SPEAKERS

As President of MarshBerry's Financial Advisory Division, Phil Trem brings extensive knowledge in merger & acquisition (M&A) advisory and operations, specifically in the business and technology arenas and is a trusted partner for buyers and sellers who depend on his proficiency at deal negotiation, due diligence, deal execution and integration planning. His experience encompasses the full life cycle of an M&A transaction for independently owned insurance agents & brokers, specialty distributors, wealth management advisors, retirement planning specialists, private equity firms, banks & credit unions and insurance carriers. Phil's objective is to provide clients with a seamless, comprehensive experience.

  • State of the Industry

A vital resource in mergers and acquisitions (M&A), John Wepler has personally advised on more than 300 M&A and Capital Markets transactions since joining MarshBerry in 1991. He is an in-demand industry speaker because of his extensive knowledge in organic growth management, valuation enhancement strategies, business planning, perpetuation, financial management and M&A. As Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MarshBerry—and CEO of the wholly-owned FINRA registered broker/dealer MarshBerry Capital, LLC —John’s leadership and industry experience has benefited many insurance industry professionals.

  • Capital Conversations: Navigating the Evolving Debt Landscape

Gerard Vecchio works specifically with the Insurance Services Division of MarshBerry. Gerard’s responsibilities include providing strategic and operational consulting services to specialty insurance distributors, insurance carriers and outsourced service providers within the insurance industry.
Gerard has approximately 35 years of experience within the insurance industry where he has gained knowledge related to being a private equity investor in, board member of, and advisor to insurance distributors, underwriters and service and technology providers. Most recently, Gerard was Chief Financial Officer and head of Business Development at Distinguished Insurance Services where he was responsible for sourcing, financing and integrating insurance broker acquisitions.

  • Capital Conversations: Navigating the Evolving Debt Landscape

Mr. Van Gorden is a Managing Director of the Investment Manager, a member of the Investment Committee, and Head of Origination. He joined the Investment Manager in 2015 and has 18 years of industry experience. He previously worked in leveraged finance and private equity at Golub Capital, Abingworth Management, and J.P. Morgan. Mr. Van Gorden is a graduate of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania (M.B.A., 2012) and Northwestern University (B.A., 2006).

  • Capital Conversations: Navigating the Evolving Debt Landscape

Bill is the Co-Head of Sponsor Coverage, overseeing private equity sponsor relationship management and new business origination. He is primarily focused on insurance and financial services and software and technologies industries. William joined Apogem Capital from Madison Capital, where he has worked since 2003. He began his career in the financial services industry in 2000.

  • Capital Conversations: Navigating the Evolving Debt Landscape

Mr. Roche has thirty years of experience in leveraged finance and has analyzed, originated and structured numerous transactions and served on several investment committees. Mr. Roche’s background also includes leading restructuring efforts at a number of large institutions. Prior to joining Willow Tree in February 2017, he was a Managing Director at GSO, Blackstone’s credit arm.  While at Blackstone/GSO, he led the private origination and execution effort for the firm’s sub-advised BDC platform, FS Investment Corp. and related funds, through its formative period.  During his tenure, this platform grew to become the world’s largest manager of BDCs with $17.2 billion in AUM as of December 31, 2016.  He previously held other senior roles at Blackstone/GSO, including as a Portfolio Manager for GSO’s CLO business.  Before joining Blackstone/GSO, he was a member of the investment team at the Royal Bank of Canada from 2001 until 2005.  Prior to his tenure at the Royal Bank of Canada, Mr. Roche held positions at Fitch Ratings, Inc., Nations Credit, and MetLife Capital.  He graduated from the University of Connecticut with a B.A. in Economics.

  • What Has Changed in Exiting a Portfolio Company: Equity Perspectives in a Shifting Market

Trevor is a Partner of LMP and a member of its Investment Committee. He joined the firm in 2010. Prior to LMP, Trevor was on the corporate development team at Morgan Stanley and participated in the evaluation and analysis of strategic transactions. Prior to Morgan Stanley, he was an Analyst at JPMorgan in its Technology, Media, and Telecom Investment Banking Group.

Trevor is a member of the Boards of Directors of Americana Partners, Billhighway, Engage People, Inc., Fortis Payment Systems, Net At Work and Warner Pacific, and previously served on the Boards of Directors of Mercer Advisors Inc, Keane Holdings LLC, National Auto Care and Worldwide Facilities LLC. He received his M.B.A. from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Brigham Young University.