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.
Mark Etterling
Senior Consultant / Regional Director
etterling@lazarusco.com
Mark is a graduate of Ohio University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Systems. He has extensive experience as a specialist with the U.S. Government first as a technical liaison for the Army in the production of the M-1 Abrahms main battle tank, then with the U.S Air Force at the Jet Engine production facilities. Mark later moved on to the private sector where he held such prestigious positions as Network Communications Manager for Dayton area Health Programs, Corporate Infrastructure Manager for Clark Western taking the company from 2 locations to 20 with annual sales of over $1 billion dollars. Mark is the owner of a consulting and advisory firm working with small to medium size businesses in the area of direct cost savings and governmental compliance. Mark has an overall understanding of how best to serve Lazarus’s clients in the buying and selling of their businesses.
Thomas L. Holmes
Senior Consultant / Regional Director
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.
Barbara Assad
Public Relations / Media Consultant
bassad@lazarusco.com
Barbara brings to the Lazarus Group a vast range of experiences in business as well as the health care industry. She has spent time as a nurse and as an administrator consulting with doctors, hospitals, management staff and insurance companies in the areas of Utilization Review and quality improvement programs in compliance with state and federal standards. Barbara has owned and managed a large commercial landscaping company in Arizona, doing work for such companies as McDonald’s restaurants, Shasta Pools, as well as supplying other local landscapers. Barbara brings to the Lazarus Group an eye for detail in the administration function of the business.
Michael Burk
Consultant
burk@lazarusco.com
Michael graduated from West Virginia University of Technology, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Health Services Administration, and Minored in Sociology. He has worked for the State of West Virginia in the Bureau for Children & Family services, and their federally funded Health and Welfare Programs. While there, he produced materials that were used in the statewide training programs to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their employees. Michael served as Chairman of the Customer Service Center’s Task Team, which informed the public regarding the State and Federally Funded aid programs. Michael has obtained a network of business and personal contacts throughout the United States,that enhances the Lazarus Group’s national presence.
Bruce Etterling
Consultant
etterlingb@lazarusco.com
Bruce had worked for over 21 years at La-Z-Boy Incorporated in their systems operation department. He is very familiar with production and quality control processes. Bruce has owned a consulting company helping closely held business owners deal with direct cost savings and governmental compliance. Bruce brings to the Lazarus clients the same work ethics that has helped so many other business owners accomplish their exit strategies.
Ray T. Haberek
Consultant
haberek@lazarusco.com
Ray attended John Carroll University with course studies in Real Estate Law and Title Insurance Law. Ray has extensive knowledge and experience within the Real Estate, Title insurance and Computer industries. He has worked with the Cleveland Area Board of Realtors for over 12 years maintaining their complex computerized network. Ray has worked in the field of real estate financing both in residential and the commercial markets, he was a national sales manager in the Real Estate Title Insurance industry for over 20 years, and brings to Lazarus the experience, dedication and knowledge so much needed in today’s economic environment.
Joe Kern
Consultant
kern@lazarusco.com
Joe attended Wilmington College where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Psychology. Joe has extensive experience in the powder coatings, specialty chemicals and recovery business. He has worked for such companies as the Nordson Company Amherst, Ohio and Rohm and Haas Company out of Philadelphia, PA. where he was responsible for the successful growth of the Mexican market. Joe has been an independent consultant and brings to the Lazarus Group a history of problem solving and negotiating skills necessary to complete a business sale.
Glenn Kuhn
Consultant
kuhn@lazarusco.com
Glenn is a graduate of Wright State University receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in Management Information Systems. He has developed and maintained programs for businesses in the areas of strategic planning, cost expense reduction, tax credits and customer service. Glenn has worked for such notable companies as Airborne Express, Nationwide Insurance, as well as some charitable organizations. Glenn comes to the Lazarus Group with the experience and background necessary to help business owners with their exit strategies.
Ronald A. Lester
Consultant
lester@lazarusco.com
Ron had served in the US Army JAG corps, his duties included reporting to his commanding officer any violation of laws, and what actions needed to be taken, as well as making sure the enlisted men and women have taken care of their financial responsibilities before being deployed. After Ron’s military service he became a licensed insurance agent, where he began working with small and medium size businesses in a multiple of areas. Ron later became an independent business owner himself, working as a consultant helping business owners increase sales and marketability of their products and services. Ron’s philosophy is simple, compassion, confidentiality, trust, and loyalty is what he lives by. Ron brings to the Lazarus Financial Group an understanding of business ownership, a keen attention to detail, and the importance of an exit strategy.
Suzanne T. Mitchell
Consultant
mitchell@lazarusco.com
Suzanne graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago and earned a Bachelor Degree in Accounting. Suzanne is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in the States of Ohio and Illinois, and possesses over twenty years of practical business experience. Suzanne began her career as a Bank Examiner with the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, and spent time in the Educational Sector as a Financial Professional. Gifted with an entrepreneurial spirit she has worked for small businesses, and as a former corporate controller for a family-owned manufacturing company for over 12 years. She is very knowledgeable about the problems and challenges that faces business owners today. Suzanne has effectively managed customer/vendor relationships, negotiated contracts and worked with business partners including banks and governmental entities during her controllership. Currently she serves as Treasurer on the Board of Directors for Media Bridges, Cincinnati, OH, a nonprofit organization whose mission is assisting people to develop communication skills through the power of media. We are very fortunate to have someone of Suzanne’s background and experience, as a Consultant with the Lazarus Financial Group.
Roger Ramkeesoon
Consultant
ramkeesoon@lazarusco.com
Roger is a graduate from the University of the West Indies with a degree in Architecture. His business career started with 10 years in the Insurance and Investment Industry with American International Group (AIG). Roger ventured into the Home Improvement and building Business in the Maryland, DC and Virginia Tristate area, as the Marketing Director for Medallion Patio Rooms and Premier Window and Building Inc. He gained 12 years of extensive knowledge and experience in Building, Investment, Insurance and Marketing. He will complement the Lazarus Financial Group in aspiring Business Entrepreneur towards a greater financial freedom.
Bill Schiman
Consultant
schiman@lazarusco.com
Bill is an Alumni of the University of Kentucky school of Business and graduate of the International School of Technology. Following a successful career in all areas of Information Technology including Director of Operations for privately held companies in Michigan and Ohio, he turned his skills to consulting in the IT industry and then managed and directed sales operations as a Vice President in the deregulated energy markets. Bill has experience as a business owner in sales and marketing, and was a District Sales Manager in the insurance industry. Bill brings to the Lazarus Group an understanding of what business owners are faced with when trying to sell their businesses today.