Grant Advantage

Samantha (Sam) Bonano is an accomplished executive with a track record of driving transformational growth. She most recently served as the President of Multisorb Technologies, a leader in active packaging solutions. Prior to Multisorb Technologies, she was President and Chief Executive Officer of Buffalo Filter, a leading surgical smoke evacuation and surgical safety devices company, from 2010 – 2019. Under her leadership, Buffalo Filter increased its investment in R&D and new product commercialization, resulting in an acceleration of top-line growth and the sale to Madison Industries / Filtration Group in 2013. Following the sale, Sam remained CEO of Buffalo Filter and assumed the role of President of the Medical Device division of the Filtration Group from 2013 – 2019. After leading the sale of Buffalo Filter to ConMed Corporation (NYSE: CNMD) in 2019, she subsequently served as a Strategic Advisor to the CEO until 2020.

Sam is an active Board Member for several pre- and post-commercialization medical device organizations. She is also an active venture capital and private equity investor through Moon Capital, which she founded in 2021. She has served as a strategy, leadership, and innovation consultant since 2019.

Sam is a graduate of the State University of New York at Buffalo and holds a Certificate of Management Excellence from Harvard Business School. She currently serves on the University at Buffalo Foundation.

Dr. Stephen DeCherney is the Co-Founder and Chairman of Helios Clinical Research, an existing Grant Avenue Capital portfolio company, which is an integrated clinical research site organization that partners with patients, physicians, and biopharma sponsors to optimize clinical research. Steve was President of the Global CRO at Quintiles Transnational Corporation, a leading international clinical research organization, where he managed nearly 10,000 employees and over $1 billion in revenue. Steve retired from Quintiles in 2008 to return to academia, where he is currently Professor of Medicine, and Professor (former) of Business in the Kenan-Flagler School of Business, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Steve is a Director of KNOW Bio LLC, Vast Therapeutics, and has been a Director of several health and pharma services companies. In addition, he serves as an Executive Advisor to A1A Investment Partners (formerly Anagenesis Capital Partners), a debt and equity investment firm, as well as e4-services, a healthcare services firm.

Steve is also an active Board Director and Trustee with such outstanding organizations as the RFK Center for Human Rights and Justice, the William Harvey Research Institute in London, and the Christiana Care Health System. He also served as Chair of the University of Delaware Research Foundation.

Steve has a BA in Biology and an MPH, Healthcare Policy and Management from Columbia University.  He earned his medical degree from Temple University and completed his internal medicine residency at the Graduate Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. He did his Endocrine training at Vanderbilt University. He spent 4 1/2 years at the National Institutes of Health and served as a Major in the USAF.

Andy Eckert is a proven leader across multiple sectors of healthcare, including Medical Devices, HCIT, and Services. Most recently, Andy was the CEO of Zelis, a healthcare and financial technology company. Prior to Zelis, Andy was the CEO of Acelity, a leading provider of innovative wound care solutions and products. Under Andy’s leadership, Acelity increased its investment in R&D and new product commercialization, resulting in an impressive acceleration of top-line growth and a sale to 3M Corporation (NYSE: MMM) in 2019. Prior to Acelity, Andy served as CEO of TriZetto, the leading enterprise software solution for commercial payors, where he sharpened the company’s strategic focus and guided TriZetto to a successful sale to Cognizant in 2014. In addition, Andy has recently served as CEO of Valence Health, an emerging leader in value-based healthcare, and Chairman and CEO of CRC Health Group, a leading behavioral health treatment provider. Earlier in his career, Andy was CEO of Eclipsys Corporation and CEO of SumTotal. He began his career at ADAC Laboratories, including four years as Chairman and CEO until its sale to Philips Medical Systems in 2000.

Andy and the Managing Partner of Grant Avenue Capital have partnered together on investments involving Acelity and TriZetto.

Andy has also served on several corporate boards and is currently a Director at Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE: BDX). He was previously the Chairman of Varian Medical Systems prior to its sale to Siemens Healthineers for $17 billion in 2021. He has a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering and a Master of Business Administration, both from Stanford University.

Howard Gold was a senior member of the leadership team at Northwell Health for nearly 30 years, and most recently was responsible for all business matters related to managed care and business development, including contractual relationships with third-party payors. Prior to joining the health system in 1995, he was vice president-vice provost for strategic planning, The New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center.

From 1991-1993, Howard was executive director of Governor Cuomo’s Health Care Advisory Board. Prior to that, he held several positions with the New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Development Disabilities, culminating in his serving as deputy commissioner, office of policy and planning.

Howard received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo and his master’s degree from the New School for Social Research.

A nurse by education, Vicky’s deep experience in health care—ranging from direct patient care to her long tenure as a chief executive—spans hospital administration, long-term care, and health care benefits and financing. She joined BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee in 1995 and served as CEO from January 2003 through the end of 2012. During this period, she was appointed by Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist to the National Institutes of Health Commission on Systemic Interoperability; served on the Board of America’s Health Insurance Plans, including two years as Chair; served on the Board of the BlueCross BlueShield Association; was Chair of the Board of the National Institute of Healthcare Management; and was appointed by Governor Bill Haslam to the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees. Previously, Vicky was with Humana Health Plans, most recently as CEO for Kentucky, Ohio, and Southern Indiana, as well as Director of Marketing for Retirement Centers of America. She began her career as a nurse technician at Erlanger Regional Medical Center and became a Staff Nurse in Emergency Medicine, as well as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Erlanger’s End Stage Renal Disease Program.

Vicky has served on several national boards including a term as the Chair of America’s Health Insurance Plans. In 2008, Vicky and the Managing Partner of Grant Avenue Capital partnered together on the ”take-private” and investment in TriZetto, the leading enterprise software solution for commercial payors. Vicky was an active board member, including as Board Chair at the time of the successful sale of TriZetto to Cognizant in 2014. Currently, Vicky serves on the boards of Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX), Acadia Healthcare (NASDAQ: ACHC), and Elara Caring.

Teresa Johnson (“TJ”) is an Operating Partner with Grant Advantage, an operational excellence team within Grant Avenue Capital that is focused on driving equity value within portfolio companies through the implementation of impactful initiatives in partnership with management.

TJ joins Grant Advantage with an impressive track record of value creation and execution. She currently serves on the Board of Fortis Home Health & Hospice, an existing Grant Avenue Capital portfolio company. Previously, she spent 17 years with Acelity, a leading wound care products manufacturer, in various executive roles, including interim CFO, SVP of Customer Success, Quality and Regulatory, and SVP Chief Human Resources Officer. Before joining Acelity, she spent 14 years as a financial consultant with Arthur Andersen and Price Waterhouse Coopers.

TJ has a Bachelor of Business Administration, Accounting from Stephen F. Austin.

Peter Madeja currently serves as CEO of Emperion, a leading provider of medical exams, peer reviews, and independent review organization services. Prior to Emperion, Peter was the President and CEO of Genex Services, a leading provider of nurse case management and other managed care services. Since joining Genex in 1982, Peter drove substantial growth through a disciplined approach to organic investment, new product development, technology deployment, and highly accretive M&A. In addition, Peter guided Genex under the ownership of multiple PE firms and strategic investors. Specifically, Peter and the Managing Partner of Grant Avenue Capital partnered together in 2014 on an investment in Genex, which was ultimately sold in 2018, resulting in a highly successful outcome. Prior to Genex, Peter began his career at the PMA Insurance Group, a leading underwriter of Worker’s Compensation and other commercial coverages.

Peter is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania where he earned both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Education degree and currently serves on the Board of Overseers at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education.

Aubrey Maze is an experienced physician entrepreneur and healthcare industry expert with a career spanning public and private business leadership, nonprofit and corporate board director roles, and hands-on patient care. Aubrey previously served as the President of the West Division in Envision Healthcare, a multibillion-dollar hospital-based physician group, and Executive Vice President of Sheridan-AmSurg prior to its sale to Envision Healthcare. Earlier in his career, Aubrey was a Founding member and acted as CEO of Valley Anesthesiology Consultants. Over his leadership tenure at Valley Anesthesiology Consultants, Aubrey helped grow the group to 260 physicians and led the sale to Sheridan-AmSurg in 2015. Aubrey also co-launched and served as the Chairman of the Board of Preferred Physicians Medical, a physician risk retention group with 3,500 members, which NORCAL Mutual acquired in 2016.

Aubrey is an active Board Member serving on the Ear Foundation board and participating as a member of Greater Phoenix Leadership, previously serving on the board of Phoenix Children’s Hospital. Aubrey is also active as an industry leader, having been a founding member of the Society of Pediatric Anesthesiology and receiving the 2017 Myron Yaster Lifetime Achievement Award.

Aubrey received his MBChB (MD equivalent) from the University of Cape Town in South Africa and completed his US Medical Residency at Stanford University, where he continued to serve on the faculty. Aubrey is board certified in Pediatrics & Anesthesiology, a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and a fellow of the American Society of Anesthesiologists.

Mike McMaude has been a serial entrepreneur and growth-oriented CEO in the healthcare services sector for nearly 30 years. Most recently, he was the Founder and CEO of Abode Healthcare, a leading national provider of hospice and home health services, which was acquired by BrightSpring Health Services (NASDAQ: BTSG) in 2022. Since its launch in 2012, Abode has grown significantly through disciplined investments in clinical staff, technology and compliance, combined with accretive M&A. Prior to Abode, Mike and the Managing Partner of Grant Avenue Capital partnered together on Voyager HospiceCare, where Mike was the CEO from 2007 until its successful sale to Harden Healthcare in 2010. Following the sale, Mike continued to serve as COO until 2012. During his tenure as CEO of Voyager, Mike dramatically expanded the breadth of service and geographic reach of the business through both organic and inorganic growth. Before Voyager, Mike founded AccuMed, a skilled-nursing homecare business which was sold to TLC Home Health.  

Earlier in his career, Mike was the President of the Home Health division of Amedisys and held various positions with Columbia HCA, where his responsibilities included overseeing home health and hospice operations in the Central and Western U.S.

Mike earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Hardin-Simmons University, where he is currently a member of the Board of Development.

Guy Sansone is currently the Chairman and CEO of H2 Health, a leading regional provider of physical rehabilitation services and clinician staffing solutions. Grant Avenue Capital and Guy acquired H2 Health from HCR ManorCare in 2020. Prior to H2 Health, Guy founded the dedicated healthcare industry group at Alvarez & Marsal, a leading operationally-oriented consulting firm. Including roles prior to Alvarez & Marsal, he brings more than 30 years of experience working as an advisor, investor, and senior manager in companies where he helped to refine long-term strategy, enhance operations, and implement organic and inorganic growth plans. His leadership roles have been with companies that span several sub-sectors across the healthcare landscape, but with a particular focus on healthcare services.

Specifically, from November 2014 through December 2016, Guy served as interim CEO of the Visiting Nurse Service of New York (VNSNY), the largest post-acute home-based services provider in New York State. Prior to VNSNY, he served in leadership roles with Health Management Associates, Inc., LifeCell Corporation, Erickson Retirement Communities, Saint Barnabas Health Care, Sunrise Senior Living, Saint Vincent Catholic Medical Centers in New York, HealthSouth Corporation (n/k/a Encompass Health Corporation), and Rotech Healthcare, Inc.

In addition, Guy has worked with the Managing Partner of Grant Avenue Capital on multiple projects since the early 2000’s.

Guy is a member of the board of directors of several publicly traded and privately held healthcare companies, including, CVS Health Corporation (NYSE: CVS), Pediatrix Medical Group, Inc. (formerly Mednax) (NYSE: MD), Longevity Health Plans, Ovation Healthcare (a current Grant Avenue Capital portfolio company), and ChenMed. He previously served on the board of directors at Magellan Health, Inc. (a leading behavioral health and PBM business); Brookdale Senior Living, Inc. (NYSE: BKD) (a national senior living and retirement community company); HealthPRO Heritage (a national provider of therapy management and consulting services); Pager, Inc. (a mobile healthcare technology company); and Civitas Solutions, Inc. prior to its acquisition by a private equity firm in March 2019.

Guy has a Bachelor of Science from the State University of New York, Albany.

Ann Sardini’s 20+ years of experience in senior financial management positions for health and wellness businesses, as well as branded consumer products and media companies, brings an extensive multi-faceted perspective to the consumer-oriented healthcare sector. From 2002 until her retirement in 2012, Ann served as the CFO of Weight Watchers International, Inc. (NASDAQ: WW), a leading weight-loss and wellness company. Prior to Weight Watchers, she served as the CFO of VitaminShoppe.com (was listed as NASDAQ: VSHP) from 1999 to 2001, and as executive vice president and CFO for the Children's Television Workshop from 1995 to 1999. In addition, Ann held finance positions ranging from controller to CFO at QVC, Inc., Chris Craft Industries, and the National Broadcasting Company.

In 2015, Ann and the Managing Partner of Grant Avenue Capital partnered together on an investment in Ideal Protein, a clinically-driven health and wellness business, where she is currently the Board Chair. In addition, Ann serves as a Director and Committee Chair on the board of TreeHouse Foods, Inc. (NYSE: THS), where she was lead independent director, and was previously a Director and Committee Chair at Pier 1 Imports. She was named on the WomenInc list of 2018 Most Influential Corporate Board Directors. Through her consulting practice, she serves on Advisory Boards of early- and mid-stage technology-based consumer goods and services companies, including in the pet health space, life-stage planning, and sustainable direct-to-consumer segments. Previously she advised LearnVest to a successful exit and was a Board member of Promise Project Fund for the City of New York.

Ann has a BA from Boston College and an MBA from Simmons College Graduate School of Management.

Teresa is a tenured executive with a combination of public company and private equity ownership experience. She has led complex, multi‐site, multi‐state, large public and private organizations operating in highly regulated industries.

Most recently, she served as CFO and EVP at Envision Healthcare, a privately held company with over $8 billion in revenue. Teresa focused on leading transformational change, including modernization of the company’s infrastructure. During a period of leadership transition, she served in an interim role in the Office of the CEO and as Co‐President of the company’s ambulatory surgery center segment (AMSURG) representing over $2 billion in revenue. She established an enterprise‐wide business intelligence and analytics team partnering to deliver useful information to drive critical business decisions.

Earlier in her career, Teresa served in an interim role at Brookdale Senior Living, Inc. (NYSE: BKD), the nation’s largest senior living and retirement community company with revenue exceeding $5 billion. She also served as CFO and EVP at Surgery Partners, leading the company through an IPO in 2015. Prior to the acquisition of Symbion by Surgery Partners, Teresa served as CFO and SVP of Symbion and helped lead the company through an IPO in 2004 as well as a leveraged buy-out in 2007.  

Teresa currently serves on several corporate boards, including Ovation Healthcare (current Grant Avenue Capital portfolio company), Harrow, Inc. (NASDAQ: HROW), ATI Physical Therapy, InnovAge Holding Corporation (NASDAQ: INNV), and other PE‐backed corporate boards across multiple sectors, including life sciences, specialty pharmacy, healthcare services, and software solutions. Teresa was also appointed to the Securities and Exchange Commissions’ Roundtable on Implementation of Internal Control Reporting Provisions in 2005.

She has a Bachelor’s degree from Trevecca Nazarene University, graduating with Summa Cum Laude honors and completed the requirements to be a Certified Public Accountant (currently inactive) in the State of Tennessee.