Business Development Real Estate

Dr. Steven L. Siegel, DBA

917-***-**** *****.**@*****.***

CAREER SUMMARY

Over 30 years of CFO experience managing Operations, Finance, and Global Business Development for domestic & international companies including Fortune 1000 companies and technology start-ups. Industry experience includes e-learning, technology, ecommerce, textiles, manufacturing, entertainment, banking, real estate and government.

Provide board level management with advice on the financial implications of business activities, added credibility by producing timely and accurate analysis of budgets, financial trends, forecasts, consolidated financials, recommendations to strategically enhance financial performance, expense reduction, operations and business opportunities.

Illustrated track record of business growth and increased revenues, including one company - Cabe from $1mm to $800mm in revenue in three years.

Held first chair responsibilities for over one hundred mergers and acquisitions of public and privately held domestic and international companies valued between $1.5mm and $110mm.

Professional & personal network includes over 250+ contacts at VC’s, international & domestic banks, Wall Street firms, hedge funds, family offices and private equity groups. Brings valuable contacts for strategic partnerships and business development with companies & governments around the globe.

Avid reader of the Economist, Financial Times, TechCrunch, Tech Asia and Deal Asia. Watch the following programs daily: Bloomberg West, Bloomberg Surveillance & Asian Bloomberg.

Demonstrated successes in the following areas:

Contract negotiations and drafting saving on legal expenses

Hands on management style

Strategic planning

Ecommerce

Financial controls

FinTech

Startups & turn arounds

Reorganization

Treasury Management

Licensing of technology

Business development

Operation & systems management

Investor relations

FP&A modeling

IPO

Private Placement’s

ADR’s / GDR’s

M&A structuring and negotiating transaction

Actively seek out efficiencies, cost reductions and process improvements

Strong understanding investments and global macro strategies

Evaluates and advises on the impact of long range planning, introduction of new programs/ strategies and regulatory action

SEC filings

FOCUS reports

Business relationships

(GAAP / IRFS) compliance with all applicable state, federal and local laws and regulations

Creation of best practices for auditing committees and finance departments

Strategic partnerships and alliances with domestic and international partners

Capital Markets

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

SOUNDSCAPE AR, DENVER CO 8/2023 -4/2024

HEAD OF CAPITAL MARKETS

Head of Capital Markets made significant strides by securing potential investors, amassing a capital influx exceeding $500 million from diverse global regions, including the United States, Asia, Europe, as well as the UAE and Saudi Arabia. In addition to these achievements, the executive was instrumental in formulating and executing global strategic initiatives, offering critical insights in a consultative capacity. The tenure of service, under a consultancy agreement, was for a period of eight months. Established the company’s first investor relation department.

VARIOUS POSITIONS AS BOARD MEMBER / ADVISOR FROM 2017 TO PRESENT

AI BLOCK CHAIN 6/2016 - PRESENT

MAGNOSEC 11/2017 - PRESENT

ELECTUS GLOBAL EDUCTION 3/2019 –7 /2021

TASTES 9/2020 – 4/2024

CONSULTANT ON SEVERAL BLOCKCHAIN, DIGITAL HEALTH AND SPAC’S 1/2018 - ONGOING

LOOK LATREAL, MAILIN ITIALY 7/2016 -12/2017

BOARDMEMBER, CFO, COO

Look Lateral has been at the forefront of innovation, ideally placed to help shape a new global art structure. We can be the custodians of the market, blending its traditions with utilizing new technology for the cultural, economic and geopolitical demands of the future.

Look Lateral will evolve the art landscape and create vitality for all the constituent players, further opening the door for new entrants to experience the benefits of art investment and the passion of art itself.

The core issues hindering the marketplace, both individually and as part of a viscous cycle, that we will resolve are:

• Transparency – it is difficult to unequivocally certify a piece of art’s identity

• Accessibility – it’s been seen as exclusive and solely for the elite for too long

• Illiquid market asset – the level of art investment is hampered by this

MOTA, SAN JOSE, CA 12/2016 – 4/2017

Chief Financial Officer

My present position I started as the CFO for Mota Group LLC, December 2016, I was brought in to take the company public and grow it globally. After completing the S1 the company determined it was not ready for the IPO. Sales went from $8.4mil (2014) to $3mil (2015) and $4mil (2016). While sales are increasing the company is not ready for the public market. The presentation I made to the board was to downsize the company and let go of all the expensive talent and conserve cash. Secondly go back to selling and growing the U.S. market and not worrying about public markets, either IPO or REG A, until they were ready and had sales north of $25mil and a positive EBTDA.

So in short after the presentation to the board I advised myself out of the CFO position so the company could go back to basics and grow, thus conserving cash. However, I was asked to stay on board as an advisor /CFO part time, which I passed on.

AMAZING.COM Austin, TX 7/2014 – 5/2016

Chief Financial Officer

$35mm - Technology / Education Online Platform

Responsible for assisting in both the strategic and tactical implementation of mergers and acquisition program. This includes external segment and target opportunity assessment and specific due diligence activities.

Developed organizational performance models against both the annual budget and company's long-term strategy. Including but not limited to the 5-year plan.

Developed tools, FP&A models and systems to provide critical financial and operational information to the CEO and BOD and make actionable recommendations on both strategy and operations.

Develop ad-hoc forecasts to provide direction and insight to support decision-making.

Acquired and negotiated for the name Amazing.com.

Brought in 6+ strategic partners for global growth increasing the top line revenue by over $1mm, first 6 months. (June 2015 – December 2015).

Implemented financial and accounting systems, processes, tools and control systems.

Tax and Treasury in ensuring an appropriate financing strategy is in place for the business, as well as appropriate processes and procedures around tax and treasury management globally. Overseeing the implementation of those strategies.

Ensure legal and regulatory compliance regarding all financial functions globally.

Lead the global expansion of the company’s growth in Ireland.

Worked with the customer relation’s team on the global expansion and training of Irish employees.

Headed the tax planning and legal for the Ireland office.

Developed and led the team on translating courses from English to other languages. Negotiated with in country partners for sale and distribution of the courses globally.

Developed the global expansion plan to get our classes on other platforms with Strategic Partners and our own Amazing.com. Opened up the Chinese (www.163.com) and Russian markets. With development plans for India, South Korea, Germany, and South America over the next 18 months (1/2016).

Oversee long-term budgetary planning and costs management in alignment with company's strategic plan, especially as the organization considers sponsorships, potential acquisitions, and collaborations with external organizations.

Cash, investment, and asset management.

Financing strategies and activities, as well as banking relationships, and treasury functions.

Wrote and negotiated all legal agreements.

Work with accountants on transfer pricing, R&D credits and tax strategies domestically and international.

Lead in talks with PE’s, VC’s and Investment Banks.

Involved with HR and IT on daily bases.

Grew a finance team, from Controller to Accounting Intern of nine employees.

Manage growing finance, HR, and facilities functions, providing mentorship and training to team members.

GREEN STREET PARTNERS - New York, London, Boca Raton and Singapore 4/2010 – 12/2017

International Business Development Managing Director (COO) /Global Investment Banking (12/13)

1/14 – Board Member.

$10B in deals, $4B in deals under my belt - Boutique Investment Bank

Negotiated the acquisition of Nurse Finders ($22.1mm).

Worked with Pro Mexico, office of President of Mexico, and the Mexican Government on developing and bring funding for the following projects (as well as developed relations with the Mexican government for the projects):

oPorts

oWaste to Energy

oMini Hydro

oInfrastructure project as well as green projects for development

Worked with the Trinidad Government (Manning Administration) on a Waste to energy plant, helped with the negotiations on the plant and designed the carbon credit program.

o20 Mega Watts

o$25mm

Working with several different groups in Colombia, law firms and government agencies on the following deal origination:

oREDD

Mining acquisitions

oAero Space – setting up strategic partnership with a US public company and the Colombian Government (Air Force) and several private Colombian companies for manufacturing components

oInfrastructure projects – roads, waste to energy, rail and mini hydro

oWork on the free trade zone in Bogotá

oOil refineries

Worked with development groups in Brazil and Jamaica on low-income housing projects for social impact housing investments.

Worked with several South American governments on social impact bond programs tied to REDD and other green type programs.

Orchestrated ADR / GDR programs for Chinese companies.

Orchestrated and worked on several Dim Sum bonds for Chinese companies.

Advisor on several CLOUD projects, business intelligence, and translation billing.

M&A advisor on several mining transactions in Colombia and a software company in Cyprus.

Advisor for real estate (multi use) development in Kiev.

Advisor on white paper transaction for public Russian oil company.

The Vanquish Group, Monaco 11/2012 -10/2013

Interim CFO / COO

100 million Pound Sterling Direct Lending, Mobile Gaming, a global Holding company.

Strategy and financial report for 13 global business units

Developed organizational performance models against both the annual budget and company's long-term strategy.

Developed tools, FP&A models and systems to provide critical financial and operational information to the CEO and BOD and make actionable recommendations on both strategy and operations.

Engage Senior Management around issues, trends, and changes in the operating model's) and operational delivery.

Oversaw long-term budgetary planning and costs management in alignment with company's strategic plan, especially as the organization considers sponsorships, potential acquisitions, and collaborations with external organizations.

Participate in key decisions pertaining to strategic initiatives, operating model and operational execution.

Complete analysis of financial results; Develop recommendations (strategic and tactical).

Developed and maintain capital budget for 13 global business units

Development of financial planning and analysis exercises/reports.

Cash, investment, and asset management.

Financing strategies and activities, as well as banking relationships, and treasure functions

Planning, Policy, and Investor Relations ·

Engage with the Senior Management Team to develop short-, medium-, and long-term financial plans and projections.

Represent the company to financial partners, including financial institutions, investors, auditors, public officials, etc.

Remain current on audit best practices and state and federal law regarding for profit operations. Both for GAAP and IFRS

Ensure legal and regulatory compliance regarding all financial functions.

Matrix, London England 10/2008 – 4/2010

Director International Development (consultant)

$1B - Boutique Investment Bank

Work within Matrix Green Air fund.

Capital raising ($100mm)

oEstablishing and having overall responsibility for fund raising, brand image, media, investor relations, marketing materials, websites, etc.

oBuilding extensive databases of investors, mandates and key contacts

Working with governments under the United Nations REDD and reforestation program.

oNegotiated 10mm hectors under the UN REDD program in Bolivia in Nov-09 the largest REDD project under taken to date

Responsible for obtaining carbon credits with in the funds projects.

Deal origination

oMini hydro

oWaste to energy

SSC, Dallas TX 1/2007 – 9/2008

Managing Director, Mergers and Acquisitions /Corporate Finance

$50mm - Boutique Investment Bank

Global Business development.

Responsible for developing, cultivating and interfacing with potential clients.

Developing strategies for clients in financing, debt, equity, CDO, ABL, SPAC’s and similar transactions.

Responsible for assisting in both the strategic and tactical implementation of mergers and acquisition programs. This includes external segment and target opportunity assessment and specific due diligence activities.

Provide tactical planning, assessment, negotiation, corporate approval processes, and integration.

Plan, develop, organize, implement, direct and evaluate the organization's fiscal function and performance.

Participate in the development of the corporation's plans and programs as a strategic partner.

Evaluate and advise on the impact of long range planning, introduction of new programs/strategies and regulatory action.

Develop credibility for the finance group by providing timely and accurate analysis of budgets, financial reports and financial trends in order to assist the President/CEO, BOD and other senior executives in performing their responsibilities.

Provide technical financial advice and knowledge to others within the financial discipline.

Continual improvement of the budgeting process through education of department managers on financial issues impacting their budgets.

Optimize the handling of banking relationships globally and initiate appropriate strategies to enhance SSC’s ability to close transactions and funds.

Develop a reliable cash flow projection process and reporting mechanism, which includes minimum cash thresholds to meet operating needs.

Research business landscape and develop target candidate lists.

Encourage competitive analysis to evaluate, filter and prioritize opportunities.

Cultivate dialogue with key targets and manage the pace and progress of discussions.

Identify and cultivate relationships with investment banks and other outside parties to further the company’s acquisition goals, as well as funding for other projects and investment clients.

Coordinate necessary tasks to execute the mergers and acquisitions process with international internal business and financial teams, as well as with external legal, consultant, and investment banking.

Prepare briefing and discussion materials on recommended transactions for the BOD.

Creation of well-defined integration plan.

Execution of integration plans to meet tight time and financial targets and perform post-mortems.

Clients that I worked with while at SSC:

HHP:

Put together their Real Estate Private Placement:

Raised $10mm for acquisitions of apartment complexes.

oEstablishing and having overall responsibility for fund raising, brand image, media, investor relations, marketing materials, websites, etc.

oBuilding extensive databases of investors, mandates and key contacts

Trinity Basin Preparatory:

$5mm mezzanine financing for the school while they waited for the bond issue.

Oakley:

$7mm of debt financing for this hotel group, for the acquisition of a “Flagged” hotel in Colorado.

CCFC:

Brought several parties in for the divestiture of this English Football team and stadium.

$60mm pounds ($120mm). Put together the due diligence book, as well as conducted the due diligence for one of the groups looking to do the acquisition.

Prepare briefing and discussion materials on recommended transactions for the BOD.

Negotiated between the owners, trust and the government for the completion of the acquisition.

Liege:

Turn around the life safety company by implementing best practices for the accounting department and business development unit.

AR DSO from 180 days down to 45 days.

Brought in $600,000 of the $750,000 that was outstanding in the first 60 days.

Research business landscape and develop target candidate lists.

Conduct competitive analysis to evaluate, filter and prioritize opportunities.

Cultivate dialogue with key targets and manage the pace and progress of discussions.

Perform strategic and financial analysis of potential targets, including valuation, due diligence activities, and negotiations.

Creation of well-defined integration plan.

Infotronics:

Finalized a $10mm ABL transaction.

New York Accessory Group (NYAG), New York City, New York 1/2006 – 1/2007

COO /CFO

($62mm holding company with holdings in men and ladies’ accessory’s, Couture handbags (Carlos Falchi), and beauty (Ahava US)

Manage all the day-to-day operations of a company and its 4 divisions.

Developing all financial plans including annual operating and capital budgets, quarterly operating forecasts and monthly cash forecasts, overseeing all financial functions including capital allocations and management, accounting, budget, insurance, tax and treasury for each of the divisions for implementation.

Prepare or direct preparation of financial statements, business activity reports, financial position forecasts, annual budgets, and/or reports required by regulatory agencies.

Mentoring business unit VP’s and presidents to achieve business goals, ensuring consistent, high quality, timely distribution of products & services; installing visible work processes to institutionalize core competencies, with various performance reporting.

Administer insurance coverage (blanket bond, property & casualty, and D&O liability).

First chair for the companies two acquisitions, (Smart Set and Falchi) ranging in size from $1mm to $4mm.

Conducted due diligence on potential acquisitions.

Developed the Human Resource policies and procedures for the entire company.

Manage the AR department, implemented policy to help get the DSO from 100 days+ to 45-60 days.

Overseeing banking/treasury/cash, A/R, A/P, credit/collection, G/L, P&L, financials, financial planning, COG’s analysis and inventory control.

Successfully negotiated an agency agreement in the EU, and Middle East for the sales and distribution of the Falchi line.

Helped with the development of the overall strategy and tactics (globally and domestically), including the sales strategy for the National and International agents, and the workforce required to fulfill the overall strategy for sales growth and increased profitability globally. (Falchi)

Implemented best practices for logistic for international and dimmest importing, exporting and shipping. (Falchi)

Modernized the warehouse, after a time management study, implemented new systems and controls in our 200,000 sq. foot facility. Increased productivity by 30%.

Re-engineered shipping worldwide and saved over 25% in the last two quarters of 2006.

Worked with Ahava division on setting up and making profitable the ecommerce site.

EDUCATION

Doctorate of Business Administration and International Finance, Magna Cum Laude, Southern California University for Professional Studies, Santa Ana, California

Master of Business Administration and International Finance - California Coast University, Santa Ana, CA

Bachelor of Science in Finance - California Coast University, Santa Ana, CA

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Board of Advisors: AI Blockchain (www.ai-blockchain.com) 7/2016 – Present

Institute of Management Accountants (ICMA) 1/1999- 12/ 2003

Board of Advisors: HAWA INTERNATIONAL, INC. West Palm Beach, Florida 2/1998 - 12/2001

($165mm public telecommunications company in the wireless space)

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