EdgePoint Capital Advisors

EdgePoint's team of entrepreneurial professionals has executed hundreds of transactions and provided strategic value to numerous small and middle market companies. Many of our professionals have been entrepreneurs or in an entrepreneurial environment and have significant experience in both the financial and emotional side of transactions.

Thomas Zucker	President
Russell Warren	Senior Vice President
Daniel Weinmann	Senior Vice President
John Herubin	Senior Vice President
Mark Mountain	Vice President
Hank Vavrik	Vice President
Jared McCracken	Associate
Warren Coleman	Associate
Peter Deegan	Associate
Geoff Tollett	Financial Analyst
Patty Faloon	Office Manager

Tom works extensively with privately owned, middle market companies providing financial advisory services on mergers and acquisitions, capital formation, restructuring, and other corporate finance matters. He has a proven track record of closing transactions and solving complex business problems. He has served as the financial advisor on over $175 million in transaction value for his clients, which have included KeyCorp, Pfingsten Partners and Earnest Machine Products, among others.

Prior to founding EdgePoint, Mr. Zucker was a Principal at Hatchbox, the premiere high-tech business incubator in Ohio. Tom was responsible for assisting Fortune 500 companies and many entrepreneurial start-ups, including FedEx Custom Critical and Nine Sigma, in creating and launching successful businesses utilizing emerging technologies.

Before joining Hatchbox, Tom was responsible for growing Arthur Andersen's Venture Services Practice. Tom was responsible for assisting numerous middle market clients in completing mergers and acquisition transactions, serving venture capital clients, and in providing consulting and assurance services. During his tenure at Arthur Andersen, Tom helped take PECO II a high growth company through the IPO process.

Tom also had significant experiences at Ernst & Young for 7 years including asset securitizations, venture capital, business process analysis, and financial and business analysis. In addition, he actively participated in a family business during his early years in business.

Tom is a former Board member of the International Angel Institute, a past Board member of The Young Entrepreneurs Organization, a past Board member of The Entrepreneurship Institute, a member of the Ohio Venture Association, and a member of the AICPA. Tom is also a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Ohio. Tom serves on the Board of several local companies and not for profit organizations. Tom received his Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree from Case Western Reserve University.

For 30 years Russ Warren has specialized in corporate financial services, advising hundreds of clients from North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East on mid-market transactions. Now at EdgePoint, he has served clients as president of The TransAction Group for 21 years. For the previous 10 years, he was partner-in-charge of Merger & Acquisitions Services for Ernst & Whinney (now Ernst & Young).

Mr. Warren is an expert in U.S. and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, exit strategies for private company owners, corporate divestitures, leveraged buyouts and business valuations. He has advised clients on more than 200 mid-market mergers and acquisitions in nearly all manufacturing sectors including: engineered products, automotive, railway supply, electronics, industrial and medical equipment. He has also led transactions involving companies in distribution, food and consumer products, building materials, transportation, business-to-business services and financial services.

He was president of the Association for Corporate Growth, an international organization of nearly 10,000 professionals in merger and acquisition fields. He is past president of M&A International, Inc. – an alliance of 42 leading merger and acquisition advisory firms in 38 countries, and has chaired its Automotive Industry Committee. He now chairs the alliance’s Training and Secondment Committee. He is a director of Seneca Capital Management, a private equity firm in Pittsburgh, PA, and past president of the Harvard Business School Club of Northeastern Ohio.

He has written articles for and has been a featured participant in industry roundtables published by Mergers & Acquisitions – The Dealmakers Journal.

Mr. Warren holds an MBA from the Harvard Business School and a BS in electrical engineering from Case Western Reserve University. He is a certified public accountant and has a Series 7 securities license. He is listed in Who’s Who in Finance and Industry and Who’s Who in the World. In 2001 he received the Lifetime Achievement Dealmaker Award from the Association for Corporate Growth. He is a trustee emeritus of Case Western Reserve University and a member of the Visiting Committees of the Weatherhead School of Management and the Case School of Engineering.

Dan is responsible for advising current and prospective business owners on the transition options available to them, particularly in assisting owners with the sale of a company or advising buyers in the purchase of a business.

Prior to joining EdgePoint, Dan worked at McDonald Investments, Inc. working in the middle market Investment Banking group called Key Business Advisory Services (KBAS). At KBAS, Dan advised on mergers and acquisitions primarily for privately held business owners. During his tenure at Key/McDonald Investments Dan also had the 3rd party sales opportunity to work with companies transitioning their businesses through management buyouts, establishment of ESOPs, senior debt restructurings, sub-debt placements, bankruptcy sales, and corporate divestitures. Prior to McDonald Investments, Dan has also worked as a financial analyst for The Koptis Organization in Brecksville, Ohio, assisting middle market business owners with estate planning, corporate funding and ESOP solutions.

Dan holds a Bachelors of Science in Psychology from Kent State University and earned his Masters in Business Administration from The Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University, with a concentration in Finance.

Dan also holds Series 7, 24 and 63 securities licenses.

John works with middle market business owners to clarify transition options and assist in the execution and completion of these strategies. In addition, John leverages his technical and business experiences to deliver creative and innovative solutions to business owners. John has a proven track record of completing complex transactions and delivering successful results to his clients.

Most recently John was with Merrill Lynch’s Global Bank Group as a Commercial Finance Manager. In this role he managed a team of professionals that coordinated the delivery of corporate finance, merger & acquisition advisory, commercial real estate finance, cash management and investment solutions to approximately 1,800 financial advisors and their clients in the Great Lakes region.

Prior to joining Merrill Lynch, John was a Senior Vice President at KeyCorp. John provided investment banking services throughout the Great Lakes Region and was focused on serving privately owned, middle market companies with acquisitions, divestitures, and financial advisory services. In addition, John worked with more than 600 privately and family owned middle market companies with the development and implementation of business succession plans designed to accomplish the overall goals and objectives of business owners.

John also spent 9 years in public accounting as a tax and business consulting professional with Ernst & Young and Skoda, Minotti, Reeves & Co. He also holds his Series 7, 24, 63 and 65 securities licenses.

John holds a Bachelor’s degree from Youngstown State University and received his Juris Doctor from Cleveland State University.

John has participated as an instructor in several continuing legal and professional education seminars. Active in several organizations, John is a member of the American Bar Association, Ohio Bar Association, Cleveland Bar Association, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants. He is a past member of Attorneys for Family-held Enterprises.

John is also active as a board member for Providence House in Cleveland and is the coordinator of a scholarship fund at Ursuline High School in Youngstown, Ohio.

John and his wife Therese, and three children reside in Mentor, Ohio.

Mark Mountain is a Vice President at EdgePoint Capital Advisors where he advises current and prospective business owners on their business succession planning. Mark works closely with privately owned, middle market companies to provide financial advisory services for capital formation, restructurings, mergers and acquisitions and other financial matters.

Prior to joining EdgePoint, Mark spent seven years at KeyBank National Association working in the Commercial Banking group. As a Vice President and Senior Relationship Manager at KeyBank, he provided financing, cash and investment management and business advisory services to clients. He has extensive knowledge in loans, working capital lines of credit, equipment financing, capital markets, international trade finance, treasury services and investment management. During his tenure at KeyBank, Mark had the opportunity to work with companies transitioning their businesses through management buyouts, senior debt restructurings, corporate divestitures and acquisitions. Mark received numerous awards at KeyBank including induction into KeyBank’s President’s Club and High Achiever’s Club.

Mark holds a Bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University and earned his Masters in Business Administration from Baldwin Wallace College with a concentration in Finance. Mark also holds Series 7 and 63 securities licenses.

Mark is active in numerous charitable and non-profit endeavors. Mark resides in Brecksville, Ohio with his wife Lynn and their two children.

Hank Vavrik
Vice President

office:	216-831-2430 Ext 210
mobile:	440-488-7758
e-mail	Open vCard below

Hank Vavrik is a Vice President at EdgePoint. Mr. Vavrik is responsible for business development initiatives for the company and for our clients. Hank’s business and transactional experience are valuable to identifying and structuring business relationships and transactions that have lasting value.

Prior to joining EdgePoint, Hank was the President and Chief Operating Officer for JTM Products Inc./ChemMasters, Inc. responsible for the senior management team which he led through precise evaluation of talent, process, quality and profitability. Hank also held full responsibility for JTM Products Inc./ChemMasters, Inc. profit and loss. He was responsible for doubling sales during his leadership tenure.

Before joining JTM Products Inc./ChemMasters, Inc. Hank was the Vice President of Finance for The Murphy-Phoenix Company where he was responsible for accounting operations through P&L, and prepared budgeting and forecasting for the entire organization.

Hank holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from John Carroll University and is a member of the Chemical Specialty Management Council. Hank also holds a Series 7 securities licenses.

Jared is responsible for supporting the other EdgePoint Capital team members in completing transactions for our clients. His primary duties include financial modeling, market research, and preparation of offering materials. He has analyzed companies operating in diverse industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, and distribution.

Prior to joining EdgePoint, Jared was a small business consultant for privately held business owners at the Youngstown Business Incubator (YBI). During his tenure, he assisted the YBI’s legal counsel in providing companies with integrated management and legal services. His work has provided him with experience in the formulation and execution of strategic growth and survival strategies, as well as raising capital through multiple financing sources.

Jared holds a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration from Youngstown State University, with a concentration in Finance. Additionally, he is a candidate in the Chartered Financial Analyst program. He holds a Series 7 securities license.

Warren Coleman has experience both in mid-market M&A and as the CEO and owner of a $20 million revenue, privately-held lumber business. As president, Warren directed all facets of operations for the company including finance, strategic planning, IT development, marketing and human resource management.

As principal, Warren negotiated the sale and purchase of individual business units to strategically diversify his enterprise. In 2003 he received an industry award for customer satisfaction.

Warren co-leads EdgePoint's forest products industry practice. He focuses on the sale and recapitalization needs of both private and public enterprises within the forest products industry segment. Warren's unique industry perspective as a former owner and operator within the industry strengthens his relationship with clients. He served on the National Lumber Dealer's Advisory Council of Ace Hardware for five years.

Recently, Warren has contributed to numerous articles on business strategy, mergers, acquisitions and topics, including cross border transactions.

Warren earned his B.A. in Mathematics and Physics from the University of the South as a Wilkins Scholar, his Bachelors of Mechanical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and his M.B.A. from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University. He became a Chartered Financial Analyst in 2005.

Warren draws on his CFA background to help clients understand the financial risks as well as the benefits of a given transaction. He is a member of the Estate Planning Council of Cleveland, the Association for Corporate Growth, the Financial Planning Association, the CFA Institute, and is currently Vice President and Membership Chairman of the CFA Society of Cleveland. He also holds a Series 7 and 63 securities licenses.

He has served as Trustee of numerous non-profit organizations including most recently the West Side Community House where he participated in a $3 million dollar capital campaign. He is also proud to have directed a series of golf outings to benefit Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital.

Peter is an Associate with EdgePoint Capital Advisors and works closely with the firm’s principals to provide buy-side, sell-side and refinancing services to businesses. His primary duties include performing market research, financial modeling and due diligence; identifying strategic and financial prospects; and preparing offering materials. Peter has significant experience working closely with business owners in the lower middle market.

Prior to joining EdgePoint, Peter owned and managed a fast-growing contracting firm in Hudson, Ohio. As a successful entrepreneur, he developed innovative strategies to take advantage of market inefficiencies, increase sales and improve profits. As a result, he understands many of the challenges facing business owners today and is uniquely qualified to anticipate and overcome obstacles in the ownership transition process.

Peter holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Cleveland State University, with a concentration in Ethics, and received his Juris Doctor from Case Western Reserve University School of Law. He also holds Series 7 and 63 securities licenses.

Geoff Tollett is a Financial Analyst with EdgePoint Capital Advisors where he works closely with the firm’s principals to provide buy-side, sell-side and refinancing services to companies in the middle market. His primary duties include market research, financial modeling, managing due diligence information, buyer list creation and preparing offering materials. Geoff has worked in a variety of industries including technology, manufacturing, distribution, services, and retail.

Prior to joining EdgePoint, Geoff interned with Merrill Lynch’s Global Private Client Group where he directly assisted two Senior Financial Advisors in the management of over $250 million in assets. This work provided him with a comprehensive understanding of the capital markets and a strong background in financial services marketing.

Geoff earned a Bachelors of Science in Management, with a concentration in Finance, and minors in Accounting and Economics from Case Western Reserve University. He also holds a Series 7 securities license.

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