Jerome Gentolia, Chief Operating Officer of Oxford Group Services, is in talks with Vehicle Reclamation Services of Maryland, LLC (VRS) concerning their state-of-the-art vehicle reclamation/disassembly operations project.

In the USA alone there are over 18 million vehicles a year that reach the end of their useful life (EOLVs) or are to be scrapped at the traditional, open-air junk yards/shredders. These numbers will increase in 2009 from the impact of the Cash-for-Clunkers U.S. government program and are estimated to increase to over 20 million for 2010. VRS provides an indoor, environmentally friendly system that reclaims significantly more(99.5%) of the reusable constituent parts, materials and products than the traditional junk yard (40% to 60%)would and provides efficient removal of scrap metals, plastics, glass, rubber and other products to be sold in commodity lot sizes so that they can be recycled into new products by others. VRS will process a high volume of vehicles on the semi-automated disassembly line. This is based on a proven Dutch-manufactured system that can be built on a relatively small site.

Starting with one facility, VRS plans to acquire large numbers of EOLVs or scrap vehicles, disassemble the reusable parts to reclaim them for refurbishment or resale and process the remaining uncross-contaminated scrap. One center at full operation has the potential of providing scrap metal that would come from hundreds of junkyards, making it much more convenient and cost-effective for the purchaser. This one-stop shop also reclaims a much higher percentage of the vehicle's parts for resale than the traditional junkyard. They have already begun discussions with several companies to acquire EOLVs and scrap vehicles as well as for purchase agreements for the reclaimed materials and parts. Initial studies conservatively estimates that the United States alone could support more than 100 centers.

VRS has an experienced management team led by the founder, Mr. Gary R. Sander. They have already assembled several people with exceptional expertise in their respective fields. Mr. Sander has been involved in the manufacturing, construction, steel and chemical industries and his team has experience ranging from automotive and plastics industries to plant management and environmental engineering.

Jerome Gentolia has been keeping a close eye on the project as it has many of the qualities that Unilion Oxford Group is looking for in new projects. It uses state-of-the-art technology that also has a proven track record. It is economically viable and also environmentally friendly. Lastly, it will be generating income within 12 months.

Jerome Gentolia is the Chief Operating Officer of Oxford Group Services and also the Senior Vice President of Unilion Development Group, a private equity firm. He can be reached at jgentolia@uhl-unilion.com.

Jerome Gentolia  is in talks with Vehicle Reclamations Services of Maryland, LLC (VRS).

With over 18 million automobiles reaching their end of usefulness each year, the market is open for a modern state-of-the-art automobile disassembly system. Unlike traditional open-air shredder/junkyards, the VRS system is an indoor operation that is environmentally sound, can handle large volumes, and produces more reclaimed materials and parts than a traditional yard would. The technology is based on an existing Dutch manufactured system that is already proven in Europe.  The potential volume of scrap steel from one VRS Center is more than the volume of what a hundred junkyards can produce.

The plan is to acquire large volumes of End-of-Life Vehicles (EOLVs) and scrap automobiles, disassemble and reclaim the component materials and parts and resell these to existing markets for these materials. VRS has stated that several companies have already expressed willingness to award purchase agreements for the reclaimed materials and parts.

Jerome Gentolia, Chief Operating Officer of the Oxford Group Services, is keeping a close eye on the project. The VRS project being technologically advanced, environmentally friendly, and economically viable is in line with the Gentolia's direction with Oxford Group.

Under the leadership of Gary R. Sander, the VRS team boasts of people with exceptional expertise in their field. Sander himself has been involved with major corporations in the construction (Chicago Bridge and Iron), steel (Bethlehem Steel), and chemical (W.R. Grace, Davison, Chemical Division) industries.

Jerome Gentolia is the Chief Operating Officer of Oxford Group Services and also the Senior Vice President of Unilion Development Group, a private equity firm. He can be reached at jgentolia@uhl-unilion.com.

 

Jerome Gentolia has been discussing investment opportunities with 5 Porticoes, LLC. 5 Porticoes is planning to build a biogas facility in LeMars, Iowa. The facility will convert plant and animal waste into biogas, a clean, renewable energy source.

With the support of the University of Iowa, the 5 Porticoes plant is in a very good position to contribute to the ever increasing demand for natural gas. Their microbiological team, with the support of the university,  plans for the development of production rate increases through microbiological research.  This program ties in other departments of the university, for research and development.

Mr. Gentolia has cited a couple of factors that ensures the success of the project. One of them is the location of the plant. Situated in the largest hog producing state, LeMars, Iowa has a large concentration of these facilities.  There are also 5 meat packers nearby as well as a major gas distribution and rail lines running through LeMars.

Jerome Gentolia, Chief Operating Officer of Oxford Group Services, believes in the  environmental and community opportunities of the project. With the current US Administration's focus on green projects and the employment opportunities the 5 Porticoes plant presents, Gentolia is confident of the project. Through Gentolia, The Oxford Group Services has always prioritized financially viable projects that are innovative, address environmental issues, and present employment opportunities to the community.  The project has full support of the State of Iowa.

With the current global economic situation, investments in large scale projects, such as this one, are slow and careful. Gentolia has his eye on this particular project and is monitoring its progress closely.

 "The personalities involved in this project are impressive. Their combined knowledge and experience guarantees success in the 5 Porticoes biogas facility. I've even recommended that we use these people in our other projects as consultants and project planners...",  Gentolia notes.

The core group of 5 Porticoes LLC brings in the top talents of the industry. Three members of the team were involved in building the largest digester plant in the USA. William "Bill" Bond, is the Chief Executive Manager of 5 Porticoes. Bond has been a leader in banking and corporate development areas for over 30 years.  Mr. Bond currently is a lobbyist and business owner serving chemical and agricultural company's interest in legislative, regulatory and state law concerns. Mr. Bond has developed and brings knowledge through numerous relationships in governmental and business levels crossing a broad spectrum of areas.  Bill brings the expertise needed in corporate development and structures needed for our success. 

Joining Bond is Bruce Stockman, Chief Operating Manager. He has over 20 years of experience in a leadership role working with agriculture and renewable energy development.  Bruce has contributed significantly to the development of ethanol and other renewable energy as Executive Director of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association.  Bruce brings a broad background of successful experience in working with boards, directing staff and contractors, while maintaining a great relationship with community and elected leaders.

Michael McFadden (Operations Development Manager), Lance Crombie PhD (Biology Science Leader) and Kent Wolfe (Consultant) round out the 5 Porticoes group.

eQsolaris of Los Alamos, NM, has developed solar energy panels that can achieve electrical production at competitive or even superior pricing compared to current and traditional methods. This simple and cost effective approach is a highly simplified engineering technology called "micro-concentrator photovoltaic arrays".

These products combine the lowest cost produced solar cells, highly manufacture-able electrical contacts, heat removal materials, with concentrating and protective optics to produce a robust photovoltaic module array with the best power/price performance. It is projected to be four times cheaper than the average currently available equivalent on the market.

Without government subsidies, current solar energy products are at cost four times too expensive to act as standalone generators. Robert Hockaday, President and Founder of eQsolaris points out, "The problem with solar (power generation) is that it is too expensive.  The eQsolaris technology answers this issue by maximizing cost effectiveness by incorporating the most efficient use of semi-conductor material.  The semi-conductor material is the most expensive component-reduces the amount used with good design and engineering and you reduce the overall cost.  This is what we have done with the eQsolaris ‘eQarray' technology."

This project caught the attention of Jerome Gentolia. Gentolia is the Chief Operating Officer of Oxford Group Services, a subset of private equity firm, Unilion Development Group. Jerome's direction into technology that is innovative, cost efficient, and effective is what led him to consider partnering with  eQsolaris.

"With rising fuel and energy costs, a cost efficient and effective solution such as what eQsolaris is developing is difficult to pass up. This type of technology pushes energy production into the 21^st century. We at UDG would like to be part of it...", Jerome states.

Currently, UDG is in talks with eQsolaris in financing the project. They have already started the due diligence process.

With over 24 years experience in the energy producing sector, Robert Hockaday is the President and Founder of eQsolaris.

BioCAST Systems Inc. has designed a new proprietary wastewater treatment technology that is efficient, easy to operate, cost-effective, and environment friendly. Targeted towards the municipal, industrial and agricultural sectors, BioCast can reduce sludge management costs by more than 60%.

The BioCAST tertiary treatment technology efficiently removes nutrients, nitrogen and phosphorous, from wastewaters. This combined with small footprint, low maintenance requirements, ease of handling as well as the environmental benefits offered by the technology including minimal sludge production and reduced greenhouse gas generation make BioCAST technology very attractive in the advanced wastewater treatment and site bioremediation markets. 

Discharging improperly treated wastewater to surface waters such as lakes and rivers can result to health and environmental concerns. Worldwide, the money spent on water pollution related problems run into the billions of dollars. With BioCast, companies can lower costs while at the same time, exceed environmental regulations and requirements covering wastewater treatment.

Jerome Gentolia, Chief Operating Officer of Unilion Oxford Group, is focused on the benefits behind the technology and is currently in talks with BioCAST regarding the project.  Unilion, a private equity firm, has started the due diligence process with BioCAST. Gentolia believes in the technology which is cheaper, more efficient, and environmental friendly.

"By licensing this technology, many companies can benefit from its reduced cost and efficient process. It also opens up a lot of employment opportunities. It is good to find a project that touches up on health concerns, environmental issues, and cost effectiveness all at the same time..." Jerome states.

BioCAST Systems Inc. is comprised of Chairman Michael Ogilive, CEO/President Robert Kalinowicz, Chief Technology Officer/VP R&D Laleh Yerushalmi  and Directors Frank Candido and Ronald Fon.

BioCAST Systems Inc. forecasts that by the third year of implementation, BioCAST will be available in the international market.

The days when human organs used for transplants are stored in plastic bags and placed in Styrofoam containers are numbered. Organ Transport Systems, Inc (OTS) developed a human organ preservation technology that will dramatically improve the quality and increase the availability of vital organs.

Called Life Cradle^TM, it will drastically elevate a US$ 9 Billion dollar industry by improving the preservation and transportation of human organs by 80% of current US statistics. More so, the cost of Life Cradle ^TM is just around 25% of current competing technologies.

As of the present, organs can only be stored up to 4 hours before transplant of which only 35% of organs procured are actually used. OTS Chairman and CEO, Michael B. Holder, stated that post-procurement life of organs can be extended up to 4 times longer with Life Cradle^TM. Prolonging the storage of organs will dramatically increase the number of lives that can be saved.

The Oxford Group of Unilion Development Group (UDG), a private equity firm, led by Jerome Gentolia, is in talks with OTS to finance the project. Mr. Gentolia, whose wife is a heart transplant coordinator at Montefiore Medical Center, got interested in the project because of his familiarity with the industry and the personalities behind OTS.

According to Gentolia, "Life Cradle^TM is a perfect example of what UDG looks for in a project; a focused company, innovative technology and a direct benefit to people around the world..."

ORGAN TRANSPORT SYSTEMS, INC.

The OTS roster boasts of the top men in their respective field. Michael B. Holder, prior to his role in OTS, ran the Technology Solutions business for Premier, Inc, an $18 Billion healthcare company.

The OTS Board of Directors consists of:

•·         Tommy G. Thompson, former Secretary of Health and Human Services;

•·         Gene A. Pierce, founder of United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) and the South East Organ Procurement Foundation;

•·         Marvin J. Slepian MD,  Director of Interventional Cardiology and the Director of the Tissue Engineering Laboratory at the University of Arizona Sarver Heart Center

OTS is founded by Hyman P. White, whose international experience includes the complete development of master health care plans for both Malaysia and Indonesia. He currently serves as Executive Vice President of OTS.

 

I recently worked on an early stage biomedical project that got lynched immediately. The project principals claim that the company is worth $18M. So far they invested $2M on the project and they need an additional $6M capital. The project has merit and potential. We are interested in investing as equity partners so we gave them our Investment Structure Format to iron out the equity participation.

They sent us a proposal and told us that they are willing to give us 7% ownership. LOL! Are kidding you me! We’re not born yesterday! Let’s do the math here:

·         They put in $2M and they get 93% ownership. We put in $6M and we get 7%. Does this make sense? LOL!  They are already making money before we even get started! And we are taking most of the financial risk!

To top it all, the broker who sent us the deal is charging 7% in fees! Holy moly!

People seeking financing through VC funds should remember that VC funds should be out of the “red” before they get a profit. If you do not understand this basic fundamental then you should not be talking to a VC fund in the first place.

They may have a good project but without the funds the project will go nowhere. The project will either perish or "miss the boat" since another biomedical project with a better or similar technology might get financing before they do.

 

 

Venture Capital groups put a lot of emphasis on the quality of source or origin of projects. They tend to favor projects that are from trusted sources; or someone they have a history with. Most VC funds only take deals from their network partners (lawyers, accountants, financial consultants, bankers, etc).

A source that has history of submitting good quality projects is something they value. Brokers may be a good source of projects. Unfortunately a lot of brokers have a tendency to submit all the deals they come across (without qualifying them) and fill the VC fund’s mailbox with junk projects. The mentality of “throw everything up there and see what sticks” is something you should avoid if you are trying to build a relationship with a VC fund. This is one of the many reasons why less and less VC funds entertain brokers.

Some brokers even try to charge ridiculous finder’s fee. You have to remember that that VC funds are investors. They take risk by using their capital to fund a project in exchange of equity ownership. They rather use their money to fund a project and see a return than to pay a lot fees. In short they are always looking for the most “bang” for their bucks. So if you are a broker who wants to build a relationship with a VC fund be reasonable.

Some brokers argue that they get paid by the “other side” but what they don’t realize is that the money that the project principal will pay them will come from the VC fund. Remember this is not a loan it is a venture!

Do not hide additional fees under “consultant fees” on the use of fund schedule to get more commission. What they don’t realize is that VC funds will scrutinize every allocation of funds. This stunt is a deal killer.

Many VC funds also do not like to deal with a “daisy chain” of brokers. I am appalled that many brokers do not want to share fees with other brokers that they will charge ridiculous fees to accommodate everyone’s greed or pull a stunt like adding consultant fees as I have mentioned above.

 It’s unfortunate that this trend affects the few good brokers out there. 

Overall I still beleive that brokers are a good source. VC funds just have to constantly weed out the good from the ugly. I currently work with a few excellent brokers and I am happy with them.

 

 

NEW YORK - Jerome Gentolia has secured a $220 million deal for Indianapolis, Indiana based Green Fuels LLC. This is the fourth bio-fuel project that members of Green Fuels LLC's management team have been an integral part of, with three key executives having previously served as plant managers for other ethanol and bio-diesel plants.

The deal by Gentolia is in conjunction with a Wall Street based structured project finance company that will serve as investing Collateral Guarantor for Green Fuels and provide a direct contribution of cash-backed banknote instruments as full collateral backing for the complete financing package.

"The Green Fuels management team is sophisticated, experienced, and very successful at choosing, acquiring, permitting, and operating efficient bio-fuel plants. Beyond that, an important factor for us is that their primary feedstock is not used as food for humans or animals, thus not having an adverse impact on growing global food shortage issues, which is a growing concern with some methods of alternative energy production," said Gentolia.

"It is a business that we choose to be in and are proud to be a part of.  America needs more cost-effective energy, reduced air pollutant emissions, and a reduction in the reliance on imported oil," said a Green Fuels LLC representative of their current plans to build 4 bio-diesel plants in Indiana and 1 in Illinois over the next few years, adding that "as technology changes - which is now rapidly occurring in this industry - new opportunities and methodologies to produce bio-fuels likely will emerge and we are open to pursuing those future possibilities, as well."

NEW YORK - Jerome Gentolia has secured a $381 million deal for North Carolina based JMK Hospitality, Inc., which was formed to invest in and manage existing hotel properties, as well as to develop upscale properties, in the Mid-Atlantic region (NC, SC, GA, VA, WV) of the United States.

The deal by Gentolia, in conjunction with a Wall Street based structured project finance company which will serve as investing Collateral Guarantor for JMK and provide a direct contribution of cash-backed banknote instruments as full collateral backing for the complete financing package, will be utilized for acquisition and development of numerous luxury properties, capitalizing on the Mid-Atlantic Region's tremendous recent growth, marked by the increasing strength of it's tourism industry.

This burgeoning region, stretching from Virginia and West Virginia in the North to Georgia in the South, boasts 3 of the Top 10 Most Visited US States, according to the Travel Industry Association website. (http://www.tia.org/pressmedia/fast_fact_states.html)

"The management team behind JMK breeds a great deal of confidence," remarked Gentolia. "Co-Founders James Bazluki, Matthew D. Adams and Kimberly Scott each bring a wealth of general business, legal and hospitality-industry experience, and we have every reason to believe that they will achieve their business objectives. We want to be a part of what they're doing."