Our conference speakers are credentialed and seasoned mergers and acquisitions professionals.
Representing various industries, they blend theory with real-world application to offer a learning experience that helps you approach any deal.
COURSE INSTRUCTORS

Hampshire and Massachusetts. He is a Fellow of the M&A Source, holds the M&AMI and the CM&AP designations. He is a past chair of the association and in 2021 was presented the Darrell Fouts Award. Prior to this career he was in the daily newspaper business for 32 years. He served as the first chair of International Association of Business Intermediaries.


Dean sold his ownership in a cleaning business and began his career as a business intermediary in 2005. He specializes in specific service companies, wholesale, distribution, and manufacturing. Dean’s background as a partner in an Atlanta-based business has provided him with a thorough understanding of the complexities of business ownership, which further enable him to service his Walden clients. He is also a Real Estate broker licensed in Georgia as an an associate broker.
Pat started her own M&A Company in 1990 and decided to sell and relocate after her children graduated from college. She earned the CBI (Certified Business Intermediary) designation in 1992 with the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA) and the M&AMI (Merger & Acquisition Master Intermediary) certification in 2005 with the M&A Source. In 2015 she earned the CM&AP (Certified M&A Professional) at Coles College of Business (KSU).
She served on the Board of Governors with the M&A Source as Education Chair for 6 years and is recognized locally and throughout the United States as a developer, author and approved instructor of education courses with the M&A Source and the IBBA University.
Pat specializes in B2B Service companies, Manufacturing, wholesale distribution, Strategic Business Valuations, and Consulting services to maximize the value of a transaction from a proactive planning perspective. She is a member of the CEO Round Table with the Cobb Chamber of Commerce.
She is a licensed real estate broker in Georgia, Florida and North Carolina




WORKSHOP & MASTER CLASS PARTICIPANTS







Mr. Mashuda is the incoming chair for M&A Source for 2023 where he has served on the Board of Directors since 2017. In addition to the Board, Mr. Mashuda has served in various capacities for M&A Source including past chair of the marketing committee, past chair of the sponsorship committee, and current chair of the conference planning committee.
Mr. Mashuda was named one of the 2013 “40 Under 40” top M&A service providers by The M&A Advisor. He is an active member of the Cleveland Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth. He has served as an adjunct professor of entrepreneurial finance at Duquesne University’s Palumbo Donahue School of Business and is a past Treasurer of the Allegheny HYP Club.
Prior to founding REAG with Mr. Todd Torquato in 2004, Mr. Mashuda served as a senior valuation analyst at accounting firm Ernst & Young.

Daryl is a U.S. Navy veteran and founded the nonprofit A Soldier’s Child Foundation (ASC) in 2008 after his neighbor’s son, Marine Staff Sargent Marcus Golcyznski was killed by sniper fire in Iraq.
Marc wrote in a letter to his family and friends, “We are warriors, we fight and sometimes die so our families don’t have to, stand beside us, we would do it for you.”
Daryl believes it is our responsibility to love the child left behind, to honor our fallen, and give their children a hope to live out a courageous life.
Through ASC, this is now happening where the people of our nation are making the widows and orphans of our fallen, first on their list of giving.

Prior to joining the firm in 2009, Kyle was involved in a variety of brokerage-related capacities within the wealth management and insurance industry. An active member of the M&A industry, he has served on the board of directors of the M&A Source, was the 2013 chairman of the Alliance of Merger & Acquisition Advisors (AM&AA) and is asked to speak regularly at industry-related events and conferences.
Kyle is a native of Amherst, New Hampshire. He graduated from the University of Tampa’s John H. Sykes College of Business with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance. He enjoys fishing & boating, snow skiing, and spending time with his wife, Christine, son, Grant, and daughter, Grayson.
Laura is a sought-after speaker, author, educator and facilitator. She believes in helping others and giving back. In 2019, she served as Chairperson for the M&A Source Board of Governors, served on the Board of IBBA, and served as Chair of the IABI.
Laura has earned certifications as a Mergers & Acquisitions Master Intermediary (M&AMI), Certified Mergers & Acquisitions Professional (CM&AP), Business Intermediary (CBI), Exit Planner (CExP), Business Coach (CBC), Machinery & Equipment Appraiser (CMEA). She has been awarded numerous awards over the course of her career.


Mrs. Ring is an active member of the M&A Source earning the prestigious CM&AP designation in 2020. She is part of the M&A Source Leadership team serving as the 2022 Sponsorship Chair. Mrs. Ring is also a member of the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth and an active participant in the ACG Womens Network. Prior to joining River’s Edge Alliance Group, Mrs. Ring worked in the front office of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

In 1990, he founded the San Antonio Police Athletic League (PAL) and became its president. The PAL was tasked with building a better relationship between law enforcement and low-income communities. He was also the founder and commissioner of the Spurs/Pizza Hut Midnite basketball program, a basketball league for young men and women that required them to attend one-hour workshops about employment opportunities before each game.
Having had a successful career in law enforcement, Troy is now focusing his energy on something he’s passionate about: giving younger people the opportunity to improve their communication skills. He brings a warm smile, pleasant demeanor, and helpful attitude to Black Swan and looks forward to using his talents to help clients get better.


Prior to and during the beginning of her career in Law Enforcement, she was an active duty and reserve member of the United States Air Force (USAF), for a combined 14 years of service. She worked as a Jet Engine Mechanic where she worked on B-52 Bombers and KC-135 Tankers. Later, Barbara cross-trained into the Intelligence field where she worked as an Intelligence Analyst.
