Avondale consultants advise investors and senior management teams of leading businesses on strategic, financial, and organizational issues. Collectively, we have helped scores of companies in industries such as:

Senior Team

KARL STARK

Prior to forming Avondale Consulting, Karl Stark consulted with Marakon Associates, where he helped Global 1000 companies identify, develop, and implement their highest-value strategic opportunities. Karl has consulted with A.T. Kearney, a leading global management consultancy, and Sibson & Company, a human resources firm. While at Sibson, Karl specialized in executive pay and performance as well as performance management for knowledge workers. Karl holds a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Political Science from Northwestern University.

Karl Stark is based in Chicago, IL and can be reached at karl.stark@avondaleconsulting.com

BILL STEWART

Prior to forming Avondale Consulting, Bill Stewart consulted with Marakon Associates, where he helped Global 1000 companies identify, develop, and implement their highest-value strategic opportunities. Bill was a manager with Hewlett-Packard for more than 10 years. Bill holds a Masters in Business Administration from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of Michigan.

Bill Stewart is based in San Diego, CA and can be reached at bill.stewart@avondaleconsulting.com

Mr. Crisp is a founding partner of Avondale Strategic Partners and brings over twelve years of middle market investment banking experience to the firm.  Mr. Crisp focuses on identifying new investment opportunities, managing the acquisition process and working with portfolio companies on corporate planning and financial management activities.

Prior to Avondale Strategic Partners, Mr. Crisp was the CEO and Co-Head of Mergers & Acquisitions of Crowe Capital Markets, a boutique middle market investment bank.  During his tenure at Crowe Capital, Mr. Crisp advised on dozens of acquisitions, private sales, divestitures and management buyouts in numerous industries including Environmental Services, Industrial Products, Automotive Components, Recreational Products, Steel Services and Industrial Packaging. 

Mr. Crisp earned an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and a BS in Accountancy from the University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign.

Rob Crisp is based in Chicago, IL and can be reached at rob.crisp@avondalestrategicpartners.com

Sameer Pal joined Avondale Strategic Partners in 2010, bringing over six years of investment banking experience to the firm.  In his current role, Sameer is responsible for identifying and structuring new investment opportunities as well as managing M&A processes for advisory clients.  Prior to joining ASP, Sameer worked with Crowe Capital Markets, a Chicago-based boutique investment bank, where he executed dozens of buy-side and sell-side M&A transactions in a wide variety of industries. 

Sameer earned his MBA in Finance, Law and Management from the Stern School of Business at New York University and his BS in Finance, Accounting and Economics from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business.

Sameer Pal is based in New York, NY and can be reached at sameer.pal@avondalestrategicpartners.com

GREG STOKLOSA

Prior to joining Avondale, Greg was Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Financial Officer at R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company, and Chief Financial Officer and co-head of operations at the Sun-Times Media Group.  He led strategy development and execution at both companies, and has significant change leadership experience.  At R.R. Donnelley, Greg led a comprehensive and successful implementation of value-based management. Leveraging his experiences, he has developed a value creation framework, Objective Value Management, which incorporates a value-based mindset, alignment of key constituents, and key supporting metrics and processes.

Greg earned his MBA in Finance and Economics from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management, and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan.  He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Communities in Schools of Chicago, and co-chairs its Strategic Planning Committee.

Greg Stoklosa can be reached at gregory.stoklosa@avondaleconsulting.com

GAVIN N. TOEPKE

Prior to joining Avondale Consulting, Gavin worked with Chicago-based investment bank, Crowe Capital Markets, where he advised strategic and financial clients on buy-side and sell-side platform M&A and portfolio company decisions. Gavin’s transaction experience focused on measuring potential acquisition and divestiture opportunities to identify and prioritize the highest return investment decisions. After earning his degree from the University of Illinois, Gavin was an Associate with Huron Consulting Group where he advised Fortune 500 clients on strategic financial, restructuring & turnaround engagements. Gavin graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign with dual degrees: a Bachelor of Science in Finance and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.

Gavin Toepke is based in Chicago, IL and can be reached at gavin.toepke@avondaleconsulting.com