Senior Management

rickshapiroRick Shapiro

President and CEO

Mr. Shapiro is the President and CEO of The Wheatley Group, a full service “Merger and Acquisition Firm,” located in Scottsdale, Arizona. He is actively involved in the overall management of the firm, and directly handles all aspects of his clients’ initiatives and engagements. He works closely, from start to finish, in the valuation, packaging, positioning, marketing, negotiation and closing “process.”

Mr. Shapiro has sold companies in virtually every sector of the marketplace to all kinds of buyers, including NYSE, NASDAQ, larger privately held companies, private equity groups, affluent individuals and other strategic and financial buyers. Mr. Shapiro is an Attorney (inactive), Licensed Real Estate Broker, and Certified Business Intermediary. He has also won numerous awards, presented by a regional association of his peers, for high dollar volume of business sales.

He is available and ready to help you prepare for, and achieve, your exit or entrance strategy goals.

Member
• Merger and Acquisition Source
• Association for Corporate Growth
• Arizona Bar Association (inactive)
• Arizona Society of CPAs (affiliate)
• Phoenix Chamber of Commerce
• International Business Brokers

Association
• Arizona Business Brokers Association
• New York Bar Association (inactive)
• Business Law Section/Arizona Bar Association
• Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce
• Phoenix Rotary 100 Club
• Leader/Speaker at Conferences & Seminars
• National Business Institute
• Lorman Education Services
• CLE International
• Numerous Bar Associations
• University MBA Programs
• Chambers of Commerce

Education
• Ithaca College, B.A. Magna Cum Laude, 1975
• Law School, Saint Louis University, J.D., 1979
• Law Journal, Administrative Editor

Credentials
• Certified Business Intermediary
• Attorney, Arizona and New York (inactive)
• Licensed Real Estate Broker
• Numerous Awards

steve ferberSteve Ferber

Senior M&A Advisor

Mr. Ferber is a Senior Merger & Acquisition Advisor with The Wheatley Group, a full service “Merger and Acquisition Firm,” located in Scottsdale, Arizona. He has over 25 years of experience in mergers & acquisitions, private equity, investment banking transactions, national roll-ups and hands-on business operational experience as a successful business executive.

His broad based knowledge of the M&A industry, coupled with his extensive corporate and management experience, provides his clients with the critical tools to assist them in developing and executing successful strategies in the small to mid-market arenas.

Mr. Ferber’s strategic, advisory activities with his selling clients – which includes the divestiture of specific divisions of larger corporate entities – comprises the preparation of an exit strategy, valuation, packaging, positioning, marketing, negotiation and closing assistance throughout the M&A process. In this regard, he focuses intensely on maximizing value and enhancing financial returns. He finds acquisition opportunities that match his clients’ strategic and personal goals. He also assists buyers with negotiations and in procuring appropriate forms of private equity, debt, SBA and/or bank financing.

Prior to joining The Wheatley Group, Mr. Ferber served as President, CEO, partner and member of the Boards of Directors of numerous regional and national companies – both Private and Public. During this time, he participated in the merger and acquisition activities of two national roll-ups in partnership with Private Equity Groups. Mr. Ferber has distinguished himself as a leader, keynote speaker, trainer, facilitator and hands-on consultant to many fast growing companies. He has provided strategic advice in the launch of operations of over 50 businesses.

Memberships & Credentials:
• International Business Brokers Association
• Arizona Business Brokers Association
• Licensed Real Estate Agent
• BBP Industry Expert Designation

…that’s where The Wheatley Group comes in.