Investment Banking and
Advisory Services

For the Lower
Middle Markets

Years in Operation
0
Senior Bankers
0
CEO Whisperers
0
Collective Experience
0 +yrs
In Closed Transactions
$ 0 mm

Our
Services

CTH ADVISORS brings a unique combination of seasoned investment bankers, with their decades of transactional acumen, together with veteran business leaders, and their unparalleled operational expertise & successful exits.

Together, the team at CTH ADVISORS helps clients navigate financial & operational uncertainty and opportunity, maximizing outcomes for the firms we represent.

Private Placements of

EQUITY

Private Placements of

DEBT

Mergers & Acquisitions

M&A

CEO
Whisperers

ADVISORY

Banking

Anthony Graziano

Advisory

Chris Flannery

Investment
Banking

CTH Advisors’ Investment Banking capabilities include Mergers & Acquisitions and Private Placements for equity and debt. Every deal is led by, and staffed with, at least two Managing Director-level professionals, many of whom also bring previous C-level operating experience.

Collectively, our team of professionals has executed >$100 billion in transactions throughout their careers.

Advisory Services

Our CEO Whisperers provide a range of services to Founders, Boards, Private Equity Funds and Commercial Banks including:

  • BOD & CEO Strategic Advisor
  • Brand & Marketing Development
  • Due Diligence and M&A Analysis
  • Go-to-Market Strategy
  • Interim CEO
  • Operating Partner
  • Organizational Development & Culture Creation
  • Prepping for Exit
  • Turnaround Strategy
  • US and International Expansion

CTH ADVISORS’ CEO Whisperers™ bring decades of experience as senior leaders of private & public companies ranging in size from pre-revenue startups to publicly-traded companies with billions in revenue.

Our bench is deep. We have founded companies.
We have run companies. We have built, grown and exited companies. We know what it takes because we’ve sat in your seat, analyzed the situations you face, and made the tough decisions you are now confronting. We are here to help you win.

CEO Whisperers Prior Experience Spans

Advertising & Marketing

Financial Services

Apparel & Retail

Fitness & Wellness

Consumer Products

Gaming & Esports

Government & Transportation

Professional Services

Live Events & Services

Sports, Sports Tech & Sporting Goods

Media & Entertainment

Travel & Leisure

Team - Investment Banking and Advisory Services

Collaborative | Innovative | Experienced | Passionate | Results-Driven

Andre Ameer

Managing Director
Investment Banking

Charleston, SC
732-996-5160

Andy Brusman

CEO - CTH Advisors Investment Banking

Charleston, SC
804-310-5035

Elijah Duckworth-Schacter

Managing Director
Investment Banking

New York, NY
917-353-2071

Anthony Graziano

Sr. Managing Director
Investment Banking

Delray Beach, FL
617-650-6588

Seth Gregg

Sr. Managing Director
Investment Banking

Charleston, SC
703-626-0541

Ken Hershman

Managing Director
Investment Banking

New York, NY
973-534-8939

Hubert Holmes

Managing Director
Investment Banking

Ridgefield, CT
203-482-6277

John Lowman

Managing Director
Fund Marketing

New Canaan, CT
917-273-3790

Jack MacDonald

Managing Director
Investment Banking

Charleston, SC
646-761-2372

Adrian Martinez

Managing Director
Investment Banking

St Johns, FL
716-572-3177

Jim McGrath

Managing Director
Investment Banking

Richmond, VA
804-357-8214

Mike Sanderson

President - CTH Advisors
CCO - CTH Securities

Charleston, SC
917-439-8154

Brian Anderson

Managing Director
Advisory Services

Greenwich, CT
443-756-0814

Peter Barbaresi

Managing Director
Advisory Services

Orange County, CA
323-573-1975

Sean Bratches

Managing Director
Advisory Services


203-451-7990

Chris Flannery

Sr. Managing Director
Advisory Services

Annapolis, MD
443-928-3965

Dan Griesemer

Managing Director
Advisory Services

Dana Point, CA
949-466-5026

Peter Ruppe

Managing Director
Advisory Services

Phoenix, AZ
503-807-6055

John Sarkisian

Managing Director
Advisory Services

San Diego, CA
858-610-2010

Jonathan Schecter

Managing Director
Advisory Services

Pittsburgh, PA
914-536-4015

Keith Senglaub

Managing Director
Advisory Services

Charleston, SC
571-296-3147

Alejandro Uribe

Managing Director
Advisory Services

Mexico City, MX
954-415-3107

Byron Waldman

Managing Director
Advisory Services

Charleston, SC
843-345-4622

Content

Charlestowne Holdings rebrands as CTH Advisors

What does a typical Capital Raising Engagement with CTH look like?

How to create a Pitch Deck from Sequoia’s Michael Houck

Peter Thiel’s 7 Questions for Every Startup

What’s the difference between Venture Capital and Private Equity?

Andre Ameer

MD, Investment Banking - aviation & Construction

Andre joined CTH Advisors in 2019 and is an Investment Banker engaged in sourcing, structuring and executing deals in the Technology and Construction & Engineering sectors. Early in his career, Andre spent a decade as a trader at a multi-billion dollar hedge fund. In 2011 he pivoted to his family construction business and was involved in a number of landmark projects at the Statue of Liberty, LaGuardia Airport, and the World Trade Center. After relocating to Charleston with his wife and their 3 young children, Andre’s unique exposure to the worlds of finance and construction led him to CTH Advisors, where the firm continues to expand its reach into the Built World. Andre graduated from Villanova University and maintains his FINRA SIE and Series 82 certifications.

Fun Fact: Andre’s newest passion: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Andy Brusman

CEO - CTH Advisors

Andy founded CTH Advisors in 2018 and serves as the firm’s CEO. Andy is also an Investment Banker, sourcing and advising on deals in the Sports, Media & Entertainment and Consumer sectors. In addition to his roles at CTH, he is a board member of the Charleston Regional Development Alliance and serves as the Chairman of the ACG Charleston Chapter. Previously, Andy was the Founder and Chairman/CEO of Alchemy Global Holdings, LLC, an investment banking and advisory services firm focused on the Sports, Media and Entertainment industries.  The firm worked with emerging growth companies to help them raise capital and assist with the implementation of their growth plan.  In his role as CEO for Alchemy, Andy was responsible for guiding the strategic growth of the company, fundraising and business development. Andy is a graduate of the University of Lynchburg and he lives in Charleston, SC with his wife and two boys.

Fun Fact: Andy is obsessed with the New York Yankees.

Elijah Duckworth-Schacter

MD, Investment Banking - Consumer & Retail

Elijah joined CTH Advisors in 2020 and is an Investment Banker engaged in sourcing, structuring and executing deals in the Consumer & Retail sector. Elijah is a graduate of Columbia University, earned his MBA from Columbia Business School and lives with his family between NY City and Newport Rhode Island.

Anthony Graziano

MD, Investment Banking - Sports, Media, & Entertainment and Consumer

Anthony joined CTH Advisors in 2022 and is an Investment Banker focusing on business development, deal origination and private placement distribution in the Sports, Media, & Entertainment and Consumer sectors. Prior to CTH, among other roles, Anthony spent 13yrs at Arete Research, a global technology, media & telecom research boutique that spun out of Goldman Sachs. Most recently he was President of the US broker dealer and ran Global Sales. He is a graduate of Bucknell University and earned his MBA from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business. Anthony lives in Delray Beach, FL with his boy/girl twins and golden retriever, Hunter. Anthony maintains his FINRA Series 7, 63, 24, 87 and 99 certifications.

Fun Fact: Anthony is an avid skier and spends half the year living on a private ski mountain in VT.

Seth Gregg

MD, Investment Banking - Business Services, Construction & Landscaping

Seth joined CTH Advisors in 2020 and is an Investment Banker focusing on business development, deal origination and private placement distribution in the Business Serices, Construction & Landscaping sectors. Seth is a graduate of Clemson University and lives in Charleston, SC with his wife Anne. Seth maintains his FINRA SIE and Series 82 certifications.

Fun Fact: Seth enjoys watching his golf handicap rise!

Ken Hershman

MD, Investment Banking - Sports. Media & Entertainment

Ken joined CTH Advisors in 2023 and is an Investment Banker engaged in sourcing, structuring and executing deals in the Sports, Media & Entertainment sector. Widely known in the TV sports world for his 27+ year career, Ken is an award winning and innovative sports television programming executive. He served as the President of HBO Sports and as the SVP and General Manager of Showtime Sports. He is also one of the pioneers of the global Esports industry, including with his tenure as CEO and Commissioner of the World Esports Association. Ken is a graduate of The George Washington University and earned his JD from Fordham University School of Law.

Hubert Holmes

MD, Investment Banking - Telecom & Financial Data

Hubert joined CTH Advisors in 2018 and is an Investment Banker engaged in sourcing, structuring and executing deals in the Telecom & Technology sectors. Hubert is a graduate of Rice University and earned his MBA from Columbia Business School. Hubert maintains his FINRA SIE and Series 82 certifications.

Fun Fact: Hubert can often be found in San Francesco with his daughter and his first grandchild.

John Lowman

MD, Fund Marketing

John joined CTH Advisors in 2020 and is engaged in raising capital for alternative asset managers. John is a graduate of Rollins College and earned his MBA at the Crummer Graduate School of Business.

Jack MacDonald

MD, Investment Banking - Asset Management

Jack joined CTH Advisors in 2019 and is an Investment Banker engaged in sourcing, structuring and executing deals in the Asset Management sector. Jack is a graduate of St. Norbert College and earned his MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.

Adrian Martinez

MD, investment banking - fintech
Adrian joined CTH Advisors in 2024 and is an Investment Banker engaged in sourcing, structuring and executing deals in the Fintech sector. Adrian is a senior risk executive with 28 years of experience in all aspects of consumer and small business banking, lending, payments, enterprise risk management, credit risk, operational risk, regulatory remediation (FRB/OCC/CFPB Consent Orders) and supporting technologies. Most recently he served as Chief Risk Officer of US Retail Banking at Citigroup, responsible for end-to-end Risk Management of Consumer and Small Business Deposits and Payments, Small Business Lending and Unsecured Lending.

Jim McGrath

MD, Investment Banking - Business Services & Landscaping

Jim joined CTH Advisors in 2018 and is an Investment Banker engaged in sourcing, structuring and executing deals in the Business Services, Construction & Landscaping sectors. Jim is graduate of the University of Virginia, where he earned both his BA and JD.

Mike Sanderson

President - CTH Advisors. CEO & CCO - Charles Towne Securities

Mike joined CTH Advisors in 2018 and serves as the firm’s President, as well as CEO & CCO of Charles Towne Securities, the firm’s wholly owned Broker Dealer. Mike is also a CEO Whisperer, providing advisory services in the Financial Services Sector. Previously he was CEO of Merrill Lynch Canada, CEO of Instinet, and Chairman/CEO of Retuers Americas among other roles over a 30+ year career in financial services. Mike is a graduate of Brown University and earned his M.A. from Oxford University.

Brian Anderson

MD, Advisory Serivces - Consumer, Fitness, Health, & Wellness

Brian joined CTH Advisors in 2021 and provides advisory services in the Consumer, Fitness, Health & Wellness and Travel sectors. Brian is a graduate of Virginia Tech, earned his MBA from The Warton School and is a seasoned CEO and entrepreneur who specializes in building high-growth consumer brands. He is currently CEO of MELT Method and lives with his family in Greenwich, CT.

Fun Fact: Brian is an avid fisherman and can often be found on his boat on the Long Island Sound, fishing with his Labrodor Retreiver, Moose.

Peter Barbaresi

MD, Advisory Serivces - Fitness, Health & Wellness, Sports Apparel and Restaurants/Hospitality

Peter joined CTH Advisors in 2021 and provides advisory services in the Fitness, Health & Wellness, Sports Apparel, and Restaurants/Hospitality sectors. Peter graduated from Williams College and is a versatile turnaround and growth-oriented CEO with experience leading small and mid-cap B2C and B2B products and services companies, having led the sale of several companies on behalf of PE-backed ownership. He currently sits on the board of, or advises, companies including Asensei.AI, Athletic Republic, Crosscourt, Healthletic Parters and Yoga Six.

Sean Bratches

MD, Advisory Serivces - Consumer, Live Entertainment, Media & Sports Technology

Sean joined CTH Advisors in 2019 and provides advisory services in the Consumer, Live Entertainment, Media & Sports Technology sectors. Sean is a graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology and is an accomplished media executive having held senior leadership roles over 4 decades at ESPN, Formula One and LIV golf.

Chris Flannery

Sr. MD, Advisory services - sports, media & entertainment
Chris joined CTH Advisors in 2024 and provides advisory services in the Sports, Media & Entertainment sectors. Chris brings 30 years of international executive management, marketing and business development experience. Originally from the UK, he has lived and worked from the US for more than 25 years. With a broad background in experience businesses such as sports, entertainment, retail and content within the US, European and Latin American markets. Has helped global personalities to maximize their IP rights and create new revenue streams. During his career has worked with iconic personalities such as: Pelé, Neymar Jr., Cal Ripken Jr., Frank Sinatra, B.B. King, The Beach Boys, Nat King Cole, Tina Turner, Nelson Mandela and others. 

Dan Griesemer

MD, Advisory Serivces - Apparel, Cannibis, Consumer & Hospitality.

Dan joined CTH Advisors in 2019 and provides advisory services in the Apparel, Cannabis, Consumer & Hospitality sectors. Dan is a graduate of the University of Dayton, completed the Executive Education Program at the University of Michigan and has been President & CEO of numerous apparel companies including Coldwater Creek, Gymboree and Tilly’s.

Peter Ruppe

MD, Advisory Serivces - Apparel, Consumer, Health & Wellness

Peter joined CTH Advisors in 2019 and provides advisory services in the Apparel, Consumer, Health & Wellness sectors. Peter is a graduate of Arizona State University where he also earned his MBA and is a growth-oriented and high-performing C-level leader with deep consumer & product expertise in sports having spent almost 35yrs in footwear at Nike, Under Armour and Columbia Sportswear. He lives in Scottsdale, Arizona with family and enjoys mountain biking in the McDowell Mountain region.

Fun Fact: Peter channeled his passion for basketball into growth at Nike including the creation of Air Jordan generations 4-13.

John Sarkisian

MD, Advisory Serivces - Hospitality, Real Estate & Sporting Goods.

John joined CTH Advisors in 2019 and provides advisory services in the Hospitality, Real Estate & Sporting Goods sectors. John is a graduate of the University of Michigan and has served as CEO of Pat & Oscar’s, Chairman of the Board of Semtek Innovative Solutions and CEO of SKLZ over the course of a 20+yr career. He currently serves as Executive Chariman of LIGHT Helmets and Industry Chairman of SD Sport Innovators, a non-profit focused on the Sport and Active Lifestyle industries.

Jonathan Schecter

MD, Investment Banking - Sports, Media, & Entertainment

Jonathan joined CTH Advisors in 2023 and is an Investment Banker focusing on business development, deal origination and private placement distribution in the Sports, Media, & Entertainment sectors. Prior to CTH, Jonathan spent 17yrs in the sports industry, including 6yrs in Europe & the UK, with some of the biggest rights-owners and rights-holders in global sport including FC Barcelona, NFL, MLB, MasterCard, Gillette, Liverpool FC, Reebok, Cleveland Cavaliers, and many others. He is a graduate of Lafayette College and earned his MBA from Esade, in Barcelona. Jonathan lives in Pittsburgh, PA.

Keith Senglaub

MD, Advisory Serivces - Live Entertainment, Sports, Media & Publishing.

Keith joined CTH Advisors in 2021 and provides advisory services in the Live Entertainment, Sports, Media & Publishing sectors. Keith is a graduate of St John Fisher University, earned an MBA from Virginia Tech’s Pamplin College of Business and most recently served in senior finance positions (including as CFO) at Feld Entertainment, a global leader in the Live Entertainment and Motorsports space, for over 15yrs. Keith began his career with PwC serving large, public media companies and is a licensed CPA.

Fun Fact: Keith lives in Charleston, SC with his wife Michelle, sharing a passion for travel, including spending as much time as possible in Italy.

Alejandro Uribe

MD, Advisory Serivces - Entertainment and Media

Alejandro joined CTH Advisors in 2023 and provides advisory services in the Sports, Media & Entertainment sectors. He is a graduate of Columbia University and most recently was CEO of Exile Media, which was sold to Candle Media in Jan 2023. Alejandro sits on the Board of OYE, a wellness & fitness services company in San Francisco, and The Hollywood Radio and Television Society.

Byron Waldman

MD, Advisory Serivces - Government Sector, Public/Private Partnerships & Transportation

Byron joined CTH Advisors in 2022 and provides advisory services in the Government, Public/Private Parternships & Transportation sectors. Byron is a graduate of Virginia Tech, earned his MPA from The George Washington University and is a seasoned Senior Executive with more than 40yrs of diverse experience including as Co-Founder, Chariman and CEO of FUTREX Inc, an innovative transit tech company. As senior staff in the Department of Transportation and in the U.S. Senate, Byron was deeply involved in major appropriations, budget and legislative issues, receiving recognition for his contributions.