Honorees
.jpg)
2026
Andy Graiser
Co-President of A&G Real Estate Partners
Andy Graiser is a Co-President of A&G Real Estate Partners, an industry-pioneering real estate advisory firm he co-founded with Emilio Amendola in 2012, following the founding of DJM Realty in 1992 and its successful sale in 1998. Together, they have partnered for more than 30 years, building enduring client, professional and landlord relationships and helping to shape modern approaches to complex corporate real estate strategy.
As Co-President, Andy sets the firm’s strategic vision and leads its most critical engagements, advising boards, C-suite executives, lenders, private equity firms, and their advisors across a broad range of industries. Widely recognized for his thought leadership and results-driven approach, he guides companies through periods of growth, transformation, and financial distress, delivering solutions that align real estate strategy with long-term business objectives.
Under his leadership, A&G has earned numerous industry accolades, including multiple project-specific awards from the Turnaround Management Association and Global M&A Network, Real Estate Advisory Firm of the Year (2019 -2025) and Retail Real Estate Influencer.
Andy’s expertise includes lease renegotiations and terminations, portfolio optimization and dispositions, growth strategy facilitation, valuations, and asset sales. He and his team have delivered nearly $13 billion in occupancy cost savings for more than 900 clients across every major real estate sector, while completing the sale of more than $12 billion in owned real estate and leases.
Respected throughout the real estate and restructuring communities, Andy has advised leading companies across retail, restaurant, education, office, entertainment, grocery, and industrial sectors.
His clients have included leading brands such as Rite Aid, Saks, Office Depot, Leslie Pools, Sleep Number, Reebok, Kenneth Cole, Vince, A&P Supermarkets, Chico’s, Claire’s, GNC, Mattress Firm, Party City, rue21, Tailored Brands, Ruth Chris, Cava, Toys R Us, Sports Authority, Radio Shack, Williamsburg Hotel, New Rochelle College, Regal Cinema, Equinox, 24 Hour Fitness, and WeWork.
Committed to developing the next generation of industry leaders, Andy is deeply invested in mentoring young talent within A&G and across the broader real estate community, fostering a culture of excellence, integrity, and collaboration.
A frequent speaker and recognized industry thought leader, Andy is an active member of ICSC, the Turnaround Management Association, the American Bankruptcy Institute, and the Secured Finance Network. His philanthropic involvement includes the Runway of Dreams Foundation, the National Kidney Foundation, and More Than Words.
Based in New York, Andy enjoys spending time with his family, traveling and is an avid sports fan and trivia enthusiast.
2025
Bob DeAngelis
Executive Managing Director, Group Head, Tiger Finance, LLC
Bob DeAngelis is a 35+ year veteran of the commercial finance and financial services industry, currently serving on the executive committee of Tiger Capital, and as the Group Head and Chief Investment Officer of Tiger Finance
At Tiger, DeAngelis is a member of the Tiger Capital executive committee, where he is able to provide leadership and strategic guidance in helping continue to build the Tiger organization into a best-in- class financial services platform. In addition to his leadership role at Tiger Capital, as the business line leader of Tiger Finance, Bob is able to utilize his experience and understanding of the capital markets to provide complex capital solutions to its clients, through a variety of credit-based products including; secured loans, inventory consignment programs, junior secured credit facilities and structured equity offerings.
As a further reflection of his entrepreneurial spirt and leadership, Bob has been part of the ownership and senior management team that launched four different successful start-up lending platforms including Tiger Finance, Crystal Capital, and Back Bay Capital. Additionally, Bob was part of the ownership and management team that started the private retail lending platform that was sold to Bank of Boston, which later became Bank of America Retail Finance, still one of the largest and most successful retail lending platforms in the country.
Bob started his career at Shawmut Bank’s Asset based lending group after graduating from the University of Connecticut’s school of business, and is a member of the Commercial Finance Association and the Turnaround Management Association.
2024
Holly Etlin
Partner & Managing Director,
Alix Partners
Holly is an experienced executive with over 30 years of experience in providing turnaround services for companies in the retail, distribution, consumer products, financial services, media, and hospitality industries. Holly is a Certified Turnaround Professional and is admitted to the American College of Bankruptcy and the International Insolvency Institute. In 2007, the Turnaround Management Association (TMA) recognized Holly with its Turnaround of the Year Award for the successful turnaround of Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. In 2011, TMA once again recognized Holly with its Transaction of the Year Award for the successful refinancing of Neff Rental. Holly was named Woman of the Year in Restructuring in 2014. She once again won the TMA Turnaround of the Year award for her work at BCBG MaxAzria in 2017.
2023
In Memoriam: Robert A. J. Barry
Partner, Morgan Lewis
Bob Barry represented a wide range of lenders in matters related to US and international financing transactions. Bob worked closely with clients, helping them identify and mitigate potential transaction risks. He represented in the box and stretch asset-based lenders, pure cash-flow lenders, and those providing junior secured capital. He also counseled lending syndicate agents and individual lenders on issues related to deal origination, workouts, and restructuring. Bob was frequently involved in complicated deals that required the coordination of numerous professionals including equity sponsors, restructuring advisers, and auditors. Prior to joining Morgan Lewis, Bob was a partner in the banking and leveraged finance group of an international law firm.
2019
William (Bill) J. Mayer
Executive Managing Director, Tiger Group
Bill Mayer is an executive vice president and head of Wells Fargo Equipment Finance (WFEF), the group of equipment finance and leasing affiliates of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A, and Wells Fargo Rail.
WFEF provides competitive fixed- and floating-rate loans and leases covering a full range of commercial equipment and for businesses in the United States and Canada. Canadian business is transacted by Wells Fargo Equipment Finance Company. WFEF is the largest bank-affiliated equipment leasing and finance company in the United States, with more than 325,000 active customers and 2,400 team members.
Previously, Bill was the senior credit officer for Wells Fargo Wholesale Banking, responsible for the Commercial Banking, Capital Finance, Equipment Finance, and Credit Resolution portfolios. Bill also successfully led and grew the Commercial and Retail Finance Group in Wells Fargo Capital Finance as its president for more than eight years.
Before joining Wells Fargo, Bill spent almost 14 years with GE Capital in various leadership roles, both domestically and internationally. He held positions with its Commercial Finance Group, Retailer Financial Services, and Healthcare Finance Group. Bill was at KPMG Peat Marwick prior to GE.
Bill earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Pennsylvania State University. He served on the executive advisory board at the David F. Miller Retail Center at the University of Florida’s Warrington College of Business.
Originally from Philadelphia, Bill resides in the Boston area with his wife and two daughters.
2018
Bob Duffy
Managing Director,
Berkeley Research Group
Bob Duffy is a Managing Director, practice leader and member of the Board of Directors at Berkeley Research Group (BRG). Bob has more than 30 years of experience leading teams to help drive successful outcomes for clients who face uncertainty or obstacles. Both as an advisor and Chief Restructuring Officer, Bob works together with clients to drive positive change and revitalize operations to reposition businesses for future growth. Prior to joining BRG in 2016, Bob was the Global Practice Leader of FTI Consulting’s Corporate Finance practice as well as a member of FTI’s Executive Committee, having joined FTI following its acquisition of PwC’s restructuring practice in 2002.
A Boston area native and long-standing business leader, Bob exemplifies the work ethic, innovation and creativity of our community. He works tirelessly to contribute to the success of those within our community in roles as a friend, mentor and coach. Beyond his professional achievements, Bob is devoted to his family and with them has a long history of giving and helping transform the lives of others through his hands-on involvement with charitable organizations here and abroad, including identifying and funding educational needs for at-risk Cambodian youths through their charity mycambodiansisters.org.
My Cambodian Sisters, founded by Bob’s wife and daughters, is an educational based non-profit organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty in Cambodia one young girl at a time. Each year, young girls who have endured horrific instances of sex, drug and alcohol abuse are provided food, clothing, shelter and educational support. The funding and support from My Cambodian Sisters provides the girls with the once-in-a-lifetime chance to focus on completing their high school education, getting accepted into college and breaking the otherwise certain eventuality of a life of unimaginable poverty.