Consultant Profiles...
Thomas J. Assad
Principal / Senior Consultant
assad@lazarusco.com
Mr. Assad's background consists of a wide variety of business and financial experience including over 15 years in the Investment Banking & Securities Industry. He was Vice President and a General Principal of a Registered Investment and Consulting firm. He served as a Divisional Manager with Dun & Bradstreet in their business credit and reporting division. Mr. Assad was Vice President & Regional Manager for Concord Growth Corporation serving small to medium size businesses in asset based and accounts receivable lending. He was a project manager for Perry Johnson Registrars, a third party audit firm for businesses registered to the ISO 9000/QS-9000 standards.
Thomas directed and hosted a radio program called "Business Talk Live" on WERE 1300 AM in Cleveland, Ohio featuring renowned business and civic leaders. He has written several articles for the business section of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Ohio's largest newspaper, and has been recognized and featured by COSE, Council of Smaller Enterprises, a division of the greater Cleveland Growth Association.
Mr. Assad has held licenses in the Securities, Real Estate, and Insurance Industries. He has owned and operated his own businesses, and is currently a principal in Lazarus & Company LLC.
Thomas L. Holmes
Senior Consultant
holmes@lazarusco.com
Mr. Holmes has had over 30 years experience in various industries. He worked for Price Waterhouse & Co., an international accounting and consulting firm, and he had his own public accounting practice for several years before entering industry. He has held positions as Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice President and President of two different companies with international operations. Most recently he was a 50% partner of an international home furnishings supplier and he sold his interest in this company during 2008. Mr. Holmes is a Certified Public Accountant and he graduated from the University of Cincinnati with Summa Cum Laude honors in 1973.
Patrick H. Plankenhorn
Senior Consultant
patrick@lazarusco.com
Pat is a graduate of Ashland University, and has an extensive Business and Marketing background. He has owned and managed several successful businesses throughout his career, such areas as an Advertising Agency with very notable clients, a Water Treatment & Technologies Company, serving Commercial and Residential clients. Pat understands what it takes to Develop, Build and Sell a family owned business today, and brings with him an insight that can only benefit Lazarus’s Clients.
Daniel P. Codispoti
Consultant
codispoti@lazarusco.com
Dan is a Summa Cum Laude graduate from the University of Akron with a double major in Emergency Management and Criminal Justice. He has managed and developed numerous successful businesses, including hospitality and construction companies of varying sizes. He was most recently the Operations Manager for a nationwide construction company with over 10,000 employees. Dan has valuable insight on building and running successful businesses, whether they are family owned or corporate controlled. This knowledge allows him to work in direct correlation with his clients’ wants and needs to assure they are completely comfortable and successful in their new business venture. The Lazarus Financial Group is fortunate to have such a talented person as Dan as part of our organization.
Michael A. Coen
Consultant
coen@lazarusco.com
Michael has an extensive background in the chemical & Glue industry by owning his own company that, consisted of various multi purpose glue systems, as well as their distribution capabilities. He has a financial and banking background working with and through various local Community Banks, and has enjoyed servicing over 450 clients within a number of school districts. Michael has attended Trinity Bible College, and brings a fresh and unique perspective to the clients of the Lazarus Financial Group.
Dale Conley
Consultant
conley@lazarusco.com
Dale is a qualified business professional with a record of success as an independent business operator. He is a creative developer and implementer of new business, as a hands on manager and entrepreneur, Dale has highly developed negotiation skills, and has experience cultivating such relationships with legal officials, business owners, vendors and customer service departments. Dale brings to the Lazarus Group a strong record of evaluating businesses, and bringing buyers and sellers together.
Wayne Cooper
Consultant
cooper@lazarusco.com
Wayne has enjoyed over 15 years experience in the hospitality and restaurant industry, not only in the corporate world, but also in the franchise area as well. He has had extensive training, and is proficient in the areas of, operational processes, management techniques and marketing approaches. Wayne has owned his own restaurant, has experience as an executive chef, has worked in some of the finest Country clubs, and large fine dinning establishments. Wayne brings to the Lazarus Group a fresh approach to those who are in the hospitality industry, and serves our clients well.
Rodney Farthing
Consultant
farthing@lazarusco.com
Rod is a graduate of Bowling Green State University receiving a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications in 1979. Since then Rod has owned his own business in the merchant wireless processing sector. He is a Adjunct Instructor at Stautzenberger College in Toledo, Ohio, teaching such classes as Business, Real Estate, Economics, Financial Appraisal Etc. Rod brings to the Lazarus Financial Group a vast background and knowledge designed to help family owned & run businesses.
Matthew M. Genot
Consultant
genot@lazarusco.com
Matthew has a Degree in Business Administration from The University of Toledo. He has 13 years business start up, sales and management experience. He has been involved in the start up and acquisition of multiple businesses since 1996. Matthew was a Regional Director of Business in Automotive Quality Control and most recently in the Construction Industry. He also has experience in finance, real estate, and marketing. Matthew brings an insight to business that few have at his age, a working knowledge, and innovation. Matthew relates extremely well to business owners, and is able to connect with them by understanding their needs. Matthew is dedicated to providing his clients personal and professional services.
Robert J. Graziosi
Consultant
graziosi@lazarusco.com
Robert graduated from Youngstown State University with a degree in Finance and Marketing. He has worked with public and private companies in the areas of accounting, fundraising, marketing & advertising campaigns, designed to increase company sales. Robert specializes in working with family owned businesses to help in the development and eventual sale of their business. Robert is a good fit for the Lazarus Group, as our clients can certainly use his expertise.
David R. Kloss
Consultant
kloss@lazarusco.com
David graduated from Bowling Green State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, and received his MBA from Cleveland State University. He worked at American Greetings Corporation in various capacities rising to the position of Director of Purchasing & New Product Development. He owned and operated businesses where the development of new products played a key role in their success. David is also certified in APICS (American Production and Inventory Control Society). His knowledge of marketing, business operations and product development is very beneficial to the Lazarus Financial Group.
Riza C. Ochoa
Consultant
rochoa@lazarusco.com
Riza has over 12 years of Commercial Financing experience including various multimillion dollar projects with Private Investment Funding Groups. She’s developed training programs for nationwide Mortgage Brokerage firms, Local Real Estate Brokers, as well as Tax Consultants. Her knowledge of the Digital Real Estate Market, Social Networking, building relationships and, marketing benefits the small business market. Riza is a great asset to the Lazarus Financial Group, as she can identify with the needs of our clients, in the various businesses and industries therein.