Your Dream Team to get it done — knowledgeable, capable, and years of experience.
CMA TEAM LEADERS
37+ Years of Entrepreneurial & Business Advisory Experience
29+ Years in the Capital Markets
275+ Capital Market Campaigns
$2.6B+ Capital Formation and M&A Engagements
Geoffrey C. Plank, Founder & President
Geoffrey is an accomplished entrepreneur and corporate communicator, expert in public relations and financial communications, investment analysis, corporate messaging and crisis management.
He has applied these abilities in business development and management, capital formation, public and investor relations, and high-tech retail in a multifaceted career spanning more than 37 years.
Over the past 29 years, he has led more than 275 investor relations and corporate communications campaigns involving more than $2.6 billion in capital formation, M&A and divestitures for private and public companies across a range of industries.
He made his first mark on the financial community in the early ‘90s as managing editor of the venerable micro-cap newsletter, OTC Growth Stock Watch, which was regularly quoted by Fortune, Barron's and Investor Business Daily, and featured on CNBC.
He subsequently co-founded and lead two highly successful public & investor relations firms in Boston (1992) and West Palm Beach (1995), and founded a consultancy for socially responsible start-ups, including VeteransAdvantage.com (1999).
Founded CMA in 2016 as a reinvention of the traditional PR/IR firm with a focus of helping management realize their vision by providing access to the right capital market players, with a focus on IPOs and up listings to listed exchanges. This includes working directly with CMA’s highly experienced senior leadership at every day.
Began his career in 1985 as a founding partner of the highly-acclaimed San Francisco Bay Area retail chain, ComputerWare, which was twice highlighted in Inc. Magazine's list of the 500 Fastest Growing Privately-held Companies, once ranking 5th. Apple Fellow and industry thought leader, Guy Kawasaki, recognized ComputerWare for its superior level of customer service in his seminal book on marketing, "The Macintosh Way." As the nation’s first all Mac store established in Palo Alto, California in 1985, ComputerWare was often visited by Apple top executives and served as the inspiration for the introduction of Apple Stores worldwide.
A Michigan native, Geoffrey proudly embodies the Midwestern values of hard work, honesty, and persistence.
Specialties: Capital markets navigation, strategic corporate communications, financial writing, investment analysis, business valuation, investor relations, public relations, start-ups, sales and marketing, graphic design, crisis management, enterprise IT, high-tech retail, and rolling sushi.
15 Years' Experience in Consumer Marketing & Communications
100+ Brand & Marketing Campaigns
$350M+ Total Branding & Marketing Budgets
Leslie K. White, V.P. of Marketing & Brand Management
Proven hands-on marketing and sales professional that moves easily from vision and strategy to implementation and follow-through. Over 15 years' experience developing and managing client relations in a range of industries,
Previously served as marketing manager for Sunkist Growers, a cooperative marketing organization comprised of more than 6,000 California and Arizona citrus growers and packers. During her tenure, Sunkist represented 80% of the $1.3 billion U.S citrus industry.
Prior to Sunkist, spearheaded management/business development for CTB/McGraw-Hill, a division of the McGraw-Hill and a leading provider of standardized achievement test products & services.
Served as sales & marketing manager for the American Culinary Federation, a non-profit chef organization providing certification programs and networking opportunities for chefs, as well as comprehensive accreditation programs for culinary schools.
Specialties: sales &marketing, branding, media communications, market research, photography, business development, copyediting, & creating amazing gourmet meals.
14 Years’ experience in business development & advisory, private equity, investor relations, and Capital Markets
100+ Capital Market Campaigns for Private & Public Companies
$100M+ Capital Formation
Garrett Hale, Capital Formation Advisor
Garrett supports CMA clients with more than 15 years of experience in the capital markets, private equity, and business development. Armed with an extensive client book of venture capitalists, family offices and angel investors, Garrett is an expert in investor relations and rapid capital formation for emerging growth companies.
Before CMA, Garrett was a member of the ROTH Capital Partners Private Capital Group, advising and providing capital formation for growth-stage private companies in the technology, software, Med-tech and consumer industries.
He founded and directed the San Diego trade organization, SD Sport Innovators (SDSI) in partnership with NBA Hall-of-famer, Bill Walton. He lead SDSI’s mission to provide capital formation, mentorship, and networking opportunities to sports and active lifestyle companies in SoCal. He grew SDSI membership to 80+ companies, ranging from service providers to large sports-centric organizations.
As a San Diego native, with family from the southern and eastern states, Garrett possesses the natural ability to connect with others, and embodies the ethics of hard work, integrity, and persistence. Southern Methodist University (SMU), Business Economics & Public Policy. He currently holds Series 7 and 63 licenses.
Specialties: Capital markets navigation, Cannabis industry expertise, deal/non-deal roadshows, strategic communications, finance and investment analysis, corporate messaging, investor relations, business development, capital formation, business start-up, networking, sales & marketing, and interpersonal connections
