Dave Heilman is an experienced Finance and Operating executive with over 20 years of experience in the C- Suite as a CFO, CAO, COO and President in a wide variety of industries. He has experience in multi-unit retail, franchising, FDA regulated manufacturing, internet based direct to consumer dietary supplement retail, robotic industrial automation, laboratory services, turnaround consulting and bankruptcy. Career highlights include:
Serving as the CFO and COO of Omax Health, a direct-to-consumer retailer of dietary supplements, Dave was responsible for all administrative, contract manufacturing and distribution functions. He sourced a buyer for the Private Equity owner, negotiated the transaction, coordinated the due diligence process, and closed the sale.
As the CAO and President of Seegrid Corporation, a developer and manufacturer of vision guided robotic industrial vehicles supporting automation in manufacturing and distribution, Dave led all administrative functions of the company while negotiating supply and development agreements with the largest industrial truck manufacturers in the world. He successfully led the company through a contested pre-packaged Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding in 90 days, giving the company the ability to secure additional investment to continue its growth.
During his tenure as CFO of Precision Therapeutics, a developer and marketer of a chemo-sensitivity test to determine the effectiveness of chemotherapy regimens using a patient’s own tumor cells, Dave participated in raising two rounds of Venture Capital totaling $78 million, each with new lead investors. He also negotiated a $10 million venture debt facility and negotiated a new lease for a second laboratory with $200 per square foot in build out allowances.
At the Meridian Group Dave was a principal, offering clients an extensive range of turnaround and restructuring services including critical management, middle-market mergers and acquisitions, corporate financing, management consulting, due diligence, and other financial advisory services. Engagements involved assignments in a variety of industries including retail, business services, light manufacturing, chemical, distribution and communications.
While leading all administrative activities of GNC as the CFO, Dave co-led the sale of the company by its Dutch parent via an auction managed by Goldman Sachs to a Private Equity buyer. He was the company contact in the preparation of the offering memorandum, managing the due diligence process and the primary contact on completing a S4 registration for the sale of public debt and the road show to support the purchase. He previously led strategy and corporate development at GNC, sourcing acquisitions both domestically and abroad while participating in product development and acquisition.
Early in his career, as President of First Westinghouse Capital Corporation, Dave capped off a career in lending and investment management, sourcing and managing a $1.3 billion portfolio of subordinated debt and equity investments in a variety of industries.
Dave has a BA from Bucknell University and an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh. Dave serves his community as a member of the Board of Directors of St. Clair Hospital, a 329 bed, acute care community hospital. He has served as the Chair of the hospital board, and currently serves as the Chair of the physician practice organization and Vice-Chair of the parent corporation.
