Present Position: Senior Managing Director, Prairie Capital Advisors, Inc., a recognized leader in providing financial advisory services to middle market companies. The firm designs and implements customized ownership succession strategies, including private sales, management buyouts, and ESOPs. Integral to the firm's practice are its valuation capabilities, which provide a basis for succession planning, ESOPs, estate and gift tax filings, fairness opinions and a variety of other reasons. Professional Experience: Prior to forming Prairie Capital Advisors, Inc. in 1996, Mr. Gross was a First Vice President with Merrill Lynch Business Advisory Services. Since 1989, he had occupied senior positions in both the Valuation and ESOP Advisory Groups. Mr. Gross has continuously focused on matters involving closely held companies, with a particular emphasis on the structuring and implementation of various ownership succession strategies. Mr. Gross played an important role in the strategic definition of both the valuation and ESOP Advisory practices of Merrill Lynch. Prior to joining Merrill Lynch in 1989, Mr. Gross spent ten years with American Appraisal Associates, Inc., an international valuation consulting firm. During his tenure, he held a variety of positions, culminating in the assignment as manager in charge of the Chicago-based professional staff. Mr. Gross is a frequent speaker on matters involving valuation, ESOPs, and succession planning. He has qualified as an expert witness in State Courts, Federal District Court, and other venues. He has also given deposition testimony on numerous occasions. Education: Mr. Gross holds a Masters degree in Business Administration and a Bachelors degree in Accounting from the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater. He has also taken several other post-graduate courses and has attended seminars on a wide variety of business subjects. Professional Affiliations: Mr. Gross is active in a variety of professional groups, most notably the ESOP Association, where he is a current member and past Chair of the Advisory Committee on Valuation and a member of the Interdisciplinary Advisory Committee on Fiduciary Affairs. A list of his affiliations includes: The ESOP Association, National Center for Employee Ownership, The American Society of Appraisers, and the Business Valuation Association