Chicago Manufacturing & Industrial Summit: Multiple Panels (IN PERSON)

Katie Kimble is a Managing Director of Investments at Fundamental Income, Brookfield's (NYSE: BAM) net lease platform specializing in sale leasebacks. In this capacity, Katie is responsible for sourcing and reviewing single-tenant acquisition and investment opportunities across the middle market.

Katie previously served as Vice President of Business Development and Communications for RiverGlade Capital, a lower middle market healthcare private equity firm. There, her primary responsibilities included business development, marketing and communications, and investor relations.

Prior to RiverGlade, Katie spent 10 years at Mesirow Financial, a diversified financial services firm, where she focused on investor communications, marketing, and business development for the firm’s institutional investment management strategies. Previously, Katie held various private equity roles at Graham Partners and American Capital. She began her career in the audit practice at PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Katie holds a BS in Accounting, a BBA in Marketing, and an MBA from Villanova University. In addition, she is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and holds the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) designation.

Tom founded Ravinia Capital in 1998 and serves as a Managing Partner. He has more than 20 years of operating experience in roles ranging from salesperson to CEO. Tom’s background in accounting, law, and general management allowed him to evaluate, invest in, acquire, and lead a number of private companies. Today, Tom leverages his experience to help company owners understand how to best tap capital markets or sell their companies for the best possible outcomes. Tom’s background gives him the unique ability to understand the needs and of both the company owner and buyer and can help all parties navigate the inevitable complexities involved in all transactions.

Tom earned the annual ‘Distressed Dealmaker of the Year’ award from the M&A Advisor Turnaround Association for delivering an exceptional outcome for a company in distress. Tom is a frequent speaker on alternative capital raises in challenging situations and distressed investing, and he is involved in a number of non-profit organizations, including the Chicago Anti-Defamation League and the Old-Town School of Folk Music.

He received a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, a JD law degree from the University of Chicago, and MBA from the Kellogg School of Business at Northwestern University.

Travis Loomis is a Senior Manager in Withum’s Operations & Supply Chain Consulting Services. With over ten years of experience in supply chain and M&A consulting, Travis specializes in operations strategy, process design and improvement, supply chain optimization, merger integration management, and data analytics. His industry expertise spans Consumer Products, Manufacturing, Distribution and Logistics and Professional Services. He works with clients to build and sustain strategic competitive advantages and drive bottom-line benefits informed by candid communication and data-driven insights.

Anthony Saracco is M&A Director at Commerzbank in New York, where he focuses on the Automotive and Industrials sectors. Anthony joined Commerzbank in 2019, and holds an MBA from Chicago Booth, an M.A. from Sciences Po, and B.A. from Hamilton College.

Founder, Simplicity Ventures
Simplicity Ventures helps growing companies succeed by making things simple. Bringing Fortune 500 expertise to mid-sized companies with a clear approach: identify what truly drives value, eliminate what does not, and protect what matters most.

Previously Vice President, Strategex
Ashley joined Strategex after nearly two decades working at Fortune 500 companies including Veritiv, Kimberly-Clark, and General Motors. As the Global Business Development Leader at Veritiv, Ashley led the international strategy development for a $200M+ business including target market and value proposition definition. This allowed the company to expand into new vertical markets with key industry leaders in each respective segment.

Beyond business development, Ashley has in-depth experience in engineering and innovation. Passionate about sustainability, she worked with a materials engineering team in Asia to help bring new, sustainable materials to market. Ashley also worked closely with global procurement leaders from Fortune 500 companies to develop resilient supply chains for direct and indirect materials.

Ashley holds a BS in Industrial Engineering from Purdue University, and an MBA from Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

Charlie Denison, Managing Director of Shorehill Capital LLC, is a private equity investor with 13 years of investing experience. He is passionate about partnering with entrepreneurs and business owners to grow middle market industrial businesses. He focuses on industrial distribution and niche manufacturing. Charlie currently serves on the Board of Directors of Flexpak LLC, Triad Technologies LLC, and Functional Devices LLC. Charlie previously served on the Board of Directors of Power Grid Components, which was exited in 2023. Prior to Shorehill, Charlie worked for Boston Consulting Group, Adams Street Partners and Merrill Lynch. Charlie has a BS from University of Colorado at Boulder and an MBO from Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management.

Chris Cerimele is the Founder and Managing Partner of Balmoral Advisors, a boutique investment bank he started in 2014. With more than 30 years of experience across investment banking, finance, and public accounting, Chris leads with a simple but powerful philosophy: deliver exceptional results, and long-term success will follow.

Under his leadership, Balmoral has expanded — growing its team, broadening its industry reach, and establishing a strong network of global M&A partners. Since opening its doors, the firm has closed around 50 transactions. While Chris is heavily involved in setting the firm’s strategy and growth plans, he remains hands-on with clients, especially in the Building Products, Chemicals and Materials, and Industrials sectors.

Throughout his career, Chris has advised on deals totaling over $20 billion, mainly in the mid-market space. His expertise spans M&A advisory, corporate divestitures and carve-outs, takeover defenses, fairness opinions, capital raising, and financial restructurings for both debtors and creditors. He’s also provided expert testimony and advised on bankruptcy sales and court-driven processes.

Before founding Balmoral, Chris held key leadership roles at several top investment banks, including Head of Chemicals at Houlihan Lokey and Lincoln International, and Managing Director at Grace Matthews. His career began in public accounting at KPMG, followed by a move into investment banking at DLJ/Credit Suisse. In 2010, he was recognized with a 40 Under 40 Award by The M&A Advisor.

Chris holds a BS in Accounting from the University of Southern California and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. He is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive) and a FINRA-registered financial professional and general securities principal.

Outside of work, Chris is a community leader passionate about supporting youth education. He currently serves on the Boards of Directors for the Midwest Young Artists Conservatory in Highwood, IL, and Regina Dominican High School in Wilmette, IL. His previous board roles include serving as President of The Adoption Center of Illinois and Chicago Dramatists, as well as being a board member of the Young Executives Club of Chicago.

At Balmoral, Chris has fostered a culture built on excellence, integrity, hard work, creativity, and an unwavering focus on helping clients succeed.

Mr. Mudd has held multiple senior management roles in the petrochemicals industry.

Chris Mudd is a petrochemicals operating executive who has held multiple senior management roles during his 30+ years in the industry. He has experience with strategy development and implementation, corporate carve outs, divestitures, mergers, and acquisitions. He created and launched a successful public company, led the divestment of a business unit from Dow/Exxon with exit at 8x EBITDA multiple, and has been CEO of a private equity portfolio company.

Chris began his career with Dow Chemical where he served in various commercial, business management, purchasing, licensing and financial analyst roles. He was named President & General Manager of a specialty chemicals joint venture of Dow Chemical and ExxonMobil, Dexco Polymers, where he had full P&L responsibility. In 2011 he led the successful carve out and sale of the business to an overseas strategic buyer for $168M and continued to lead the company under new ownership. Chris became President & COO of CSW Industrials (NASDAQ: CSWI) a company which he created and launched in 2015. Company valuation has grown from $350M at time of IPO to more than $1B today. In 2018, Chris became CEO of SGCE/Juniper Specialty Products, a specialty chemicals company owned by private equity and a sovereign wealth fund. Prior to joining Chiron, Chris was President of CJM ChemConsult, an advisory firm that identifies, develops, and supports strategic growth opportunities for investors in the chemical industry.

Chris currently serves as President of the Board of Directors of a non-profit that supports young adults with intellectual disabilities in Houston and serves as Director of MUD355. He has previously served on the Board of Governors of the Petrochemical Founders Club; is past-President, Americas Section, of the International Institute of Synthetic Rubber Producers; and was co-Chairman of the Purdue University parent advisory board.

A builder of teams targeting my effort on the success of customers and colleagues. A sales and operations leader focused on goal execution, developing people, strategic growth, and building a constructive culture. Proven leadership, demonstrated success in progressive roles and the highest level of integrity are fundamental qualities I offer. Built high performance teams, developed seasoned professionals and new hires.

Working for Fortune 500, middle market and start-up companies enhance my diverse background. Experience includes sales and operations leadership, P&L, marketing, contract negotiation, strategic planning and alliance partners.

Broad spectrum of commercial finance sales leadership experience.

Daniel E. Pansing, Managing Director, joined Merit in 1999. He began his career at the First National Bank of Omaha where he was a Management Trainee, gaining exposure to all aspects of the bank’s operations. He later joined the bank’s Commercial Lending Department. In 1995, Dan moved to Chicago to join LaSalle Bank’s (now Bank of America) credit training program. As a Commercial Loan Officer at LaSalle, Dan focused on leveraged and asset based transactions with middle market companies.

Dan received his M.B.A., with honors, in 1999 from the Anderson School at U.C.L.A. As a Venture Fellow, his studies focused on finance and entrepreneurial studies. In 1993, Dan earned a B.S. in Political Science, magna cum laude, from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa.

Dan currently serves on the Board of Directors of Nester Hosiery, Propet Footwear and Reliant at Home Inc.

Dan lives with his wife and two daughters in Western Springs. He enjoys staying active in his community, coaching teams and serving on area charitable boards. Recently, he was elected to the board of his local school district. Outside the office, Dan enjoys golf, fly fishing and paddle tennis.

Derek, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder, has over ten years of experience in corporate finance, investment management and advisory experience, including mergers and acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, growth equity, recapitalizations, and portfolio company management. He has deep experience in the industrials, consumer products and technology sectors.

Prior to joining High Street Capital, Derek was a Senior Associate with Corporate Partners, a middle-market private equity firm, where he was responsible for identifying, executing, and managing investments made from the firm’s $550 million fund. Prior to Corporate Partners, Derek was an Associate with Aramar Capital Group, a boutique investment bank, where he supported the firm’s sell-side advisory and strategic capital raising services for privately held, middle-market companies.

Derek is a 2010 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, where he received a B.S. in Economics with a concentration in Statistics from the Wharton School, as well as a B.A. with distinction in Philosophy, Politics & Economics from the College of Arts & Sciences, magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa.

James Pratt is a co-founder and managing partner at Forsyth Advisors. Since 2002, Jim has worked exclusively with small to midsize companies with revenues ranging from $10 million to over $750 million. Jim creates operational strategy, manufacturing implementation, and sourcing improvements in a wide range of industries including aerospace, automotive, consumer packaged goods, contract filling, electronics, heavy industrial, light industrial, safety, and value-added distribution.

His previous experience includes leading the first Asia sourcing group at GE Transportation, creating a domestic supply chain for Alstom, and driving sourcing cost savings across Harbour Group’s portfolio of middle market companies. Jim is an engineering graduate of Worcester Polytechnic Institute with a master’s degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Jesse Moran joined Artemis in August of 2019. Jesse oversees all Business Development efforts including, but not limited to; strategy, lead generation, channel partnerships, and marketing.

Jesse joined Artemis after operating his own consulting practice specializing in Digital Marketing and Sales services. Jesse also spent for more than three years at HubSpot, where he won multiple awards for sales and marketing performance.

John is a Managing Director in WhiteHorse Capital’s Chicago office. He is responsible for all aspects of the investment process including sourcing, transaction structuring and execution of post-closing operational strategies.

John has more than a decade of experience in middle market private equity, investment banking and lending. He has executed investments across a wide range of industries including healthcare, specialty finance, financial services, transportation, business services and manufacturing and distribution. Prior to joining WhiteHorse Capital in 2012, John was a senior professional with Patriot Capital, where he executed and managed numerous debt and equity investments.

John earned an M.B.A. from The Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University with distinction and an undergraduate degree, magna cum laude, in accounting from the Towson University. John also holds his Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation.

Mark Birkett is a Senior Managing Director and is based in Chicago. Mark has more than two decades of experience supporting private equity firms and middle-market borrowers across a range of debt products in support of acquisitions, growth, recapitalizations, and refinancings. During his career, he has underwritten and advised clients in structuring and executing more than $6 billion of financings comprising senior debt, subordinated debt, structured capital and non-control equity.

Prior to joining HCF, Mark was a Managing Director in the Leveraged Finance Group at William Blair. Previously, he was a Partner and Managing Director at Livingstone Partners, a lower middle-market investment bank and an Underwriter at GE Antares Capital. Mark graduated from Villanova University, with a B.S.B.A. in Finance and earned an M.B.A. from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan.

N3 Capital Management, LLC was founded in 2022 by Neal Nath. Mr. Nath has nearly two decades of institutional investing, transaction, and operational experience. Mr. Nath has led successful investments in various industries including industrial, consumer, business services, and real estate.

Prior to founding N3, Mr. Nath was a Managing Director at Aves Capital Management, L.P., where he originated, structured, and executed bespoke middle market debt and equity financing transactions. Mr. Nath also served as a member of the firm’s Investment Committee and Valuation Committee. Mr. Nath continues to serve as a senior advisor to Aves.

Previously Mr. Nath was a Managing Director and senior member of the private equity investment team at Z Capital Group, where he made control private equity investments and oversaw value creation initiatives across several portfolio companies. Mr. Nath was also an investment banker with Houlihan Lokey and a management consultant with The Keystone Group.

Mr. Nath received his Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Purdue University and has served on the boards of Factor75, Premier Thermal Solutions, Twin-Star International and Carillon Miami Wellness Resort.

Peter Hammond is a seasoned executive, specializing in high-growth, $20-200M manufacturing companies. He combines a dozen years leading world-class operations at Emerson Electric with fifteen years working with founders, PE firms and family offices to prepare manufacturing companies for sale. His work spans industries including medical device, aerospace, industrial automation, renewable energy, computers, powersports, exercise equipment, distribution, and warehousing. He is particularly effective in multi-cultural and international environments, having lived in Beijing for seven years and operated in forty countries.