Eric draws from an extensive background in mergers and acquisitions, restructuring, debt and equity capital, corporate finance, and valuation of companies and special assets to provide strategic financial advisory to closely held, middle market company owners across dozens of industries. He has special expertise in bank and non-bank, alternative lending options, enterprise valuation, stock purchase agreements, equity minority interest, financial reporting, and lender service appraisals, including inventory, patent portfolios, brand names, and earnings analyses against fixed assets. 

Advocate leverages Eric’s expertise to help company owners assess their current financial condition and provide strategic options to maximize company valuation and attractiveness to lenders, investors, and potential buyers. Eric participates in transactions from strategy development through to negotiation and close. His experience provides valuable perspectives in preparing and positioning companies to maximize value and create as many transaction alternatives as possible.

Eric is highly regarded in the Chicago transaction advisory market. He was president of the Secured Finance Network (formerly the Commercial Finance Association) and has led significant committee work over the past five years at the Turnaround Management Association. 

Eric received his Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Economics from Illinois State University.

Gene Rosendale is a Fortune 500 executive turned serial entrepreneur, investor, strategic consultant, exit advisor, and capital provider. He’s held executive positions in corporate strategy and marketing in the technology industry and in a VC-funded technology startup, which led to a successful exit and the founding of several other companies and private investments in others. Gene advises company owners in the development and execution of growth strategies which have led to their own life-changing exits. 

Working with investment banks and venture capital firms over decades, Gene realized that the worlds of M&A and capital markets are not a friendly place for small and mid-size companies.  He joined like-minded investment bankers and consultants at Advocate Capital Advisors to be a true advocate to company owners and help them navigate paths to the best possible outcomes.

Advocate leverages Gene’s experience in operational management, management consulting and strategic coaching to help company owners assess their current condition, market position, provide strategic options, and provide practical guidance to maximize company valuation and attractiveness to lenders, investors, and potential buyers.  Throughout his career, Gene has participated in mergers and acquisitions on both buying and selling sides, including his own companies, and clients rely on his expertise in all of our transaction negotiations.

Gene received his Bachelor of Science and MBA degrees at the University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business. He also completed an executive program at the Wharton Graduate School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. Gene is an accomplished speaker and continues to serve on company and non-profit boards.

In his roles in insolvency law and investment banking over several decades, Rick has participated in hundreds of transactions helping company owners, buyers, and creditors maximize outcomes and minimize risk in financially distressed circumstances. Rick’s intimate understanding of all the available legal options, tools, and processes offers company owners practical advice in developing creative solutions to challenging financial business situations and avoiding far worse outcomes. 

He is well-known to banks and other financial institutions in the Midwest as he has worked on every side of bankruptcy cases, loan workouts, Section 363 sales, UCC Article 9 sales, federal receivership sales, assignments for the benefit of creditors, debt-for-equity swaps, and other negotiated balance sheet restructurings working with debtors, secured and unsecured creditors, lessors and lessees, guarantors, and creditor committees.

Rick remains a prominent member of the Chicago legal community. While he was a practicing insolvency lawyer, he was listed in the Best Lawyers in America and has argued in front of the U. S. Supreme Court. He is also a Fellow at the American College of Bankruptcy. Rick is a speaker and well-published on insolvency-related topics and is active in many not-for-profit and business organizations in the Chicago area.

Rick received his Juris Doctor degree (cum laude) and his Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the University of Michigan, where he became a member of the Phi Beta Kappa society.

Jack Squires is a C-level executive, strategic consultant, exit strategy advisor, capital provider, investor, and board director. He’s held leadership positions in organizations ranging from start-up to global market leader, across manufacturing, logistics, professional services, and non-profits. As an executive and consultant, Jack has helped companies grow their value and successfully led organizations through capital raises and buy and sell side M&A transactions.

Although the worlds of M&A and capital markets are not necessarily a friendly place for small and mid-size companies, there are far more options and resources available than most owners and company executives know. Jack’s experience in operational management, management consulting and strategic coaching helps company owners evaluate their situation, understand their options, and navigate the complex world of capital markets. He helps demystify and translate the language of investment banking into practical business terms so owners and executives can best leverage their options while avoiding the many pitfalls inherent in the process.

Jack’s experience also allows him to provide practical guidance to maximize company valuations through strategic vision, cost management, growth strategies, and strategic use of capital. He joined like-minded investment bankers and consultants at Advocate Capital Advisors to be a true advocate to company owners and help guide them to the best possible outcomes in both good times and bad.

Jack received his Bachelor’s degree from Pacific Lutheran University and was awarded his MBA in Finance at Aspen University. Jack is an accomplished speaker and continues to serve on company and non-profit boards.

Kris came to investment banking from a large family office where he managed industry and company research, diligence activities, financial analyses, and reporting in support of new and existing portfolio acquisitions and investments.  Kris manages transaction processes, diligence strategies, and creation of financial models and marketing materials for company owners as required by sophisticated investors, buyers, and lenders. Kris participates in transactions from strategy development and execution through negotiation and close. His experience on both sides of M&A transactions, capital raising, and corporate finance provides valuable perspectives in preparing and positioning companies to maximize value and create as many transaction alternatives as possible.

Kris has actively participated in the Secured Finance Network (formerly the Commercial Finance Association), Chicago Council on Global Affairs, and the Executives Club of Chicago.  

He received his Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Illinois in molecular and cellular biology and chemistry. He began his business training at the University of Chicago at the Graham School and the Booth School of Business.

Kris Siekierzynski is a Registered Representative of Finalis Securities, LLC Member FINRA/SIPC.