The State of the Middle Market for 2022

Mike Dokmanovich has been with Comerica for 30 years and is currently the Los Angeles Regional President. Mr. Dokmanovich is responsible for overseeing market activities for all business units in the Greater Los Angeles market. He began his career with Comerica in 1990 and has held positions of increasing responsibility in the middle-market in Los Angeles since 1991. Mr. Dokmanovich received his undergraduate and MBA from the Ohio State University. He is also active in the Los Angeles community currently serving on the Board for the Ability First organization in Pasadena and on the board of the Knowing Garden School in Redondo Beach.

As Transom Capital Group’s Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Ken Firtel believes perseverance is a critical component of success. Ken’s passion for driving top tier results for Transom’s investors and his down-to-earth approach have shaped a culture where team members thrive on challenges and support each other through collaborative problem solving.

Prior to joining Transom Capital, Ken served as an investment professional at Platinum Equity. During his tenure at Platinum, Ken was responsible for evaluating, structuring, and negotiating transactions as well as transitioning and overseeing operations of portfolio companies.  Before joining Platinum, Ken was an Associate in the Transactions Department of O’Melveny & Myers.

Ken holds a Bachelor of Arts in economics from Yale University, a Master of Science, Industrial Relations-Diploma in business studies from the London School of Economics, and a Juris Doctor from the USC Gould School of Law. Ken played Division I soccer at Yale. 

Outside of the office, Ken serves on the board of Angel City Sports, an organization focused on providing athletic and other opportunities for children and adults with physical disabilities, and the Los Angeles Breakers Football Club, a youth soccer club.

When he’s not at work, Ken loves spending time with his three children (one boy and two girls).

Dara Mir is the President of 9to5 Seating, a Los Angeles-based contemporary furniture company focused on ergonomic seating for office environments. He is a recipient of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year (2016), serves on the USC Viterbi School of Engineering Emerging Leaders Board, and is an active member of YPO Los Angeles.

Mr. Schwartz is a member of Houlihan Lokey’s Business Services Group, where he co-leads the Facility Services practice area. His practice includes an emphasis on technician services, including models that install and maintain building systems and equipment and provide ongoing asset management and regulatory compliance. He works on a wide range of mergers and acquisitions, financings, and strategic advisory engagements. During the decade leading up to his current role overseeing the Facility Services practice, Mr. Schwartz developed a specialization within testing, inspection, certification, & compliance and engineering & construction. Prior to his decade focused on TICC and E&C, Mr. Schwartz was a member of the firm’s Mergers & Acquisitions group. 

Before joining Houlihan Lokey, he worked for The Gores Group, a private equity firm located in Los Angeles. 

Mr. Schwartz graduated from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.