Client-Focused Engagement Model
Our engagement model revolves around having fewer high-quality individuals working closely with the client rather than the “bait and switch” approach taken by larger institutions that leave mid-level professionals to manage transactions. We believe that our model gives clients the confidence that they can always access top-quality thinking.
Brian P. Kelly
Managing Partner LinkedIn
Mr. Kelly has a long and successful track record working with private and publicly traded companies of all sizes and across a wide range of industries. This includes technology, industrial, financial, medical, energy, and business services. He is responsible for overseeing the collective efforts of Hallmark Capital Partners and the team, as well as providing the leadership and the overall growth footprint that makes this firm highly competitive.
Mr. Kelly formerly served as Managing Director of HCP, Inc., where he was hired as a consultant in several roles to serve clients in their efforts to raise Private Equity or PIPE financings and access to capital markets in the following sectors: energy, med-tech, biotech, industrial, and technology. He previously served as Chief Executive Officer of LFS, Inc.
From 1998 to December 2006, Mr. Kelly worked at three of the world's top investment banking and security firms, including UBS, Wachovia, and CIBC World Markets. Throughout his tenure at these firms, he was recognized as a superior asset and was responsible for collectively bringing over $400 million in investment banking transactions.
From 1994 to 1998, Mr. Kelly served as Managing Director of FMS (Financial Management Strategies), a company focused on supporting M&A, raising capital, and assisting in corporate strategic alliances. During this part of his career, he successfully closed acquisitions and ownership transitions for private and micro-cap companies.
From 1998 to December 2006, Mr. Kelly worked at three of the world's top investment banking and security firms, including UBS, Wachovia, and CIBC World Markets. Throughout his tenure at these firms, he was recognized as a superior asset and was responsible for collectively bringing over $400 million in investment banking transactions.
From 1994 to 1998, Mr. Kelly served as Managing Director of FMS (Financial Management Strategies), a company focused on supporting M&A, raising capital, and assisting in corporate strategic alliances. During this part of his career, he successfully closed acquisitions and ownership transitions for private and micro-cap companies.
Dr. Chris Prior
Managing Director
Dr. Prior is a recognized industry leader both as a developer of important new therapeutics and as an accomplished serial entrepreneur. Over the course of his 30+ year career, he has generated more than 25 INDs and achieved four product approvals. In addition, he founded, built and sold two companies (Principia, BioRexis) in deal value exceeding $550M.
Currently, Dr. Prior is CEO and Chairman of the board of PendreaBio, Inc., a cancer company with a novel immuno-oncology therapeutic approach and delivery system preparing to enter Phase 2 to treat solid tumors (liver, pancreas, prostate) and AML. Over the course of the past year, Dr. Prior has pulled upon his strong technical and business experience to completely refocus the company and build an accomplished management team. Dr. Prior is also negotiating a sale of certain assets in the interest of optimizing shareholder returns. Having also served as a member of the scientific advisory board and as a strategic business advisor to Lobesity LLC, Dr. Prior was instrumental in the sale of the company to 9 Meters, Inc, (NMTR) in a cash and equity transaction which closed in July 2021.
As CEO/board member of Innovate Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 2015-2019, Dr. Prior built the team, product development strategy and pipeline that allowed him to very successfully take the company public (INNT) on January 29, 2018 based on a financing of $21M. To advance the lead program to treat Celiac disease required Dr. Prior’s experience with peptides to confirm the pharmacology and dose level to be used in Phase 3. Phase 3 is in progress and the company is well funded and very much in an implementation mode. The company recently entered into a merger with 9 Meters, Inc. (NMTR) to expand the GI pipeline.
As CEO/board member of PhaseBio Pharmaceuticals Inc., (PHAS), 2008-2015, Dr. Prior grew the company from a seed stage research operation to a fully structured biopharmaceutical company raising $75M in B round financing. Starting with a completely new team of product development scientists that he formed in 2010, the company filed 3 INDs over three consecutive years and efficiently advanced the lead program to completion of a 600 patient Phase 2b study in 14 months at close to 100 sites. The company has three distinct products that are all active in humans for the treatment of cardiovascular/metabolic disease. Dr. Prior was instrumental in his 3rd M&A offer and a strategic investment from Astra Zeneca.
Prior to PhaseBio, he was founder, CEO/President and board member of BioRexis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Having raised $38M through to B round financing, he advanced a research concept to generate a robust product pipeline to treat T2D in less than three years from start of operations. As part of the team working with J P Morgan, Dr. Prior was instrumental in the sale of the company to Pfizer. Dr. Prior continued to run BioRexis as a business unit of Pfizer where the team successfully achieved further clinical milestones. Prior to BioRexis, he was founder, CEO/president and board member of Principia Pharmaceutical Corporation. He negotiated the license agreements with Aventis Behring and obtained worldwide exclusive rights to albumin fusion protein technology. With A round capital from HealthCare Ventures, Dr. Prior built and led a team that advanced two products (Albuferon™, Albutropin™) from research into the clinic within two years. These achievements resulted in the acquisition of Principia by Human Genome Sciences (now GSK).
Dr. Prior was General Manager of The Immune Response Corporation (east coast operations) working with Jonas Salk on the commercial development of an immunotherapeutic vaccine to treat HIV. As Director of R&D at Rhône Poulenc Rorer (now Sanofi-Aventis), he achieved product approvals for Monoclate P® and Mononine®. As Director of product development at Invitron Corporation (biotech spin out of Monsanto), he focused on the development of numerous monoclonal antibodies as in vivo diagnostics and therapeutics to treat cancer, and as a Senior Scientist at Biogen, he was instrumental in the work that supported approval of Intron A® (in collaboration with Schering Plough) and Immuneron® in Europe. Dr. Prior received a B.Sc. (honors) in chemistry from the University of London, a Ph.D. in biochemistry from Columbia University in New York City and a research fellowship at The Rockefeller Medical Institute. Dr. Prior is a member of the New York academy of sciences and is the author of numerous publications and patents, all focused on the development of biopharmaceuticals.
As CEO/board member of Innovate Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 2015-2019, Dr. Prior built the team, product development strategy and pipeline that allowed him to very successfully take the company public (INNT) on January 29, 2018 based on a financing of $21M. To advance the lead program to treat Celiac disease required Dr. Prior’s experience with peptides to confirm the pharmacology and dose level to be used in Phase 3. Phase 3 is in progress and the company is well funded and very much in an implementation mode. The company recently entered into a merger with 9 Meters, Inc. (NMTR) to expand the GI pipeline.
As CEO/board member of PhaseBio Pharmaceuticals Inc., (PHAS), 2008-2015, Dr. Prior grew the company from a seed stage research operation to a fully structured biopharmaceutical company raising $75M in B round financing. Starting with a completely new team of product development scientists that he formed in 2010, the company filed 3 INDs over three consecutive years and efficiently advanced the lead program to completion of a 600 patient Phase 2b study in 14 months at close to 100 sites. The company has three distinct products that are all active in humans for the treatment of cardiovascular/metabolic disease. Dr. Prior was instrumental in his 3rd M&A offer and a strategic investment from Astra Zeneca.
Prior to PhaseBio, he was founder, CEO/President and board member of BioRexis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Having raised $38M through to B round financing, he advanced a research concept to generate a robust product pipeline to treat T2D in less than three years from start of operations. As part of the team working with J P Morgan, Dr. Prior was instrumental in the sale of the company to Pfizer. Dr. Prior continued to run BioRexis as a business unit of Pfizer where the team successfully achieved further clinical milestones. Prior to BioRexis, he was founder, CEO/president and board member of Principia Pharmaceutical Corporation. He negotiated the license agreements with Aventis Behring and obtained worldwide exclusive rights to albumin fusion protein technology. With A round capital from HealthCare Ventures, Dr. Prior built and led a team that advanced two products (Albuferon™, Albutropin™) from research into the clinic within two years. These achievements resulted in the acquisition of Principia by Human Genome Sciences (now GSK).
Dr. Prior was General Manager of The Immune Response Corporation (east coast operations) working with Jonas Salk on the commercial development of an immunotherapeutic vaccine to treat HIV. As Director of R&D at Rhône Poulenc Rorer (now Sanofi-Aventis), he achieved product approvals for Monoclate P® and Mononine®. As Director of product development at Invitron Corporation (biotech spin out of Monsanto), he focused on the development of numerous monoclonal antibodies as in vivo diagnostics and therapeutics to treat cancer, and as a Senior Scientist at Biogen, he was instrumental in the work that supported approval of Intron A® (in collaboration with Schering Plough) and Immuneron® in Europe. Dr. Prior received a B.Sc. (honors) in chemistry from the University of London, a Ph.D. in biochemistry from Columbia University in New York City and a research fellowship at The Rockefeller Medical Institute. Dr. Prior is a member of the New York academy of sciences and is the author of numerous publications and patents, all focused on the development of biopharmaceuticals.
Adam Goldberg
Managing Director
Mr. Goldberg is the Head of Strategy and Corporate Development at Hallmark Capital Partners, a role he held at Towers Perrin before its merger with Watson Wyatt. This group helps the company develop and execute its strategy by evaluating and pursuing internal and external investments, including organic investments, acquisitions, partnerships, joint ventures, and divestitures.
Prior to leading corporate development, Mr. Goldberg was Towers Perrin’s Chief Actuary from 1999 to 2000, Managing Principal for the firm’s Denver office from 1996 to 2000, and Senior Consultant in the Los Angeles office from 1986 to 1995. He has a bachelor’s degree in economics from Yale University, is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries, and is a Chartered Financial Analyst.
David Zuckerman
Director
Mr. Zuckerman, a Director at Hallmark Capital Partners, has over nine years of restructuring and financial advisory experience. He has experience across numerous industry sectors, including energy, automotive, business and industrial services, manufacturing, and airlines.
Mr. Zuckerman has provided interim management and advisory services to debtors, secured and unsecured creditors, equity holders, unions, and trustees in both in-court and out-of-court situations. He has experience in all areas of the restructuring process, including cash flow modeling, business plan development, due diligence, valuation, financial planning, bankruptcy reporting, expert witness preparation, and sale of assets.
In addition, Mr. Zuckerman is an advisor to the first lien lenders of a $650 million public retail company in its ongoing restructuring negotiations. Previously, he advised the second lien lenders of an $850 million business services company and the stakeholders of a $400 million global automotive supplier. Prior to this, he advised the senior secured lender group for Wastequip, Inc., an industrial manufacturing company, on restructuring its $725 million in indebtedness. His work in these assignments has focused on a thorough business plan review and the design of a comprehensive balance sheet restructuring.
Mr. Zuckerman’s other recent experience includes advising the first lien lenders of an automotive supplier, the first lien lenders of Aquilex, an industrial services company, and the second lien lenders of Motor Coach Industries, a bus manufacturer. He was responsible for detailed business plan due diligence, assisting lenders in developing various restructuring scenarios, and analyzing the economics of proposals from the company.
Before his career with us, Mr. Zuckerman worked at Seneca Financial Group, a specialty firm focused on financial restructuring advisory services, where he was in charge of a number of restructuring assignments, including Seitel, Inc., NorthWestern Corp., Northwest Airlines, and GB Holdings. In addition, he advised the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association on the status of the airline industry in relation to their ongoing contract negotiations with various airlines.
Mr. Zuckerman has his BS degree from the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia. He is also a member of the Association of Insolvency and Restructuring Advisors.
Mr. Zuckerman’s other recent experience includes advising the first lien lenders of an automotive supplier, the first lien lenders of Aquilex, an industrial services company, and the second lien lenders of Motor Coach Industries, a bus manufacturer. He was responsible for detailed business plan due diligence, assisting lenders in developing various restructuring scenarios, and analyzing the economics of proposals from the company.
Before his career with us, Mr. Zuckerman worked at Seneca Financial Group, a specialty firm focused on financial restructuring advisory services, where he was in charge of a number of restructuring assignments, including Seitel, Inc., NorthWestern Corp., Northwest Airlines, and GB Holdings. In addition, he advised the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association on the status of the airline industry in relation to their ongoing contract negotiations with various airlines.
Mr. Zuckerman has his BS degree from the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia. He is also a member of the Association of Insolvency and Restructuring Advisors.
Christopher Williams
Director
Mr. Williams has worked in both restructuring/reorganization and management consulting across a variety of industries, including healthcare, pharmaceuticals, retail and manufacturing, and support services. His expertise includes refinancing; strategic, operational, and financial review; vendor financial due diligence and M&A; performance improvement; working capital management, and management and post-merger integration.
His recent company-side experience includes working with a global pharmaceutical distribution business with £200 million in revenue, where he successfully engineered the refinancing of £200 million in debt facilities. Additionally, he provided his expertise to a European food processing equipment manufacturer with €350 million in revenue, facilitating the successful refinancing of €400 million in debt facilities.
Other notable accomplishments include aiding a global optical disc manufacturer in refinancing $400 million of debt facilities, as well as working with an FTSE 100 construction and support services business and an FTSE 250 industrial parts distributor.
Mr. Williams has extensive experience in lender-side advisory services. His recent accomplishments include:
Other notable accomplishments include aiding a global optical disc manufacturer in refinancing $400 million of debt facilities, as well as working with an FTSE 100 construction and support services business and an FTSE 250 industrial parts distributor.
Mr. Williams has extensive experience in lender-side advisory services. His recent accomplishments include:
- Restructuring a UK care homes owner and operator with £150 million in revenue and £200 million in debt on behalf of a syndicate of UK clearing banks.
- Assisting senior lenders in restructuring a property developer with care homes in the UK, managing a debt of €350 million following the operator's collapse.
- Guiding the bilateral lenders of a European property developer with €2 billion in debt.
- Advising a syndicate of Dutch clearing banks on liquidating a Dutch renewable energy company with a debt of €150 million.
- Supporting a private equity sponsor and a syndicate of Dutch clearing banks in restructuring a European food processor with a debt of €100 million.
- Assisting a syndicate of US private placement note holders and banks in restructuring a European conglomerate with a debt of €1.1 billion.
- Providing guidance to a syndicate of US private placement noteholders in restructuring a European engine manufacturer with a debt of €200 million.
- Assisting a syndicate of US private placement noteholders in their exit from a Dutch construction business.
Through his endeavors, Mr. Williams has showcased his expertise in managing complex financial situations and delivering successful outcomes for his clients.
Before joining Hallmark Capital Partners, he worked at OC&C and Credo Strategy Consultants in London, where he advised corporate and private equity firms on strategy, operational improvement, and commercial due diligence and M&A. Mr. Williams graduated from Cambridge University.
Jesse Portillo
Director
Mr. Portillo is one of our Directors at Hallmark Capital Partners and is responsible for Hispanic outreach in media, marketing, M&A, private equity, and business consulting. We firmly believe this is one of the fastest growing sectors in the future, and we are pleased to have Mr. Portillo on our team with his extensive knowledge and communication skills germane to this genre.
Mr. Portillo also owns Big Radio Pro Inc., a Hispanic broadcast company. This company was established to consolidate and acquire radio broadcast properties in small and medium-sized markets. One of the significant advantages of this platform is the ability to program Spanish language formats. Furthermore, it presents an opportunity to exponentially expand the Hispanic consulting practice through this platform.
Mr. Portillo has extensive experience working in Oxnard, Bakersfield, Fresno, Santa Maria, Salinas, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, CA, and in other areas like Phoenix, AZ, Albuquerque, NM, and Tri-Cities Washington, achieving #1 station in every market he has been in.
In 2012, Mr. Portillo became a Life Coach after he graduated from ChoiceCenter University. This experience deepened his understanding of emotional intelligence and leadership, further fueling his passion for radio and communications.
Leveraging these strengths, he extended his community outreach by becoming a Business Consultant for MCSC corporation. This non-profit organization supported by the SBA focuses on positively impacting various groups within the Hispanic community, including small business owners, underachieving business owners, minority women entrepreneurs, and unemployed individuals. Through leadership classes and fundamental marketing guidance, he supports these individuals in achieving success within their businesses.
As an entrepreneur, Mr. Portillo established his consulting and production service company, Big Radio Pro Inc., in 1995. He is also a graduate of the Columbia School of Broadcasting.
Mr. Portillo has extensive experience working in Oxnard, Bakersfield, Fresno, Santa Maria, Salinas, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, CA, and in other areas like Phoenix, AZ, Albuquerque, NM, and Tri-Cities Washington, achieving #1 station in every market he has been in.
In 2012, Mr. Portillo became a Life Coach after he graduated from ChoiceCenter University. This experience deepened his understanding of emotional intelligence and leadership, further fueling his passion for radio and communications.
Leveraging these strengths, he extended his community outreach by becoming a Business Consultant for MCSC corporation. This non-profit organization supported by the SBA focuses on positively impacting various groups within the Hispanic community, including small business owners, underachieving business owners, minority women entrepreneurs, and unemployed individuals. Through leadership classes and fundamental marketing guidance, he supports these individuals in achieving success within their businesses.
As an entrepreneur, Mr. Portillo established his consulting and production service company, Big Radio Pro Inc., in 1995. He is also a graduate of the Columbia School of Broadcasting.
Alan Zeppenfeld
Director
Mr. Zeppenfeld has an extensive background in business management, administrative operations, lease administration, asset management, business development, and collections. He began his career at GTE Data Services and General Electric.
Upon receipt of his MBA, he moved to Xerox, where he spent 22 years in progressively more responsible positions in district, regional, and headquarters management. This included being the National Equipment Control Manager and a member of the Xerox Administrative Services (BPO) business development team. He was also the Vice President of Operations for two leasing companies and Vice President of Business Development for two lease servicing companies.
Mr. Zeppenfeld was the National Equipment Control and Rental Program Manager for Lanier Worldwide and the Retail Division Leasing Program Manager at NCR. He had his own consulting/business development firm specializing in lease/loan servicing, asset management and remarketing, collections, and repossessions before joining JGDI Investors as a Business Development Project Manager.
He has an MBA from Gannon University and completed the Rochester Institute of Technology Executive Development Program as well as the Harvard University Strategic Marketing Management Program.
Mr. Zeppenfeld was the National Equipment Control and Rental Program Manager for Lanier Worldwide and the Retail Division Leasing Program Manager at NCR. He had his own consulting/business development firm specializing in lease/loan servicing, asset management and remarketing, collections, and repossessions before joining JGDI Investors as a Business Development Project Manager.
He has an MBA from Gannon University and completed the Rochester Institute of Technology Executive Development Program as well as the Harvard University Strategic Marketing Management Program.
Jack Swiatek
Director
As one of the Directors at Hallmark Capital Partners, Mr. Swiatek oversees various immigration matters. He has extensive experience in helping not only individuals and early-stage technology companies with founder and staff immigration needs but also professionals seeking immigration status based on their exceptional abilities. Moreover, he provides a platform for removal (deportation) matters before the Executive Office for Immigration Review, leveraging his vast network and extensive connections with top immigration law firms worldwide.
Before joining us, Mr. Swiatek worked at the Chugh Firm in Atlanta, where he maintained and processed immigration and corporate legal cases. He provided support for outsourcing companies in their pursuit of business opportunities to and from the US. Mr. Swiatek was also in charge of opening and maintaining corporation documentation (LLC and INC); handling immigration matters such as company transferee (L-1A, L-1B), H-1B, and PERM; drafting legal documents; legal, financial, and real estate research; and analysis and support. The scope and diversity of his duties largely depend on the personalized needs of clients.
Mr. Swiatek demonstrates language proficiency in English and Polish and possesses conversational skills in Russian, Czech, and Ukrainian. He holds a BA degree from the University of West Florida.
Mr. Swiatek demonstrates language proficiency in English and Polish and possesses conversational skills in Russian, Czech, and Ukrainian. He holds a BA degree from the University of West Florida.