Partner Biographies

• Jeffrey G. Vogelsang

• Michael R. Barto

• Christopher G. Riegg

• William T. Penkwitz

• Stephen L. Mayer

Jeffrey G. Vogelsang, Managing Partner
Promontory Point Partners, LLC

Jeff Vogelsang has been advising middle market companies on strategic initiatives, profitability improvements, capital structure, mergers and acquisitions and operational performance improvements for the past ten years. Prior to founding Promontory Point Partners in January 2002, Mr. Vogelsang gained invaluable experience as a turnaround and crisis manager for Jay Alix & Associates, a nationally known firm specializing in large corporate restructurings. Jeff has gained the majority of his turnaround experience in the middle market having worked extensively with underperforming middle market companies as a turnaround manager for Fort Dearborn Partners, a regional turnaround firm based in Chicago. Jeff has been instrumental in leading turnaround engagements in a broad spectrum of industries including steel forgings, plastic injection molding, information technology, commercial printing and packaging, printing equipment manufacturing, sporting goods manufacturing, direct marketing, licensed apparel design and manufacturing, automotive manufacturing and numerous distribution operations.

In September of 2003, Mr. Vogelsang and his partner Michael Barto were presented with the “Turnaround of the Year” award from the Chicago/Midwest Chapter of the Turnaround Management Association. Selected by a panel of distinguished peers, the award recognizes the tremendous turnaround of an unprofitable material handling manufacturer which is now achieving operating income levels of 20%.

Mr. Vogelsang has extensive experience in working with privately held companies and in understanding the special complexities and emotional issues involved in the turnaround of such situations. Jeff has the unique skill of being able to quickly assess the situation, determine the actions needed and lead the existing ownership and management team through implementation.

In addition to his exceptional interpersonal skills, Jeff backs up his leadership role with solid experience in cost accounting, lean manufacturing, flexible manufacturing, the Economic Value Added methodology and sales and marketing management. Jeff taught finance and cost accounting courses at the Milwaukee School of Engineering for two years and he has lectured extensively on turnaround strategies, EVA and the capital markets.

Prior to his tenure in turnaround consulting, Mr. Vogelsang spent six years as an investment banker with Firstar Capital Markets, a division of Firstar Bank. As an investment banker, Jeff advised over 100 middle market companies on capital structure, mergers and acquisitions, private placements of senior debt, subordinated debt and equity, derivatives, tax-oriented leasing and syndicated bank loans. Jeff has been instrumental throughout his career in helping companies raise the necessary funds to grow their businesses. He has also worked extensively on management buyouts, ESOP’s and third party sales of businesses.

Mr. Vogelsang has a bachelor’s degree in Finance from Northern Illinois University and a Masters of Accountancy from the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. Both degrees were awarded Magna cum Laude. He passed the CPA exam in 1995, received his Certified Insolvency & Restructuring Advisor (CIRA) designation in 2002 and a Certified Turnaround Professional (CTP) designation in 2005.

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Michael R. Barto, Partner
Promontory Point Partners, LLC

Michael R. Barto has 18 year’s experience in business, both in Fortune 500 and middle-market companies.  He has been in a senior management role for the last 12 years and has vast experience both domestically and internationally.  He has an outstanding track record of improving profitability through sales growth, strategy development, cost controls & reductions, and operational change.

In his fifth year as a professional turnaround consultant, Mr. Barto has filled several interim management roles for clients.  Most recently, Mr. Barto was the interim CEO of a refractory manufacturing and installation contracting company that successfully navigated its way through an asbestos bankruptcy.  Mr. Barto was COO for a metal stamping operation in the Midwest and served as VP of Sales & Marketing for a manufacturer of premium outdoor furniture.  Previously, he served as VP of Sales & Marketing and interim President for a $300MM manufacturer of housewares which was a division of a $7B global holding company.  Prior to that, Mr. Barto served as VP of Sales for Signature Brands, makers of the popular line of Mr. Coffee small appliances and the Health o meter brand of scales.  He also spent 7 years with the Sherwin-Williams Company, where he was promoted three times and was the youngest Director of Sales in the history of the company.  In his first position out of college, Mr. Barto was the Inventory Control Manager for the Ace Hardware Corporation, managing over $100MM in production and inventory for their paint manufacturing facility and 14 distribution centers.

As a Partner at Promontory Point Partners, LLC, he has advised clients on strategy, profit improvement, personnel, budgeting, cash flow management, and debt & equity sourcing.  His experience in the manufacturing sector is vast, including 9 years in the Hardware industry and 5 years in the Housewares industry.  He has experience in all channels of distribution, vendor negotiations, inventory management, representative management, forecasting, profit analysis and production planning to name a few.  Additionally, he has extensive experience internationally, integrating an acquisition in Brazil, global sourcing, and developing sales management and distribution in Europe.  Mr. Barto has spent extensive time in Asia, sourcing products, tooling and assembly operations.  He has extensive people management skills, organizational succession planning skills, and a successful track record in developing company incentive plans to properly motivate behavior.

Mr. Barto has an undergraduate degree from Northern Illinois University and has a Masters of Business Administration degree from DePaul University Kellstadt Graduate School of Business in Chicago.  He is a member of the Chicago Chapter of the Turnaround Management Association and was awarded the TMA “Turnaround of the Year” award for his work with Mr. Vogelsang on a $100MM manufacturer of material handling equipment.

Christopher G. Riegg, Partner
Promontory Point Capital

Mr. Riegg’s investment banking experience includes advising companies on financing strategies and executing various types of M&A assignments. He has advised dozens of business owners on how to liquidate all or a portion of the investment in their business. Further he has been engaged by both early and late stage companies in need of debt or equity capital to fund acquisitions, internal growth, and a variety of other initiatives. In total, he has helped arrange over $1 billion of financing for his clients.

Prior to co-founding Promontory Point Capital, Chris was a Managing Director with L. William Teweles & Co., a Milwaukee-based investment banking firm. His previous professional experience also includes years with U.S. Bank Capital Markets and Banc One Corporation. Throughout his career he has worked with capital providers such as banks, insurance companies, mezzanine funds, buyout and venture capital groups, and other types of investment companies.

Chris earned his Masters Degree in Corporate Finance from Marquette University and obtained a Bachelors Degree in Accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. His professional credentials include holding the Charted Financial Analyst (CFA) designation and he is also a licensed Certified Public Accountant.
 

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William T. Penkwitz, Partner
Promontory Point Capital
 
Mr. Penkwitz’s investment banking experience includes advising companies on alternative financing strategies and developing growth and liquidity strategies for business owners. Bill has advised dozens of business owners on full liquidations, majority recapitalizations, and minority recaps. In addition to M&A, he has worked with a diverse group of companies relative to financing assignments including debt refinancings, obtaining equity investment, ESOPs, MBOs, and a variety of leasing structures.

Before co-founding Promontory Point Capital, Bill was a Managing Director with L. William Teweles & Co., a Milwaukee-based investment banking firm. His previous experience also includes years with U.S. Bank Capital Markets where he personally arranged over $200MM in leasing arrangements. Earlier in his career he worked with Allen-Edmonds Corp. to establish European operations and also held the position of Chief Financial Officer with Wisconsin-based Raven Golf.

Bill earned his Masters Degree in Accounting and received a Bachelors Degree in Finance from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. In addition to these degrees, Bill has passed the CPA examination and has completed post-graduate school studies in the areas of corporate finance and real estate.
 

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Stephen L. Mayer, Partner
Promontory Point Capital

Mr. Mayer provides sell side, capital raising, and advisory services as a Partner with Promontory Point Capital. Over a 20 year period Steve has advised, structured, and provided financing to 100’s of middle market companies across a broad spectrum of industries. 

Prior to joining Promontory Point Steve was a Division Manager at JPMorgan Chase in Milwaukee. Earlier in his career he held similar senior lending positions for ABN Amro / LaSalle Bank, Wells Fargo, and M&I Bank. He has executed numerous financings alongside capital market groups, private equity, mezzanine funds, and private investors. Beyond lending activities, Steve has managed strategic planning groups and assisted in the start-up of new initiatives, including an asset recovery group. Prior to his years in corporate banking, Steve spent several years with various manufacturing companies. 

Steve earned his MBA in Finance from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee and obtained a Bachelors Degree in Business and Finance from the University of Wisconsin. He presently serves on the advisory board of several privately held Midwestern companies within such industries as fabricated wood products, information technology, and agriculture.
 
 

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