TAMPA, FL, Dec. 10, 2012 — StillPoint Capital, the largest independent FINRA registered broker dealer platform in the U.S., today announced that Travel and Hospitality Investment Banker John S Rovani has joined his specialty practice with StillPoint Capital as a registered affiliate. Rovani was previously Senior Managing Director of a leading global travel, hospitality, retail and foodservice investment banking practice.
The announcement was made on the heels of a round of recent professional successes by Rovani, which included being recognized as a “Dealmaker of the Year” finalist for 2012 by M&A Advisor, a highly regarded trade organization that recognizes achievement in the industry’s top performers throughout the United States and international markets. In just under 11 years with one of the industry’s top US middle market investment banking firms, Rovani was responsible for many prestigious travel & hospitality industry transactions, including the recent sale of Adaco, Inc. to Fourth Hospitality, a leading global SaaS provider of labor, procurement and inventory management solutions to the foodservice and hospitality industries. Other recent deals led by Rovani included: EZ Revenue Management Solutions’ acquisition by Infor; EZYield’s acquisition by TravelClick; MTech’s acquisition by Newmarket International; the acquisition of Amadeus’ Vacation.com unit by Travel Leaders Group; and Clarity Commerce Solutions’ acquisition by Enigmatic Investments which is owned by Better Capital Limited (AIM:BCAP).
Nearly 70% of Rovani-led transactions have involved at least one international partner in diverse countries such as India, Spain, Australia and the United Kingdom. Transactions have included middle market company exits, recapitalizations, mergers and acquisitions; corporate divestitures; and public company take-privates, on a global level. Prior to his most recent experience, Rovani had led two small Software-as-a-Service industry (SaaS) companies, one for restaurant POS and back office operations, and another for an aviation pricing and revenue management decision support and analytics software company. He had also held management positions with firms such as Micros Systems, Rosenbluth International, Sabre and American Airlines.
Rovani earned his MBA from Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management and his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Massachusetts/Amherst. John Rovani is a FINRA Series 7, 63 and 79 Investment Banking Registered Representative and is licensed to conduct securities transactions through StillPoint Capital, a United States FINRA/SiPC Registered Broker/Dealer.
When asked about his most recent successes, Rovani said, “I am honored to have been recognized by M&A Advisor in middle market acquisitions and business advisory. I am particularly grateful to my many very talented former clients for trusting me with their prized assets, providing me with great inspiration, and contributing to my success; and, finally, to my former firm’s colleagues for many years of professional development, deep friendships, fun and excitement which all culminated in successes I share with them.”
Amy Cross, CEO of StillPoint Capital said, “We are very pleased and honored to welcome such an accomplished investment banker to our large and growing international Broker/Dealer network. We look forward to supporting John in furthering the global growth and development of this very successful specialty practice.” John Rovani added, “I am very excited about our new relationship with StillPoint as they will be able to provide us with a great deal of international deal experience, a significant emphasis of our practice, as well as dedicated resources in securities law, and a-la-carte resources in other areas to support practice growth as needed. We believe that this affiliation will enable us to increasingly scale our vertically focused initiative with industry-dedicated resources that will be nicely aligned with StillPoint Capital.”
Within the StillPoint family of affiliates, this specialty practice will focus on travel, hospitality, foodservice and retail technology and services middle market companies in the $5 million to $100 million annual revenue range. The practice’s mission is to help entrepreneurs, business owners, family offices and private equity groups achieve industry strategic deals and global development opportunities. The practice’s emphasis will include mergers and acquisitions advisory; exit planning and business mentoring; capital formation; business valuation; and board advisory to middle market organizations around the world. The practice has extensive and unique experience in over 30 countries in Europe, Asia, India, the Americas and Africa/Middle East.
About StillPoint Capital, LLC
StillPoint Capital, LLC is an Investment Banking firm with a program for Securities Licensing Registered Representatives who conduct M&A transactions and Private Placements. The firm offers equity and debt financing, mergers and acquisitions, capital structuring, leveraged buyouts, and recapitalization advisory services through the Investment Banking Department. StillPoint Capital’s unique Securities Licensing Program provides a platform for independent investment bankers to become securities licensed as affiliates of the firm while maintaining their independent practice’s brand name.The firm is headquartered in Tampa, FL with over 100 affiliates located around the world, and is continuing to strategically expand.