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Michael Blake / Arpeggio Advisors
Mike Blake is the founder of Arpeggio Advisors, a boutique business appraisal and corporate strategy advisory firm in Atlanta. Mike’s background has included work in venture capital, investment banking, and public accounting.
For the first eight years of his career, Mike worked in venture capital and investment banking in the U.S. and abroad. In 2004, Mike entered the business appraisal profession full-time, working most recently for Habif, Arogeti & Wynne, LLP (the largest independent public accounting firm headquartered in Atlanta). Mike led HA&W’s effort to become the first appraisal practice in Georgia to earn the International Society of Business Analysts’ Gold Seal of Trust, the only peer review recognition for observing best practices in the business appraisal profession in the United States.
Mike has particular expertise in the appraisal of firms in the fields of professional services, information technology, aerospace, and alternative energy. In addition, he has developed specific expertise in the appraisal of intellectual property and intangible assets.
Mike is an active educator. He is a Special Instructor of Business Valuation in the Georgia Tech/Emory University TI:GER (Technology Innovation: Generating Economic Results) program. In addition, he is regularly invited to provide instruction on entrepreneurship, corporate finance, and business valuation to graduate level classes at the Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, Kennesaw State University, the University of South Carolina, Georgia State University, and the University of Georgia. Furthermore, he regularly provides continuing professional education for his peers in the business valuation profession.
Mike earned a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and French (Cum Laude) from Franklin & Marshall College, from which he graduated Phi Beta Kappa. In addition, he holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Georgetown University. Mike is also a member of the Leadership Atlanta Class of 2014.
Mike’s additional professional and community-service passions include supporting entrepreneurship through education and nonprofit board involvement, raising awareness of and funding to combat Lou Gehrig’s Disease, promoting alternative energy development through market forces, advocating for de-stigmatizing mental illness and disorders, and expanding the inclusiveness of the Atlanta high technology community.
Mike speaks Russian, French, and Ukrainian, lives near Atlanta with his wife and two sons, and plays keyboards and vocals for Kickin’ Off the Coverz, a working classic rock cover band.
Marc Lewyn / GV Financial Advisors
With over 20 years of experience, Marc is a partner, senior financial advisor, and CEO of Strategic Liquidity Services (“SLS”) at GV. SLS provides a methodology designed to help business owners navigate the complex options available for generating liquidity from their businesses.
“Most business owners think there’s one way to generate liquidity from their business — to sell it,” Marc explains. “However, that’s one of many options, and in our experience, it’s often not the best one. We help people navigate complex variables so they can choose a path that best fits with their personal and professional goals.”
Lewyn graduated cum laude from the University of Virginia and received his law degree from the University of Georgia School of Law. Prior to joining GV Financial, Marc served as a corporate attorney for a variety of business clients. Marc also had the privilege of working on the staff of a U.S. Senator, a job he credits for giving him the willingness to tackle a variety of complex problems in service to others.
A leader in the community, Marc enjoys sharing his time and expertise with a number of Atlanta-based charities and organizations. Marc is the immediate past Chair of the Endowment Fund of the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta and has served on the Executive Committee and the Board of that organization for many years. He served on the Endowment Board of the Westminster Schools, the Boards of the Greenfield Hebrew Academy, and the Endowment Committee of the Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta, the Atlanta Scholars Kollel and Temima High School.
John Miller / Sterling Risk Advisors
Mr. John W Miller II has over 20 years of experience in providing risk management and commercial/professional insurance solutions to clients throughout the United States. He knows clients’ business as well as he knows insurance, and is a trusted strategic advisor to professional, commercial, and personal clients.
A founding Principal of Sterling Risk Advisors, John was a Principal at one of Atlanta’s oldest insurance brokerage firms. Previous to that, he was an Insurance Underwriter for The St. Paul Companies (now a part of Travelers). John speaks regularly to healthcare organizations around the Southeast and is often quoted in the media on the topic of the malpractice insurance marketplace.
John received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Furman University. At Furman, he served as the Business Manager of The Paladin (student newspaper), Treasurer in the Association of Furman Students (student government) and Executive Committee Member of the Inter-Fraternity Council. John was active in the Sigma Chi Fraternity serving as President and as Grand Council delegate from South Carolina. Prior to Furman, he attended The Baylor School in Chattanooga and graduated from The Westminster Schools in Atlanta.
With a dedication to giving back to the community, John coaches football, basketball and baseball through the Northside Youth Organization and serves on its Board of Directors. He is also on the Board of Directors of The Schenck School and serves on the Board of Directors of the Wiskott Aldrich Foundation. John is also on the Board of Directors of the Westminster Schools Catbackers. An Eagle Scout, John serves as an Assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 232 in Atlanta.
John is an active member of The Peachtree Road United Methodist Church. He and his wife Mary reside in Sandy Springs and have three children: Will, Price and Mary Hilton.
