NextGen Sip & Learn: Planting Relationship Seeds to Grow Your Network

Danielle Bass is a corporate attorney at Honigman LLP where she focuses her practice on transactional matters involving information technology and intellectual property, commercial agreements, as well as information technology and intellectual property issues arising in mergers, acquisitions, private equity, and debt financing transactions. Danielle assists clients with drafting and negotiating various agreements regarding the development, licensing, and/or transfer of trademarks, copyrights, software, or technology. Particularly, she drafts and negotiates certain commercial agreements, development and related maintenance and support agreements, outsourcing/service agreements, and software, trademark, patent, and technology licenses and counsels clients on entertainment and other media matters. Danielle earned her J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School, where she graduated magna cum laude and Order of the Coif. Prior to law school, Danielle earned her B.A. in women’s studies, history, and social work from the University of Michigan, where she graduated with distinction.
 
Danielle frequently guest lectures at the University of Michigan Law School on transactional and intellectual property practical matters. Danielle currently serves as a board member for the Detroit chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth and is the chair of the NextGen group. In her free time, Danielle enjoys practicing yoga and spending time with her family and dogs.

Alex Drost is a vice president at Cascade Partners. He is responsible for supporting the analytical, research and transaction execution capabilities of the firm. Mr. Drost is a CPA and has a Masters of Science in Finance from Walsh College with a concentration in investment banking and corporate finance.  He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration with dual majors in Accounting and Finance from Northwood University.

Mr. Drost has always had an entrepreneurial drive showcased by the paintball business that he started at age 14. Through his hard work and dedication, the business grew and he opened his first brick and mortar location 4 years later at age 18.

His passion to succeed and help others along the way is demonstrated through his first place win in the ACG Cup and his continued efforts as a mentor to new teams. 

Dan Ellis is an Executive Search Consultant with a top placement rate providing guidance to middle-market companies and advisory firms with a special focus on working with private equity groups and their portfolio companies.  Dan provides unbiased advice and exclusive opportunities to C-Level executives, senior management and experienced professionals in the accounting, finance, operations and related functional areas.  Dan consults with clients and candidates to understand and analyze each situation to build a meaningful, genuine, and long-term relationship.
 
Prior to joining Townsend Search Group, Dan spent over eight years in public accounting and consulting where he provided transaction advisory and accounting services to privately-held, middle-market companies, across a variety of industries.  Dan earned his BBA from Western Michigan University and is a registered Certified Public Accountant.  He is a Board Member of the ACG Detroit Chapter and Co-Chair of the Programming Committee.  Dan is an avid skier, endurance athlete, outdoor enthusiast, and resides in Traverse City with his wife and son. 

As co-founder of the Pine Harbor Group Christopher focuses on meeting the complex financial objectives of successful families with an emphasis on entrepreneurs and corporate executives. He serves clients as he would his own family; founded on trust, thought leadership and strategic advice. Chris earned a Finance Degree with Honor from Michigan State University and began his career with Morgan Stanley in 2001.

Christopher focuses on advising Pine Harbor clients in developing strategies for personal wealth accumulation, family wealth transfer, and corporate succession. He has an extensive amount of professional experience advising clients through the many wealth considerations that accompany the sale of a privately held business. 

Christopher was named by Forbes Magazine to its list of “America’s Top Next-Generation Wealth Advisors” in 2018. He has also been recognized by HOUR Magazine as a Detroit “Five Star Wealth Manager” consecutively each year since 2013.

Christopher currently serves as President of the Detroit Chapter of the Association of Corporate Growth. He has guest-lectured students at the MSU Broad College of Business, presenting on core principles of financial management. Other leadership positions include serving as past President and Director of Brother Rice High School Business Alliance and the past Director of Michigan State Alumni Association of Oakland County.

Deeply committed to confronting issues of injustice, Christopher is involved with a number of Detroit charities that advocate for children and women.  He presents regularly on behalf of HAVEN, a Metro-Detroit shelter dedicated to eliminating sexual and domestic violence where he also serves on its Board of Directors. 

Christopher has a passion for travelling the world’s great wine regions. He is a member of Orchard Lake Country Club and when he isn’t golfing he can generally be found boating- or ice fishing- by his home on Cass Lake in West Bloomfield, Michigan.