Jeffrey Sweeney
Founder and Chairman
Jeffrey Sweeney is a lifelong entrepreneur with extensive experience in leading firms with a forward-thinking approach. Currently Founder and Chairman of US Capital Global, a full-service private financial services group headquartered in San Francisco, Mr. Sweeney is a keen supporter of technological innovations that can help to improve and grow the finance sector.
Now in its twentieth year, US Capital Global has established itself as a FinTech investment bank through deploying a successful strategy that leverages technological innovation (FinTech) and regulatory developments (RegTech). The group is a leading provider of sophisticated financing solutions and investment opportunities for lower middle market businesses. Under Mr. Sweeney's leadership, the group consistently fulfills its commitment to doing well by doing good through facilitating profitable economic development that also has a positive social and environmental impact.
Prior to being a financier, Mr. Sweeney served as a principal and CEO of Machine Works Corporation, a lower middle market aerospace manufacturing company. His experience leading a business in the highly-regulated aerospace manufacturing industry has led to his appreciation of the need to work closely with regulators while adopting technological solutions to innovate in the sector. This successful approach has been brought over to US Capital Global, where leveraging innovation and regulatory developments has been a key driver in the firm’s growth as a FinTech investment bank.
As an experienced speaker and panel chair, Mr. Sweeney brings a dynamic yet structured approach to engaging the panel and the audience. He frequently presides over and participates in a variety of finance and FinTech events, and recent speaking engagements include:
• Commercial Finance Association (CFA)
• Turnaround Management Association (TMA)
• Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA)
• Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC
• Opal Group
• University of California, Santa Barbara Economics Club
• San Jose State College Economic Department
Mr. Sweeney has also authored numerous articles in leading industry journals, such as ABF Journal, ABL Advisor, The Secured Lender, and The Fintech Times. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and is active in the Southern California and San Francisco chapters of ACG, TMA, CFA, and other financial organizations. He is an avid sailor, a certified yoga instructor, and a longstanding contributor to the San Francisco Food Bank and Food for Life Vrindavan, an educational nonprofit for girls based in Vrindavan, India.
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Charles V. Towle
COO and Managing Partner
Since joining US Capital Global in 2006, Charles V. Towle has significantly contributed to the firm’s growth into a leading private financial group for small and medium-sized businesses globally. As COO, Mr. Towle oversees 50+ banking professionals in addition to the firm’s established affiliates and institutional investors. During his tenure, Mr. Towle has funded or advised on over $25 billion in debt and equity investments, transactions, and projects globally in the middle market. Mr. Towle is also the Division Head and licensed principal of US Capital Global Securities, LLC, a FINRA-registered broker-dealer affiliated with US Capital Global.
A structured funding and corporate finance specialist, Mr. Towle has over 10 years of business development, asset management, corporate finance, capital markets, and general business management experience. Prior to joining US Capital Global, Mr. Towle gained extensive entrepreneurial and investment experience, serving as a limited partner, financial officer, or board member of various investment and endowment funds and small and medium-sized businesses, both in the United States and abroad.
Mr. Towle has served as a board member for Turnaround Management Association (TMA). Currently, he sits on the National Board of the Commercial Finance Association (CFA), and remains a member of TMA and Association for Corporate Growth (ACG).
Mr. Towle chairs the finance committees of two educational trusts, and serves as a board member of Bhakti Projects, Inc., an international non-profit. He actively supports a number of local and international non-profits, including The Puente Project in California and Food for Life in India. In addition, he collaborates with Cranmore Foundation , a thought leader in organizational wisdom.
Mr. Towle received a B.S. in Business Administration (emphasis in Corporate Finance and International Business) and an M.B.A. (emphasis in Sustainable Business) from San Francisco State University. He holds Series 24 and 79 registrations from FINRA.
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Ish Spencer
Managing Director & Partner
Ish Spencer is Managing Director and Partner at US Capital Global, responsible for directing all aspects of the firm’s nationwide business origination program, business development, underwriting of commercial loans, and client relationships. Mr. Spencer brings extensive multi-disciplinary experience to the US Capital Global team, including special expertise in particular verticals, such as real estate, healthcare, technology, and manufacturing (including their overlap in the medical device, biotechnology, and nanotechnology industries).
Since joining US Capital Global in 2010, Mr. Spencer has helped grow the firm into a leading private financial group for medium-sized businesses in the United States. As Managing Director, Mr. Spencer oversees the US Capital Global deal teams at the firm’s San Francisco headquarters, made up of banking professionals, business analysis, and underwriters. Mr. Spencer also oversees a robust proprietary network of 500+ business brokers and referral sources across the United States.
A serial entrepreneur and a corporate finance specialist since 1998, Mr. Spencer has decades of business development, asset management, private investment, asset and market evaluation, business analysis, and general business management and operations experience. Mr. Spencer runs his own family office business, Spencer Family Investments, LLC, which focuses on syndicated investments in real estate and stockholdings, as well as in other investment funds. Mr. Spencer is also co-founder and co-CEO of Ocean Travelers, a private real estate investment management firm focused on syndicated investments in emerging markets.
Prior to setting up Ocean Traveler, Mr. Spencer worked as a quality systems auditor at Reglera, a regulatory compliance and quality assurance consulting and process outsourcing company. Reglera serves the medical device and tissue banking industries, and its clients range from small start-ups to large multi-national companies. Mr. Spencer also worked at RTC Group, which serves the real-time and embedded computer market, and at Quantum Dot Corporation, a privately held business in the biotechnology industry, which deepened his insight into the healthcare and technology verticals.
Mr. Spencer supports a number of philanthropic projects including Food for Life, an international humanitarian non-profit association in India. He also serves as a financial adviser to the board of Braj Bhumi Group Inc., a registered California nonprofit. Braj Bhumi Group is a network of experienced professionals who provide a full range of pro bono financial, management, and strategic services for local and international nonprofits.
Mr. Spencer received his B.S. in Chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley, his M.S. in Chemistry from the University of California, San Diego, and his M.B.A. from San Diego State University.
Email: Ish Spencer
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Frank Villarreal
Managing Director and Partner
Frank Villarreal is a Managing Director and Partner at US Capital Global. He brings 26 years of experience in the financial services industry to the firm’s Investment Banking group. Mr. Villarreal’s responsibilities at the US Capital team include sourcing and vetting alternative asset funds and capital raises for the firm’s Wealth Management division, with a focus on the high net worth client, family office, and independent wealth advisor channels.
With 26 years of asset management and client relationship experience, Mr. Villarreal has a strong and distinguished track record at industry leaders such as Merrill Lynch, Hambrecht & Quist (Executive Financial Services), Credit Suisse (US Private Banking), J.P. Morgan Securities (Private Wealth Services), and Stifel Financial Corp. (Private Client Group).
Most recently at Stifel in San Francisco, Mr. Villarreal was responsible primarily for portfolio management for the firm’s private and corporate clients, and for developing the firm’s international clientele for domestic public and private investments. At Credit Suisse, he provided US private banking services for domestic and international clients, and at J.P. Morgan he provided asset management and credit solutions to targeted high net worth clients, while assisting private wealth clients with retirement plan strategies.
Mr. Villarreal graduated with a B.S. in Business Administration (Finance) at San Francisco State University.
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Lisa Terk
Senior Vice President
Lisa Terk is a Senior Vice President at US Capital Global specializing in private equity and private debt. Ms. Terk comes to US Capital Global with 25 years of Financial Services experience in wealth management, investment banking, and capital markets.
Ms. Terk began her career as a Financial Advisor for Morgan Stanley Wealth Management and has since occupied a variety of financing and advisory roles, which have enriched her reputation for both recognizing undervalued companies and bringing transactions to a successful finish. Experienced in sourcing timely opportunities across various market sectors, Ms. Terk has advised both private and public companies and served many Fortune 500 clients. She specializes in cash management and financing for Fintech, Cleantech, Pharma, Biotech, Consumer Retail, Hospitality, Energy & Natural Resources sectors.
Prior to joining US Capital Global, Ms. Terk specialized in Corporate Executive Stock Plans for the Wealth Management division at Oppenheimer & Co. and acted as Special Advisor to the premier investment banks WR Hambrecht in San Francisco and Ardour Capital Management in New York.
Ms. Terk has been active in charitable fund raising for notable causes in the Bay Area such as the NFL Alumni Association & the Haight Ashbury Free Clinics. She received her bachelor’s degree with honors from McGill University and is fluent in French. Ms. Terk maintains Series 7, 63, and 65 licenses in good standing, and is a rule 144 and 10B5-1 specialist.
Colleen Gray
Senior Vice President
Colleen Gray has over 25 years of operations and financial management experience with emerging, high-growth companies in the healthcare and technology industries. She served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Consensus Orthopedics, a global manufacturer of large-joint orthopedic devices, from August 2004 until May 2021. Under her tenure, Ms. Gray led the development of five new product lines, navigated the FDA regulatory approval process, and increased revenue fivefold. Consensus became a leader in the patient monitoring device market with its medical-grade interactive surface sensor products through its Tracpatch Health Division.
In January 2016, Ms. Gray assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer of Tracpatch Health. In this role, she led a raise of over $27 million in early-round financing and closed commercial agreements with two large hospital systems. TracPatch Health was successfully sold in August 2023.
Before joining Consensus Orthopedics, Ms. Gray was President and Chief Executive Officer at Solid Data Systems, where she successfully negotiated and managed the sale of the company. Prior to Solid Data, Ms. Gray was a co-founder of StorageWay, Inc., one of the first cloud-based storage service providers, and served as its Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer. Ms. Gray began her career in the technology industry with Mylex Corporation in April 1992, and served as its Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer during its successful public offering and IBM’s acquisition of the company. Mylex was a leader in storage management and data protection in the networked PC and server environments.
Ms. Gray received a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Arizona State University and is a member of Women in Bio.
Email: Colleen Gray
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Pankaj Vashisth
Chief Compliance Officer & Partner
Pankaj Vashisth brings over 20 years of experience managing global teams at Fortune 500 companies. Having previously worked for Bank of America, Merrill Lynch, Swiss Re, First Data, and Deutsche Bank, he has significant experience in M&A, debt financing, real estate investment, asset management, and risk management. At US Capital Global, Mr. Vashisth heads the group’s administrative operations in Las Vegas while overseeing all regulatory and compliance functions, particularly in private placements, securities, and related services offered by US Capital Global Securities LLC, the group’s SEC-registered broker-dealer affiliate.
Mr. Vashisth holds an extensive, proven record of combining insightful business analysis with in-depth knowledge of strategic planning and executive leadership to improve team operations and increase company revenue. Leading cross-functional teams in the development of high-tech products and working to develop new business relations with multinational companies, Mr. Vashisth has significantly increased business revenue for multiple enterprises.
With a strong background in innovative healthcare and IT, Mr. Vashisth has developed, implemented, and managed a notable range of national healthcare programs in various markets, such as Medicare, Medicaid, and ACA for leading insurance companies. Serving as Project Director and Program Manager, Mr. Vashisth has worked closely with State and Federal healthcare agencies and regulatory organizations, developed business plans for Duke University Hospital, and practiced as a researcher of microbial genome sequences at leading universities.
Mr. Vashisth has many years of entrepreneurial and business management experience, having partnered with and sold several successful manufacturing companies in the early 1990s that supplied leading international brands. Working alongside Suzuki, GM, Hyundai, Gap, and Disney, among others, his businesses spanned automobile engineering, aviation lighting engineering, fashion, and film and television.
Mr. Vashisth completed his Master of Business Administration at the Fuqua School of Business, Duke University. Prior to this, he graduated from University of Texas with a Master of Science in Health Information Science, and Bangalore University in India, with a bachelor’s degree in Engineering.
Email: Pankaj Vashisth
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Mitchell R. Cohen, Esq.
Senior Vice President and Partner
Mitch Cohen is a Senior Vice President and Partner at US Capital Global’s Philadelphia office. As head of this regional office, he is responsible for US Capital Global’s growing client base in the Northeastern United States, providing them with the group’s full range of financial services, including M&A, corporate and real estate finance, asset management, and advisory services. Mr. Cohen has particular experience in M&A, corporate finance (including senior debt, mezzanine, and equity funding), real estate financing, and workout and restructuring financing. His US Capital Global clients include both domestic and international companies seeking exit events through sale or merger or dynamic expansion through acquisition, merger, or joint venture.
Mr. Cohen is Of Counsel at the Law Offices of Kotlar Hernandez & Cohen, LLC, where he directs the firm’s Real Estate & Corporate Law practice areas. He brings his dynamic M&A experience to his entrepreneurial clients who are seeking capital events, growth through acquisition or merger, or organic expansion. Mr. Cohen is also spearheading the development of the firm’s interdisciplinary and dynamic Alternative and Renewable Energy practice group. He represents real estate clients in all aspects of M&A, development, and funding matters and corporate clients in a variety of business-related matters and transactions. This includes M&A, business formation and divestiture, government relations, and technical arenas such as fintech, biotech, medtech, and renewable energy. Prior to his position at Kotlar Hernandez & Cohen, LLC, Mr. Cohen was a partner at Pepper Hamilton LLP and Flaster Greenberg PC and served of Counsel at the Obermayer firm.
Mr. Cohen has served as counsel to both public and private companies in retail, office, industrial, and residential development projects throughout the Northeast US region with respect to acquisitions, dispositions, land use, financing, construction, leasing, and property management matters. In this arena, Mr. Cohen has represented lenders, large national REITS, small developers, and equity funding sources. Mr. Cohen also brings to US Capital Global his years of experience as a real estate developer, including his role as CEO and a principal of Cohen Development Group LLC, a commercial real estate development company based in Marlton, New Jersey.
Mr. Cohen has represented international oil and refining companies, transportation companies, high-tech and biotech companies, medical service providers, solar energy development companies, equity funds, national lenders, and clients engaged in business ventures in emerging green energy fields. His clients include solar and other alternative energy developers, EPC contractors, energy consultants, and renewable energy funding sources. Mr. Cohen also served as General Counsel to the New Jersey Renewable Energy Coalition and worked with Governor Chris Christie and his staff on crafting NJ solar energy policies.
Mr. Cohen also brings to US Capital Global over three decades of experience as an entrepreneur. He and his real estate development partners have developed or redeveloped over 4 million square feet of retail shopping centers together with a number of multi-family and senior care facilities. In addition, Mr. Cohen was a partner in a solar energy development company that developed and constructed over 40 megawatts of solar energy projects in a 6-year period. Mr. Cohen also was a partner in an oral pharmaceutical company based out of Tampa, Florida that developed products aimed at improving oral care for the old and infirm.
Mr. Cohen graduated from Drexel University with a B.S. in Business Administration and obtained his J.D. degree from Temple University Beasley School of Law, where he served as Editor-in-Chiefof the Temple Law Quarterly (Temple Law Review).
Email: Mitchell Cohen
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Michael Cacciaguida
Vice President
Michael Cacciaguida brings over 30 years of expertise in sponsor (client) and institutional financing solutions. For more than two decades, he was a key player at Champion Mortgage, ultimately rising to the position of President and CEO. During his tenure, he spearheaded the development of a robust business model and cultivated a sales culture that emphasized client satisfaction and talent retention. Under his leadership, Champion Mortgage was acquired by Fortress Investment Group from KeyBank, a transition he adeptly managed while overseeing a workforce of 750 employees.
Before joining US Capital Global, Mr. Cacciaguida served as Vice President of Capital Markets for New Degree Growth, a family office with a portfolio of over 100 companies. His career also includes roles as Regional Vice President of Castle & Cooke Mortgage, Managing Partner at Cass Partners LLC, and Senior Vice President at the Federal Savings Bank.
From 2008 to 2019, Mr. Cacciaguida ventured into various entrepreneurial and investment opportunities, focusing on sectors such as artificial intelligence, education, oxygenated bottled water, and paper products. Notably, between 2012 and 2015, he was the Director of Capital Markets at Vecron Lordstock Group, a boutique project finance firm. There, he leveraged his extensive network to secure solutions from leading institutional firms on Wall Street for diverse projects in real estate, energy, aircraft, and technology.
Mr. Cacciaguida holds an Executive M.B.A. from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, and a B.A. in Business Administration and Management from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Married for over 30 years, Mr. Cacciaguida is a dedicated parent to four children. After college, he began his professional career as a baseball player for the Toronto Blue Jays’ minor league team. In his leisure time, he enjoys tennis, golf, and pickleball.
Email: Michael Cacciaguida
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Michael J. Levas
Partner and Senior Vice President
Michael Levas is Partner and Senior Vice President at US Capital Global and the Founder and Managing Principal of the Olympian Group, a boutique investment and merchant bank specializing in private equity, venture capital, M&A, and the public markets. Mr. Levas has extensive experience in business creation and valuation, business management, capital markets, and investment management, and boasts a comprehensive knowledge of securities, asset management, investment banking, and alternative funds. He is also the former Senior Managing Partner at Rosc Global Investments LLC, where he led the firm in all areas of transaction origination, negotiation, and execution.
Mr. Levas is a board member and senior advisor to numerous entities on private equity, venture investments, and capital formation in the public and private markets. His successful career spans over 25 years at leading Wall Street firms (Lehman Brothers, S.G. Cowen, UBS PaineWebber, Bear Stearns, Advest) and as founder of the Olympian Group of investment management companies, Asclepius Life Sciences Fund, and Asclepius Ventures. It encompasses all facets of capital growth, portfolio construction and development, risk management, and trading.
Mr. Levas has a proven track record in developing and marketing to a loyal client base of high-net-worth individuals and institutional investors. He has strong business and financial insights, with demonstrated ability in valuation and market analysis, operational fortitude, and development and implementation of prudent and successful investment strategies. Additionally, Mr. Levas created and assembled a veteran team with a proven track record in investment management and life sciences that spanned hedge funds, Fortune 100 companies, and startups with M&A transactions exceeding $10 billion. To date, he has managed over $500 million in investment assets during his career.
Mr. Levas has been a featured conference speaker and university lecturer throughout the United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe, and Asia and has appeared in numerous publications and media outlets including but not limited to Business Week, Bloomberg, CCTV International, Dow Jones Newswires, NPR, Nasdaq, Smart Money, and Hedge Fund Manager Week.
In addition, Mr. Levas has had considerable experience as a noted expert witness for the Federal Public Defender’s Office (Department of Justice for the Southern District of Florida), the City of Los Angeles, California, and several leading law firms throughout the United States. He is a former federally registered lobbyist for the Hedge Fund Association (HFA).
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Ruta J. Laukien
Vice President
Ruta J. Laukien is a Vice President at US Capital Global, where she focuses on originating new business in the United States and Europe. With over 15 years of experience in investment banking, she has a strong background in mergers and acquisitions, debt capital markets, and equity capital raises.
Ms. Laukien began her investment banking career at Bear Stearns, where she was part of the M&A, Healthcare, and Financial Sponsors groups, holding primary coverage responsibility for 13 private equity and hedge funds. She later served as a Director at Alantra, a global middle-market investment bank, where she led cross-border transactions in the healthcare industry, including biotechnology and life sciences. Most recently, she was a Director at Wofford Advisors, specializing in buy-side and sell-side M&A within the transportation and logistics sector.
Beyond investment banking, Ms. Laukien is a Managing Partner at GrayBella Capital, a venture capital fund investing in high-growth HealthTech and DeepTech companies across Europe, with Ms. Laukien focusing on the Baltics and Nordics. She has extensive experience in evaluating investment opportunities, structuring deals, and driving strategic growth initiatives.
Ms. Laukien also brings operational expertise as the founder of Liquid Art House (L.A.H.)—a pioneering gallery-restaurant concept that she successfully built from idea to execution. Under her leadership, L.A.H. operated in a 10,000-square-foot flagship space for five years before a successful sale to a large restaurant group.
Ms. Laukien is a Board Trustee at XenoTherapeutics, a company advancing xenotransplantation to therapeutic reality, and serves as a U.S. Ambassador for Life Sciences for Invest Lithuania—the national investment promotion agency dedicated to attracting foreign direct investment into Lithuania. Previously, she was a Board Member of Global Lithuanian Leaders, a network uniting 1,700 Lithuanian professionals across 49 countries. She is also a Duke Global Capital Markets Center Advisory Board member, a founding member of the Duke Women’s Leadership Initiative, and a former Board Member of the Lar Lubovitch Dance Company.
Ms. Laukien holds B.A. degrees in Economics and Psychology from the University of North Florida, an M.B.A. from the Fuqua School of Business, and both a J.D. and a Master’s in International Law from Duke University School of Law. She is admitted to practice law in the State of New York.
Email: Ruta J. Laukien
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Keith Koo
Vice President
Keith Koo, the widely known host of the Silicon Valley Insider Radio Show and Podcast, is a Vice President at US Capital focusing on originating new business for the group. Mr. Koo has two decades of experience as a business and technology executive in banking, corporate development, and finance. He leverages his wide business, technology, and media networks to support US Capital at leading financial summits, conferences, and panels across the United States and internationally.
Mr. Koo is the Founder and Managing Partner of Guardian Insight Group, a technology advisory services firm focused on identifying, assessing, controlling, and mitigating the risks associated with doing business with technology companies and vendors, such as financial, blockchain, pricing/cost, cyber, information security, business resiliency, disaster recovery, regulatory, and compliance. Mr. Koo also serves as a mentor and advisor to a number of innovative companies, breakthrough technology startups, and incubators.
Before starting Guardian Insight Group, Mr. Koo was the Managing Director and Head of the Third-Party Risk Management program for the Mitsubishi Financial Group (MUFG) and was responsible for ensuring that the bank had the proper framework, policies, and controls to meet regulatory standards for effective oversight of third parties and vendors. Previously, he held senior leadership roles at Cisco Systems, Hewlett Packard, and other technology and financial service companies in mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, technology, and risk management.
Mr. Koo has special expertise in driving strategic initiatives, leading high-level negotiations, and managing highly critical and complex projects that bring together differing agendas, personalities, geographies, and cultures. His wide background also includes experience in risk management, change management, due diligence and integration for mergers and acquisitions, asset management, and regulatory compliance.
Mr. Koo holds a B.A. in Organizational Behavior from the University of California and advanced certifications from Stanford, the University of California, and George Washington University.
Tejal Shah
Vice President
Tejal Shah brings to US Capital Global a strong background in financial services and asset management, along with expertise in capital raising and fostering high-value relationships with VIP clients. As the Principal and Founder of Peninsula Wealth, she successfully oversaw $400 million in assets. Ms. Shah’s career commenced at Merrill Lynch and Bank of America as a Wealth Manager, where she swiftly amassed $25 million in new assets within 18 months. She subsequently managed assets totaling $60 million.
With a decade of serial entrepreneurial experience in early-stage startups, Ms. Shah has successfully conceptualized, funded, launched, and scaled multiple businesses. Her profound grasp of the startup landscape encompasses business development, fundraising, and operations.
Before her tenure at US Capital Global, Ms. Shah served as a limited partner at Refactor Capital and Halogen Ventures, both instrumental in evaluating startups for potential VC investments and offering strategic advice. Notably, she steered 555 Comic Co in San Francisco as COO, securing $6.1 million in venture capital. Moreover, Ms. Shah co-founded Votivate, shaping bespoke technology for post-partisan political engagement, and was the driving force behind KidAdmit, Inc., pioneering venture capital funding in the early education market.
Ms. Shah’s academic background includes a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Rochester, NY. She earned the Helmut Weymann Prize of Insight and Skill in Engineering Experimentation from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
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Jack Maple
Senior Vice President
Jack Maple brings over three decades of experience in banking, capital raising services, real estate financing, and international sales and marketing to US Capital Global. His distinguished career has seen him work with and for some of the world’s foremost financial institutions, including Bank of America, HSBC, OCBC, Bank of Singapore, Emirates NBD, and Wachovia Bank, among many others.
Mr. Maple has secured financing for high-profile projects in major cities worldwide, including New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, and Dubai. Recognizing opportunities beyond domestic markets, he ventured into the international arena, traveling an astounding 400,000 miles annually since 2008 to become a trailblazer in bringing international investors to the US market. His impressive track record boasts over $1 billion in closed transactions.
Over the past 15 years, Mr. Maple has specialized in US investments, playing a pivotal role in helping capital raising clients secure funding from his expansive network in Asia and the Middle East. His expertise has proven invaluable in connecting family offices, high-net-worth investors, and VC funds with lucrative investment opportunities. Mr. Maple’s exceptional talent for building lasting relationships has earned him the trust and respect of key players in international markets. His extensive investor base has made him a sought-after advisor for companies looking to expand their investor and marketing outreach on a global scale.
A logical thinker with a deep understanding of financial modeling and international markets, Mr. Maple has served as the guiding force behind numerous companies successfully launching and expanding their operations in the United States, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
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Robert Jones
Vice President
A seasoned investment professional, Robert Jones brings a strong background in later-stage growth capital and public company finance to US Capital Global. As a Vice President in the group’s Investment Banking division, Mr. Jones is responsible for all aspects of the group’s debt and equity business development, structuring of financing solutions, and client relationship management.
Mr. Jones holds decades of Wall Street experience focused on portfolio management, arbitrage strategies, financial terminology, and due diligence in all sectors. He has more than 25 years of experience as a business coach and expert in the financial services industry. He has received numerous awards for excellence among his peers during his tenure at First California Capital and Fleet Bank.
Awards Mr. Jones has received include the National Contest for Small Business Lines of Credit at Fleet Bank in 2005; SFNABA Firm of the Year Award Recipient in 2002; Certificate of Completion from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, “The Art & Science of Grant Writing”; edX-HarvardX – Honor Code Certificate for Contracts; and Yale University for Financial Markets.
Mr. Jones excels in conducting diversity and inclusion communications with sales teams and designing strategies to generate and inspire real, diverse relationships among employees.
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David Reinikainen
Senior Vice President
As Senior Vice President, David Reinikainen (J.D. LL.M) comes to US Capital Global with over 19 years of experience in the financial services industry focusing on M&A, common equity, preferred equity, mezzanine debt and senior debt, and corporate tax planning and compliance. Previously, Mr. Reinikainen served in an in-house tax counsel role at The GEO Group, Inc. (GEO), which is the first fully integrated equity real estate investment trust (REIT) that designs, finances, develops, and operates secure facilities, processing centers, and community reentry centers in the United States, Australia, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.
Mr. Reinikainen has stellar corporate tax skills demonstrated over 15 years by delivering tax planning and compliance solutions to companies for their mergers, acquisitions, reorganizations, and divestitures. His work as a key tax and finance expert led to a successful award of a $700 million project financed via a public-private partnership structure. Mr. Reinikainen was also an integral member of an M&A team that acquired eight facilities for cash consideration of $307 million. Most recently, he provided guidance on how to structure an equity rollover involving a $100 million transaction.
Mr. Reinikainen has extensive experience in building and managing multi-functional M&A teams and working with company executives to bridge legal, tax, financing, treasury, accounting, and operations teams, streamlining operations by implementing cohesion strategies. With nearly two decades of experience with private funds and financial modeling for multifamily investors, Mr. Reinikainen has worked with partners to build debt and equity capital stack. His extensive tax advisory experience includes modification of debt for both the issuer and creditor, as well as advisory on stock options and tax treatment for both taxable and tax-free business combinations.
Mr. Reinikainen has also personally developed custom homes and a multifamily project. He previously served in a business development role for IPX1031, which is a subsidiary of Fidelity National Financial, Inc. (NYSE:FNF), a leading provider of title insurance, specialty insurance, claims management, information services, and other real estate related services.
Mr. Reinikainen holds a B.A. in Mandarin Chinese and Area Studies from Rutgers University, a J.D. from the University of Iowa, and an LL.M. in Taxation from the University of Florida. Mr. Reinikainen has presented in many real estate and aviation conferences and holds the following professional licenses: FINRA Series 7 – General Securities Representative, FINRA Series 63 – Uniform Securities Agent, and Florida Real Estate Salesperson.
Mr. Reinikainen is a devoted family man who loves golf, photography, and the outdoor tropical living offered in South Florida.
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Jullion Taylor
Vice President
Jullion Taylor is a military veteran who brings more than 15 years of financial expertise to his role as Vice President at US Capital Global, where he specializes in delivering customized debt and equity financing solutions for middle-market companies, as well as bespoke wealth management and investment solutions for affluent families, high-net-worth individuals, and independent RIAs.
Mr. Taylor began his distinguished career in financial services in 2010 as a founding member of TC Capital Advisors, LLC. In his role as a senior business advisor, he provided guidance to business owners and executives on corporate formation and structuring, strategic planning, project development, acquisitions, contract negotiations, business financing, legal compliance, and capital-raising efforts. His clients have included small to large corporations, startups, technology and real estate development firms, investors, and municipalities.
At US Capital Global, Mr. Taylor leverages his extensive experience to address complex financial challenges and deliver innovative debt and equity financing solutions. Driven by an unwavering commitment to excellence, he develops bespoke strategies tailored to his clients’ evolving needs, helping them achieve their financial objectives with confidence and precision.
In recent years, Mr. Taylor has focused on M&A, large-scale project development, and complex financing, offering sophisticated strategies in alternative investments and financing. His expertise extends to private equity, private credit, and venture capital.
Mr. Taylor holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Management Studies from the University of Maryland University College.
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Justina McCaffrey
Vice President
Justina McCaffrey is Vice President at US Capital Global, based in the firm’s Palm Beach office. She plays a strategic role in sourcing, structuring, and advancing middle-market transactions, with a focus on real estate and private capital. Known for her operational discipline, creative insight, and commitment to sponsor relationships, Ms. McCaffrey contributes meaningfully to the firm’s national growth and deal execution.
Ms. McCaffrey brings to her role a distinctive blend of financial insight and operational excellence. She holds a degree in Manufacturing Engineering from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM) and has applied this technical foundation across two decades as an award-winning entrepreneur. Over the course of her career, she has founded and scaled a globally recognized couture brand, won more than 10 entrepreneurial awards, and advised clients in private capital, branding, and logistics across North America.
In Q1 2025 alone, she sourced over $171 million in qualified deal flow through Galt Capital Group, the firm she founded prior to joining US Capital Global. Ms. McCaffrey has also served in national public life, having run as a federal candidate in Canadian politics, where she was recognized for her poise, platform leadership, and policy literacy.
She is passionate about combining innovation with execution and brings deep operational experience to each client relationship, helping entrepreneurs and real estate sponsors access intelligent capital with confidence and clarity.
Email: Justina McCaffrey
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Richie Münch-Jindal
Managing Director
As Managing Director for Global Capital’s office in Switzerland, Richie Münch-Jindal leads the group’s expansion efforts in Switzerland and neighboring regions. In her role, Ms. Münch-Jindal oversees strategic initiatives to deliver customized financial solutions—including equity investments, credit facilities, and wealth and asset management services—to professional and institutional clients in the region.
Ms. Münch-Jindal is an investment professional with over 20 years of experience in the financial industry, particularly in the asset and wealth management sectors in Switzerland. As a trusted client advisor throughout her career, she has delivered financial solutions to institutions, corporates, family offices, and ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) clients. Acting as an economic enabler, she brings a cross-disciplinary approach to asset management, corporate finance, and wealth management, working seamlessly across silos, products, industries, and sectors. Her focus lies in providing real solutions to complex problems, coupled with exceptional service and a state-of-the-art approach to client needs.
In addition to her role at Global Capital, Ms. Münch-Jindal is the Founder and CEO of SEDUM Advisors, an independent advisory platform focused on private capital solutions and wealth structuring. Drawing on over two decades of industry experience, she supports select small and mid-market companies with capital raising and advises international UHNW families and corporates on wealth structuring and estate planning.
Prior to her entrepreneurial ventures, Ms. Münch-Jindal served as a Senior Relationship Manager at a Zurich-based multi-family office, where she was responsible for investor relations and new business development for complex cross-border investment solutions and acquisitions across private and listed markets, with a focus on emerging markets.
Ms. Münch-Jindal began her career at AIG Investments in Institutional Sales, where she contributed to securing over EUR 1 billion in assets under management from European institutions across asset classes. She later led AIG’s market expansion strategy for wealth management into India and the NRI segment, in collaboration with local insurance and asset management firms. After AIG, she joined Credit Suisse’s Asset Management division, where she served as Sales Manager for EMEA and led several strategic, sales-related projects across the region.
Ms. Münch-Jindal holds a Master of Advanced Studies from ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology), a Bachelor’s degree from CEPT University in India, and an IMC Unit 2 Certification issued by CFA UK. She is also a registered investment advisor in Switzerland.
Email: Richie Münch-Jindal
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Ara Kachadourian
Senior Vice President
Ara Kachadourian is a Senior Vice President at US Capital Global, specializing in deal origination and providing wealth and asset management services for the firm. He brings nearly 25 years of experience to the US Capital Global team, with expertise in advising founders of middle-market companies across sectors such as sports, entertainment, healthcare, technology, and manufacturing, as well as managing successful business exits.
Mr. Kachadourian has a distinguished track record with industry leaders, including Comerica Bank, Wells Fargo Advisors, and Mass Mutual. Throughout his career, he has been involved in leading and developing teams. At Comerica Bank, he provided lending and credit facilities to lower and middle-market companies, while at Wells Fargo, he advised high-net-worth clients and company executives on asset management, credit solutions, and tax-deferred planning strategies. Additionally, he has played key advisory and compliance roles in the independent broker-dealer space, contributing to the growth of these firms.
A serial entrepreneur, Mr. Kachadourian takes a proactive approach to understanding organizational needs and goals, aligning them with investor interests. He has been involved in several real estate syndications, financing developments that include multifamily properties, hospitality projects, and luxury developments. He regularly consults on matters such as 1031 Exchanges, joint ventures, and capital structuring.
Mr. Kachadourian is the co-founder of Achel Partners, a firm that advises founders on scaling and exiting their companies. His extensive involvement in the family office space also led to the creation of Platinum Wealth Strategies. He is frequently called upon to advise on due diligence, investment management, and complex capital structuring for various transactions.
Mr. Kachadourian holds a B.A. in Political Science and Communication from Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan, and an MBA/MPA from the University of Phoenix. He also holds Series 24, 6, 7, 63, and 66 registrations.
Email: Ara Kachadourian
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Caroline Banzali
Vice President
Caroline Banzali is a veteran M&A attorney and tax advisor with over 25 years of experience, culminating in the launch of her independent practice in Beverly Hills, California, in 2024. Her background as an M&A Tax Partner, private equity/family office executive, and corporate start-up strategist reflects a rare blend of commercial acumen and deep technical expertise in tax and law.
Ms. Banzali counsels clients on a broad range of M&A matters and also serves as General Counsel and Tax Advisor to early-stage ventures and growth-oriented entrepreneurs, as well as established companies preparing for capital raises, exits, or succession planning.
Ms. Banzali began her career in the Big Four’s Transaction Advisory Services practice in California and New York, advising on tax due diligence and structuring for strategic and private equity deals ranging from $5 million to $15 billion. She later became an M&A Tax Partner at top-ranked firms, advising clients in sectors including media and entertainment, technology, licensing and merchandising, consumer products, health and wellness, and professional services.
As Senior Vice President and Head of Global Tax at a multi-billion-dollar PE/family office, Ms. Banzali led M&A tax strategy and oversaw all aspects of U.S. and international tax compliance, audit defense, and risk mitigation for a diverse portfolio spanning media, real estate, tech, and philanthropy.
In 2017, she joined the executive team of a distressed electric vehicle start-up, helping to secure $2 billion in funding and $250 million in California tax incentives as Deputy General Counsel and Head of Tax & Risk Management. The company went public via SPAC in 2021 with a $3.4 billion valuation.
Ms. Banzali earned her B.S. in Business Administration from USC at age 19 and holds a J.D. and LL.M. in Taxation from Loyola Law School. A member of the California Bar since 1999, she frequently contributes to business publications and speaks at professional forums. She is proud to advise a diverse client base, including minority-, women-, and veteran-owned businesses.
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Erick G. Schenkhuizen
Vice President
Erick G. Schenkhuizen brings over three decades of financial expertise to his role as Vice President at US Capital Global, where he specializes in delivering customized debt and equity financing solution for middle market companies and bespoke wealth management and investment solutions for affluent families, high-net-worth individuals, and independent RIAs.
Mr. Schenkhuizen began his distinguished career in financial services in 1992, achieving a 94% on the rigorous Series 7 exam, a benchmark of excellence in the industry. He launched his professional journey at Merrill Lynch, where he spent nearly 12 years mastering wealth management, integrated financial and estate planning, income and asset protection strategies, and private banking solutions. Merrill’s renowned consultative training cultivated his client-centric approach and deep understanding of the complex needs of affluent families.
Following his tenure at Merrill Lynch, Mr. Schenkhuizen transitioned to LPL Financial, dedicating over 10 years to his development as a fiduciary, entrepreneur, and independent financial advisor. Influenced by industry leaders such as Ron Carson of Carson Wealth Management, he honed his skills in financial planning, scaling advisory practices, and providing entrepreneurial client solutions.
In recent years, Mr. Schenkhuizen has focused on the independent RIA and family office space, offering sophisticated strategies in alternative investments, endowment portfolio management, and alpha-tax mitigation. His expertise extends to private equity, private credit, venture capital, Qualified Opportunity Zone investments, Section 1202 investments, and separately managed accounts (SMAs).
At US Capital Global, Mr. Schenkhuizen leverages his vast experience to address complex financial challenges and deliver innovative solutions in debt and equity financing as well as wealth management. Driven by an unwavering commitment to excellence, he delivers bespoke strategies designed to navigate the evolving needs of his clients, enabling them to achieve their financial objectives with assurance and precision.
Email: Erick Schenkhuizen
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Matthew M. Jensen
Vice President
Matthew M. Jensen is a seasoned financial professional with over 20 years of expertise spanning wealth management, private real estate, structured finance, investment banking, family office services, asset management, institutional investors, and private equity funds. He launched his career at UBS, one of the world’s leading global financial institutions, where he developed a deep understanding of complex financial strategies and honed his skills in managing portfolios for high-net-worth individuals and institutional clients.
Throughout his career, Mr. Jensen has expanded his knowledge and experience by working with several boutique multi-family offices across Los Angeles and Orange County, California. In these roles, he gained specialized expertise in private real estate investments, structured finance, and tailored asset management solutions. His ability to integrate sophisticated financial strategies with a personalized approach has made him a trusted advisor for ultra-high-net-worth individuals and institutional investors alike.
Mr. Jensen’s comprehensive background in private equity, real estate, and structured finance enables him to identify and capitalize on unique investment opportunities, providing clients with innovative solutions for wealth preservation and growth. His extensive network and in-depth knowledge of the industry have solidified his reputation as a highly regarded expert in the financial services space.
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Steve P. Wilburn
Partner, Energy and Trade Finance
Steve P. Wilburn is a globally recognized energy and real estate executive, inventor, and entrepreneur with over 35 years of experience pioneering advanced alternative energy technologies and launching successful, industry-transforming projects. He has led the development and implementation of innovative clean energy and wastewater treatment solutions across the globe, with a project portfolio exceeding $2 billion. Previously, Mr. Wilburn served as Vice President of Business Development at Allied Signal Corporation.
Renowned for blending deep technical expertise with strategic business leadership, Mr. Wilburn has worked extensively with international governments, municipal entities, U.S. federal agencies, and regulatory bodies. He holds multiple patents in solar and biogas energy, and is the inventor of a patented Wireless Mesh Network Communications technology applicable to microgrids, energy storage systems, crypto trading, and secure WiFi and LiFi infrastructure.
Mr. Wilburn was a founding member and the first chairman of the International Cogeneration Society. In 1991, he was named “Energy Executive of the Year” by the International Energy Engineers Society. During the Obama Administration, he served on the White House Business Council’s Renewable Energy Advisory Committee and testified before congressional committees on energy and trade policy.
From 2013 to 2014, Mr. Wilburn was a member of the Advisory Board of the Export-Import Bank of the United States, where he served on several key committees, including the Environmental and Renewable Energy Committee. In 2013, the Bank awarded his Brazil-based landfill methane mitigation project the “Renewable Energy Project of the Year.”
Most recently, Mr. Wilburn was appointed by two successive U.S. Secretaries of Commerce to serve on the Department of Commerce’s Trade and Finance Advisory Council (TFAC), where he chaired the Trade Policy and Energy Committee.
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Ryan Richard
Vice President, Dallas Office
As head of US Capital’s Dallas office, Ryan Richard is responsible for the group’s growing client base in the South Central region of the United States. With his multi-cultural upbringing and extensive international business experience, Mr. Richard specializes in complex business development, structuring, and finance projects that carry a cross-border or international dimension. From US Capital’s Dallas office, he provides clients with the group’s full range of financial services, including corporate finance, asset management, M&A, and advisory services. In addition, he is helping US Capital grow its presence in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East in collaboration with the group’s regional headquarters in Dubai.
Mr. Richard comes from a consulting and private equity background, where he specialized in the client development and relational capital side. He has run several regional and global headquarters with reach into over 100 countries. An entrepreneur and business development specialist who has travelled to over 35 countries, Mr. Richard bring to US Capital and its clients his strategic vision, client-focused planning and structuring, and extensive global network of business, financing, and investment contacts.
Prior to joining US Capital, Mr. Richard was CEO at a boutique business development consulting firm, The Praetoryan Group, where he provided advisory services for international infrastructure projects, green bonds, and offset fulfillment and countertrade development for developing nations. Prior to this, Mr. Richard worked at Lindell Foundation, where he focused on implementing blockchain technology for philanthropic projects and developed a pilot project in 120 countries. Previously, he was International Head of Client Development at private equity firm DTX Energy Capital, where he developed international capital relationships with family offices, private banks, and wealth managers. At private equity firm Proven Fields Oil & Gas, he was responsible for securing acquisition targets for a portfolio of investment funds.
Mr. Richard studied at the University of North Texas and at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. He is married and lives in Dallas.
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Narek Grigorian
Vice President
Narek Grigorian is a dynamic executive with a rich background in finance, entrepreneurship, and business management across diverse sectors, including government organizations, established firms, and budding startups. With a proven history of successfully structuring and providing debt and equity solutions, Mr. Grigorian is a driving force for both innovative startups and established middle market companies.
A founder, entrepreneur, and executive, Mr. Grigorian is the mastermind behind several startups through which he has achieved remarkable success with multi-million-dollar real estate development projects nationwide. Beyond borders, Mr. Grigorian has secured funding for centimillion-dollar projects, leading teams and driving growth on a global scale.
Mr. Grigorian has had a diverse career, ranging from international development to private equity. Most recently, he served as the Director of Investment and Finance at a rapidly expanding real estate development firm in Texas. Additionally, Mr. Grigorian conducted influential research on additive manufacturing and the integration of technology into economic and technological ventures.
Narek Grigorian earned his Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, and Russian from the University of Maryland, College Park.
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Dr. Prodi Bhattacharya
Partner, Structured Credit and Equity
Prodi Bhattacharya, Ph.D., is an investment professional with over 23 years’ experience in banking, corporate finance, and asset management. Before joining US Capital, he was Director of Corporate Finance at the IQEQ Group, where he was responsible for the private market CrossDeal activity within the group.
Prior to this, Dr. Bhattacharya was Managing Director of Drax Private Markets, a boutique private equity and private debt fundraising platform. He has spent most of his career on the buy side and previously worked as the Head of Risk Management and Quantitative Research for Axa Investment Management’s Alternatives Investment Unit, directly responsible for their multi-billion-euro alternative asset portfolios.
Dr. Bhattacharya holds a Ph.D. in Nuclear Physics as well as a Master’s in Engineering from the prestigious University of Warwick, and has also previously worked at the renowned CERN Physics Laboratory in Geneva.
Based in London, Dr. Bhattacharya works closely with his US Capital colleagues globally in sourcing and distributing new sell-side mandates to further the quality, range, and number of opportunities available on the group’s private investment platform at any one time.
Email: Prodi Bhattacharya
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Roger Allen
Managing Director, London Office
As the UK Managing Director, Roger Allen is responsible for all aspects of US Capital Global’s London Office. Mr. Allen focuses on connecting investors and financial allocators to expert fund managers and entrepreneurs with a compelling edge, specialising in niche strategies and innovative projects.
Mr. Allen’s career in the financial markets spans some 40 years, and he has notable experience in a wide range of investment sectors, including FinTech, RegTech, real estate, alternatives, and medical, with a strong appreciation of ESG and impact investing. In addition to serving as Director at PMA Assets Ltd, Mr. Allen is also currently Co-Chair at Goldfingr’s London chapter. A thinktank, incubator, and socially conscious business accelerator, Goldfingr is the first ever digitized deal club. Mr. Allen’s extensive and frequent travel has ensured he is highly networked globally.
During his nine years in asset management, Mr. Allen successfully won sizable long-term mandates, built solid institutional investor pipelines, and significantly upgraded the professional profiles at a global fund of funds and a niche equity manager. Prior to this, during a period of 29 years, Mr. Allen profitably built and ran a variety of global businesses within a number of top-tier international banks, including Bankers Trust, Merrill Lynch, and Dresdner Kleinwort.
Mr. Allen is a graduate summa cum laude of the university of life.
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Marta Gelencser
Managing Director, London Office
Marta Gelencser has over 30 years of experience in international financial services. As Managing Director of US Capital Global’s regional headquarters in London, she leads strategic initiatives to deliver customized financial solutions, including equity investments, credit facilities, and M&A advisory services to mid-market companies worldwide.
Ms. Gelencser began her career at Citigroup, where she spent 25 years working across major financial hubs including London, Tokyo, Athens, and Budapest. Throughout her tenure, she held numerous senior leadership roles at global, regional, and local levels, primarily focusing on securities and fund services.
With an exceptional track record, Ms. Gelencser has consistently demonstrated her ability to build and manage diverse teams, develop and implement innovative strategies, and deliver market-leading solutions that enhance client satisfaction while generating significant time and cost efficiencies. Her excellence in business, product, and network management, coupled with her expertise in market intelligence, communications, and client relationship management, has earned her recognition through numerous industry awards and client accolades.
Beyond her position at US Capital Global, Ms. Gelencser serves as the CEO and founder of Kalahari Finance, a London-based boutique corporate finance advisory firm. Her unique background enables her to seamlessly blend the best practices from both large corporate environments and entrepreneurial ventures. She is driven by her passion for fostering long-term professional relationships, ensuring client success, delivering measurable outcomes, and identifying optimal solutions to facilitate business growth.
Ms. Gelencser’s industry leadership extends to her active involvement in key professional organizations. She sits on the Corporate Finance Forum Committee of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI), holds membership in the Institute of Directors (IoD) of both the UK and China, and is an engaged member of the Hungarian British Business Alliance (HBBA).
Email: Marta Gelencser
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Michael Silberberg
Managing Director, London Office
Michael Silberberg is a Managing Director at US Capital Global, where he spearheads strategic advisory, debt structuring, and capital raising efforts across a range of high-growth and emerging sectors. With over two decades of experience in commercial strategy and innovation, Mr. Silberberg brings a deep understanding of capital markets and entrepreneurial ecosystems to his work with clients.
Most recently, Mr. Silberberg played a pivotal role in building and securing funding for a digital asset hedge fund. He also serves as a trusted advisor to a diverse portfolio of companies operating at the convergence of advertising technology and artificial intelligence. His earlier ventures include founding roles in companies focused on nutraceuticals and low-latency radio protocols, and he has structured innovative financing solutions for infrastructure ventures in the waste management and solar energy sectors, as well as for real estate projects across the United States and Europe.
A former Googler, Mr. Silberberg led ecosystem development for Sub-Saharan Africa from Google’s Kenya office, before going on to manage the company’s largest global strategic partnerships. His contributions to commercial innovation have earned him recognition from Tech Nation and the UK Government under its Exceptional Talent program.
Mr. Silberberg’s thought leadership has been featured in TechCrunch, VentureBeat, Brand Innovators, and CFA UK, and he is a sought-after speaker at leading finance and technology conferences.
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Mark Olson
Managing Director, London Office
Mark Olson is an investment executive with over 25 years of international experience in private capital markets, alternative investments, and financial advisory services. As Managing Director at group’s London office, he specializes in raising capital for mid-market companies and providing bespoke financing solutions for global family offices and institutional investors.
Mr. Olson has expertise across the full investment process, from origination and structuring to execution and operational improvement. He has managed direct investments and business turnarounds in the MedTech, real estate, and luxury fashion sectors, among others.
Before joining US Capital Global, Mr. Olson founded Olson Partners LLP, focusing on alternative investment origination, due diligence, and structuring for multi-family office and institutional clients. Earlier in his career, he was Executive Director and Head of Convertible Bond Research at Morgan Stanley, where he provided high-yield and stressed convertible bond strategies for institutional clients and led numerous capital market transactions. At RBS, he led the high-yield research team, delivering investment ideas and relative value intelligence to traders and buy-side clients, with a proven track record of outperformance.
Mr. Olson began his career at KPMG, qualifying as a Chartered Accountant and gaining cross-border experience in Canada, Germany, and the UK, where he provided financial due diligence and advisory services for private equity and corporate transactions. He holds both the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Chartered Accountant (CA/CPA) designations and earned a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting from the University of Calgary.
Mr. Olson is also committed to giving back. He previously served as a branch treasurer for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, and remains active in supporting Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), which works to prevent sudden cardiac deaths in young people through awareness campaigns, screening programs, and family support services in the UK.
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Benedikt Gruetz
Managing Director
Benedikt Gruetz is an accomplished entrepreneur with nearly 15 years of experience in the financial and consulting sectors. He began his career at a prestigious banking group in Germany, where he developed a deep expertise in real estate financing. Leveraging his knowledge and entrepreneurial spirit, he established his own business in this field, quickly discovering his passion for networking.
Mr. Gruetz professionalized his networking skills by co-founding and expanding a globally active entrepreneurial network in Germany. Concurrently, he honed his communication abilities and empathetic approach, which led him to establish a consulting firm for small and medium-sized enterprises. After successfully selling his shares, he was appointed as a Senator of the Senate of Economy, an advisory government body. In this role, Mr. Gruetz facilitated dialogue between political and economic spheres in Germany and Europe, focusing on the common good.
Following his impactful tenure in the NGO sector, Mr. Gruetz returned to the private sector, bringing his extensive experience and network back to banking. He now oversees the German market at US Capital Global, where he leverages his well-regarded connections to enhance the company’s presence and operations.
Mr. Gruetz is dedicated to strengthening transatlantic relations through robust economic partnerships. He views US Capital Global as an ideal platform for fostering these connections, particularly by supporting the German “Mittelstand” with comprehensive investment banking services. Recognizing untapped opportunities in the German market, he is committed to bridging the gap between the United States and Germany to bolster economic and financial ties.
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Giovanni J. Ford
Vice President
Giovanni J. Ford is a distinguished financial expert with over 25 years of experience delivering customized investment and credit solutions to high net-worth individuals, family offices, and institutional clients. His career encompasses significant roles in major financial institutions and notable achievements in various sectors of the financial services industry.
Mr. Ford dedicated over a decade of his career to Wells Fargo, where he demonstrated exceptional acumen in managing and investing substantial funds. He successfully invested $2 billion in fixed-income securities for leading technology and pharmaceutical companies throughout California. Additionally, as an IPO Specialist, he collaborated with boutique investment banks to facilitate public offerings.
In 1995, Mr. Ford was entrusted with the critical task of establishing Wells Capital Management’s presence in the New York, Chicago, and Boston markets. Under his leadership, the firm secured key mandates from large pension plans and foundations, including successfully directing $440 million in pension assets to Wells Capital Management’s R2000 growth strategy.
Mr. Ford’s extensive network includes deep-rooted relationships with pension plans, municipalities, high-net-worth individuals, and investment consulting firms across the United States and Europe. His expertise also extends to real estate, where he has underwritten, financed, developed, and managed diverse properties. While working with a major developer in San Francisco, he managed 3,200 rental units and underwrote mixed-use, commercial, and multi-family properties.
Since 2010, Mr. Ford has been actively involved in Private Equity, with a focus on green technology, mental health, and real estate development. He continues to provide strategic advice on asset allocation to high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and pension plans. Throughout his career, he has completed over $2 billion in transactions for high-net-worth and institutional clients.
Mr. Ford holds a B.A. in Communication and Media Studies from Santa Clara University and an M.B.A. from Luiss Guido Carli University. Further enhancing his expertise, he earned a diploma in Real Estate Economics from The London School of Economics and Political Science.
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James Bowles
Vice President
James Bowles is a seasoned financial professional with over 25 years of experience in asset management, investment management, capital markets, and structured finance. With a strong foundation from a corporate-trained background, Mr. Bowles is an accomplished business leader, having held senior roles at global financial institutions. His extensive experience has enabled him to build and sustain successful long-term, collaborative business relationships.
Mr. Bowles has a proven track record in both B2B and B2C environments, consistently securing new business and managing high-level stakeholder relationships, both internally and externally. He brings deep experience working with high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs), introducers, financial advisers, intermediaries, and institutional investors. His career has provided him with in-depth knowledge of financial investments, advisory and intermediary markets, regulatory compliance, and the development of innovative business strategies tailored to the wealth management sector.
In recent years, Mr. Bowles has focused on capital raising in the private equity and real estate sectors, gaining significant exposure to the capital markets in the UK, Canada, and North America. He has developed strong expertise in fund structures, asset management, and equity, loan, and debt financing arrangements.
Prior to joining US Capital Global, Mr. Bowles served as Vice President of Investor Relations at Oneiro Capital Management, an investment and asset management firm specializing in real estate and environmental technologies. In this role, he led capital raising initiatives across both real estate and private equity, managing the full sales cycle—from prospecting to closing—for direct investments in Oneiro’s real estate projects, REIT fund offerings, mortgage investment funds, and other high-yield, off-market opportunities. His previous senior roles include serving as a business consultant to financial advisers, Executive Director at Ten Figures Limited, and Business Development Director at a global discretionary fund management firm.
Mr. Bowles is committed to cultivating long-term strategic partnerships with a diverse range of businesses, referral partners, and investment partners across all investment sectors. These include HNWIs, sophisticated and professional investors, private accredited investors, business owners, institutional investors, single and multi-family offices, private equity firms, and private companies.
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James B. Baty, Ph.D.
Advisor
Dr. James B. Baty is a member of the Advisory Board of Directors of US Capital Global. He is recognized as an expert in the design, implementation, and management of large-scale distributed information technology. With Dr. Baty as a strategic advisor, 2the US Capital team is well-positioned to accelerate the market disruption the firm has already been causing in the evolving FinTech arena, with a focus on the small and lower middle market.
At Oracle Corp., Dr. Baty served as Vice President of the Global Enterprise Architecture Program, defining hybrid cloud architecture and enterprise technology strategies. Prior to Oracle, Dr. Baty was Vice President, Chief Architect, and CTO for Sun Microsystems’ Global Sales & Services division. He is renowned for his work designing key business systems for global telecommunications and financial services companies. Dr. Baty was the first person in the Sun Services division to be recognized as a Sun Distinguished Engineer.
With twenty years of practice in the industry, Dr. Baty has served as the lead architect for multiple national ISP systems with up to several million users, for a major Internet stock brokerage system, for a global messaging networks for international banks, and for the reliability design of a multi-continent international financial trading system for international financial institutions. In addition, he has provided performance and capacity consulting for some of the Internet’s highest volume transaction systems.
Dr. Baty has a Ph.D. in Management Science and Information Systems from the University of Texas (1992), and an M.P.A. from Texas A&M University (1981) with specialization in Technology Policy. Dr. Baty has served as a Visiting Professor and Research Fellow at the Erasmus University Rotterdam Institute for Decision & Information Systems, Netherlands, as well as a Member of Technical Staff and Program Administrator for the Software Technology Program at Microelectronics and Computer Technology Corp.
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Bruce Canvasser, ND
Advisor
Dr. Bruce Canvasser is a member of the Advisory Board of Directors at US Capital Global. Dr. Canvasser is a highly experienced healthcare professional, with more than 35 years of experience in the healthcare industry. He has served as Instructor of Botanical Medicine, Clinic Director, and Board of Trustee member at National College of Naturopathic Medical School in Portland, Oregon, now called National College of Natural Medicine. Dr. Canvasser was appointed by two Governors of the State of Oregon to serve for two three-year terms on the Oregon Board of Naturopathic Examiners.
Dr. Canvasser specializes in botanical medicine, and previously served on the Medical Advisory Board of Integrative Therapeutics, LLC. Until 2002, Dr. Canvasser served as Executive Vice President of Doctors at Integrative Therapeutics. Integrative Therapeutics develops unique formulations that safely and effectively integrate with diet and lifestyle recommendations for improved patient health.
Dr. Canvasser was co-founder of NF Formulas Inc., one of the first dietary supplement companies to serve naturopathic and other health care professionals. He served as President and CEO of NF Formulas between 1978 and 2000, until it was purchased by North Castle Partners and became part of Enzymatic Therapy. At NF Formulas, Dr. Canvasser developed many unique herbal-based nutritional formulas that continue to be widely used today.
Dr. Canvasser holds a B.S. in Education from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. He also holds a B.S. in Human Biology from Kansas Newman College in Wichita, Kansas, and completed his Pre-medical Studies at Michigan State University in Lansing, Michigan. He received his Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine degree in 1978 from National College of Natural Medicine (now National University of Natural Medicine).
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Teresa Grobecker
Advisor
Teresa Grobecker is a n advisor at US Capital Global. Coming to the firm with a wealth of financial and real estate expertise, Ms. Grobecker has brokered hundreds of transactions for her clients and agents, which have included traditional, probate, bankruptcy, short sales, and foreclosure situations. Ms. Grobecker’s active engagement in FinTech combined with her extensive expertise in real estate have led to years of experience in property tech, real estate referrals and developers, bridge financing, hard money loans and stable loans, mortgage lending, and institutional lending.
Ms. Grobecker launched her career in financial services, and aside from her extensive work with the non-profit futurist think tank DaVinci Institute, Ms. Grobecker is the Founder and CEO of Grobecker Holland International, the first escrow company in California to seamlessly convert Bitcoin into real estate. Ms. Grobecker runs her company and all her client relationships on a foundation of trust, ethics, and a firm belief that putting the client’s needs first will yield the best possible results for all parties involved. Ms. Grobecker is also the CEO of her second FinTech company, Real Estate Consortia.
Ms. Grobecker graduated from Dominican University of California with a B.A. in Politics, International Studies and Pre-Law. She went on to complete her M.B.A. in Global Strategic Management, graduating cum laude after only one year, while serving as a board member and founder of several student, governing, and non-profit bodies. Ms. Grobecker also supports the non-profit organization Rebuilding Together San Francisco, which mobilizes civic engagement in the renovation and rejuvenation of low-income homes and communities.
Ms. Grobecker is a registered Chartered Retirement Planning Counsellor (CRPC) and holds the following financial credentials: CA BRE 01908507, NMLS 1286612, CA INS 0F41063.
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Vanessa Guajardo
Chief of Staff
Vanessa Guajardo is the Chief of Staff at US Capital. She is responsible for the successful coordination of all marketing and PR activities, overseeing and organizing company-related investor events and nationwide industry events, with a focus on business development and strong investor relations.
Prior to joining US Capital Global in 2017, Ms. Guajardo helped forge the notable growth of Oliver Luxury Real Estate, widely recognized today as the market leader in Lake Tahoe luxury. In her role as Marketing Director, Ms. Guajardo took responsibility alongside the CEO for the company’s brand development, fashioning an image and standard built upon strong ethics, vast market knowledge, extensive exposure, and personalized attention to clients’ needs. In an affiliation with Christie’s International Real Estate, Ms. Guajardo’s work bore international influence, and her contribution at Oliver Luxury Real Estate saw an estimated regional growth in sales of 320% within three years.
Possessing a strong repertoire in all elements of design, and with over a decade of high-end professional experience in the field, Ms. Guajardo’s distinction in the creation of a comprehensive range of marketing and advertising materials has received high acclaim. Her 2016 Luxury Collection Book for Oliver Luxury Real Estate was awarded the 2017 Silver ADDY Award in the category of “Product or Service Sales Promotion.”
A certified yoga teacher, classically trained ballerina, and accomplished snowboarding instructor, Ms. Guajardo frequently supports various charitable causes through her participation in sporting events, such as the AIDS Life Cycle. Prior to her further education in the Arts at San Francisco City College, Ms. Guajardo majored in Fine Arts and Painting at the California College of the Arts.
Email: Vanessa Guajardo
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