AltsOps 2023

Muhammad is a Founder of Akram | Assurance, Advisory & Tax Firm and leads the firm's Alternative Investment practice. Muhammad specializes in providing accounting, tax, and business advice to a wide array of financial services entities, investment partnerships (domestic and offshore), funds-of-funds, digital asset funds, real estate funds, private equity funds, and investment advisors. He has experience advising newly formed entities and assisting with start-up considerations, such as form of practice, structure of agreements, compensation arrangements, compliance, and regulatory matters.

Michael Brice is the Founder and President of BW Cyber, as well as the Lead for the firm’s Virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) service offering. In this capacity, he is in constant demand for various CLevel and related strategic engagements that vary from in-person Private Equity Portfolio offsites speaking engagement focusing on critical CEO and CFO cybersecurity risks, to long-term vCISO outsourcing for highly regulated financial services organizations that do not possess in-house cyber competency.

Michael also maintains strong professional relationships with multiple commercial, financial, and governmental organizations – the most notable of which is his personal relationship with senior special agents from the FBI’s financial cyber division in New York City. In this capacity, he has presented in-tandem with the FBI on multiple public and private executive panels and related speaking events. Relatedly, as the Lead for the firm’s Financial Digital Forensics and Incident Response services, he maintains an on-going relationship with the FBI in which he can immediately involve highly specialized government assistance for critical client cyber incident/breach activities that are time-sensitive or highly impactful from a financial perspective (e.g., wire fraud, critical data loss, or ransomware).

Mr. Carballo’s mandate is to develop business nationwide. Glen focuses primarily on the fund industry, banking Hedge Funds, Private Equity, Venture Capital and Family Office. Glen Carballo can create memorable client experiences and build core deposit banking relationships With 20+ years of experience working with commercial & private clients, Mr. Carballo seeks to deliver an unmatched banking relationship with Valley's National Deposit Group by leveraging his firm, network and skill to ensure his clients have the banking resources to conduct business in an efficient manner.

Ryan is an experienced Treasury Management Professional with 20+ years of working in the financial services industry. He is skilled in Business Relationship Management, Commercial Banking, Working Capital Analysis, and Strategy. Ryan is also a strong consultant and thought provoker holding an M.B.A. with a focus in Business Management, from Centenary University. Ryan now leads a team of Treasury Solutions Sales professionals at Valley Bank located in New York City where he can reach more clients than before on the topics of Cash Flow and Fraud Mitigation tactics.

Mitch Cohen is a Senior Vice President and Partner in charge of US Capital’s Philadelphia and New York offices. As head of these regional offices, he is responsible for US Capital’s growing client base in the Northeastern United States, providing them with the group’s full range of financial services, including M&A, corporate and real estate finance, asset management and advisory services. Mr. Cohen has particular experience in M&A, corporate finance, including senior debt, mezzanine, and equity funding, real estate financing, including debt and equity funding and fund formation, as well as workout and restructuring financing. His US Capital Global clients include both domestic and international companies seeking exit events through sale or merger or dynamic expansion through acquisition, merger or joint venture. Mr. Cohen is Of Counsel at the Law Offices of Kotlar Hernandez & Cohen, LLC, where he directs the firm’s Real Estate & Corporate Law practice areas. Mr. Cohen brings his dynamic M&A experience to his entrepreneurial clients that are seeking capital events, growth through acquisition or merger or organic expansion. Mr. Cohen is also spearheading the development of the firm’s interdisciplinary and dynamic Alternative and Renewable Energy practice group. He represents real estate clients in all aspects of mergers and acquisitions, development and funding matters and corporate clients in a variety of business-related matters and transactions, including M&A, business formation and divestiture government relations and the technical arena that includes fintech, biotech, medtech and renewable energy. Prior to his position at Kotlar Hernandez & Cohen, LLC, Mr. Cohen was a partner at Pepper Hamilton LLP and Flaster Greenberg PC and served of Counsel at the Obermayer firm. Mitch has served as counsel to both public and private companies in the retail, office, industrial, and residential developers throughout the Northeast US region with respect to acquisitions, dispositions, land use, financing, construction, leasing, and property management matters. In this arena, Mr. Cohen has represented lenders, large national REITS, small developers, and equity funding sources. Mr. Cohen also brings to US Capital his years of experience as a real estate developer, including his role as CEO and a principal of Cohen Development Group LLC, a commercial real estate development company based in Marlton, New Jersey. Mr. Cohen has represented international oil and refining companies, transportation companies, high-tech and biotech companies, medical service providers, solar energy development companies, equity funds, national lenders, and clients engaged in business ventures in emerging green energy fields. His clients include solar and other alternative energy developers, EPC contractors, energy consultants, and renewable energy funding sources. Mr. Cohen also served as General Counsel to the New Jersey Renewable Energy Coalition and worked with Governor Chris Christie and his staff on crafting NJ solar energy policies. Mr. Cohen also brings to US Capital Global over 3 decades of experience as an entrepreneur. Mitch and his real estate development partners have developed or redeveloped over 4 million square feet of retail shopping centers together with a number of multi-family and senior care facilities. In addition, Mr. Cohen was a partner in a solar energy development company that developed and constructed over 40 megawatts of solar energy projects in a 6 year period. Mr. Cohen also was a partner in an oral pharmaceutical company based out of Tampa, Florida that developed products aimed an improving oral care for the old and infirm. Mr. Cohen graduated from Drexel University with a B.S. in Business Administration and obtained his J.D. degree from Temple University Beasley School of Law, where he served as Editor-in-Chief of the Temple Law Quarterly (Temple Law Review).

David Forman is Managing Member of Phoenix CG, which represents companies in the forefront of their industries seeking (i) growth capital, mezzanine and senior debt funding, and (ii) to engage in sell and buy-side transactions. Phoenix CG also represents businesses seeking revenue growth through strategic alliances.

Trilliam is the CEO and co-founder of WealthBlock Inc. Between 2012 and early 2018, Trilliam served as Lead Quant building the first quant team in the Market Regulation department of the National Futures Association to develop algorithms to detect suspicious trading behaviors in the Interest Rate Swap and Credit Default Swap markets. Before NFA, Trilliam obtained his master's degree in financial mathematics from the University of Chicago and another master's degree in applied mathematics from Queens College, CUNY.

Liron Mandelbaum is the COO at Dasseti and has extensive of experience in financial services. He as worked at Bloomberg LP for 17 years in the market data, analytics, and the brokerage division, where he was the head of sales operations and marketing. At Dasseti Liron has helped build the client success function by working with over 100 of the worlds largest allocators to implement modern fund and 3rd party due diligence processes the leverage automation and analytics. Liron Mandelbaum has a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) from Columbia Business School, a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Economics from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey-New Brunswick, and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in History from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey-New Brunswick.

Anthony Mascia is a Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Essential Fund Services International, LLC (“EFSI”), a leading fund administration and investor services provider. Anthony oversees EFSI’s business development and marketing strategy. He began his professional career in 1999 as a trader and member of the New York Board of Trade (NYBOT). While at NYBOT and the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), he co-founded a NFA-regulated brokerage business that consisted of national and international clients and was responsible for developing a division specializing in food and fiber commodities on the NYBOT exchange until it went fully electronic in 2008, growing revenues for this division by more than 250% annualized in the first 3 years and more than 30% a year thereafter. Anthony developed a reputation for effective risk management strategies, the formulation of market positioning strategies, as well as communicating incisive market commentary to clients and providing consistent and valued advisory services. After leaving the floor in 2008, Anthony went on to build a guaranteed independent brokerage firm focused on investing in alternative strategies through an affiliation with MF Global until 2011. Since 2008, Anthony has raised more than $100 million in assets for managed futures trading programs. Anthony is currently a Principal & Partner of a New York-based commodity trading advisor, providing consulting services and assistance with discretionary investment and marketing strategies. He currently resides in Westchester County with his wife and children where he is an avid winemaker and musician; he is a graduate of Fordham University.

Lance Paddock, the CEO and founder of Thompson Creek Wealth Advisors, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the realm of alternative investments. Lance's journey in the financial world commenced during the turbulent times of the technology crash in 2000 when he began his career at Morgan Stanley in Dallas. Following his tenure at Morgan Stanley, he returned to Baton Rouge, LA, and joined Peters Wealth Advisors in 2003. During his time at Peters Wealth Advisors, Lance assumed the pivotal role of Director of Investment Strategy, successfully navigating the challenges posed by the Financial Crisis of 2007-2009. Drawing upon the lessons learned during these tumultuous times, he embarked on a new endeavor in August 2009, founding Thompson Creek Wealth Advisors. As the CEO and Chief Investment Officer of Thompson Creek Wealth Advisors, Lance continues to steer the ship, guiding clients through the world of alternative investments with skill, insight, and a commitment to financial success.

As Managing Partner, Greg is responsible for all day-to-day operations of Fundviews Capital. Fundviews capital is a fund management platform, designed to help both emerging and established managers run the back and middle-office of their funds effectively and efficiently as an outsourced service. Prior to Fundviews Capital, Greg worked for Glide Capital. At Glide Capital, Greg held several positions and titles. Among them, Head of Operations and Head of Investments. Greg first built out the operations team at Glide, before formalizing the investment sourcing, due diligence, and decision-making processes. Under Greg’s tenure at Glide, the firm grew from ~$30 million under management to $550 million under management. Greg also hosts the Fundviews podcast. Beginning in 2020, Fundviews now has over 30 episodes to its name. The goal of the podcast is to bring the backgrounds of interesting fund managers and investment professionals to the masses. Greg is a Carleton University graduate with a Bachelor's Degree in Economics (with Honours) specializing in Financial Economics. Born in Canada, he moved to the United States in 2016.

Simon represents alternative investment funds, including hedge, private equity and venture capital funds and their sponsors, managers and investors in a broad range of matters relating to their structuring, formation, corporate governance, operations and regulatory compliance. His clients include SEC and state registered investment advisers, commodity pool operators, broker dealers, and managers based in foreign jurisdictions. Simon is also counsel to a wide range of companies, advisors, funds and issuers in the cryptocurrency space. Having launched in excess of 300 funds since 2011, he represents funds pursuing a diverse range of liquid and illiquid strategies including cryptocurrency/digital asset, global macro, real estate, micro-cap, forex, futures, statistical arbitrage, multi-strategy, emerging market, sector focused, volatility arbitrage, fixed income, cash advance, real estate tax lien, distressed company, as well as start-up company investments. Simon has broad experience representing issuers in private public offerings under Reg. D and Reg. A including initial coin offerings and other pre-sale token allocations. Simon also advises as to issues related to fund advertising and general solicitation, preparation of policies and procedures manuals, response to SEC and CFTC audits and general corporate and securities matters and routinely advises on legal issues arising under the Investment Advisers Act, the Investment Company Act, the Securities Act, the Securities Exchange Act, the Commodity Exchange Act and the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Simon is the former Chairman of the Hedge Fund Association’s government lobbying committee. He is an honors graduate of the University of Connecticut School of Law and has practiced corporate and securities law since 1999.

Ronald J. Sylvestri, Jr. is Founder & President of Quail Ridge Asset Management LTD. He is recognized as an expert in advising some of the most successful alternative asset managers in the world on effectively communicating with the institutional investor community. Mr. Sylvestri was born and raised in Westchester County, New York. Mr. Sylvestri earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1996, from Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts where he majored in Finance & Investments, with a concentration in Economics. Mr. Sylvestri currently holds a Series 7, 63 & 79 license. For the past 25 years, Mr. Sylvestri has dedicated himself and his career to Wall Street. Being an entrepreneur at heart, it was only natural for Mr. Sylvestri to start his own finance firm in 2009. As Founder and President, Quail Ridge Asset Management provides full service, value added strategic and fundraising assistance to private equity and other alternative asset managers and financial institutions. Since the inception in 2009, the firm has been a boutique investment consulting and advisory also to midsized companies, and independent sponsors. He has built the firm with professionals who possess strong investment/deal skills as well as marketing and client relationship experiences. Mr. Sylvestri is responsible for the overall management and strategic direction of the firm. He is also the primary relationship manager for the firm's clients and plays a key role in helping properly structure and position clients' funds in the marketplace. Mr. Sylvestri is dedicated to developing deep relationships with institutional investors around the world and in marketing clients' funds and services. Mr. Sylvestri brings extensive private equity investment and marketing experiences to Quail Ridge Asset Management. Over the course of his career, he has raised in excess of $4 billion for over 25 different alternative asset managers, emerging hedge funds, fund of funds, private equity, venture funds, growth equity buyout funds, real estate, and mezzanine funds & private credit funds. Today, Mr. Sylvestri’s main industry of focus is media, entertainment, and consumer companies. Mr. Sylvestri has raised money from public and private pension funds, family offices, insurance companies, endowments and foundations and the consultant community. Mr. Sylvestri has also spoken at numerous industry conferences and has written numerous op-eds for publications such as Forbes. Before forming Quail Ridge Asset Management, Mr. Sylvestri was a Principal at Emerald Point Capital Partners, where he played a key role in the firm's worldwide placement business. During his tenure with Emerald Point Capital, he was responsible for raising over $2 billion in commitments from institutional LP’s. Mr. Sylvestri assisted in structuring these partnerships as well as raising funds from investors. Mr. Sylvestri also helped develop and evaluate new private equity products/services offered by Emerald Point Capital Partners. Prior to joining Emerald Point Capital Partners, Mr. Sylvestri spent seven years at Morgan Stanley, where he was a Vice President, investment, portfolio, and strategic responsibilities at various investment units. At Morgan Stanley, Mr. Sylvestri was primarily involved in the Sales and Marketing of equity research and equity/debt structure products. Mr. Sylvestri is also a strategic advisor to a Multi Family Office based in Philadelphia called JD Group Holdings. Mr. Sylvestri is an active investor in venture and startup companies. Residing on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, with his wife, Melissa, and daughters Madison, Riley and Piper. Mr. Sylvestri has been heavily involved in several charitable organizations and an active member within his community.