About BA CAPITAL
The small company purchaser committed to understanding your succession plan
Founded With One Purpose
We help small business owners achieve opportunity through a sale of their business. At a time of generational transition, our purpose is more relevant than ever.
Dr. Gabriel Santiago is the founder and president of BA Capital Holdings LLC. An adept entrepreneur, Dr. Santiago has amassed years of experience within the healthcare sector. His multifaceted expertise is amplified by his sterling credentials and the unique perspectives he brings to our business, thanks to his distinctive career path.
Dr. Santiago is a veteran of the United States Navy. He earned his medical degree from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, and completed his surgical training at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and holds academic positions at universities in the Washington D.C. Area.
Beyond the medical field, Dr. Santiago's impressive academic portfolio extends to the realm of business. He earned his MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he majored in Entrepreneurship and Innovation. His profound understanding of these disciplines equips him with the necessary tools to identify potential acquisitions, cultivate growth, and navigate the ever-evolving business landscape.
Today, under Dr. Santiago's visionary leadership, BA Capital Holdings thrives on the intersection of healthcare, entrepreneurship, and innovation. BA Capital Holdings seeks to acquire and nurture small businesses, combining our strategic insights with our commitment to fostering a sustainable and successful future.
Nina Butler brings more than a decade of expansive experience in the luxury retail sector. Her expertise encompasses the establishment of flagship boutiques across North America and Europe, creating a strong global footprint.
Nina's career is distinguished by her ability to foster relationships and galvanize teams. Her knack for unifying diverse groups to navigate complex on-site issues is truly remarkable.
An advocate for sustainable business practices, Nina holds the distinction of being a LEED Green Associate. Her fervor for sustainability is not only limited to sourcing eco-friendly building materials and systems, but she also champions a mindset that values sustainable solutions in all aspects of operations.
Nina is an alumnus of the Georgia Institute of Technology and holds an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. As a part of BA Capital Holdings Investment Advisory Board, she uses her unique skills and expertise to enhance our ability to acquire and grow small businesses.
Nicholas Curcio is an accomplished investment banker and proficient operator, with an impressive track record spanning over 15 years. His vast experience brings a deep understanding of the ins and outs of the acquisition landscape, making him an invaluable asset to our team.
Before joining our ranks, Nicholas demonstrated his entrepreneurial prowess as COO of two startups. He was instrumental in raising upwards of $20 million in venture capital funding, leading a successful turnaround as interim CEO, and orchestrating a profitable exit through acquisition. His versatility extends to financial management, as evidenced by his tenure as CFO of a middle-market architecture firm.
Nicholas' comprehensive investment banking experience was honed during his decade-long involvement in the Consumer/Retail sector at Evercore and Honeycomb Asset Management. This background allows him to strategically assess and capitalize on the potential of small businesses.
Nicholas holds an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and an MA in Psychology from New York University. He is a graduate of Columbia University and Phillips Exeter Academy.
In his role at BA Capital Holdings, Nicholas leverages his investment banking acumen and operational expertise to fuel our company's mission: to identify, acquire, and successfully grow promising small businesses.
Robert Chen is the Group Chief Strategy Officer at Guardian Group, where he oversees the development of corporate strategy and the execution of mergers and acquisitions. Before his current role, Robert had been the Chief Transformation Officer and led the implementation of the Group’s strategic transformation initiatives, driving step-change improvement in the Group’s financial performance and organisational health.
Prior to joining Guardian Group, Robert was the Americas Region Lead for the Deloitte Center for the Long View and a Senior Engagement Manager at Monitor Deloitte, where he spent almost a decade working closely with senior executives of Fortune Global 500 corporations to build winning strategies for sustained future growth and value creation.
Robert holds Master of Business Administration in Finance and Management from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Commerce in Actuarial Science and Commerce & Finance from the University of Toronto; Robert is also a CFA® charterholder.
As an investment board member of BA Capital Holdings, Robert leverages his vast experience in strategy and transformation, along with his financial acumen, to spearhead our objective of acquiring and nurturing growth-oriented small businesses.
Paul-Louis Andrés is a seasoned executive with a stellar record in generating value in the context of private equity. Beginning his career in Tokyo's electric car industry, Paul-Louis navigated his career path towards strategy consulting with Roland Berger in Paris. His diverse experience is a testament to his adaptability and strategic insight, crucial in our company's mission of acquiring and growing small businesses.
As the Head of Group Transformation for the global leader in perfume glass bottles production, Paul-Louis led a substantial restructuring initiative under a leveraged buyout (LBO). He expertly balanced this restructuring while driving the company towards operational efficiency. His ability to juggle multiple challenges simultaneously speaks volumes about his strong leadership and operational excellence.
In 2014, Paul-Louis pivoted to a tech scale-up in the logistics sector. Under his charge, the customer base skyrocketed, demonstrating an impressive 20x growth over four years and a net retention rate of 120%. His efforts were recognized with multiple Gartner awards, underscoring his ability to drive growth and customer satisfaction.
Paul-Louis currently serves as Operating Principal at Apax Partners (now Seven2), where he spearheads operational excellence across the firm's portfolio companies.
Paul-Louis holds an MSc in Management from the esteemed HEC School of Management - Paris, and a master’s degree in research from École Polytechnique. His diverse skills, honed through varied experiences and strong academic credentials, make him a valuable asset in our commitment to acquire and nurture promising small businesses.
Vincent Romano is a seasoned professional with a rich background spanning engineering, business development, and entrepreneurship. Vincent's wealth of experience and knowledge brings a unique perspective to our team, enhancing our ability to identify and invest in promising small businesses.
Vincent’s early career consisted of working as an engineer in the aerospace sector, specializing in jet engine part design and collaborating closely with manufacturing teams. This practical experience has given him a profound understanding of technical processes and operational efficiency.
He subsequently pivoted and distinguished himself in business development and sales, consistently delivering impressive results. He has successfully secured over $50 million in business, demonstrating his exceptional negotiation skills, client relationship management, and strategic planning capabilities.
As an entrepreneur, Vincent founded a direct-to-consumer luxury dog bed brand, showcasing his entrepreneurial drive, creativity, and knack for spotting market opportunities. This endeavor also highlights his experience in product development, brand building, and marketing strategies.
Vincent holds an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He also holds a Master of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from Northeastern University, and Mechanical Engineering degree from The Ohio State University.
At BA Capital Holdings, Vincent's role involves leveraging his diverse skill set to further our mission of identifying, acquiring, and nurturing the growth of promising small businesses.
Stephanie Traikos is a seasoned business professional with a demonstrated history of fostering strategic growth and operational efficiency within the financial sector. Stephanie's extensive experience and proven leadership skills significantly contribute to our mission of identifying and investing in promising small businesses.
As the former Regional Director for Open Banking at Mastercard, Stephanie successfully spearheaded the Open Banking business across the Latin American region. She led a dedicated team in making pivotal product development decisions and expanding the business within the region. Her strategic partnerships played a crucial role in achieving market leadership in Latin America.
Before her tenure at Mastercard, Stephanie held the position of Senior Product Manager at American Express. There, she managed a $2 billion loan portfolio for Small Business, leading the charge in product innovation and integration initiatives.
Stephanie also boasts a decade-long tenure in Global Markets at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. In various leadership roles, she was instrumental in driving desk revenue growth and strategic business development.
Stephanie holds an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. She also holds a degree in Finance with a specialization in Chinese Studies from the University of Florida, where she was the recipient of a Full Academic Bright Futures Scholarship.
At BA Capital Holdings, Stephanie applies her vast experience and strategic acumen to our mission of acquiring and nurturing the growth of promising small businesses. Her track record in the financial industry and her leadership skills make her an invaluable asset to our team.
Friederike Andrés brings a wealth of experience from the healthcare sector. As the co-founder and CEO of the non-profit association IM'PACTES, Friederike has dedicated her career to improving the lives of children in need of pain management and palliative care. Her innovative approach to healthcare has led to significant progress in identifying and resolving long-term issues in collaboration with local stakeholders.
Friederike's passion for her work is evident in her close relationships with healthcare providers, patients, and their families. She draws inspiration from their resilience, using it to fuel her search for the necessary resources and tools to meet their critical needs.
Before establishing IM’PACTES, Friederike held the position of VP of Operations at Cureety. There, she excelled in team management and recruitment, and implemented key tools such as Salesforce, Slite, and Pennylane. Her leadership prepared the start-up for international growth and successful fundraising from investment funds. Friederike also served on the Board of Directors at HELEBOR, further broadening her experience in the healthcare sector.
Friederike holds Masters in Management degrees from Em Lyon Business School and Ludwig-Maximilians University in Munich.
Her unique experience and dedication make her an invaluable asset to our investment advisory board as we continue our mission of identifying, acquiring, and fostering the growth of promising small businesses.
Aaron Leopold is the Founder & Managing Partner of AGL Advisory Group, a boutique consultancy helping healthcare and life sciences startups with finance, strategy, operations, and fundraising.
Aaron is an experienced strategy consultant with a deep background in healthcare and life sciences. He started his career at Epic, the electronic medical records company, before doing strategy and corporate development at a smaller health tech company. Aaron then spent 5+ years as a strategy consultant at a boutique consulting firm focused on corporate venture building, where he led the firm’s global healthcare and life sciences practice.
In addition to corporate consulting, has extensive experience working with small and emerging ventures as an entrepreneur, investor, and advisor. He is an active angel investor, serves on the deal team and as an operating partner at a family office, and is a pro bono advisor to early-stage healthcare startups.
Aaron holds an MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated with a finance major and as a Palmer Scholar. He also holds a degree in music performance from Vanderbilt University.
As a part of BA Capital Holdings Investment Advisory Board, Aaron uses his strategy, startup, and finance experience to evaluate growth opportunities and develop strategies to support our operating companies.
J. Andrew Greenblatt stands as a seasoned executive with a rich history of pioneering new ventures and steering strategic growth for established businesses. His expertise spans Entertainment Law, Corporate Law, Trademark Law, and Intellectual Property.
Mr. Greenblatt's journey began in the cinematic world with Film 101 Productions, an independent film house. As its President, he was instrumental in contract negotiations, financial management, and legal oversight. He later co-founded Nationlight Productions, LLC, a film production company dedicated to crafting uplifting content for diverse audiences. Here, he was pivotal in script evaluations, project packaging, and financial negotiations.
Subsequently, Mr. Greenblatt played a key role at Invincible Entertainment, focusing on acquisitions and co-productions. His responsibilities included scouting potential acquisitions globally and shaping the marketing and distribution strategies for each. Presently, he helms the Philadelphia Film Society, a nonprofit that organizes the Philadelphia Film Festival and offers a plethora of cinematic experiences and educational programs.
Through Greenblatt Consulting, LLC, he offers a suite of services to the entertainment sector, including legal counsel, financial guidance, and production assistance. His consultancy has been instrumental in the development, sales, and distribution of films, and he has been a trusted advisor for film acquisitions for notable companies like Dark Star Pictures and UnderRated.
Mr. Greenblatt holds degrees from George Washington University in Political Science, a J.D. Law Degree from American University – Washington College of Law. He received his MBA from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. He's an esteemed member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, the Producers Guild of America, and is recognized as an Eisenhower Fellow.
His filmography is impressive, with productions showcased at premier film festivals such as Sundance and Tribeca. Notable works include "Explicit Ills", "Yoga Hosers", and the recent "Rittenhouse Square".
At BA Capital Holdings, we are proud to have Mr. Greenblatt's vast experience and vision guide our mission of investing in and nurturing small businesses.
Maisie Mahoney is a distinguished professional in health technology and operations, with a rich background in data science, business development, and entrepreneurship. Her career includes transformative roles at MilliporeSigma, EMD Digital, and Syntropy, where she led initiatives in product data management, healthcare data integration, and operations, demonstrating her prowess in navigating complex, regulated environments.
Educated at Washington University in St. Louis with a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering and holding an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, Maisie combines deep technical knowledge with strategic business acumen. Her international leadership experience and skill in operationalizing and scaling businesses are evident in her current roles, including leading a Series A startup and advising a cybersecurity startup.
At BA Capital Holdings, Maisie Mahoney applies her extensive expertise and strategic insights to our mission, enhancing our ability to acquire and nurture the growth of promising small businesses. Her track record in the fast-paced health technology sector and her operational skills make her an invaluable asset to our team.
Rob Stiefel is a seasoned professional with substantial experience in small business operations and a solid track record in executing complex sales and negotiations. His strong interpersonal skills have been pivotal in building a wide-reaching network and fostering durable relationships across multiple sectors.
His extensive background is rooted in active participation with family-owned ventures, including automotive dealerships, golf course management, and real estate development. This hands-on involvement has equipped Rob with a nuanced understanding of both the challenges and prospects inherent to small business ownership.
In his career, Rob has successfully developed high-functioning sales teams and crafted strategic initiatives aimed at cultivating long-term customer relationships, ensuring consistent revenue growth, and enhancing organizational value. His current role involves managing sophisticated sales and negotiation strategies within the aerospace industry.
Rob holds an engineering degree from the University of Pittsburgh and an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. As a member of BA Capital’s investment advisory board, Rob leverages his diverse and comprehensive experience to offer insightful guidance to small businesses, especially those undergoing acquisition processes. His keen ability to understand and connect with business owners considering the sale of their companies is a valuable asset to our team.
Robert J. Chalfin joins the investment advisory board of BA Capital Holdings, bringing a wealth of experience as the CEO of The Chalfin Group Inc. Based in Metuchen, New Jersey, his firm specializes in advising on the acquisition and sale of privately-held companies, strategic planning, and business valuation. Chalfin is a seasoned investor and consultant, particularly in the information technology sector, and has extensive experience in real estate investment and development, including roles as a land bank.
Chalfin's expertise is further enriched by his academic contributions as a Lecturer in Management at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. Here, he teaches graduate courses on acquiring private businesses and real estate entrepreneurship to MBA students, earning multiple Wharton Teaching Excellence Awards. His academic prowess is complemented by his role as a sought-after seminar presenter on topics like business acquisition, strategic planning, and valuation.
An accomplished author, Chalfin has penned several influential books including "A Practical Guide to Buying a Business - Second Edition" (2023), "A Practical Guide to Selling a Business" (2022), the first edition of "A Practical Guide to Buying a Business" (2020), and "Selling Your IT Business" (2006).
Chalfin's legal and financial acumen is evident in his past roles as a Court-appointed receiver, provisional director, administrator, fiscal agent, and valuation expert. His expertise has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America Directory of Experts, New Jersey Super Lawyers, and New Jersey’s Top-Rated Lawyers. His insights have been featured in prominent publications like The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.
His legal and community service includes receiving the 2009 Middlesex County Bar Association Non-Litigation Attorney Award, participation in the Supreme Court of New Jersey District VIII (Middlesex County) Ethics Committee, and membership in the Supreme Court of New Jersey District VIII Fee Arbitration Committee. Additionally, he is a Rule 1:40 Mediator for Economic Aspects of Family Law Cases.
Outside of his professional endeavors, Chalfin hosts the "Business Talk with Chalfin" podcast series and is an avid baseball fan, holding minority interests in three minor league baseball teams.
BA Capital Holdings welcomes Tyler Wittman to its Investment Advisory Board, a distinguished figure with a formidable background in mergers and acquisitions. Tyler has demonstrated remarkable success in the entrepreneurial realm with ventures like Precision NDT, Pro Mechanical USA LLC, and Pro Mainland Safety LLC. His strategic foresight and execution in business growth, coupled with his adeptness in technology solutions and international mergers and acquisitions, have not only consistently surpassed profit targets but have also earned him recognition in esteemed circles. Tyler's journey and professional accomplishments, including the strategic acquisitions of his ventures by Arcapita Investment Management US Inc., underscore his expertise and visionary leadership in the field. His profile and contributions have notably earned him recognition as a Forbes 30-under-30 designee, highlighting his impactful journey and successes in the business world.