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At Rock Creek Advisors, our success is driven by the exceptional expertise and dedication of our team members. Meet the professionals who are committed to helping companies navigate change and maximize their true potential:
Founding Partner
James Gansman is a Founder partner at Rock Creek Advisors. He has done more than 150 transactions worth over $17 billion. He has worked with many different industries like Retail, Consumer Products, SAAS, and Medical Devices. James has been a lender, borrower, and buyer and knows a lot about helping businesses get out of debt. Before he started Rock Creek Advisors, James worked at Sherwood Partners. He also worked for 12 years at a Big 4 accounting firm. James has a lot of experience and is good at helping both Rock Creek’s team and clients.
Founding Partner
“Paul Neitzelwith” over 30 years of experience in Retail and Distribution, held key roles in both Public and Private Middle Market companies. His extensive background includes significant contributions to Family Christian Stores, Inc., and FinishMaster, Inc. Paul’s deep financial acumen, accounting proficiency, and problem-solving skills instill confidence in Rock Creek Advisors’ clients. His track record includes successfully guiding numerous companies through Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors (ABCs), bankruptcies, and restructuring efforts. Paul’s commitment to financial excellence is a valuable asset to our team and clients alike.
Founding Partner
Heidi Lipton, a Founding Partner at Rock Creek Advisors, brings extensive expertise in financial restructuring, asset sales, and distressed transactions. She has personally led and closed more than 50 distressed company or asset sales, some outright and others through insolvency processes, including UCC Article 9 Secured Party sales, Assignment for the Benefit of Creditor (ABC) sales, and Chapter 11 Section 363 sales. She also works as a Receiver and has been very successful in obtaining full value in tricky situations under her receivership capacity.
Prior to Rock Creek, Heidi spent over a decade at Goldman Sachs in investment banking and asset management and also worked at McKinsey & Company in their New York-based Financial Institutions practice. At Goldman and McKinsey, she advised clients on complex strategic and financial situations. She is skilled in structuring and executing competitive sale processes and leads Rock Creek’s asset sale business. Heidi has extensive experience closing transactions on behalf of companies in tight cash positions and in challenging financial environments. At the same time, she ensures her sales processes are competitive and maximize value for stakeholders.
Heidi holds an MBA from the Wharton School, where she graduated as a Palmer Scholar, and a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Pennsylvania.
Founding Partner
Mark Dow boasts over 27 years of Accounting, Finance, and Operations experience in privately held and PE-backed middle-market companies. His background spans e-commerce, direct marketing, distribution, and retail industries. Mark’s prior roles encompass M&A transactions and securing senior and subordinated debt financing. He has overseen crucial functions such as Distribution Centers, Human Resources, Inventory Management, Supply Chain, and IT. Notably, Mark played a pivotal role in restructuring a national multi-channel pet supply company, focusing on working capital and cash flow management. He holds degrees in Accounting and Management from New England College and Northern Vermont University.
Brian Ayers has a lot of experience in helping businesses with their finances. He has worked with many different clients in different industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, and professional services. Before he started working at Rock Creek Advisors, he was a Leader at a very good company that helped businesses with their finances. Brian went to Syracuse University.
Michael Hayes is skilled at solving financial issues. He spent 25 years working for three big banks – Monroe Capital, Huntington Bank, and JP Morgan Chase – where he was in charge of selling debt and assets in the US and Canada. He studied at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he earned a degree in Accountancy. He has two more qualifications: being a Certified Public Accountant and having a law degree from Loyola University.
Chris Peirce boasts over 23 years of corporate finance and information technology consulting experience, having held significant roles with notable organizations such as Family Christian Stores, Inc., and Accenture. Throughout his extensive career, Chris has excelled in diverse management functions, including Accounts Payable, Inventory Control, and Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A). His unique blend of financial acumen and IT expertise enables him to provide valuable insights to clients. Mr. Peirce’s academic background includes a degree from the University of Michigan, further enhancing his credentials in both finance and technology.
Chris Moore is an experienced and successful business leader with more than 10 years of experience. He is very good at improving the way a company works, and making plans to help it grow. Chris has worked with many different technology companies, and has a lot of knowledge in areas like money management, risk management, and using data to make better decisions. He has worked at many different companies, from small startups like Feather, Clarifai, and Smartling, to bigger ones like mParticle. Chris is a CFA Charterholder and holds a degree from the University of Miami and an MBA from Yale University.
Prakhar Sharma has worked in many industries such as technology, healthcare, green energy, and retail. He has ten years of experience and has helped clients from all over the world. Prakhar has worked in investment banking, venture capital, and strategy consulting. Today, he works at Rock Creek and focuses on sell-side processes. He has a computer science degree from India and an MBA from Georgetown University. Prakhar has a lot of skills and knowledge in global dealmaking and strategy.
Patrick Donnelly brings over a decade of experience in business advisory and consulting services, specializing in bankruptcy, insolvency, forensic investigation, business valuation, and economic damage quantification. His extensive knowledge spans various industries, encompassing liquidation, wind-down management, claims administration, financing assessment, and litigation support for fraudulent conveyance and preference cases. Patrick’s career features positions at a top-tier financial advisory and accounting firm within their national Corporate Recovery & Forensic Consulting Group practice and at an international forensic accounting firm, primarily focusing on business valuation and economic damage quantification. Patrick earned his degree from Seton Hall University.
Lindsey holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Diversified Business from Ferris State University. With many years of experience in sales and a strong focus on customer service, Lindsey excels in driving revenues, clear communications, and providing exceptional client experiences. Since joining Rock Creek Advisors in 2019, she has been an instrumental part of the team, helping support ABC processes, creditor claims and the firm’s marketing and outreach initiatives.
Sha Frasier is a Financial Analyst with a robust background in investment banking within the Global Industrials Group at Citi, where he worked from June 2021 to June 2024, both as an intern and as a full-time analyst. His experience spans multiple sectors including aerospace, defense, and industrial technology, providing him with a diverse industry perspective. Sha holds a B.A. in Economics with a Specialization in Business Economics and a Minor in Cinema and Media Studies from The University of Chicago. His academic and professional journeys have equipped him with deep analytical skills and a broad understanding of market dynamics across various industries.
Dennis Tyson has over 30 years of Construction, Project Management, and Manufacturing Operations experience, having held significant roles with organizations such as Family Christian Stores, Inc., and Crate Modular. Throughout his career, Dennis has excelled in a variety of areas such as problem solving, team development, and possessing a strong “get it done” attitude. He brings to clients an abundance of creativity, and the ability to help solve complex problems. Dennis is a veteran of the US Air Force.
