Team

Phil Palazzo is recognized as a leading expert within the marketing and technology services sectors in creating and maximizing shareholder value on behalf of his clients. With 30-plus years as a banker, agency owner and operator, he combines unrivaled, hands-on agency management experience with strategic and technical banking skills. As a former agency owner who navigated several highly successful sales on behalf of his partners, Phil is able to provide a truly unique perspective to clients seeking M&A and financial counsel.

Prior to founding PALAZZO, Phil’s industry experience includes:

• Managing Partner of M&A Advisory firm
• CEO of MC², an event-marketing firm for corporate events, meetings, exhibits and environments
• President Worldwide of Ammirati Puris Lintas (Interpublic Group)
• CFO & Partner of Ammirati & Puris, a highly renowned communications agency

Phil is often quoted in the press and is a frequent speaker at industry conferences, where he is a recognized expert in developing practical strategies for creating and driving shareholder value, and in helping owners formulate succession and exit strategies.

Matt joined PALAZZO in 2019, bringing over 15 years of investment banking experience across the technology and consulting services, media, consumer, and healthcare sectors.

Prior to joining PALAZZO, Matt was a Managing Director at a global middle-market boutique where he focused primarily on M&A origination and execution within the digital transformation and strategy consulting sub-sectors. This experience, along with his knowledge gained while working at larger, diversified financial institutions such as Bear Stearns, CIT Group, and Duff & Phelps, have solidified Matt’s position as a highly skilled and trusted M&A advisor.

Matt is a graduate of The Wharton School at The University of Pennsylvania where he received his B.S. degree in Economics with Honors and a concentration in Finance. He also earned his M.B.A. degree with High Distinction from The University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business.

Eric Neihaus is a Managing Director and Partner at PALAZZO with 13 years of investment banking experience in the marketing and technology services sectors. While at PALAZZO he has led and worked on several high profile transactions in the marketing and technology services sectors.

Eric has transacted with global strategic acquirers including Accenture, Genpact, WPP, Dentsu, EY, S4 Capital, Tinuiti, and Hakuhodo. Additionally, he has transacted with private equity firms including Providence Equity, H.I.G. Capital, New Mountain Capital, Mountaingate Capital, Audax Private Equity, and TruArc Partners.

Eric is a graduate of the University of Florida, receiving his B.S. degree in Business Administration with High Distinction and an emphasis in Finance.

Chris joined PALAZZO in 2023, continuing a nearly 25-year career in TMT-focused investment banking, strategic and operational consulting, and principal investing with a specific concentration on enterprise software.

Prior to joining PALAZZO, Chris spent 15+ years as Managing Director at Madison Park Group, an enterprise software-focused middle-market boutique, where he focused primarily on M&A and capital formation assignments within the marketing technology, cybersecurity, and data & analytics sectors, completing nearly 50 engagements. Prior to joining MPG, Chris began his career at Bear Stearns and Lazard before running his own digital media start-up and then managed strategic planning, corporate development and post-merger integration for a PE-backed roll-up.

Chris earned an M.B.A. from Cornell University where he was a Park Fellow and a B.B.A. from the University of Michigan with Distinction. Chris is also a former CFA charterholder.

Lesya Kuzmyk is a Vice President at PALAZZO with 8+ years of investment banking experience in the technology, media, telecom, consulting services, consumer, and healthcare sectors. She has experience in advising clients on a variety of transactions, including sell-side, buy-side, and capital raises.

Prior to joining PALAZZO, Lesya worked for Duff & Phelps, Waller Capital Partners, JEGI, and Equiteq. Some of her notable transactions include the sale of Zemoga to S4 Capital, RevUnit to Mountaingate Capital, and Accordant to Dentsu Aegis Network.

Lesya is a graduate of Rutgers University, where she received a B.S. in Finance and a B.A. in Spanish Literature & Culture.

Jeff Marino is a Vice President at PALAZZO with 7+ years of investment banking experience in the technology, media, and marketing services sectors. He has experience in advising clients on a variety of transactions, including sell-side, buy-side, and capital raises.

He has prior investment banking experience at Drake Star Partners and FTI Consulting’s Capital Advisory Group. Jeff’s notable transactions include sales of Ampush to Tinuiti/New Mountain Capital, Five Mill to Barrington Media, and Omni-ID to Panasonic Corporation.

Jeff is a graduate of Fordham University, where he received his B.S. in Business Administration with a Concentration in Finance.