2024 ACG Boston: M&A Outlook Forum

Jake Jolly is a Director and Head of Investment Analysis for the Global Economics and Investment Analysis team at BNY Mellon Investment Management. In this role, Jake produces market research and investment content across asset classes to help shape the strategic investment decisions of our clients. He collaborates with portfolio managers and researchers across BNY Mellon Investment Management’s investment firms to provide a vital link between investment, product, and distribution teams.

Jake is a leading representative of the firm externally in the media. He frequently appears in various media outlets including Bloomberg, Wall Street Journal, CNBC, NPR’s Marketplace, Yahoo! Finance, MarketWatch, CNN Business, Associated Press, BBC, and Reuters.

Prior to joining BNY Mellon Investment Management, Jake was a Portfolio Manager at systematic quant manager Dimensional Fund Advisors (DFA). At DFA, he managed the firm’s flagship $16B US Small Cap equity fund, among other factor-based strategies. Before DFA, Jake worked as an emerging markets economist at IHS Markit.

Jake received his MBA from Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business. At Carnegie Mellon, Jake was awarded the distinction of being the graduating MBA with the highest academic achievement in Finance. He also earned an MA degree in International Economics and Finance from Brandeis University, and a BA degree in Economics and International Studies from the University of California San Diego (UCSD). Jake Jolly is a CFA® charterholder. He is based in our New York City office.

Ben is the leader of the Mergers & Acquisitions group at Sullivan. His practice focuses on corporate and securities law, representing public and private companies in complex transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, capital markets transactions, real estate investment trust (REIT) conversions, SEC reporting and other general corporate and securities matters. Ben counsels clients through all stages of the corporate life cycle – from initial formation and financing through successful initial public offering or acquisition. He also plays an active role in the firm’s blockchain initiative and advises companies with respect to blockchain and related technologies, virtual currencies and digital token sales, and related securities laws and regulatory matters, including (i) structuring and documenting the offering of Ethereum-based smart contract digital securities for a real estate fund, and (ii) structuring and documenting the offering of a principal-protected digital security in the hospitality industry. In addition, Ben is a leader of the firm’s Opportunity Zones practice group, and he advises a range of clients in forming private investment funds, partnerships, joint ventures and other investment structures to take advantage of the U.S. Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2017's Opportunity Zone Program.

Billy is a Managing Director for Audax Private Equity, based in Boston. Prior to joining Audax in 2015, Billy was with the private equity firm Sterling Partners, where he focused on evaluating and executing leveraged buyouts and growth equity investments in the Healthcare Industry. Previously, Billy worked in Private Equity at New MainStream Capital and Goldman Sachs & Co. Billy received a J.D. from Harvard Law School, an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School, and a B.S. from Duke University.

Bobby joined Salt Creek Capital in 2021 and resides in Boston, MA. He works with multiple Salt Creek deal teams and focuses exclusively on assisting those teams with deal origination, transaction execution and supporting the growth of existing portfolio companies across the entire Salt Creek platform. Prior to Salt Creek, Bobby was a senior investment professional at several leading lower middle market private equity firms including H.I.G. Capital, Nautic Capital and Roynat Equity Partners and has closed numerous leveraged buyouts throughout his professional career. Earlier in his career, Bobby was an Investment Banker at Citigroup and a Turnaround / Restructuring advisor at Alvarez & Marsal. Bobby graduated from the University of Toronto with a B. Com. in Finance and holds an M.B.A. from the Harvard Business School. Bobby is also a CFA Charterholder.

In his 30-plus year investment banking career, Mark Young has completed over 100 financial advisory assignments, with a particular focus on growth companies that provide differentiated products and solutions, as well as technology-enabled business and consumer services. Mark brings extensive experience identifying, structuring, negotiating and executing a wide variety of engagements, including mergers and acquisitions, as well as public and private equity offerings. Mark’s transaction experience and sector focus includes advanced manufacturing solutions; engineered components and subsystems; tech-enabled loyalty and related merchant and payment software and solutions; eCommerce; IT and managed services; employee incentives, rewards and recognition; and experiential marketing solutions. Prior to joining Mirus as a Partner, Mark was a Managing Director with Canaccord Genuity. He began his career with Adams Harkness in Boston, helping to expand the firm’s presence and technology franchise in San Francisco. Born in Los Angeles, Mark grew up in the Boston area and earned his BA from the University of Virginia. Mark is a FINRA registered representative with Series 7, 24, 63, and 79 licenses. He enjoys swimming and golf, and any opportunity to watch either of his children compete in their respective sports. Mark lives in the Boston area with his wife and two children. 

Rich is an impact-focused advisor, passionate about helping clients achieve step-change and sustainable improvements in performance. Rich has successfully led over 300 engagements fo 100+ clients and is a trusted partner by Senior Management, Boards, and Private Equity sponsors in time-sensitive, complex, and critical situations. Prior to founding Creo Advisors in 2019, Rich has spent over 25 years in senior client leadership roles with AlixPartners, Booz Allen & Hamilton, The Parthenon Group, and BRG. Additionally, he led a private equity-owned, middle-market manufacturing business in a full turnaround and helped position the company for future growth. Rich has received recognition for superior client service, including the prestigious AlixPartners Achievements in Excellence, four AlixPartners Achievements in Excellence team awards, and the Booz Allen & Hamilton Professional Excellence Award. He has been quoted in leading business press such as The Wall Street Journal, Strategy & Business, and Bloomberg and served as a featured speaker at forums such as the National Retail Federation, The Capital Roundtable, and various M&A-related and industry events. Rich earned his MBA, with Honors, from the University of Chicago and a BS from the United States Naval Academy.