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September 17, 2021 @ 7:30 am - 9:00 am

Join us for an online discussion about buying businesses – and why now is the time to do it! Our co-founder Ben Calkins will moderate a panel consisting of Jill Arena, Roy Knapp, and Tom Logan.

With your RSVP confirmation you will receive a Zoom link to join the meeting.

As always, networking will follow the presentation in smaller breakout rooms.

About Jill Arena:

Jill Arena is an accomplished Business Development Expert and Mergers and Acquisition Intermediary. She has enjoyed an award-winning career for more than 25 years. Her extensive experience working with small to medium-sized businesses as well as large corporations has enabled her to assist executives and business owners reach their respective organic growth goals for three decades.

In 2011 Arena added Buy-Side Intermediary services to her offerings, working with Investment Banks, Private Equity Groups, Strategic Buyers and Individuals. Arena provides search, analysis and deal structure services to regional and national buyers. She has helped numerous Buyers in Cleveland and nationally find and acquire companies.

Arena is adept at consultative selling, an expert on strategic alliance development, prospecting, turn-around projects and business brokering. She has recruited sales professionals, built top-producing sales teams, helped organizations pioneer new areas for revenue generation, trained sales professionals on her branded sales methodology, and developed programs for organizations to exceed their organic growth goals.

Jill Arena is a 2011 recipient of the SMEI Distinguished Sales & Marketing Award®. She was recognized as an outstanding sales and marketing professional with unparalleled standards of sophistication and skill in her industry. The award was given to recognize, promote, and honor Jill’s excellence, professionalism, and outstanding achievement in sales and marketing. Earning this award illustrates Jill’s high standards, experience, training, and commitment to excellence.

Born in Rochester New York, Arena began her career at Paychex. Prior to founding Arena Enterprises in 2000, Jill was a top-producing Sales Representative with Paychex. After moving to Cleveland in 1994, Arena spent five years in sales leadership roles at ComDoc/McHale Us Connect (now Xerox ) where she earned President’s Club distinction each year, and 7 years with the VAR CompuCom. Arena lives in Solon with her husband Harley, daughter Lauren (who is attending Kent State) and son Nate (who is attending Ohio University). Arena is passionate about “all things Cleveland” and facilitating economic growth in this region. She is a self-proclaimed aficionado on museum-quality fine art, the NY State Finger Lakes region, yoga and kindness.

About Roy Knapp:

Roy Knapp is an experienced business manager and executive with over 40 years of hand on experience and success.

A passionate achiever from the onset, Roy Knapp studied civil engineering at Johns Hopkins University, and earned an Executive MBA from Case- Western Ohio University.

In addition to pursuing his business interests and entrepreneurial passions, Roy Knapp lends his expertise as the Founding Chairman of the Cleveland World Trade Association Foundation and sits as Treasurer of the Northern Ohio District Export Council.Roy Knapp is a frequent speaker to university graduate business schools, trade and civic groups, and various governmental agencies, sharing his wealth of knowledge and clarity and relevance.

About Tom Logan:

Tom is the Founder and President of T. H. Logan & Associates, with more than thirty years experience in Industrial Consulting and Merger & Acquisition activities. Focused on corporate entities whose sales volumes range from $5 million to $50 million, his expertise is primarily in the engineering and manufacturing fields. Consulting Services include turnaround management, new product introduction strategies and, where required, capital recovery programs. Merger & Acquisition activities include both Buy and Sell side contracts with emphasis on broad-search confidential campaigns to find and engage the most likely candidates for the transaction. Logan acts as the primary contact between the Buyer and Seller and leads the negotiation through to closing. Clients have included a Fortune 500 company.

Previously, Tom was Vice President of Morgan Engineering–$100 million annual volume in worldwide sales for the primary steel industry in engineered machinery and equipment. Focused on steel mill cranes, steel casting equipment and oil field pumps and drilling rigs. He also served as General Manager for L.W. Nash Co. (wholly owned engineering subsidiary of ALCOA), with $30 million annual volume in worldwide sales for the primary and secondary aluminum industries. Equipment included rolling mills, casters and scrap metal recovery systems.

Tom was also the owner of Master Parts, Inc./Salem Blanking, a Tier 2 metal stamping operation, and has been outside director for both private and publicly held corporations.