Board of Directors

Sunbelt’s managing members have diverse backgrounds and extensive experience managing other successful ventures.

Joseph DaGrosa, Jr., Co-Chairman
20+ years in private equity and financial services, starting career at Paine Webber and transitioning to Beaconsfield Capital as a partner and later to Maplewood Partners as co-founder. Founded Core Value Partners LLC and co-led successful investments in Burger King franchises, pre-paid calling cards, themed museum development, mortgage process outsourcing and Sunbelt. BS, Syracuse University.

John J. Sicilian, Co-Chairman
20+ years of legal/financial experience. Former Chairman and President of reorganized Eastern Airlines after initially serving as Executive Vice President and General Counsel. Previously an attorney with Verner, Liipfert (now merged with DLA Piper Rudnick) in Washington, D.C. and Ford & Harrison in Atlanta. JD, Washington & Lee; BA, College of The Holy Cross.

James Driscoll, Director
20+ years as an operator of international businesses. Worked as equity trader in New York for Sanford Bernstein and First Manhattan, then moved to senior executive posts in power generation with J. Makowski and InterGen, co-founded with PG&E and Bechtel. Later Executive Vice President for international operations for Carey International. MBA, Harvard Business School; BA, Bowdoin College.

Steven R. Goldberg, Director
30+ years of finance/operating experience. Former CEO of SDE; previously, senior officer at Republic Services, Inc. and Ryder System, Inc., and partner at Maplewood Partners.  Currently, President of Goldhammer Advisory LLC; Board Member, Chairman of the Audit Committee of SMF Energy, Inc. and Instructor, University of Miami School of Business. MBA, NYU; BA, Columbia University.

David Neithardt, Director
15+ years in private equity and oversight of financial functions of various businesses. Began career in investment banking with Smith Barney before working with Global Environment Fund and Maplewood Partners. Joined Core Value Partners in 2003. Acting CFO and Head of M&A for Burger King investment during two year stint. MBA, Amos Tuck School, Dartmouth; BS, Stanford University.

James R. Tolzien, Chief Executive Officer & Director

Peter R. Patraka, EVP, Business Development & Director