Peter Stark - Chief Compliance Officer
Mr. Stark is a former Managing Director at Raymond James Financial in Equity Capital Markets’ Corporate & Executive Services desk. During his twelve years at the firm, Mr. Stark was selected for Chairman’s Council three times and the only institutional equity trader to be selected more than once. Prior to Raymond James, Mr. Stark started and headed up the capital markets trading desk at Hoak, Breedlove, Wesneski in Dallas, TX. He also traded equities as a market maker for various broker dealers before that to include Wedbush, Morgan Securities in Los Angeles, and Sherwood Securities in Jersey City, NJ. Mr. Stark began his career in the securities industry as a Ten Year Note broker for Cantor Fitzgerald in New York City. He has over eighteen years’ experience trading institutional equities. Prior to entering the securities industry, Mr. Stark served as a Captain in the U.S. Army. He served with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Ft. Campbell, KY as a Field Artillery Officer. He spent eight months deployed in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Kuwait in support of Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Mr. Stark has a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point and a Master of Business Administration in Finance from New York University’s Stern School of Business. He is a Past Governor for the Security Traders Association and a Past President of the Security Traders Association of Florida. He is currently a Governor for the West Point Society Florida West Coast and a Regional Director for the Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation.
Robert D. Weiss - Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Weiss is currently the CEO of Thayer Gate Advisors, a private equity firm. in Tampa, FL. After graduating from the United States Military Academy at West Point, Col. Weiss served on active duty and the USAR. He remains active in the Association of Graduates and is a former president of the Tampa Bay Alumni Chapter of West Point. Mr. Weiss was formerly president of Atlantic American Partners, a merchant banking group founded by Communications Equity Associates. He brings an extensive institutional background, having served in investment banking at Paine Webber, COO for Zurich Kemper, head of marketing at Weiss, Peck & Greer, and a consultant at SEI. His fund experience includes working with accelerators at The University City Science Center and Philadelphia Port of Technology, as well as involvement with multiple SBIC's. In addition to his BS from The United States Military Academy at West Point, he holds an MBA from Boston University. He is a past director for The Association of Graduates at West Point and has served on its Investment Committee. He has experience as the lead independent director for a publicly traded company, BioVest, Inc. and has served as a director for another publicly traded firm, SkyLynx Communications, Inc. He sings in his church choir and has been an official for US Rowing. He is married to Lisa Robinson Weiss, CFA. They have two daughters, Meg and Allie, and a son-in-law Jake.
Ellen Stark - Director of Communications
Ellen Stark is a graduate of The University of Texas with a B.A. in Literary Studies. She spent the first five years of her career teaching English at J.J. Pearce High School in Richardson, Texas. Ellen transitioned from teaching into educational publishing, working for Prentice Hall College Publishing and Pearson Education. She currently lives in Tampa, Florida with her husband and children.
Michael A. DiMauro, Esq. - Managing Director
A graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy and The New York Law School, Michael began his private practice of law in 1995 in Staten Island, NY with a focus on Estate Planning and Elder Law. He is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, the Society of Certified Senior Advisors, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, and has served as the President of the Board of Directors of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of Staten Island. He can frequently be found lecturing in the community and on local cable television about various Medicaid and Estate planning issues. In addition, Michael’s professional contacts have been instrumental in providing opportunity for him to work with real estate developers on various size commercial projects throughout New York and New Jersey.
Craig A. Fine, Esq. - Managing Director
A graduate of New York Law School. During the early years of his legal career he worked at a prestigious Park Avenue law firm where he represented large developers and investors both in the litigation and transaction arenas. Mr. Fine has established a private practice in both Staten Island and New York City since 2007 with a focus on real estate. The office has successfully dealt with numerous cases in both Residential and Commercial properties throughout the New York/New Jersey regions .The Firm also owns a title company which complements the transactional side of his practice specializing with complex abstracts of title to ensure marketable title is being conveyed. Craig is currently licensed in the States of New York, New Jersey and Florida.
Frank Karpicki, E.A. - Managing Director
Mr. Karpicki, general partner at Karpicki and Zanelotti Associates Co. Mr. Karpicki and his partner founded the firm in 1985. His firm specializes in accounting, tax preparation, and tax planning for individuals, businesses, estates and trusts. Prior to forming his own firm, Mr. Karpicki spent 5 years as a vice president in the financial reporting department at Morgan Stanley. Mr. Karpicki has a Bachelor of Science degree from Columbia University in New York City and a Master of Business Administration from St. Johns University. Mr. Karpicki is currently an Enrolled Agent, enrolled to practice before the Internal Revenue Service. He is also a member of the National Association of Enrolled Agents, National Society of Accountants, and National Association of Tax Professionals. Mr. Karpicki resides in Ocean Township, New Jersey.