Marino Linardon

Managing Director

Marino has worked with and in companies of many sizes and stages. He brings a unique perspective, drawing on his diverse experience as a corporate development and strategy executive, digital business entrepreneur, investor and investment banker.

Marino enjoys working with creative, innovative people who desire to make a positive impact.

 

 
 

Advisory Group

For more information about an Advisory Group member, please click HIS picture.

 
 

LEIGH ALLEN

Leigh brings deep expertise in the U.S. and global credit card industry. Over his career, Leigh has developed and advised on more 65 transactions totaling more than $200 billion in credit card outstandings.

Leigh is the CEO of Global Consumer Finance Advisory and previously developed the #1 international credit card advisory practice on Wall Street as part of Salomon Smith Barney / Citigroup.

 
 

DEEPAK CHUGH

Deepak has deep experience in technology M&A and financings.

Prior to forming Elevate Advisors LLC in May 2016, Deepak was a senior investment banker at Deutsche Bank & Piper Jaffray for over a decade.  

During his tenure at these financial institutions, Deepak advised clients in the enterprise technology (security, storage, networking) and electronics verticals.  Deepak was mandated on and executed numerous strategic (sell-side, buy-side, divestiture, restructuring) and financing (equity, equity-linked, debt) transactions.

Prior to obtaining his MBA from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Deepak led software and business development activities at Nortel Networks and NEC Eluminent Technologies.

 
 

WILLIAM SCHWARTZ

Bill is a Strategy and Operations senior executive with a blend of startup, corporate, and consulting experience across 50 companies in 10 industries and most functions.  He is recognized for driving broad based business transformations, structural cost resets, operating model redesigns, and organic and inorganic growth strategies.  A problem solver and award-winning CPA, Bill brings significant experience turning challenging situations into successful turnarounds, bringing people together collaboratively to challenge assumptions, push boundaries, think creatively, achieve strategic clarity and innovate. 

Prior to forming SAG LLC, Bill had a 17-year career with Accenture Strategy, where he was Managing Director in its CEO & Enterprise Strategy Practice.   Bill’s experience also includes helping to guide multiple early-stage and mid-sized companies to improved performance.

 
 

BRYAN WATERS

Bryan has a long history of advising and operating companies, especially in growth and turn-around situations. He has a track record of generating strong investor returns.

Bryan has held numerous senior executive roles including:

  • CEO of Microf, a point-of-sale finance company.

  • Board member, Galaxy Gaming, Inc., the world’s largest independent casino table games company.

  • Chairman and CEO of Financial Technology Bank (in organization).

  • President and COO of Genesis Financial Solutions, the leading “second look” private label credit card program manager in the United States.  

  • CEO of North America for Dollar Financial Group, a worldwide leader in providing financial services and solutions to underbanked consumers.

  • President and COO of Camco, Inc. (brand name “Superpawn”), the largest privately-owned pawnshop operation in the United States at the time.  

  • President and CEO of Pacific National Bank, a privately held OCC-regulated bank based in San Francisco, California.

  • Various executive roles at Wells Fargo Bank, including Regional President of the State of Nevada.