Michael A. Gales, RIA

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

 

Michael A. Gales has over 35 years of experience as a senior Corporate Executive, Investment and Merchant Banker and Entrepreneur. Most immediately prior to his formation of TechStar, Inc. Mr. Gales founded and capitalized in excess of $25 million in equity and $35 million in debt financing to acquire a 36-year old aerospace component maker as a platform, thereby creating, via Reverse Merger, Gales Industries, Incorporated, a publicly-traded holding company designed to consolidate manufacturers, engineering integrators and specialized service providers to the Aerospace/Defense Industry. TechStar, Inc. focuses on segments of Industrial Production Hardware, Chemical Production Manufacturing Equipment Systems and Technology, Power Generation, HVAC, Maritime, Aviation and Infrastructure.

 

Mr. Gales has throughout his career acted as Advisor to numerous middle market corporations and executives. As an advisor in both the Public and Private marketplaces, he has been involved with all business facets, including financial, operational, legal, regulatory, intellectual property, management and licensing. He has served as Chairman of four public companies and as a member of numerous Boards of Directors, has been a frequent guest speaker and has authored a number of articles relating to corporate finance activities and industrial and technical subjects. He is a holder of a United States patent related to pollution control and water purification and a former lecturer specializing in Corporate Finance instruction related to securities training.

 

Professional Memberships and Accreditations:

  • Presidential Who’s Who: 2009-2011
  • Who’s Who in America
  • Who’s Who in Finance & Industry
  • The President’s Association-AMA
  • Investment Company Institute
  • SEC Registered Investment Adviser
  • University of Oklahoma- EnvE
  • Society of Naval Architects & Marine Engineers
  • Society of Piping Engineers & Designers
  • United States Army, Retired
  • Military Officers Association of America
  • The United States Army Association

  

 Steven J. Rann

Vice Chairman, COO & Executive Vice President, Acquisition Development, 

 

Steven Rann joined TechStar, Inc. as Vice President Acquisition Development where he is charged with building a team of Network Affiliates and managing transaction flow development. Mr. Rann brings a strong business background with over 30 years experience in the areas of M&A, marketing and market research in the manufacturing and service sectors.

 

Mr. Rann served as President of Advantage Group Associates, an M&A and business brokerage firm for six years. Prior to that, he was the Principal owner and President of Steven Rann and Associates Inc, a successful marketing and research consulting firm where he advised on strategic issues for companies such as Campbell’s Soup, Pfizer, AGFA Medical Films division, and Kraft Foods. Prior to establishing his own company, Mr. Rann was Director of Marketing Research at Burger King Corporation.

 

Mr. Rann received his B.S. degree in business from Northeastern University and attended Baruch College’s MBA program in marketing research. He was a past board member of the Connecticut Chapter of the American Marketing Association. Mr. Rann has published several articles on product positioning. He has guest lectured on new product development at St. Thomas University.

 

Marvin Factor

Vice Chairman

 

Past Chairman of the Board and Board member of the nursing home division of Centerlight Healthcare Systems.  Mr. Factor served as Vice President Commercial Lending for Metropolitan National Bank where he developed a portfolio of $50 million. 40-year background in commercial lending enhances our abilities due to his direct experience and management activity in the healthcare/medical sectors.

 

Russell J. Steward, CFA

Director, Executive Vice President

 

Mr. Steward is a Managing Director in Investment Banking at H.C. Wainwright & Co.,  LLC. Mr. Steward has over 25 years of experience in investment and merchant banking, corporate finance, strategic advisory and business valuation. Over the course of his career, Mr. Steward has advised a broad range of public and private entities, from early, development stage operations to larger, mature companies. Such advisory experience covers a spectrum of transaction types and structures, including debt and equity financings, acquisitions, divestitures, valuation analyses and general corporate finance support.

 

Mr. Steward holds a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Columbia University, an MBA from the Anderson School at UCLA, and a Ph.D. in Business Administration from Century University. Additionally, Mr. Steward is a CFA® charterholder.