Signal Hill promotes five

Signal Hill has promoted Robert Berstein, Christine Peacock and Franklin Staley to managing director. Also, the firm has promoted Frank Cordek and Jane Santini to vice president. The promotions became effective January 1.

PRESS RELEASE

BALTIMORE–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Signal Hill, a leading independent advisory boutique serving the M&A and private capital raising needs of growth companies, is pleased to announce the promotions of Robert Berstein, Christine Peacock, Franklin Staley, Frank Cordek and Jane Santini. Mr. Berstein, Ms. Peacock and Mr. Staley have been promoted to Managing Director and Mr. Cordek and Ms. Santini have been promoted to Vice President. All promotions were effective January 1, 2015.

“These individuals are tenacious advocates for their clients, their colleagues and the firm. They work tirelessly to promote Signal Hill’s core values across all stakeholders and have left an indelible mark on the organization. I expect they will play an important role in the future success of Signal Hill.”

“Announcing these promotions provides me with a great sense of pride,” said Scott Wieler, Signal Hill Chairman and Founder. “These individuals are tenacious advocates for their clients, their colleagues and the firm. They work tirelessly to promote Signal Hill’s core values across all stakeholders and have left an indelible mark on the organization. I expect they will play an important role in the future success of Signal Hill.”

Robert Berstein
Mr. Berstein, who is employed in Signal Hill’s Internet & Digital Media practice group, has more than 17 years of financial experience with both investment banking and venture capital firms. Before joining Signal Hill in 2012, Mr. Berstein held senior positions at Morgan Keegan / Revolution Partners, BMO, Needham and Advanta Partners LP, Advanta Corporation’s venture capital affiliate. While at Advanta, Mr. Berstein co-founded and served as Chairman of the New York Private Equity Network (NYPEN). Earlier in his career, Mr. Berstein was employed by the investment banking divisions of Jefferies Broadview and Merrill Lynch.

Mr. Berstein’s recent transactions include Copyright Clearance Center’s acquisition of Infotrieve, Acceller’s merger with Bridgevine, digital media divestitures for Reed Elsevier (eMedia’s acquisition by j2 Global / Ziff Davis and Purch’s acquisition of BuyerZone) and the sale of IMN to Reynolds and Reynolds. Mr. Berstein has completed transactions with notable acquirers such as Google, Oracle and Cimpress (formerly Vistaprint).

Mr. Berstein holds a B.A., magna cum laude, from Cornell University where he currently serves on the administrative board of the Cornell University Council.

Christine Peacock
Christine Peacock is the Head of Signal Hill’s Human Resources department. Prior to joining Signal Hill, she was the Head of Global Talent Management and Employment for Legg Mason, Inc. Ms. Peacock has close to 20 years of HR leadership experience with a concentration in HR department startups and realignments. Her expertise includes talent acquisition, workforce planning, learning and development, performance management, rewards and recognition and succession and career planning.

Ms. Peacock received her B.A. from Emory University and her M.B.A. with a concentration in Organization Development from the Carey School of Business at Johns Hopkins University.

Franklin Staley
Franklin Staley heads Signal Hill’s Sponsor Coverage group. Mr. Staley brings more than 18 years of investment banking, private equity and transaction execution experience to Signal Hill. Previously, Mr. Staley spent eight years with Meriturn Partners, LLC, a private equity fund focused on middle-market special situations, where he was a Principal and founding member. Prior to Meriturn Partners, Mr. Staley was the CFO and VP of Strategy for Axcellis, an early-stage application software developer. Mr. Staley has prior investment banking experience with Cowen & Company and Lehman Brothers, and began his career with Chase Manhattan Bank.

Mr. Staley has an M.B.A. from The Amos Tuck School at Dartmouth College and a B.A. in Economics from Kenyon College.

About Signal Hill
Signal Hill, named 2014 Boutique Investment Bank of the Year, is a leading independent advisory boutique serving the M&A and private capital raising needs of growth companies. Signal Hill’s experienced bankers provide deep domain expertise and an unyielding commitment to clients in our sectors: Internet & Digital Media, Internet Infrastructure, Services and Software. With more than 600 completed transactions and offices in Baltimore, Bangalore, Boston, Mumbai, Nashville, New York, Reston and San Francisco, Signal Hill leverages deep strategic industry and financial sponsor relationships to help our clients achieve Greater Outcomes®. For more information visit www.signalhill.com.