Decision Makers
Board of Directors
Chairman and CEO - Financo, Inc. Gilbert W. Harrison founded Financo, Inc. in 1971, and has served as Chairman since the Firm's inception. Between 1971 and 1985, Mr. Harrison oversaw the growth of Financo into one of the nation's largest independent mergers and acquisitions firms. By 1985, the Firm had completed over 140 transactions. That year, Mr. Harrison sold Financo to Lehman Brothers, then a subsidiary of The American Express Company. At Lehman, Mr. Harrison was appointed to the Investment Banking Operating Committee, led the Merchandising Group, and remained Chairman of Financo (whose name was changed to the Lehman Middle Market Group). Under Mr. Harrison's leadership, Lehman's Merchandising group specialized in providing retail apparel, footwear and distribution enterprises with investment banking services, including advice on mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, equity offerings, debt offerings and other similar financings. In March 1989, Mr. Harrison reacquired the Financo name and left Lehman in order to re-establish Financo as an independent entity. Past and present clients of Mr. Harrison include Allied Department Stores Corporation, American Eagle Outfitters, Inc., BlueLight.com, Brooks Fashion Stores, Inc., Casual Corner Group, Inc., CVS (Melville) Corporation, Coty Inc., The Gap, Inc., Groupe Andre plc, Federated Department Stores, Inc., Revlon Inc., Kingfisher plc, Kmart Corporation, The Limited, Sears plc, Schottenstein Stores Corporation, Syms Corporation, and other domestic and international clients.
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| Financo, Inc. |
Chairman and CEO |
Current |
| Financo, Inc. |
Founder |
Current |
| American Arbitration Association |
member |
Former |
| Kmart Corporation |
|
Former |
Scott Abrams has over 20 years of experience in financial control and operations. Mr. Abrams joined Financo in 1995 as Controller and in 1999 was promoted to VP of Finance and Systems. He is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the firm's financial operations, including corporate tax filings, financial reporting, budgets and investment fund administration. In addition, he developed and oversees the office computer network systems, and established cost accounting policies and standards. Prior to joining Financo, Mr. Abrams had extensive experience in the Real Estate sector, including three years at The Solomon Organization as Controller with responsibility for the financial operation of fifteen residential and commercial properties, and four years at United Capital Corp. as Accounting Manager. Mr. Abrams holds a BS in Business Administration from Bryant College. He is a Certified Public Accountant and has qualified as an FINRA Series 28 Financial Operative.
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| Financo, Inc. |
Vice President |
Current |
| Gruppo, Levey & Co. |
|
Former |
| Levey and Company |
|
Former |
| Duke University |
B.A. In Economics |
Former |
| Duke University |
Certificate In Markets and Management |
Former |
Lee Anchin joined Financo as an Associate in 2005. Prior to joining Financo, Mr. Anchin worked with Ernst & Young LLP in its Mergers and Acquisitions Financial Due Diligence Practice, assisting financial and strategic acquirers evaluate potential investment opportunities. He began his career working as a Certified Public Accountant with Ernst & Young, specifically focusing on retail companies. Mr. Anchin graduated with a B.S. degree in Economics with a concentration in accounting from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He received an M.B.A. in finance and management from Columbia Business School.
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| Financo, Inc. |
Vice President |
Current |
| Financo, Inc. |
Associate |
Current |
| Ernst & Young |
Certified Public Accountant |
Former |
| Columbia Business School |
M.B.A. In Finance |
Former |
| Wharton Graduate School of the University of Pennsylvania |
B.S. Degree In Economics |
Former |
| School of the University of Pennsylvania |
B.S. degree in Economics with a concentration in accounting |
Former |
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| Financo, Inc. |
Vice President |
Current |
| Saks Fifth Avenue Enterprises |
Director of Finance |
Former |
| Superior Bancorp |
Investment Banker |
Former |
| The London School of Economics |
Masters of Science In Economics |
Former |
| Darden Graduate School of Business Administration |
Masters of Business Administration |
Former |
Vennette Ho joined Financo as an Associate in 2004. Prior to joining Financo, Ms. Ho spent two years at Lazard as an equity research associate covering retail and apparel companies including Wal-Mart, Limited Brands, Jones Apparel Group, Costco, Saks, and Target. She began her career in the Bloomingdale's Executive Training Program, first working in bridge sportswear and ultimately becoming senior assistant buyer of costume jewelry. Ms. Ho graduated magna cum laude from Brown University with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Economics. She received her M.B.A. at Columbia Business School, graduating with beta gamma sigma honors in May 2005.
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| Financo, Inc. |
Vice President |
Current |
| Financo, Inc. |
Associate |
Current |
| Saks Incorporated |
equity research associate |
Former |
| Columbia Business School |
M.B.A. |
Former |
| Brown University |
Bachelor of Arts In History and Economics |
Former |
Joel Glasky joined Financo in 2007 as Managing Director and head of the Firm's securities division. He brings over 30 years of investment banking experience, most recently at JPMorgan where he held a number of leadership roles, including heading the Private Placement and Ratings Advisory Groups, as well as having previously developed and managed the Firm's High Grade Capital Markets desk. He joined the Chase Securities' management team in 1991 and contributed to the growth of the capital markets businesses as the Firm evolved through mergers with Chemical Bank, JPMorgan, and Bank One. Prior to joining Chase, Mr. Glasky had been a Managing Director at Lehman Brothers where he directed its Private Placement Group. Mr. Glasky started his investment banking career at Citibank in the Corporate Finance Group. His expertise is centered on the capital markets where he has been engaged in the structuring and placement of a vast array of securities for a broad universe of issuers. He maintains an active dialogue with the institutional investor community that invests in privately placed securities of all types. Mr. Glasky received his Bachelor of Science with distinction in Electrical Engineering from Cornell University and his Masters in Business Administration from Harvard Business School. He lives in New York City with his wife and daughter.
Joshua Goldberg is the General Counsel and Managing Director of Financo, Inc. and the General Counsel of Financo Securities LLC. Mr. Goldberg joined Financo, Inc. in 1989 as one of its two original principals when it was re-established as an independent firm, following Gilbert Harrison's repurchase of the Financo name from Lehman Brothers. Mr. Goldberg also serves as a founding partner, Managing Director and General Counsel at Altamont Capital Partners Fund and Mercantile Capital Partners Fund - a private equity funds with portfolio investments in the consumer sector. Prior to joining Financo, Mr. Goldberg worked with Shearson Lehman Brothers in its merchandising industry group between 1886 and 1989. He also served the New York law firms of Kramer, Levin, Nessen, Kamin & Frankel (1985-1986) in mergers & acquisitions, and Berman Engel P.C. in mergers & acquisitions and environmental litigation. For seven years prior he worked in numerous positions at The Stop & Shop Companies, Inc., a supermarket chain founded by his grandfather in 1919. Mr. Goldberg also served as president of Harvard Defenders and legal advisor to Harvard Legal Services in 1982. Mr. Goldberg is a member of the Bars of New York and Massachusetts, the Association of the Bar of the City of New York and the Massachusetts Bar Association. His charitable interests include serving The Putney School, The Goldberg Family Foundation and the Rabb Family Foundations as a trustee; Make-a-Wish Foundation of Metro-NY as a member of its Advisory Board; City Harvest as a sponsor of its ?Kosher Initiative; and various other charitable concerns. Mr. Goldberg received his BA, cum laude, from Harvard University and his Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School.
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| Financo, Inc. |
General Counsel and Managing Director Financo, Inc. |
Current |
| Financo, Inc. |
General Counsel |
Current |
| Harvard Law School |
Juris Doctor |
Former |
| Harvard Law School |
BA |
Former |
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| Financo, Inc. |
Managing Director |
Current |
| Best Buy Co., Inc. |
|
Former |
| Kmart |
|
Former |
| Barnes & Noble, Inc. |
|
Former |
| Kidder, Peabody & Co. |
|
Former |
| Harvard University |
Masters In Business Administration |
Former |
| Simmons College |
Bachelor of Arts |
Former |
| Brandeis University |
For One Year |
Former |
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| Financo, Inc. |
Managing Director |
Current |
| The Ohio State University |
M.B.A. In Finance |
Former |
| Tufts University |
Bachelor of Science In Engineering |
Former |
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| Financo, Inc. |
Managing Director |
Current |
| Gruppo, Levey & Co. |
Managing Director |
Current |
| Ernst & Young |
Real Estate Group |
Former |
| Boston University School of Management |
M.B.A. in Finance |
Former |
| Tufts University |
B.A. in English |
Former |
Mary Ann Domuracki joined Financo in 2001 as Director of Financo Restructuring, and brings over 25 years of experience combining accounting, advisory and operating management services. Ms. Domuracki's industry experience includes senior management positions as President of Danskin, Inc., Executive Vice President of Administration and Finance of Kasper A.S.L., Ltd. and, most recently, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Pegasus Apparel Group, Inc. She also has advisory experience as a Senior Vice President with Conway, Del Genio, Gries & Co., LLC., and her accomplishments include developing and implementing a strategic plan for a diverse portfolio of businesses in a complex turnaround environment. Ms. Domuracki also has 11 years of experience with Ernst & Young's accounting and general business consulting services for retail and apparel wholesale companies. She is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Ms. Domuracki is a former board member of the American Apparel Manufacturers Association and a member of its Executive and Marketing committees. She was acknowledged as an Industry Leader for the 21st century by the Apparel Industry magazine. Ms. Domuracki has a Bachelors of Business Administration from the Pennsylvania State University with a concentration in accountancy.
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| Financo, Inc. |
Managing Director |
Current |
| McIntire School of Commerce |
Bachelor of Science Degree |
Former |
Chezley Howle joined Financo in 2005. Ms. Howle is a 2005 graduate of The Wharton School of The University of Pennsylvania, where she received a B.S. degree in Economics with concentrations in Finance and Management.
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| Financo, Inc. |
Analyst |
Current |
| Wharton Graduate School of the University of Pennsylvania |
|
Former |
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| Herbalife International of America, Inc. |
Consultant |
Current |
| Financo, Inc. |
Consultant |
Current |
| Merryck & Co |
|
Current |
| SOLA International Inc. |
Director |
Current |
| Herbalife International of America, Inc. |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| Tandy Brands Accessories, Inc. |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| Herbalife Independent Distributor Amazingdiet.Com |
Director |
Current |
| Amazingdiet |
Director |
Current |
| Acres of Love Inc |
Director |
Current |
| Shelley Penney |
Director |
Current |
| Orr Felt |
Chief Executive Officer |
Former |
| Orr Felt |
President |
Former |
| University of Dayton |
Trustee |
Former |
| LVMH Inc. |
|
Former |
| University of Dayton |
Board of Directors |
Former |
| Bryant College |
Doctorate in Business Administration |
Former |
| University of Cincinnati College of Law |
Juris Doctorate Degree |
Former |
| University of Dayton |
Bachelor of Arts Degree |
Former |
David Ishag is based in London and provides clients with European representation. Between 1999 and 2002 he opened the European office of idealab!, an early stage transatlantic incubator. The office produced a 700% ROI in a highly volatile market. Prior to joining idealab!, between 1997 and 1999, Mr. Ishag was a partner at Knowledge Universe, a private equity fund established by Michael Milken and Larry Ellison.
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| Financo, Inc. |
Special Uk Advisor |
Current |
| Knowledge Universe, Inc. |
Partner |
Former |
| Harvard Business School |
M.B.A. |
Former |
| The London School of Economics |
Law degree |
Former |
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| Financo, Inc. |
|
Current |
| Emory University |
Bachelors of Arts in Economics concentrating in Finance |
Former |
Evan Morgan joined Financo in 2007. Prior to joining Financo full time, Mr. Morgan spent time as summer analyst with the firm. In addition, Mr. Morgan has also worked in the office of media relations at Goldman Sachs and in the office of Senator Joseph Lieberman. Mr. Morgan graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in May 2007 with BA in Politics, Philosophy and Economics.
Gustavo Siman joined Financo in 2006. Prior to joining Financo, Mr. Siman was Commercial Director of St. Jack's Apparel, a leading vertical branded apparel manufacturer and retailer in Latin America, where he was responsible for the company's operations throughout the region. He designed and implemented the division's commercial strategy and annual business plans. His functions included P&L responsibility for the retail division and distribution operations in Latin America, establishment of the global sourcing unit as well as merchandising and licensing. With nine years of experience in the retail and apparel sectors, Mr. Siman also brings significant knowledge of the Latin American markets. Previously, Mr. Siman worked at private equity firm GB Merchant Partners where he evaluated potential investment opportunities, performed valuation analysis, business due diligence and portfolio company projects. Mr. Siman earned a Masters in Business Administration from the Harvard Business School. He graduated with a B.A. summa cum laude in Business Administration with concentration in Textiles from North Carolina State University. Mr. Siman is a Director of the Children's Museum of El Salvador.
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| Financo, Inc. |
Analyst |
Current |
| Wharton Graduate School of the University of Pennsylvania |
|
Former |
Lucas Brown joined Financo in 2005. Mr. Brown graduated summa cum laude from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned a B.S. in Economics with a concentration in Finance.
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| Financo, Inc. |
Analyst |
Current |
| Federated Merchandising Group |
|
Current |
| The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania |
B.S. |
Former |
| Wharton Graduate School of the University of Pennsylvania |
|
Former |
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| Financo, Inc. |
Analyst |
Current |
| Wharton Graduate School of the University of Pennsylvania |
|
Former |
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| Financo, Inc. |
Analyst |
Current |
| Ivy Council |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| Wharton Graduate School of the University of Pennsylvania |
|
Former |
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| Financo, Inc. |
Analyst |
Current |
| Wharton Graduate School of the University of Pennsylvania |
|
Former |
Executive News
-
Financo Announces Key Executive Appointment to Head West Coast Operations
TradingMarkets - 8/28/09 - View Story
-
Financo Announces Key Executive Appointment to Head West Coast Operations
Street Insider - 8/28/09 - View Story
-
New Director Named for Financo West
ApparelNews.net - 8/27/09 - View Story