Family Business Perspective: Thinking About Capital Partners and Types of Capital to Solve Your Business Needs

Brian Block

Partner Freedom 3 Capital

Brian Block is a Partner at Freedom 3 Capital and has more than 20 years of experience as a principal investor and senior executive of portfolio operating companies. Mr. Block has deployed ~$1 billion of capital and completed ~$5 billion in successful capital markets transactions for the companies. Mr. Block has worked in a range of industries including industrials, healthcare, telecom and retail. He was a member of numerous boards (including chairing a number of committees) working in-depth with management on executing the strategic plans. Previously, Mr. Block was President and Chief Operating Officer at WireCo WorldGroup Inc., (“WireCo”). Mr. Block began his tenure as the VP of Strategic Analysis for Operations and over a decade working at the Company, held numerous operating roles. Mr. Block led the Company's worldwide plants in 26 different countries, sales organization in over 119 different countries and had responsibility for financial reporting and analysis, financing and mergers and acquisitions, standard cost management, treasury, domestic and foreign accounting, and all of the statutory reporting requirements. He served as the Chief Financial Officer and prior to his final position as President and Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Block successfully executed the sale of the business to a new private equity firm in 2016 and remained with the business supporting transition to a new management team. Prior to that, Mr. Block was an investor at Fox Paine & Co. Prior to Fox Paine & Co. he was at CIBC World Markets where he focused on leveraged finance capital markets, mergers & acquisitions, recapitalizations, and private capital placements. Mr. Block received his B.A. in finance from the AB Freeman School of Business at Tulane University.

Matt Michealis

Chairman & CEO, Emprise Bank

Matt Michaelis is Chairman & CEO of Emprise Bank, a $2 billion bank headquartered in Wichita, KS. Prior to his current role, Matt founded an investment firm focused on wireless infrastructure, and enjoyed a 15-year career in merger and acquisition advisory with firms including Salomon Brothers and Greenhill & Co. Matt holds a B.S. in Business Administration with Highest Distinction from the University of Kansas.

Matt is actively engaged in the community serving in roles including as a member of the Executive Committee of the Greater Wichita Partnership and as Chairman of the Investment Committee for the Kansas Health Foundation. He has three children and currently resides in Wichita, KS.

Thomas Wilky

CEO and Owner, Highway 89

Thomas Wilky created Highway 89 as a platform company to integrate all technology services targeted to high density residential developments as the “Single Source Solution and Trusted Advisor” that focuses on high-quality and dependable network services and a dedicated customer service commitment to developers, property management, and property residents. He recently secured funding for the acquisition of four operating companies providing services to more than 400 properties and 40,000 subscribers across the platform in 18 states.

He has successfully developed integrated communication/data service solutions to real estate developers in the multi-family and student housing market segments as well as to large master planned communities in the deployment of fiber-based broadband services.

He has a broad range of marketing, operations, and leadership experience through several corporate career engagements and over 25 years of consulting services to a broad client base. He received his Bachelor of Science from the University of Arizona and resides in Phoenix with his wife of over 30 years.

David Shaw

Publishing Director, Family Business Magazine

David Shaw is the publishing director for MLR Media. He also co-founded and serves as conference director of the Transitions conferences, the Private Company Governance Summit and Family Business Legacy. David writes frequently on governance issues for public and private companies, and develops and maintains close relationships with multi-generational family-owned businesses. He is married, with two grown children.