Michael Laurie has over 25 years of experience in the financial industry, having begun his career as a private business owner. Michael’s intimate understanding of commercial banking led him to Citibank, where he was a business development officer and vice president for ten years. He then worked for two other banks during the next 6-years, and He is currently the Principal of DLA Capital Partners Inc. Michael is a hard-working, caring person, and he says he is “Never called a Banker, but Always called a Caring Friend.” He finds time every year to apply his work ethic to causes close to his heart, including work with wonderful charities, such as The March of Dimes, Toys for Tots, and Habitat for Humanity. A Queens native, Michael currently resides in Floral Park with his wife and children, where he enjoys closely following all New York sports teams, playing basketball and baseball, reading, and spending time with his kids.

As Founder of COMPEL CEOs, Stephan Ramerini has a deep passion for assisting small to mid-market companies in building high-performing organizations, while embracing the changes required for success in their professional and personal lives. Steve has over 35 years of experience as a Facilitator and Group Chair with a broad knowledge base in all aspects of what it takes to be a leading Executive. In addition to providing an environment for high growth, over the last 10 years, he has assisted his clients in completing liquidity transactions in excess of $750 Million. In 2019, Steve was honored by the Long Island Business News with an Executive Profile. Steve currently serves as a Board Member of several organizations, including the MMALI – Middle Market Alliance of Long Island – where he is a Founding Member, TAG, and the Parish Council of St. Paraskevi in Greenlawn. Born and raised on Long Island, Stephan enjoys spending time with his three children and granddaughter.

Luciano Centanni, (Lou), has been a client service partner for over 20 years with more than 30 years of public accounting experience. He has served companies, both public and private, which range from small, entrepreneurial domestic companies to large multi-national corporations. Lou has served as an International Business Center Director for over 20 years and has extensive hands-on experience working with multinational organizations in a variety of industries with operations in the EMEA region and throughout the world. Lou was the Partner-in-charge of GT’s LI Market between 2014-18 and was recognized by the Long Island Business News as one of Long Island’s “40 Under 40” rising stars in 2006. Lou has significant experience serving international companies in the manufacturing, distribution, biopharmaceutical, Fin-tech, software development, market research, IT Services, and other professional services industries. Lou resides in Hauppauge, NY with his son and daughter.

James Manicone is the Senior Managing Partner of JM2 Architecture located in Medford, NY, having founded JM2 in 2012. James is a highly experienced, knowledgeable & passionate Architectural Design Professional with a demonstrated history of successfully working in the architecture field. He is highly skilled in Commercial and Residential Building design, Pharmaceutical and Manufacturing facility design, leadership in Planning and Environmental Design, as well as Construction Management. James is a strong entrepreneurship professional with a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Technology focused in Architecture from New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, NY. James was named as the LLS (Leukemia & Lymphoma Society) Man of the Year in 2020 & is extremely passionate about a multitude of wonderful charitable organizations where he gets involved and makes a difference. James, his significant other, Rachel, and their golden retriever, Marcello, reside out in East Quogue, NY.

Bruce Burke is an accomplished brand marketer who’s successfully turned his passion for design and branding into a productive 36-year career guiding and influencing a range of consumer brands in various stages of growth–from the most iconic global brands in sports to PE-backed portfolio companies and start-ups through successful exit or acquisition. Currently, Bruce serves as Brand Strategist, Chief Creative Officer and Managing Partner at Echo Brand Group, where he has successfully led many prestigious assignments for an elite roster of clients including the US Open Grand-Slam Tennis Championship, NHL, MLS, NBA, PepsiCo, Amazon AWS / NFL Next Gen Stats, Louis Dreyfus Co., Azelis Chemical and many others. Before Echo Brand Group, Bruce served as Executive Creative Director for the NFL, establishing and managing the league’s first in-house brand marketing division. Bruce and his wife Judy reside in Weston, CT, and are proud parents of three children, Katelyn, Ryan, and Owen, and new grandparents of Sophia Gallagher.

Patrick Farrell has a 36-year career working in the financial industry and Government sector. In 2003, Patrick was appointed Clerk-Treasurer for the Village of New Hyde Park, Administrator Treasurer for the Village of Floral Park, and currently at the Village of Lake Success as Administrator-Treasurer and NYS Certified Code Enforcement Official. Patrick received a B.S. degree in Finance and Marketing from SUNY Fredonia. Pat is familiar with many of the issues around NYS and LI having served as President of the NYS Association of City and Village Clerks, LI Village Clerks and Treasurers Association, and LI Community Development Organization. Pat has devoted much of his time to helping his community, having served in many roles. Patrick is a world-class musician and is a 6-time Grammy contender and has been playing to crowds of all ages around the country performing popular classic rock, ethnic, and easy-listening songs from all eras. Patrick and his wife Kay, reside in Garden City Park and are the proud parents of two children, Patrick and Sara.

David Zere has been a Commercial Real Estate Broker Land Use Expert and developer for over 34 years. He has managed over $500 million in Commercial and residential construction throughout his career. David has also been a top fundraiser for the Wounded Warrior Project and has been the Executive Director of the American Patriot Heroes Fund. Dave has been a TV and radio political commentator for three-plus decades, and he is the host of “Breaking Point” on Real America’s Voice News. Dave has appeared on news outlets such as Fox, Good Day NY, ABC’s Good Morning America, News 12 Long Island, TV 55, and Time Warner and frequently co-hosts Live from Studio 6B. David has been a business and taxpayer advocate in the political and legislative process and a successful real estate advisor. In his spare time, he loves to cook and cater his events. Dave lives in Port Jefferson, NY with his wife and 4 children.

Tom Soluri is the Owner and proprietor of the renowned Bacaro Italian Tavern, located in Massapequa Park. Tom has been a lifelong resident of Farmingdale and Massapequa. With over 42 years in the restaurant industry, including, as owner of The Stuart Thomas Manor, of Farmingdale. Tom has one of the most popular Italian restaurants in all of Nassau County, offering; live music, large portions, delectable food & a staff that feels like family. Tom is an Alum of Farmingdale High School Class of 1979 and has always maintained an active role in his Farmingdale and Massapequa communities, through various fundraisers, donations, and events. Between juggling a flourishing restaurant and being the proud patriarch of his growing family with 4 children and now, 4 grandchildren, Tom and his wife live in Massapequa and enjoy escaping to their lovely Fort Lauderdale compound, as much as possible.

Steve began his career with CIGNA as an ocean marine cargo underwriter in NYC where he worked on CIGNA’s two largest accounts -Exxon and Alcan. Steve then joined Testa Brothers Ltd., as a licensed property & casualty insurance broker. He obtained both his Chartered Property & Casualty Underwriter and Associate in Risk Management designations. Steve also taught other insurance professionals in Hofstra’s Continuing Education Department and was the recipient of the prestigious Babette Traub Award for outstanding insurance educator by the Women’s Insurance Network of Long Island. After running the agency on his own Steve sold his agency and merged it with Cotgreave Insurance Agency where he is currently VP of Business Development and in his 2nd term as President of the Independent Agents & Brokers of Suffolk County. In his spare time, Steve likes to spend time with his four children. Steve is a graduate of Colgate University.