Vicente Blends Cigars is a renowned brand known for producing high-quality handmade cigars. Vicente Blends’ cigars are crafted with precision and expertise, using only the finest tobacco leaves sourced from various regions around the world. The company has a rich history in the cigar industry and is known for its commitment to excellence and innovation.

• Provide(d) independent advisory services to clients regarding corporate growth initiatives, private capital financing, M&A, and strategic positioning, as well as, expert financial and forensic analysis for matters involving the S.E.C., Dodd Frank regulations, the I.R.S. and other regulatory agencies.• Participate(d) as equity partner in select middle-market private equity acquisitions and recapitalizations.

• Led purchase of an athletic, entertainment and enrichment center business.• Held sole responsibility for operations, finances and strategic planning.• Established accounting and reporting procedures to better manage employee and contractor expenses, tax related filings and strategy.• Established and managed budgeting and human resources systems and procedures for the company.• Responsible for sourcing and hiring personnel. • Managed sales and marketing team.• Built customer base from 0 to profitability.• Negotiated strategic joint ventures to advance brand awareness.

• Presided over multiple FINRA arbitrations involving securities-related disputes between member firms, industry professionals and investors.

• Originated and led capital raises and M&A advisory assignments in the media, retail and industrial industries. • Oversaw all financial and business operations of the corporation, financial reporting, and tax preparations.• Led operations, compliance and risk management as Ops. Principal for investment bank and broker/dealer.• Implemented processes and procedures for “know-your-customer” due diligence and risk exposure assessments.• Established firm operations, hiring of personnel and strategic plan for the organization.• Negotiated asset management joint venture with major financial institution. • Oversaw day-to-day budgets of the firm and rollout of research platform.• Directed team responsible for processing trade execution and FINRA compliance.• Managed FINRA audit achieving a zero-exception report.• Held FINRA Licenses: 7; 24; 66; 79; & 99.

• Provided corporate finance and financial advisory services to growth companies and executives. • Assessed all new and potential client engagements to determine transactional risks.• Established compliance procedures including risk assessment, customer due diligence and negotiation of legal indemnifications. • Representative transactions included the creation of a new motion picture production company, funding of online sports university, private financing and management advisory for a new online process fulfillment firm.

• Led deal teams in public/private equity, M&A and mezzanine capital originations and financings, including all due diligence and legal matters.• Established compliance and firm processes for interaction and reporting between investment banking, sales and research departments to limit risk exposures. • Oversaw and managed risk, compliance and daily operations for 25 person investment banking division.• Served on New Business Committee for investment banking division and led “know-your-customer” due diligence procedures for east coast transactions.

• Led restructuring, sale/purchase, and recapitalization of middle market companies. • Served as risk, compliance and daily operations principal for NY office. Established processes and guidelines and managed FINRA audit achieving a zero-exception report.

Private Equity/Venture Capital• Risk officer for software and services division. Responsible for client risk assessment and investment due diligence reviews.• Led multiple deal teams in the origination, structuring and investment in direct venture capital interests. • Developed and implemented operational controls and process & risk management dashboards.• Managed IT’s implementation of procedures into business’s existing systems and trained staff on integration.Business Development/Secondary/Fund Management Team• Managed GE Equity’s $2 billion+ Fund Portfolio.• Founding Member of GE Equity’s Business Development/Secondary Private Equity Team. Six Sigma/Black Belt Certified