Michael Pickholz Email & Phone Number

United States

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.
• Participate(d) as equity partner in select middle-market private equity acquisitions and recapitalizations.

New York City Metropolitan Area

• 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.

New York, New York, United States

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

New York, New York

• 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.

New York, New York

• 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.

Bachelor Of Arts - Ba

Master Of Business Administration - Mba, Banking, Corporate, Finance, And Securities Law

Master Of Science - Ms, Accounting

Mba, Accounting And Finance