Emerging Professionals CEO Panel

AJ is the CEO of Apex Service Partners (APEX), an Alpine Investors backed residential HVAC, plumbing and electrical services group that is building a national platform through partnering with market leading brands and world class management teams. AJ co-founded Apex in June 2019. 

From 2016 through 2019, AJ served as the CFO/Head of Corporate Development at Avitru, a private equity backed business that services architects, engineers, and building product manufacturers. He helped lead Avitru during 3 years of massive growth, in which the business grew at nearly a 100% CAGR through organic and inorganic initiatives. Subsequently, he also led the exit of Avitru to Roper Technologies (NYSE: ROP) in December of 2018. Avitru is one of Alpine’s most successful investments to date. Prior to Avitru, AJ worked for Benford Capital, a Chicago-based lower middle market PE firm, where he developed expertise in buying, building, and integrating businesses with at least $1MM of EBITDA. He has also worked as a Manager in Deloitte's Strategy Consulting Group and began his career at Goldman Sachs. 

AJ grew up in Fort Myers, FL and currently resides in Tampa, FL with his wife and daughter. His passion outside of work and family  has always been soccer, where he had the opportunity to play for US youth national teams and in the Big East during college. Nowadays, for fun, he and his family enjoy being outside, whether that be exercising, golfing, or any sort of activity out on the water.

AJ holds a BA in Economics from Providence College and a MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management. 

Michael Ferris has been a founder and CEO of several companies over the past 20 years. His success as a founder and CEO led him to become the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2011, and a judge for the EY Awards from 2012-2016. In addition, he is a Chairman for New Mountain Capital, portfolio company – Valet Living and a Committee Member, Department of Homeland Security – Real Estate ISAC.

Jim Tormey is the President and Chief Executive Officer of MidAmerica Administrative & Retirement Solutions. Jim joined MidAmerica in 2016 and initially concentrated on business development and account management.  His focus quickly expanded to include Marketing and Participant Services, so that he could lead an effort to provide a streamlined, best-in-class customer experience. Jim was promoted to CEO in April 2018 and he has continued to spearhead a participant-first mindset throughout MidAmerica. In his role as CEO, Jim is keenly focused on applying innovative technology to drive improvements and efficiencies in customer service. At the same time, he endeavors to provide value-add products and services, in order to help MidAmerica become the nation’s most trusted third-party administrator for public sector employee benefits.  He is passionate about leading a mission-driven organization that takes care of those people who provide so much for our communities.

When Jim joined MidAmerica, he brought experience from investment banking at Morgan Stanley and leading growth efforts at a Silicon Valley start-up. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale University, where he was a four-year letter winner on the Heavyweight Crew Team, and a Master of Business Administration from Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business. Jim also holds Series 6, 26, and 63 securities licenses, and he was selected as one of the 2019 Tampa Bay Business Journal 40 Under 40 honorees

Matt Joined BKS in 2014 shortly after receiving his Bachelor’s Degree from Rollins College in 2013. Matt started as an analyst and worked in several different roles to learn the business. Matt is now a Partner and works with organizations to help craft and create sound risk management programs that best align with their individual value propositions. Matt’s role includes being one of the leaders in BKS’ Mergers & Acquisitions group. In this role, Matt works with Private Equity, Family Office, and Venture Capital firms to leverage their portfolio with insurance companies, provide due diligence support for potential partnerships, recommend program changes to fit an acquisition, as well as provide expertise on transactional insurance products including Representations & Warranties Insurance. Matt was recognized as the 2015 BKS Rising Star and was voted by colleagues as the 2017 Honing Our Edge Advisor. He has also been awarded for the past three years as both a True North and Trail Blazer winner for his dedication to attracting new business and providing ongoing support to current clients.

Matt is a Tampa native and graduated from Berkeley Preparatory School where he continues to stay involved with the alumni association. Matt enjoys playing soccer, fishing, and engaging in any marine activity.