Bios
Paul Stemler
President
Paul Stemler, co-founded GTF while employed as the COO/CFO at Sarcom, a $700 million-plus revenue national provider of technology product and services, employing 1,100 people.
Throughout his career, he used his exemplary skills in finance to increase company revenue. At Sarcom, he raised $50 million in equity capital as a result of the formation and implementation of GTF. Through a joint venture with Ingram Micro, fixed operating costs were reduced by $12 million annually. While working for ASC Network Corporation he was responsible for raising approximately $45 million equity capital from 6 institutional private equity groups and $60 million in debt financing, completing 30 acquisitions and 5 divestitures.
Paul earned his BA from Colgate University (math/economics) and an MBA from New York University Stern School of Business. When not at GTF, he can be found doing something outside with friends and family.
Richard Gallant
Chairman
Richard Gallant, co founded GTF while employed as a Managing Director at Credit Suisse First Boston.
Richard’s career began at Ernst & Young providing financial consulting services to small and medium sized companies and provided strategic divestiture advice to banks undergoing restructuring as a result of the financial crisis of 1988 – 1991 period. Post Ernst & Young, he worked in leveraged finance at JPMorgan Chase and Credit Suisse First Boston working with private equity firms and private and public companies in structuring and financing LBOs, providing M&A advice and executing IPOs and sell side M&A processes to help monetize client investments.
Richard earned his BA from Colgate University (economics) and a MS in Accounting and MBA in Finance from New York University Stern School of Business. Richard currently lives in New England with his family and has business interests in the endoscopic repair industry. When not working, he is engaged in youth hockey and other activities.
Steve Weislogel
EVP, COO/CFO
As COO and CFO (since 1999), Steve Weislogel’s significant experience in finance, operations and CPA background as well as his disciplined risk based approach to transaction flow and processes, provide a basis for this market opportunity. He and his Columbus based staff are responsible for the relationships with GTF’s technology partners, vendor partners, financial institutions, outside auditors and management committee.
Prior to GTF, Weislogel was a risk advisor for Banc One Corporation. During his four years at Banc One, Weislogel served as a positive change agent where he was responsible for key risk areas including rate risk management, Y2K, national consolidations/ conversions, overdraft processes and data security. He also spent four years at Ernst & Young LLP where he was specifically chosen by management and charged with the responsibility of re-engineering the firms audit approach through the integration of people, processes and technology.
Steve earned his BS in Accountancy from Miami University. He is active in the local community and is engaged supporting his children’s sports and other activities.
Phil Ross
EVP, Business Development
As Executive Vice President of Business Development, Phil Ross’s significant experience in finance, operations, real estate, and public accounting serve him well in his roles of new business development and vendor relations. His customer focused MBA and CPA degrees afford him effective problem solving, analytical skills and negotiating skills.
Prior to his current role at GTF, Ross was the VP of Finance and Treasurer at SingleSourceIT.com, Inc., where he negotiated a $5.5 million venture debt line and a $1 million sale/leaseback line, $10 million Receivable Sales Agreement and obtained a state refundable tax credit of 65% of state income tax withheld for seven years with a potential value of $2 million.
Phil earned both his BS in Accountancy and MBA in Finance from Miami University. When not working he can be found supporting his daughter’s school activities, researching genealogy or gardening.
Alan Schwartz
Senior VP
Alan Schwartz has over 18 years of senior management and leadership as Chief Operating Officer and/or Chief Financial Officer with several Technology Channel specific firms, including GE Capital IT Solutions, MTM Technologies and Virtera. While at these firms and throughout his career he has successfully interfaced with major private equity sponsors, Board of Directors, outside auditors, banks and other financial institutions while directing marketplace operations including significant merger and acquisition activity. This depth of experience serves him well in working with GTF customer and vendor partners to drive revenue and facilitate growth.
Prior to joining GTF, Alan was a customer of GTF and knows the advantages of the GTF program both as a customer and an operator. He is a CPA and started his career with Ernst and Young in New York, NY.
Alan earned his BA from Hofstra University. He enjoys travel and spending time with his family.
Al Kralik
VP, Customer Credit and AR Management
As Vice President of Customer Credit & A/R Management, Al Kralik is responsible for helping customers reduce bad debt risk and lower DSO. He keeps watch over the AR accounts and helps managers resolve AR past due issues. In some cases, he monitors managers’ purchases and initiates payment to vendors.
Kralik has worked in the reseller business since 1986, employed at several companies including Basicomputer, The Future Now, Telxon and Sarcom. He was head of Credit and Collections and supervised up to 40 people. In each of these roles he helped develop and implement special programs for sales, staff and customers at each company to better understand and meet company goals.
Al earned his BA in Political Science from Kent State University. In his off time, he enjoys gardening, reading and all types of sports.