries. Mr. Marhofer’s experience with private equity funds helps him assist clients in capital formation matters, including venture and mezzanine capital and other private equity financings. He serves on the board of directors and as corporate secretary for several privately-held companies. Prior to joining Calfee in 1996, Mr. Marhofer was an associate with Frost & Jacobs in Cincinnati, Ohio. He holds a law degree and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Akron and a Bachelor of Science Degree from Miami University. back to top

Kent Marvin
Mr. Marvin is President of Stam, Inc., a niche bender and fabricator of large diameter tubing for the specialty vehicle, generator, heavy truck and other markets. Stam, Inc. was purchased by Mr. Marvin and Mr. Anderson in 1998. Mr. Marvin has been a manager and investor in emerging manufacturing and services businesses for over 25 years across many different industries. Prior to purchasing Stam, Mr. Marvin had ownership interests in All Care Medical Services (a provider of oxygen and medical equipment), M.D. Kilmer & Co. (a fence manufacturer) and an automotive services company. He has also held management positions with KADEE Metal Fabricators, Lucas Aerospace and GE Electric. He has extensive experience implementing systems and procedures for growing companies. Mr. Marvin received his BA in Manufacturing Technology from Kent State University. back to top

Jeremiah Robins
Mr. Robins is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Great Pond Management Company, a privately owned investment company located in San Diego, CA. Since 1979, Mr. Robins has served as the Chairman and controlling shareholder of a broad array of middle-market manufacturing companies, and throughout his career has participated in the successful development of companies in such diverse fields as Iron and Steel, Specialty Chemicals, HVAC, and Semiconductor Packaging. Mr. Robins is currently the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Thermal Dynamics Corporation (TDX), a manufacturer of specialty heat exchangers for the OE Automotive and Industrial markets, with facilities in both the U.S. and the Peoples Republic of China. Mr. Robins is also currently the Chairman of Rotation Dynamics Corporation (Rotadyne) which is the largest manufacturer of rubber covered rollers for printing and industrial applications in the world. Mr. Robins resides both in San Diego and Shanghai, China and spends his time equally between the U.S. and China. back to top

Tom Slater
Mr. Slater is the former owner of Actron Manufacturing, the world’s largest maker of personal size auto diagnostic equipment. Mr. Slater acquired Actron in 1979. At the time, Actron was an unprofitable business with less than $1 million in sales. By the time Actron was sold, it had approximately $40 million in sales, was generating a 12% pre-tax profit and had an 80% market share in the United States. As the owner and President of Actron, Mr. Slater changed the Company’s operations to Lean Manufacturing and as a result was able to grow margins, reduce inventory, lower overall costs and raise ROE to over 40% annually. In 1988, Mr. Slater began building a very successful mainland China company and in 1994 bought out his Chinese partners. Mr. Slater continues to maintain excellent relationships with his supply network and over 50 mainland distribution partners. While leading Actron, Mr. Slater also successfully sold into wide-ranging sales channels from big box retailers to large private label accounts. back to top

Fund Advisors

Ed Bell
Mr. Bell currently serves as a Senior Managing Director of Gries Financial LLC (Gries), a Cleveland, Ohio based wealth management advisory firm. Gries provides comprehensive financial planning and investment management services to an international high net worth clientele. In his capacity as Director of Gries’ Wealth Management group, Ed has been intimately involved in the development and implementation of financial strategies impacting all areas of clients’ financial situations, including income and estate tax planning, asset allocation and selection, and insurance planning. Prior to joining Gries in 1994, Ed was with Investment Advisors International (an IMG company) and Coopers & Lybrand (now PricewaterhouseCoopers). He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Miami University and a Juris Doctor degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Law. back to top

Jack Kopnisky
Mr. Kopnisky is a private investor and the former President, CEO and COO of First Marblehead Corporation (Ticker: FMD), a publicly traded provider of outsourcing services for private, non-governmental education lending. Prior to joining First Marblehead, he was the President of Key Consumer Banking and a member of KeyCorp’s Executive Council and Management Committee. In his capacity as President of Key Consumer Banking, Mr. Kopnisky has held overall responsibility for the sale and distribution of all products and services through three group divisions: retail banking, business banking and consumer finance. Collectively these three divisions have more than $29 billion in loans and $36 billion in deposits. He was also responsible for Key’s community development banking activities. Prior to being named President of Key Consumer Banking, Mr. Kopnisky held various executive positions within that bank that included mergers and acquisitions, development of human resource tactics and strategies for enhanced performance. From 1990 to 1995, Mr. Kopnisky was president of Key’s Cincinnati market. Prior to Key, Mr. Kopnisky was with Ameritrust and Pittsburgh National Bank. Mr. Kopnisky holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Economics from Grove City College and is a graduate of Stonier Banking School. back to top

Nick Russo
Mr. Russo is a Senior Associate with National City Equity Partners, a private equity firm with over $1 billion of capital under management and a portfolio of over 50 middle-market, manufacturing and services companies in a variety of industries. He began his career with Western Reserve Partners, a Cleveland-based investment bank focused on middle-market M&A advisory services. Mr. Russo holds a BA in Business Administration from the University of Mount Union. back to top

Mike Sherwin
Mr. Sherwin is a general partner of Mid-West Holdings Limited Partnership, a private equity investment partnership, Vice Chairman of Mid-West Forge Corporation, a manufacturer of high strength axle forgings, and CEO of Columbiana Holding Company. Mr. Sherwin was a founder, President and Director of National City Venture Corporation and National City Capital Corporation and a general partner with Prescott, Ball & Turben. Over Mr. Sherwin’s career, he has served on over 50 boards of directors for both public and private companies, including Linsalata Capital Partners, Kirtland Capital Partners and Austin Ventures, L.P. Mr. Sherwin has extensive knowledge in private equity fund organization, investing and operations. He holds a BS degree in Business Administration and Mechanical Engineering from Lehigh University and an MBA in Finance from University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton Graduate Division. back to top