Meet the Gladiator Capital Team

Jeff brings a unique blend of functional, quantitative, and leadership skills to the Gladiator team, enabling him to effectively navigate complexities and change in today’s dynamic market. Fluent in Italian with strong knowledge of Spanish and German, Jeff is multilingual—and helps the team address international as well as domestic business opportunities.

Jeff’s prior career experience includes roles as owner and management team member at Fitzgerald. He played key roles in negotiating the successful sale of the company as well as in an earlier refinancing transaction. He oversaw major functions and developed the oversight systems for operational and financial performance. At Gibson & Associates, Jeff not only helped the company triple revenues but also helped clients reduce logistics costs up to 40% while simultaneously improving supply chain metrics. At Financial Technology, Jeff managed sales and marketing as it grew to become one of the top players in its financial software market segment. Additionally, he developed highly regarded training programs as well as managed the company’s alliances with computer manufacturers, bank service providers and software houses.

Jeff holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin and attended the graduate business program at DePaul University. Additionally, he studied at Florence’s famed Dante Alighieri Scuola di Lingue.

Ismael Alvarez leads one of Gladiator Capital’s portfolio companies. Prior to his leadership role, he was a production manager leading operations for another portfolio company in a high-volume manufacturing environment. Ismael is highly experienced in managing employees, production, and client relationships impeccably. He earned his bachelor’s degree from North Park University, a master’s from Northeastern Illinois University, and a certification in business leadership from Notre Dame. He is a certified project management professional.

Frank Ross is an operating partner of Gladiator Capital Group. He leads our manufacturing and logistics group.

During his career he has designed, started-up and led very successful manufacturing and reverse logistics/refurbishing businesses. He is adept at selecting, developing, leading and motivating teammates and leadership teams in safe, teamwork environments and has a proven history of driving excellent results. A project he conceived and led saved Sony $20M annually. The same team created a greenfield consumer electronics refurbishing and distribution operation in Mexico (Maquiladora) for Sony within budget and on schedule that produced 5M pieces annually. Other team’s he’s led added $6.6M of value to a contract injection molding company while improving on- time delivery to 99+% and took a medical device manufacturer from an FDA Warning letter (obtained prior to his employment) to ISO certification in 7 months while reducing book-to-ship cycle time from 6 weeks to same day. He started-up a reverse logistics/refurbishing company that grew to $13.2M in revenue in four years. Frank led the start-up of a cell phone test, repair and kitting operation that’s success enabled the parent company to acquire an additional $200M of revenue.

Frank has been a key leader of four start-ups, including his own, so he’s comfortable with and can do the blank sheet of paper. He’s been a key leader of two turnarounds so can assess a business, determine its current state, define where it needs to be, determine how to get it there and can successfully execute the transition quickly. Frank has also been part of very large publicly traded companies such as Hologic, Motorola Solutions and Sony. From this broad experience, Frank understands bootstrap through corporate culture/structure and everything in between so can tap the best of all as required.

Frank is proficient in generating cash flow/EBITDA, customer relationships, driving lean, engineering, growing revenues, improving on-time delivery/quality/safety, organizational transformation, reducing costs, reducing book-to-ship cycle times, start-ups and sourcing and on- boarding talent. Industries Frank has deep experience with are automation equipment, contract manufacturing, electronics, medical device, metal removal/precision grinding, plastic injection molding and reverse logistics/refurbishing.

Frank earned his BS degree in Industrial Engineering from Purdue University and is a Certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt.

Tim brings together talents and knowledge in accounting, management, and advisory consulting. His career path has focused on supply chain, operational and financial management. Tim’s skills and achievements make him a highly sought-after speaker for seminars and presentations; areas that he has covered include supplier and carrier partnerships, cost analysis, process management and improving supply chain and related capabilities. Tim is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Marquette University.

Sal Burd is Gladiator’s CFO Advisory Partner, playing a key role in helping private companies build value. Sal began his career as a CPA with Arthur Andersen & Co. in Chicago before moving into private industry, where he worked as a controller for a large industrial equipment distributor. After earning his MBA, he joined Merrill Lynch’s wealth management group and later joined Dauphin Technology, Inc. as CFO. He also held the CFO role at Tezzaron Semiconductor Company and served as Director of International Operations for Belmont Trading Company before moving into management consulting and advising.

Haley Bell is a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Internal Auditor and brings accounting rigor to the Gladiator Capital Group team. She has led financial and operational audits of companies in accordance with US GAAS, US GAAP, and PCAOB standards for firms including Baker Tilly and Grant Thorton. She also brings project management experience and investment banking experience to her role on the team.