ACG South Florida 2023 Private Equity Panel Discussion

John joined RSM in 2005, he provides advisory services to private equity firms and their portfolio companies including due diligence investigations, pre- and post-transaction planning, tax consulting, and tax compliance. He has extensive tax experience with publicly held and privately held corporations in the business services, health care, industrial and consumer product industries.

Areas of emphasis include:

• Consolidated tax returns • Multi-state tax issues • FASB ASC 740 (formerly FAS 109), Accounting for Income Taxes • FASB ASC 740-10 (formerly FIN 48), Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes • Tax credits • Accounting methods

Before joining RSM, John spent 14 years with a Big Four accounting firm.

Professional affiliations and credentials

• Certified public accountant, Florida and Pennsylvania • American Institute of Certified Public Accountants • Alumnus of Leadership Palm Beach County • Association for Corporate Growth- South Florida, Treasurer • Business Development Board of Palm Beach County Education

• Master of Business Administration, Accounting, LaSalle University • Bachelor of Science, Economics, Pennsylvania State University

Zachariah "Reggie" P. Zachariah, Jr. is a shareholder in the firm's Corporate Practice in Fort Lauderdale and focuses his practice on private equity transactions; mergers and acquisitions; corporate restructurings and counseling boards and senior management on strategic business, corporate formation and governance, financial and transactional matters. Reggie’s specific industry experience includes health care technology and services, education, insurance, manufacturing, franchises, retail, and infrastructure. Prior to law school he was a financial analyst, focusing on mergers & acquisitions for a public company.

James Cassel, chairman and co-founder of Cassel Salpeter & Co., is an investment banker who uses his unique experience as a dealmaker and attorney to guide clients and help them achieve their goals.

Focused on representing middle-market companies, Jim has successfully negotiated, structured, and executed a broad spectrum of transactions including mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures, corporate and transactional financings, and public offerings for clients nationwide and worldwide. Having developed a keen understanding of the issues faced and alternatives available for distressed companies, he has particular experience in developing financial restructuring plans, negotiating with creditors, and guiding debtors through bankruptcy proceedings.

Nationally recognized for his investment banking expertise, Jim frequently lectures on timely issues related to middle-market investment banking.

Jim is a former board member and president of the South Florida Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth. 

Jim received a bachelor’s degree in 1976 from American University, in Washington, D.C., and a law degree in 1979 from the University of Miami School of Law, in Miami. He is a member of the New York and Florida Bar Associations.

Steven Loeffler currently serves as Principal, Consumer on the Private Equity Investment Team. Prior to joining the firm, Steve was an Analyst at Peter J. Solomon Company.

Steven’s interests outside of work include golf, the New England Patriots, and his Golden Retriever.

EDUCATION

University of Pennsylvania, B.A., Economics, magna cum laude

CURRENT AND PRIOR MIDOCEAN BOARDS

• Cloyes
• Florida Food Products
• FullSpeed Automotive
• Image Skincare
• Travelpro Group
• QualiTech

Andrew is a member of the Investment Committee and is responsible for all key aspects of the investment process including sourcing, transaction execution and portfolio company oversight.

Andrew brings over 11 years of experience in private equity and finance.

Prior Experience:

• Cerberus Capital, Vice President
• Comvest Partners, Associate
• Morgan Joseph, Investment Banking Analyst

Education:

• Emory University, BBA in Finance & Economics