BIOgraphy
Mr. DeCarlo, age 44, began his career as a business analyst for Nichols Safina Lerner & Co. in Ft. Lauderdale. Fueled by a competitive spirit and desire to grow a business; in 2001, he took a position as the Franchise Sales Director of Lady of America Franchise Corporation, and over a span of five years expanded its operations from four to more than 700 clubs. During that time, he earned his real estate license to focus on commercial investment transactions and subsequently participated in the sale of the business to Trivest Partners for $48 million.
After gaining the requisite education, Mr. DeCarlo worked his way to Managing Director of the Wall Street Group and led the origination, structuring and closing of more than 50 transactions and more than 35 exits, totaling more than $1 billion dollars. As Chief Operating Officer of the Wall Street Group, he played an integral role in arranging acquisitions, recapitalizations and merger transactions for the firm’s middle market clients.
In 2013, advising against the sale of a then client’s business, Mr. DeCarlo completed a successful turnaround project as Chief Financial Officer with former Wall Street client EMJAC Industries, Inc., a $20 million stainless steel restaurant equipment and door manufacturer. Afterwards, he joined Griffin Hill & Associates as Executive Vice President; and through the acquisition of wireless assets, developed partnerships in the wireless technology sector in over 15 major metropolitan markets throughout the country that were sold to Metro Connect Wireless International.
Mr. DeCarlo received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Quincy University in 1994, and an MBA in Business from Oxford University in 2011. Mr. DeCarlo also holds multiple finance certifications from the Darden Business School at the University of Virginia and the University of Michigan.