ForteCEO's leaders are all seasoned, hands-on executives who've each owned or operated several middle-market companies.

We are:

Mark Rittmanic - Founder and CEO
 
A passionate and results-oriented leader, Mark has conceived, built, led and sold several successful businesses. He is the inspirational leader of ForteCEO and he leads business development, directs engagements, designs processes for servicing clients and identifies growth opportunities for the firm.

Mark has worked in banking and financial services, and consulting, specializing in technology and business development. He has also served as an advisor to many middle-market companies in both manufacturing and services industries. Mark is a former Captain in the U.S. Army.

Mark holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Davidson College and an M.B.A. from Southern Illinois University. He was a Vistage (TEC) member for seven years and sits on the Board of Advisors for Davidson College and WHI Capital Partners.



Mike Shelist - Chairman
 
Mike joins ForteCEO with extensive experience in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, including consultant and advisor to closely held corporations.

Prior to ForteCEO, Mike co-founded Much Shelist, Chicago-based law firm serving entrepreneurs, privately and publicly held middle-market companies. During his tenure, Mike served as managing partner and chairman of the management committee.

Mike has more than 40 years of experience in the areas of federal income tax and estate planning. He has acted as consultant and legal advisor to closely held corporations concerning exit strategies, including perpetuation of family businesses for the next generation at the lowest possible cost, selling out and going public.

Mike holds a Juris Doctor from Northwestern University School of Law and a Bachelor of Science from Northwestern University School of Business. He is also a member of the President's Advisory Board of Judson College in Elgin, IL, and acts as Chairman of the 501 (c) (3) charity, International Center on Deafness and the Arts.



David Marshall - President
 
Dave is an experienced company builder and business advisor. His background includes leading, growing and selling numerous innovative start-up to midsize companies. He has been CEO, President, COO, CFO and sat on Board of Directors. Dave has worked in the consulting, multi-channel retail, licensing, hospitality and accounting industries.

Prior to becoming President of ForteCEO, Dave was one of our interim executives. In this capacity he assisted the owners of a 33 year-old private company achieve their life goals by successfully leading a challenging sale process. After the sale he stayed on board to integrate the company into the acquirer.

Dave’s roles at ForteCEO include leading strategic initiatives, managing engagements, talent manager (selecting and assigning the interim executive team), directing internal operations and leading marketing and PR.

Dave holds Bachelor of Science degrees in Finance and Accounting and is a C.P.A.



 Sam Keller - Area Partner, Wisconsin

Sam has more than 20 years of leadership experience in manufacturing and engineering operations. He has served as a president and CEO for four companies. He brings a team-oriented approach to revitalizing companies by creating a shared strategic vision built around each individual's contribution.

Known for his knack for building high-performing management teams, identifying new profit opportunities, and balancing long-term solvency with near-term cash flow and profitability, Sam's business successes include:

• For a $25 million manufacturer of auto fueling equipment, expanded revenue and profits through new product introductions and continued innovation, and grew international sales
  in South America and Asia. He also reduced material costs by 20 percent in less than three years.
• As division president for a large manufacturing company, increased sales by 40 percent as a result of building a separate sales representative organization that focused on products marketed to retailers. Sam also laid out a strategic plan that would see sales triple in five years.
• Sam holds an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School with a focus in manufacturing. He also holds a Master of Science degree in engineering mechanics from Stanford University and a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Northwestern University.

 

John Roberts - Practice Leader,
Investment Banking

John joins ForteCEO with over 25 years of experience in sales, marketing and general management roles. During his career, John has led sales organizations for small and large companies, and has significantly improved sales revenue and margins at numerous private and public companies.

John is highly experienced in the paper distribution, envelope converting, commercial printing and packaging industries. He has held a variety of sales and marketing roles, including Division General Manager of a large public company. Prior to joining ForteCEO as a Practice Leader, John was an Executive in the group.

John has a BA in Political Science from Hobart and William Smith College, and an MBA from The Baruch Business School, City University of New York.