Frank G. Massara, BBA, MBA,
Managing Partner
Frank has played a critical role in the restructuring, growth and long-term sustainability of various entities. He has worked in senior financial and strategic positions for emerging technology and advanced manufacturing enterprises in both Canada and the US. For several clients, Frank has acted as CFO, and Director of Corporate/Business Development, and had been both a Director and Advisory Board member for various companies. With over 22 years of experience, Frank has successfully completed hundreds of M&A, financing, and direct investment transactions (see sample successes).
Prior to his involvement with XL, Frank was a former Investment Analyst at Dundee Securities Corporation, covering Software IT, Media & Communications, and Entertainment firms for Institutional Clients. Frank covered, valued, and recommended the purchase of shares in several prominent Canadian software companies (including Janna Systems Inc., purchased by Seibel for $1 billion (later sold to Oracle for $5.8 billion); and Cognos, purchased by IBM for $4.9 billion). He then became Director of Corporate/Business Development for Niksun Inc., a private, leading Network Intrusion Detection firm based in Princeton, USA, where he was involved in preparing comprehensive business planning and strategic positioning projects, and in closing/managing several key international distributor partnerships and acquisitions. Frank then worked in Equity Origination with Manulife Capital USA out of Boston, USA, where he was instrumental in originating, and in assisting with due diligence and closing of medical device/biotech related private equity transactions. As a Senior Manager in Debt/Subordinate Debt with The Business Development Bank of Canada out of Toronto, Frank was responsible for sourcing, analyzing, and closing several private sub-debt related transactions in the retail, services and technology sectors.
Frank has been working on several simulation related projects in the area of powering sustained quality growth in corporations, and has been an instructor for online financial executive courses at INSEAD, a Paris-based, world leading business school. At INSEAD, he has also completed several case studies in Corporate Governance and Fair Process Leadership, has researched and reported on trends/insights on the performance and demographics of Corporate Boards, Chairmen and CEO's, and has written about Value Creation for Owners and Directors. Frank has incorporated his research findings, business experience and simulations into courses he delivers to European executives and MBA's. Frank has also lectured extensively in Business Management and Entrepreneurship at the University of Toronto.
Frank has an MBA degree from the Schulich School of Business and a PLC designation from the Harvard Kennedy School. He has also excelled as a York University Varsity ice-hockey player, winning back-to-back divisional championships. Frank played/coached professional hockey in France and Germany, and has black-belts in each of Goju-Ryu Karate and Yoshin-Ryu Jiu Jitsu.
Managing Partner
Frank has played a critical role in the restructuring, growth and long-term sustainability of various entities. He has worked in senior financial and strategic positions for emerging technology and advanced manufacturing enterprises in both Canada and the US. For several clients, Frank has acted as CFO, and Director of Corporate/Business Development, and had been both a Director and Advisory Board member for various companies. With over 22 years of experience, Frank has successfully completed hundreds of M&A, financing, and direct investment transactions (see sample successes).
Prior to his involvement with XL, Frank was a former Investment Analyst at Dundee Securities Corporation, covering Software IT, Media & Communications, and Entertainment firms for Institutional Clients. Frank covered, valued, and recommended the purchase of shares in several prominent Canadian software companies (including Janna Systems Inc., purchased by Seibel for $1 billion (later sold to Oracle for $5.8 billion); and Cognos, purchased by IBM for $4.9 billion). He then became Director of Corporate/Business Development for Niksun Inc., a private, leading Network Intrusion Detection firm based in Princeton, USA, where he was involved in preparing comprehensive business planning and strategic positioning projects, and in closing/managing several key international distributor partnerships and acquisitions. Frank then worked in Equity Origination with Manulife Capital USA out of Boston, USA, where he was instrumental in originating, and in assisting with due diligence and closing of medical device/biotech related private equity transactions. As a Senior Manager in Debt/Subordinate Debt with The Business Development Bank of Canada out of Toronto, Frank was responsible for sourcing, analyzing, and closing several private sub-debt related transactions in the retail, services and technology sectors.
Frank has been working on several simulation related projects in the area of powering sustained quality growth in corporations, and has been an instructor for online financial executive courses at INSEAD, a Paris-based, world leading business school. At INSEAD, he has also completed several case studies in Corporate Governance and Fair Process Leadership, has researched and reported on trends/insights on the performance and demographics of Corporate Boards, Chairmen and CEO's, and has written about Value Creation for Owners and Directors. Frank has incorporated his research findings, business experience and simulations into courses he delivers to European executives and MBA's. Frank has also lectured extensively in Business Management and Entrepreneurship at the University of Toronto.
Frank has an MBA degree from the Schulich School of Business and a PLC designation from the Harvard Kennedy School. He has also excelled as a York University Varsity ice-hockey player, winning back-to-back divisional championships. Frank played/coached professional hockey in France and Germany, and has black-belts in each of Goju-Ryu Karate and Yoshin-Ryu Jiu Jitsu.
Brian Van Allen, HBBA, CFA level II
Director
Brian has spent the majority of his career acquiring / investing in companies with revenues typically in the $5 to 80 million range. He has worked on dozens of transactions across a variety of sectors.
He has spent the last 20 years either investing in businesses directly or advising business owners through an M&A sale process. Brian has worked with companies post-transaction helping them improve their operations and financial systems. Brian has held senior positions in Private Equity, Subordinate Debt Financing and M&A (i.e., Comerica Bank, Constellation Software Group)
His years of experience conducting due diligence / acquiring companies provides Brian a unique ability to foresee potential issues that a buyer may ultimately see. He takes steps in advance to work with sellers to mitigate these perceived risks and increases the likelihood of a successful deal occurring.
Brian stays active playing ice-hockey and soccer, and enjoys spending time with his 2 sons and daughter.
Robert Cinapri, CPA, MAcc, MBA,
Director
Robert has been a driving force in a broad range of business activities, in numerous and progressively more senior industry roles. He has worked in senior financial and strategic positions with emerging technology enterprises, multinational aerospace design, development and manufacturing, high-end audio-video firms and international dealership structures. For several companies, Robert held positions as Canadian Controller, Director of Finance and CFO.
Prior to his involvement with XL, Robert was deeply engaged in both debt and equity financing activities. As CFO at Paradigm Electronics, Robert worked closely with the venture capital majority shareholders to successfully complete a large debt financing structure, securing the financial resources required to restructure the business and ensure financial stability over the long-term. In his role as Director of Finance at Cymat Corporation, Robert was directly involved in raising the equity required to fund early-stage development work by taking the company from a private business, through an IPO and subsequent public offerings, to a listed stock on the TMX.
At Honeywell Aerospace, Robert used his role as Canadian Aerospace Controller to develop his skills and certifications in the use of both Six Sigma tools and Lean Principles. These skills were later used in other clients to develop continuous improvement cultures and drive major process and business improvements. Robert is a devout believer in Lean Principles, and their invaluable application in both manufacturing and service businesses.
In addition to his work with XL, Robert is also a faculty member at The Business School at Humber College. As well as being a CA/CPA member in good standing, Robert holds a Master of Accountancy from the University of Waterloo and an MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business.
Robert is co-Chair at his local School Council, as well as Chair for the family of schools at the school board level.
Director
Robert has been a driving force in a broad range of business activities, in numerous and progressively more senior industry roles. He has worked in senior financial and strategic positions with emerging technology enterprises, multinational aerospace design, development and manufacturing, high-end audio-video firms and international dealership structures. For several companies, Robert held positions as Canadian Controller, Director of Finance and CFO.
Prior to his involvement with XL, Robert was deeply engaged in both debt and equity financing activities. As CFO at Paradigm Electronics, Robert worked closely with the venture capital majority shareholders to successfully complete a large debt financing structure, securing the financial resources required to restructure the business and ensure financial stability over the long-term. In his role as Director of Finance at Cymat Corporation, Robert was directly involved in raising the equity required to fund early-stage development work by taking the company from a private business, through an IPO and subsequent public offerings, to a listed stock on the TMX.
At Honeywell Aerospace, Robert used his role as Canadian Aerospace Controller to develop his skills and certifications in the use of both Six Sigma tools and Lean Principles. These skills were later used in other clients to develop continuous improvement cultures and drive major process and business improvements. Robert is a devout believer in Lean Principles, and their invaluable application in both manufacturing and service businesses.
In addition to his work with XL, Robert is also a faculty member at The Business School at Humber College. As well as being a CA/CPA member in good standing, Robert holds a Master of Accountancy from the University of Waterloo and an MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business.
Robert is co-Chair at his local School Council, as well as Chair for the family of schools at the school board level.
Amina Djirdeh, MBA, CFA Level III
Director
Amina is a finance expert with over a decade of experience in investment banking, equity research, and private equity capital (i.e. Scotiabank Global Banking/Markets). Currently a professor and senior advisor, she excels in financial analysis, strategic advisory, and teaching. Her achievements include top industry rankings and significant contributions to education and high-value transactions. She holds an MBA from Rotman (University of Toronto).
Director
Amina is a finance expert with over a decade of experience in investment banking, equity research, and private equity capital (i.e. Scotiabank Global Banking/Markets). Currently a professor and senior advisor, she excels in financial analysis, strategic advisory, and teaching. Her achievements include top industry rankings and significant contributions to education and high-value transactions. She holds an MBA from Rotman (University of Toronto).