Team

Matt was a licensed broker out of college for two years and then founded Hayden Communications in 1996, an investor relations firm exclusively focused on servicing small-cap companies. He has experience in all facets of the business and has represented over 200 public companies, which have collectively raised over $10 billion in the equity markets.

Matt works extensively on comprehensive IR strategy, key messaging and corporate communications, and has scheduled thousands of investor meetings for clients through roadshows, conference calls and conference participation. The firm he and Ted Haberfield built is supported by a group of dedicated professionals with extensive public market experience who take a team approach to deliver timely exposure and unparalleled customer service. A merger in 2011 created the North America services division of MZ Group, the largest independent investor relations firm in the world. Today, this division represents approximately 35 public and private companies. Matt is an active investor through his family office “Sea Purity Investments” which employs a multi-strategy approach. He invests in numerous public and private companies each year with an emphasis on management teams with integrity, subject matter expertise, skin in the game and the ability to execute consistently against a timeline, He tends to take a longer term perspective and 30% of the portfolio includes socially responsive opportunities. This level of engagement has fostered a deep contact base of respected equity players.

In addition, given Matt’s experience and relationships in the financial sector he tends to be strategic, or value-added for many of the portfolio positions. He is a graduate of the University of South Carolina where he earned “a summa cum laude designation” and learned southern hospitality, but never forgets his childhood roots in Annapolis, MD. Matt views every day as an opportunity to learn something new and constantly improve his investment acumen. Matt is married to Julie with a daughter Gianna and son Christian. They enjoy traveling, the beach, surfing, snowboarding and just about anything outdoors. The family contributes to multiple non-profit and charitable organizations each year.

Ted Haberfield provides strategic management consulting to public companies through integrated investor relations by combining finance, marketing, and compliance. Prior to joining MZ in 2007, Ted spent over thirteen years as a financial advisor serving the investment needs of high-net-worth individuals and institutional investors, including non-profit organizations and sovereign governments. He served as Second Vice President of Wealth Management at Smith Barney and as Second Vice President of Investments at Morgan Stanley Dean Witter. Ted has been a speaker on financial related topics at the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), First Nation’s Development Institute, Guatemala Prospera and other national level associations. He graduated from California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo in 1993 with a B.A. in Business and major in Financial Management. He currently resides in San Diego with his wife Danielle and his four children Layla, London, Van, Curren.

Greg Falesnik plays an integral role in MZ’s strategic consulting process and helps oversee many of the firm’s verticals, including investor relations consulting and outreach, ESG advisory and software, SPAC advisory and technology solutions. Over the last decade, Greg has worked with dozens of executive management teams to build comprehensive and effective IR campaigns with both public and private companies, while also leading the consulting process for several successful IPOs. His diverse investor relations experience spans across several industries, including disruptive technology, clean tech, financial tech, business services and consumer related companies, among others. Prior to joining MZ, he served in a senior role with Gateway, a small-cap focused investor relations firm based in Newport Beach, CA. Greg holds a B.B.A. degree in Finance and a Certificate in Investment Management (IMCP) from the Lubar School of Business at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Greg is an avid outdoorsman and resides in Minneapolis with his wife, Lauren, and son, Indy.

Christopher Tyson’s experience in the small and micro-cap space spans over 20 years providing public company management teams with: Capital Markets Consulting, IPO Advisory, Corporate Messaging – IP/PR/Social Media, Institutional & Retail Outreach, Capital Formation & Introductions, M&A Strategy, Specialized Financial & Investment Analysis, C-Suite & Board Recruitment, and Corporate Governance Initiatives – Environmental, Social and Governance – ESG. Prior to joining MZ, Chris spent five years specializing in financial and investment analysis, corporate messaging and institutional outreach for Gateway Investor Relations. He was also responsible for developing relationships with both public and private companies within multiple sectors including technology, consumer and business services, among others. Before joining Gateway Investor Relations in 2010, Chris served as senior vice president, head of corporate access and institutional equity sales for Miller Tabak’s west coast region. Previously, Chris was an institutional sales trader at Merriman Capital and ROTH Capital Partners. Chris received a Bachelor of Science from The Smeal College of Business Administration at Penn State University. Chris currently resides in Laguna Beach with his wife and two boys.

Larry W. Holub oversees the firm’s MZ Assist and Market Intelligence practices, and has 20 years of experience working with emerging companies across all market caps and industries; including capital markets intelligence, investor targeting and crisis management. Prior to joining MZ, Larry was a Senior Analyst with Thomson Financial after having started his career as a member of the equity research departments at LaSalle Street Capital Markets and LCM Capital Management. Larry received his B.S. degree in Finance with an emphasis in Accounting from Northern Illinois University. Larry serves his local community as President of his homeowners’ association Board of Directors, is an avid sports fan and resides in the Chicago area with his wife, Lynne.

Ms. Plaia has 20 years of experience in investor relations and communications, investment banking and equity research sales, SEC and FINRA regulatory reporting. IR Magazine Award nominee for Innovation, Alina combines her CPA background and IR Charter from NIRI to bring an invaluable multi-faceted approach in preparing companies for growth and productive interactions in capital markets. Alina honed her expertise on Wall Street as a Director of Emerging Markets Research Sales in the Investment Banking division of UniCredit Securities in New York City. During her tenure within European Equity Sales team, she liaised with major U.S. asset managers assisting them with research ideas and advice on navigating through capital markets in Central & Eastern Europe. Prior to UniCredit Ms. Plaia was part of a regulatory reporting and asset and liability management teams at Societe Generale, SG Cowen, and Credit Suisse. She holds MBA in Finance from New York University. Ms. Plaia is a member of OSEA Angels Community and an active participant of Titan Angles fund. Ms. Plaia is also a CEO and a Co-Founder of Wide Bridge, Inc., a boutique advisory firm that serves high growth technology companies worldwide since 2008. She lives with her family in Newport Coast, California. Her philanthropy efforts focus on serving on the Board of Laguna Beach Boys and Girls Club and on several advisory committees in charge of strategy and special projects.

Brian brings over 20 years of experience in financial analysis, investor relations, financial modeling and corporate communications. Brian spent 5 years in sell side equity research covering REITs, consumer products and healthcare. For the past 15 years, Brian has been primarily involved in investor relations, specializing in IPOs, shareholder turnover, management consulting and cultivating Wall Street relationships. Brian received his B.S. Finance from Miami University (OH) and is a CFA charterholder.

Douglas Hobbs has been a market intelligence specialist since 2008, after leaving the Chicago Board of Options Exchange where he made markets for Ken Griffin’s Citadel. His study of market dynamics and investment drivers brings great depth and insight to MZ’s clients. Doug oversees the SPAC Advisory business, and assists with market intelligence. Douglas received his B.S. degree in Finance and Economics, from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and remains an active athlete playing beach volleyball and football.

Mike Cole brings over twenty years of financial markets experience to MZ Group. After starting on the NASDAQ trading desk for a division of what became PENSON Financial Services in the early 90’s, Mike eventually gravitated toward the Investment Banking and Strategic Advisory side of the business assisting early stage companies with all facets of public market existence, and often securing very early stage capital. In the late 90’s, Mike went to work for International Fibercom, a 100MM market cap company traded on NASDAQ, as the Internal Director of Investor Relations. During his tenure, he assisted the company in significantly increasing institutional ownership and obtaining their first significant analyst coverage. After, he spent several years at Source Capital Group, a boutique Investment Bank in Scottsdale, AZ, where he acted as the lead banker on dozens of micro-cap financings, block trades and advisory agreements. Over the recent past, he has worked in both an Investor Relations and Banking capacity for a number of emerging public companies. Mike holds a BA in Finance from Arizona State University and in his free time enjoys coaching a number of youth sports within his local community.

For more than 20 years Mark Schwalenberg has been a trusted strategic advisor to the investor relations and capital market’s community. He brings a well-rounded background having successfully served companies around the globe across a wide variety of sectors and throughout the market cap spectrum. Prior to joining MZ, Mark was a Senior Analyst and Director at Thomson Financial where he managed a team that provided capital markets advisory services to investor relations clients. His career began as an Associate at Lehman Brothers working on the Chicago Board Options Exchange. Mark received his B.S. in Finance from Bradley University in 1997. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation. He resides in Chicago and enjoys reading, sports and spending time with family and friends.

Luke Zimmerman provides support to the Managing Directors in all aspects of MZ’s consulting process. Luke is involved in several aspects of the investor relations function, ranging from shareholder communications and professional investment community outreach to the organization of non-deal roadshows. Previously, Luke has worked as an intern at UBS, the Indiana Public Retirement System and Atlas Consulting. Luke graduated with a BS in Finance from the Lacy School of Business at Butler University in Indianapolis. In his free time, he enjoys playing Lacrosse.

Brooks Hamilton is involved in all aspects of MZ’s strategic consulting process, including investor relations consulting and outreach, SPAC advisory, and ESG advisory and technology solutions. Prior to joining MZ, Brooks was a senior analyst at Alpha IR Group, an investor relations consultancy based in Chicago, IL, where he was responsible for the development of holistic investor relations programs for companies across a variety of industries. Previously, Brooks was an analyst at Brownson, Rehmus & Foxworth, where he was responsible for constructing financial portfolios for high net worth families and individuals. Brooks holds a B.S. in Finance from the Farmer School of Business at Miami University and is a Level II candidate in the CFA program. Brooks currently resides in Los Angeles and enjoys exploring the outdoors in his free time.

Ian Scargill provides support to the Vice Presidents and Managing Directors in all aspects of MZ’s consulting process. Ian is involved in several aspects of the investor relations function, ranging from shareholder communications and professional investment community outreach to the organization of conferences and non-deal roadshows. Previously, Ian has worked as an intern at Kohls and Robert W. Baird. Ian holds a B.B.A. degree in Finance and a Certificate in Investment Management (IMCP) from the Lubar School of Business at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. In his free time, he enjoys skiing and is an avid soccer fan.

Nicole Cesa is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Finance from Georgetown University and assists MZ in several areas, including spearheading the firm’s social media practice and assisting in the daily management of client deliverables. Prior to joining MZ, Nicole held various sales and recruiting roles in a variety of industries. She also holds a Management Information Systems degree from West Virginia University.

Debra Juhl joined MZ in 2010 to support the team in all aspects of company operations and administration. With over 20 years of experience in bank broker dealer and investment advisory services, as well as time with multiple start-ups, Debra brings a sophisticated understanding of finance and strong set of infrastructure coordination and management skills to MZ. At the forefront of changing regulations allowing banks to participate in securities activities, Debra has extensive experience managing organizations in high growth environments as wells as rapid expansion brought on by mergers and acquisitions. Debra has held the role of President and Chief Operating Officer of broker dealer subsidiaries for several regional bank holding companies and third party marketing firms. She also has held Securities Licenses 7, 24, 27, and 53.

Pam Smith, CFO, has a degree in accounting and brings with her over 15 years of professional accounting experience. Prior to joining MZ, Pam spent several years working as an Accountant for the Palomar College Foundation in San Marcos, California, where in addition to her accounting duties, she also assisted with fund raising operations, event coordination, and management of Scholarship Awards. Later she went on to become an entrepreneur with her own financial and tax service business where she managed the financial operations of several small to midsize companies.