Team
ALS global TEAM
Our senior leadership team, boasting 150 years of combined experience in successful mergers and acquisitions, Business and commercial Brokerage advisory services. We are dedicated to fostering a culture of teamwork and effective leadership. By working collaboratively, we are strategically positioned to effectively manage our clients needs globally, unlocking their full potential and driving competitive advantage. We recognize the importance of leveraging each team member’s unique strengths and expertise to deliver successful outcomes, and we prioritize effective communication and collaboration at all levels of the organization.
Leadership Team
Faris Syed
CO FOUNDER
Faris Syed
Co Founder
With over 35 years of experience and focus on mergers and acquisitions and strategic consulting, my leadership at Strategic Automotive Resources and Global Mergers and Acquisitions has cemented my reputation for excellence in steering businesses to profitable horizons. Our approach leverages deep industry relationships and a commitment to client success, ensuring tailored solutions for every business’s unique challenges. Our team’s dedication to facilitating business growth with industry leading expertise reflects our confidence in delivering results. The ethos of our work is founded on integrity and long-term partnerships, shaping a trajectory where client satisfaction is paramount. Our expertise in navigating the complex terrain of automotive, aviation, Motorsports, AI and tech, luxury Marine and Global real estate projects, has been instrumental in fostering expansion, especially in collaborations with Private Equity firms to secure global capital. This strategic finesse, coupled with a hands-on approach to team building and key account retention, has consistently maximized profitability and fortified our standing in M&A.
Buddy Johnston
CO FOUNDER
Buddy Johnston
Co Founder
Revenue-driven Business Owner with entrepreneur mindset and industry expertise in applying a multi-faceted approach to managing relationships for high net worth client engagement across private equity investment.
Highly experienced in prospecting, developing leads, and creating key growth strategies. Adept at employing creativity and innovation to overcome challenges in investment management. Proficient in assessing transactional needs and expectations, building lasting relationships for
income producing properties, private equity, and businesses. Leveraging business savvy to determine client expectations to foster Partnerships and drive investment strategies. Excellent at providing professional services with honesty and integrity, while consistently exceeding goals and expectations. Have demonstrated a track record of outstanding service; a calm, dependable professional who devotes every effort to achieve the best results, and performing well above all industry standards
Khalid Muneer
Managing Director
Khalid Muneer
Managing Director Global Real estate / M&A
Khalid grew up in the multicultural City of London, England, where he went to work after college for a London based International Investment bank with multiple postings overseas on various assignments in Egypt, Dubai, France, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, Seychelles, Italy and many other places, where he managed the International corporate assignments for the Bank. With 17 years of International banking Career, he moved to Florida in 1991 to raise his family. Khalid has developed a passion for servicing the customer and the importance of developing relationships. That would later come in handy when he launched Jupiter Properties. Khalid founder and owner of Jupiter Properties has successfully built a few real estate brokerage firms from one employee to 27 with an emphasis on service and an international staff capable of servicing a culturally diverse customer base. Having lived in nine different countries, Muneer, has owned and operated different businesses, and acquired the skill set needed to excel in today’s rapidly changing and ultra-competitive real estate industry. Today, Khalid owns multiple Residential, and commercial real estate companies, specializing in all aspects of the diverse real estate landscape, across Florida. He is very active and a well respected business leader in the Central Florida markets. He leads many influential business and civic boards, involved with numerous non-profits, multi-cultural chambers of commerce, politically well connected, and a leader in the business community.
Ken Rosenfield
Managing Director
Ken Rosenfield
Managing Director Investment Banking / M&A
Ken began his career at a large national CPA firm in Denver, Colorado in 1980. After volunteering to work on the office’s lone Automobile Dealership client, a love for the industry was born. Since then, Ken has worked with over 500 dealerships across the nation including some of the largest automotive retail groups in the Country. Ken is a former owner of a four-dealership group and an extended warranty company. He has also served on the Board of Directors of several Automotive Retail Organizations. His firm’s automotive practice is one of the largest in the nation and is international in scope. Since relocating to Florida and founding Rosenfield & Co, PLLC in 1996, he has grown the firm to specialize in several industries. Ken expanded from sole proprietorship to one of the largest CPA
firms in Central Florida, growing even more in recent years to open offices in New York City, New Jersey, Irvine California and now, Dallas, Texas. The growth has been centered on Ken’s mantra – “we don’t want to be the biggest, we want to be the best!” Ken leads his firm in serving their clientele with a full array of services including Attestation, Tax
Planning and Compliance, Operational Reviews and Profitability Analysis, Business Valuations, Litigation Support Services, Succession and Estate Planning and Merger/Acquisition Services. He is
a renowned and award-winning speaker in such topics as Automotive Retail Accounting, Finance and Accounting topics, Tax matters and careers in Public Accounting. He is a discussion leader for many State CPA Societies and has frequently presented to industry associations. Ken is also an author, with numerous articles published nationwide, statewide and in industry specific publications.
Dr Diao
Government Relations M&A
Dr Diao
Government Relations M&A
Dr. Clyde Diao is an economist with 34 years of experience. His expertise includes forecasting and analyzing tax issues; managing, developing and conducting economic research projects pertaining to development and environmental issues; econometric and regional economic analysis; developing large econometric models for the state of Florida. He has served under three consecutive Florida Governors as a chief economist for the State of Florida. His extensive experience in Florida’s economic development. Dr. Diao served as the Deputy Policy Coordinator with the Florida Executive Office of the Governor, where his main responsibility included analyzing the US Economy, forecasting Florida’s economy and demographics as the bases for Florida’s state revenues. He developed the State of Florida’s econometric models that are used to forecast and analyze Florida’s employment, income, housing, construction, tourism, and transportation. In 2010, Dr. Diao was appointed by Gov. Charlie Crist to be the Census Liaison for the state. He is also the former Chief Economist at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. He is the founder of the Asian Coalition of Tallahassee and served as Chairman for 10 years. He was also the leader of the Big Bend Filipino American Association for 10 years, the BBFAA’s longest serving president. Dr. Diao is from Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines. He graduated from Xavier University/Ateneo de Cagayan a Jesuit institution with honors and received his MS and PhD in Economics at Florida State University as a World Bank scholar.
Stephany Duval
Real estate / Commercial
Stephany Duval
Luxury Real estate / Commercial
Stephany Duvall brings more than 20 years of high-level sales, training, and leadership
experience to this strategic expansion. Her expertise spans real estate investing,
renovations, construction, and consulting, built on a distinguished corporate career as
Vice President of Corporate Accounts for a multi-billion-dollar medical company. Over
the course of her professional journey, she has achieved more than $350 million in total
sales. A prominent figure in the Florida Keys real estate community, Duvall has held key
leadership roles—including Treasurer, Director, and RPAC/Government Affairs
Chair—and has been widely recognized for excellence. Her accolades include 2024
Realtor of the Year for the Florida Keys MLKAR, 2022 Rookie Realtor of the Year, and a 2023 Best Realtor nomination in Marathon, FL. Originally from South Georgia, Duvall holds a Bachelor’s degree from Georgia Southern University and a Master’s degree from Georgia State University. Following the acquisition and repositioning of Engel & Völkers Islamorada in 2023 and the successful launch of Engel & Völkers Marathon, Duvall accelerated her planned
timeline for a Key West presence through this merger. Her move into the Key West market marks the next milestone in the impressive growth she has driven with Engel & Völkers Florida. She remains focused on strategic talent recruitment and strengthening
advisor teams to support sustained growth across all three locations.
Scottie Sigmon
Managing Director
Scottie Sigmon
Managing Director Media / CMO
Capt. MO Khawaja
Managing Director
Capt. MO Khawaja
Managing Director
The mission of Global Aviation Services (GAS) is to provide the aviation community with expert Aviation Consulting, state-of-the-art Flight Simulation Equipment, professional Pilot Training Services, and Business-commercial Jet Brokerage services. We are a proven, reliable aerospace company, with well-established industry partnerships. We offer our clients affordable and superior aviation consulting services, high-fidelity flight simulation products, and professional pilot training services, utilizing cutting-edge technologies, researchers, engineers, and facilities, managed by a team of highly competent and experienced personnel. We have a global marketing presence, servicing the entire aviation community. GLOBAL plays a pivotal role in making the aviation environment a much safer and efficient place. GLOBAL Aviation is spearheaded by Capt. Mo Khwaja, an accomplished airline captain, and graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, who is the CEO and Global operations director. He brings more than 35 years of solid aviation experience to the company. Faris Syed heads the strategic growth and vision of the company as the President of Global Mergers and Acquisitions, and Global Aviation. He is also the founder, President & CEO of Simflightronics International, offering aviation consulting, simulator manufacturing, and aviation training services. He has extensive hands-on experience in the areas of Aviation Management, Business Development, Consulting, Simulation and Training, Flight Operations, Regulatory Compliance, Aviation Safety, and related services. He is also a seasoned airline pilot, instructor, simulation, and training expert, with over 35 years of professional aviation experience. He has an MBA in Aviation, and a BS in Aviation Management, from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He holds an FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate, and Advanced Flight and Ground Instructor Certificates.
Jared Parker
Advisory BOARD MEMBER
Jared Parker
Advisory BOARD MEMBER global consultancy TEAM Tampa - Fl
Jared Parker comes from an economics career within the State of Florida’s Government. He maintains a wide range of experience in state policy, ranging from economic development to tax policy impacts.
Prior to founding the Regional Economic Consulting Group, Jared Parker worked in the Florida Legislative Office of Economic and Demographic Research (EDR), and prior to that the Tax Research Unit of the Florida Department of Revenue. He was responsible for projecting revenues and determining fiscal impacts of pending bills to the Legislatures’ Revenue Estimating Panel. His tax experience includes Sales exemptions, Corporate Income, Insurance Premium, Communication Services, Documentary Stamp and Intangibles, and Electric and Gas Utilities.
Jared Parker is well versed in economic and policy analysis, whether it includes tax law, general economic development, or the cost of regulation. He received his M.S. in Applied Economics from Florida State, and has a broad range of experience on a variety of topics within the realm of state government. With many years of hands on experience in projecting the state’s economy for the Legislature, he has been for the past decade a part of the revenue estimating process that both the Governor and the Legislature depend on to create their budgets. He brings to the REC Group invaluable experience in producing in depth outlooks and impacts and can deliver results in a clear and concise manner.
Omar Sayed
advisory BOARD MEMBER
Omar Sayed
Advisory Board Member
Omar is the founder of Sperse, a software platform for business management, designed to connect, streamline, and automate critical business functions. Omar’s entrepreneurial career in software and marketing has spanned over two decades. His previous company, Succeed.com created SiteBuilder, one of the first website creation platforms that powered hundreds of thousands of online stores and was ranked as the #1 fastest growing software company on Inc 5000 twice.
Omar has held multiple patents for web-publishing, affiliate networks, dropship distribution system and cashflow planning. Credited as being an eCommerce pioneer, Omar was also the recipient of the coveted Arizona Governor’s “Innovator of the Year” award.
Sperse was founded in 2016 out of the frustrations Omar noticed with most businesses struggling with manual processes, lacking the visibility and insights into their customer and financial data. This is a big shortcoming of even the best business and accounting software on the market today.
His solution was to build a unified platform that centralizes business management to “Know your Cash, know your Customer and Know your Data”. The development of such a system is very complex and cost-prohibitive for any single business, yet essential to the success of every business.
As a thought leader in software technologies, Omar is involved with helping companies through advisory roles, partnerships and acquisitions. For the last 12 years, Omar has been a part of Arizona Department of Education’s Quality Commission. He is passionate about knowledge as the source of all universal truths and to create common understanding in humanity
Scott Naugle
Managing Director- M&A
Scott Naugle
Venture CapitManaging Director- M&Aal GLOBAL M&A Tallahassee - FL
As Co-Founder of Driveline Automotive Advisors, I provide
outsourced and consultative solutions to the automotive
retail industry at a fraction of the cost of a full-time CFO.
With over 20 years of experience first as a small business
owner, and later as a Senior Financial Executive for two of
the largest dealership groups in the United States, I
specialize in bringing big-company solutions to family- and
PE-owned dealership groups I am a Certified Public
Accountant with an MBA, .and there is nothing I love more
than helping dealers solve complex financial problems.
As a fractional CFO service, Driveline serves our clients in
all accounting and finance matters including financial
reporting, risk management and compliance, health
insurance, cost reduction initiatives, debt refinancings and
sourcing, and general and strategic advisement. We also
advise owners and key personnel in reinsurance and related
F&I structuring and negotiations with insurance and
warranty providers.
At SAR we are a turnkey provider of services including
buy/sells, business valuation, negotiation, pricing and
structuring of transactions, arranging financing, franchise
application and approval, as well as procedure and
implementation.
Alice Mclaughlin
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER
Alice Mclaughlin
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER
Alice McLaughlin is a multi-talented business professional, already achieving success as a national brand manager, international art collector, television journalist, video program producer, and Hispanic media cable media entrepreneur.
Serial entrepreneur, which involved the collection, curation, acquisition, and sale of premium artwork at locations around the world. Rep/promoted artists, creative talent and lux brands through personalized showings, exhibitions, events / trade shows for corporate buyers, investors and private collector.
Created and produced a new art-oriented Hispanic television program in 2013 that appeared on the Brighthouse Informás channel in Orlando and Tampa. MundoFOX Central Florida, a new Hispanic affiliate in Orlando, announced its initial programming on October 9, 2014. Alice McLaughlin was the co-MC of the presentation event, which included the addition of eight new future episodes of Frames & Fortune.
Sustained contracts with Discovery Networks, Trendy Channel and currently with WSQF, 94.5F< - Key Biscayne Community Radio and Mevia Studios in Boca Raton.
At Tupperware International, Alice was a Product Manager/market analyst, responsible for developing marketing strategies for multiple brands across Latin America & Asia Pacific. Previously, she had extensive experience as an Advertising Planner for Leo Burnett Advertising in Venezuela, staff journalists for Producto Magazines, and a Project Manager Manager for Orinoco International Consulting, on celebrity clothing labels, such as Kathy Ireland, Claire LaVin, Shirley Kephart, Sharon Pollard, and Jaclyn Smith.
Louis Herron
Managing Director
Louie Herron
MANAGING DIRECTOR DEALERSHIP TRAINING TEAM MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS
Born and raised in Florida, Louie Herron’s journey began with the promise of a career in college football, first at Liberty University in Virginia, followed by West Georgia College. However, at the age of twenty, Louie discovered a latent talent for automobile sales, prompting him to pivot from his aspirations in football.
In a testament to his tenacity, by the age of 32, he became a co-owner of Taylor Toyota in North Augusta, South Carolina. 2009 saw him become the proud owner of Louie Herron Toyota & Scion in Milledgeville, Georgia, only to sell it five years later at a significant profit. His entrepreneurial spirit continued to thrive, leading him to acquire and subsequently sell Louie Herron CDJR in Madison, Georgia. Today, Louie stands at the helm of Herron Automotive Group in his native Florida.
Apart from his successes in the automotive industry, Louie is a published author of “Driven by Fire” – a deep dive into the tenets of unwavering faith, unmatched intensity, personal reinvention, and boundless enthusiasm. Beyond his business endeavors, Louie is celebrated for his ceaseless optimism, motivational prowess, and deep-rooted faith. Embodying the spirit of a glass perpetually brimming, Louie’s philanthropic footprint is evident in “The Love Bucket” his charity that channels a portion of dealership profits back to the community.
Louis will be helping SAR clients with any dealership operability, consulting, and training needs they may have to boost profitability. He will also be helping conduct M&A needs of our clients.
Kirk Otis
managing director
KIRK OTIS
PRIVATE EQUITY CAPITAL MARKETS MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS
Kirk’s 35-year career has focused on M&A and capital transactions. He has led over 50 transactions totaling $13.5B in total deal value. A MBA and CPA, Kirk is skilled in securing investors and funding, taking responsibility for the full transaction cycle from planning, marketing, term sheet preparation, diligence, agreement negotiation, and closings.
Kirk has been the CEO of 3 Venture Capital/Private Equity backed firms, CFO of 3 firms. As a Corporate Development professional at The LTV Corporation, DSC Communications, and Nortel Networks, he led and provided governance on 25 equity investments in technology start-ups. Kirk has completed Acquisitions, Divestitures, Debt and Equity Raises, IPOs, Corporate Real Estate transactions, large Sale-Leasebacks, and Debt Offerings. Kirk has been involved in various fields including automotive, steel, healthcare, semiconductor, telecom and cloud infrastructures.
Shivon Patel
Advisory BOARD MEMBER
Shivon Patel
Legal advisor
Attorney Patel holds a Juris Doctor degree from Florida Coastal School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Florida. She is a member of the American Bar Association, Florida Bar, Seminole County Bar Association, Volie A. Williams Inn of the Court and other legal organizations. Through her work as an attorney, she has received recognition of her continued advocacy for her clients.
Attorney Patel also holds a Florida Real Estate License giving her a unique understanding of the entire scope of clients’ real estate transactions. She has worked on many cases ranging from closings on single family homes to multimillion dollar commercial real estate projects. In addition to real estate law, Attorney Patel also focuses her practice areas in estate planning, business law and probate.
Brian Marshall
Managing Director- M&A
Brian Marshall
Managing Director- M&A
As Co-Founder of Driveline Automotive Advisors, I provide
outsourced and consultative solutions to the automotive
retail industry at a fraction of the cost of a full-time CFO.
With over 20 years of experience first as a small business
owner, and later as a Senior Financial Executive for two of
the largest dealership groups in the United States, I
specialize in bringing big-company solutions to family- and
PE-owned dealership groups I am a Certified Public
Accountant with an MBA, .and there is nothing I love more
than helping dealers solve complex financial problems.
As a fractional CFO service, Driveline serves our clients in
all accounting and finance matters including financial
reporting, risk management and compliance, health
insurance, cost reduction initiatives, debt refinancings and
sourcing, and general and strategic advisement. We also
advise owners and key personnel in reinsurance and related
F&I structuring and negotiations with insurance and
warranty providers.
At SAR we are a turnkey provider of services including
buy/sells, business valuation, negotiation, pricing and
structuring of transactions, arranging financing, franchise
application and approval, as well as procedure and
implementation.