our advisory board

Fred Conforti — Lisle, IL
CEO, Recognition Source LLC

Mr. Conforti has an impressive 30-year career as an operational, strategic and technical leader. As CEO of Pittway Corporation’s fire protection and controls companies (PSTG) he managed its growth from a start-up in 1984 to its status as the world’s largest commercial fire alarm control and smoke detector manufacturer. Prior to PSTG, Mr. Conforti was President and CEO of BRK Electronics, a division of Pittway. At BRK, he was one of the founders of the brand First Alert and managed 22 consecutive years of growth of BRK from $250,000 in annual sales to more than $110 million. He remained with Pittway Corporation until its sale in 2000 to Honeywell. Mr. Conforti holds numerous worldwide patents on smoke detectors, fire alarms and access control systems. He currently serves as chief executive officer of Recognition Source LLC, which recently sold its Wyreless Access product line to Ingersoll-Rand.


Paul Coughlin— Washington, DC
Partner, Grisanti, Galef & Goldress

As President and Chief Executive Officer of Eastmet Corporation, Mr. Coughlin successfully redirected the corporation out of Chapter 11 proceedings into a viable and growing organization. He is currently a partner Grisanti, Galef & Goldress (GGG), an Atlanta based turnaround and crisis management firm. Prior to joining GGG in 1993, Mr. Coughlin was President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board of Washington Aluminum Company, a fabricator of custom aluminum products. He also served as Chairman of the Board of Tri Fab, Inc., a specialty fabricator, Empire Steel Castings, Inc., a specialty steel foundry; and M.P. Moller, Inc., a manufacturer of musical instruments. He served earlier as General Counsel and Vice President - Washington Affairs for Union Pacific Corporation, a multi-billion dollar diversified holding company. Mr. Coughlin was also a special consultant to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, and as a staff member of the Secretary of State's Commission on Security and Economic Assistance.


Martin Gagen — Menlo Park, CA
CEO and President, 3i Group plc

Mr. Gagen is a 20-year private equity veteran who spent most of his career as a member of 3i’s Executive Board as well as CEO of 3i’s US and Asian businesses. During his tenure, he was responsible for the global direction of 3i’s 14-country organization, founded 3i’s US investment operation, and led 3i’s expansion into China. He was co-head of 3i’s UK business where he oversaw its London-based Technology and Management Buyout Groups and led the Group’s Asset Management, Corporate Finance and Legal Teams. Martin qualified as a chartered accountant with Arthur Andersen. He has also worked for Investcorp in the USA, Italy, France, and the UK where he focused on luxury goods companies including Gucci, Chaumet, Breguet, and Saks Fifth Avenue, as well as industrial companies including Club Car and Meuller Pumps. He has deep experience in early and late stage venture investing, leveraged buyouts, and industry consolidations.

Pamela Forbes Lieberman – Northbrook, IL

Ms. Forbes Lieberman has continually distinguished herself over her 30 year career as a strategic, results oriented leader focused on increasing shareholder value. She is the former President, Chief Executive Officer and Board Member of True Value Company, where she led an impressive strategic, financial, operating, and cultural turnaround of a $2 Billion public-reporting business. Before joining True Value, Ms. Forbes Lieberman was SVP and CFO of ShopTalk, a start-up voice application software company. She had moved there from Martin-Brower Company, one of the largest distributors in the McDonalds system where she served as SVP and CFO. From 1993 to 1998, Ms. Forbes Lieberman was Vice President and CFO of Fel-Pro Inc., internationally renowned automotive parts company consistently recognized as one of Fortune's "Top 10 Best Places to Work". She spearheaded acquisitions, built world-class finance and technology teams and orchestrated the process that led to the sale of the business for an industry- setting EBITDA multiple. Earlier in her career, she held financial management positions at Bunzl Building Supply and Kraft Foods. Ms. Forbes Lieberman, a CPA, began her career at Price Waterhouse advancing to senior manager in auditing and accounting services. She currently serves on the Boards of Directors of NYSE companies AM Castle & Co. and Standard Motor Products as well as the Boards of Directors of Winning Workplaces, The Chicago Network, Lyric Opera of Chicago Guild and is active in several other non-profit organizations.

Scott Murray – Lake Forest, IL
President, Coal Creek Capital, LLC

Mr. Murray has achieved success over his 30 year career lending to, advising and buying middle market manufacturing and distribution companies. The last 19 years he was involved in building two successful private equity firms as a co-founder and Managing Director; first at Pfingsten Partners, LP in 1989 and then at Madison Capital Partners in 1994. Madison Capital focused its acquisition activity on underperforming and under-managed industrial manufacturing companies principally in the capital goods and plastics industries. During his tenure, Madison acquired 18 companies and achieved top quartile returns without incurring any losses. Scott has been a member of the board of directors for all of Madison Capital’s portfolio companies and instrumental in Madison’s consistent success. Additionally, Scott focused his efforts on generating new acquisition opportunities and raising capital. Prior to Pfingsten Partners, Mr. Murray was an investment banker in the Mergers and Acquisitions group of Citicorp Securities Markets and in Corporate Finance with Continental Illinois National Bank in Chicago.

Mark Rittmanic – Winnetka, Illinois
Founder and CEO, ForteCEO Group

Mr. Rittmanic is a results-oriented leader who has built four businesses, including an 800-person telemarketing company, a software development firm and an outsourcing company that were sold to a NYSE consolidator in 1999, and his current company, ForteCEO Group. Mr. Rittmanic has also been a CIO and COO for a $200 million dollar service industry firm, and has seven years experience in banking and consulting with American National Bank and Citicorp. He has successfully launched, grown and sold businesses, led consolidations, and authored major technology development. Mr. Rittmanic has also served as an advisor to numerous privately held middle market companies. His desire to provide investors and business owners with experienced “hands-on” executive leadership led to his founding of ForteCEO Group. ForteCEOs fill a variety of roles, including interim CEOs/President, coach/mentor, and Project Management. Mr. Rittmanic holds a B.S. from Davidson College and an MBA from Southern Illinois University. He was also a Captain in the US Army, and currently sits on the Board of Advisors for Davidson College.