Michael Topa

The Keystone Group is a results-oriented management consulting firm serving mid-market manufacturing and distribution clients and their stakeholders. Our small, experienced teams create value for clients through growth strategy, operational improvement, financial restructuring, and acquisition integration. With active Partner engagement, our teams develop and implement recommendations to address our clients’ most complex business challenges. Since 1991, Keystone has been working side-by-side with clients, fostering long-term relationships and delivering tangible, sustainable results.

Established to support middle market companies leveraging skills developed as a C-level executive. C-level and Director positions with businesses ranging in revenues from $5M to $250M. • Manufacturing (multiple sites) • Aviation (flight services, composite structures & MRO) • Recreational vehicles (supplier) • Construction (excavation, electrical & mechanical contractors) • Consumer retail and distribution (online direct to consumer) • Transportation (trucking & airfreight) • Electro-mechanical industrial equipment (repair and maintenance) • Wire harness manufacturing (specialty vehicles, lawn care equipment, automotive)

UNIFLIGHT GLOBAL is an integrated provider of helicopter financing, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) and completion/configuration for Airbus, Bell and Leonardo Helicopters. UNIFLIGHT GLOBAL holds multiple Civil Aviation Authority certifications, including DGAC, EASA and FAA Part 145 Repair Stations at two locations: Belle Vernon, PA, and Grand Prairie, TX; At UNIFLIGHT GLOBAL, we Finance, Fix and Fly • Initially hired as COO and then promoted to President. • Improved working capital through modified customer deposit structures and sale of non-performing assets. • Improved gross margin through new pricing structures and cost management. • Increased revenue by expanding OEM relationships

A lower middle market consulting partnership We were established to remove the guessing from driving business results. We deliver high impact solutions that are actionable, practical, and scaled to meet the business's need in lock step with the business owner or executive's definition of success.

A privately held leading independent powertrain remanufacturer for light vehicles and heavy-duty trucks. • Increased growth 31% and EBITDA 6X. • Duties included IT, batteries technology group and real estate. • Managed liquidity shortfall brought on by inventory growth. • Negotiated workers’ compensation insurance program realizing annual savings of $500,000.

A publicly held solutions provider to the industrial, construction and locomotive industries. MISCOR successfully merged into Integrated Electrical Services September 2013 Director & Interim CFO • Member of the Board of Directors. • Reduced liquidity shortfall of $6M by $1 million in six months through working capital management. • Negotiated bank relationship to divest non-core assets and execute a restructuring plan.

A privately held full-service trucking company offering time-sensitive LTL shipments. • Duties included fleet and facilities. • Negotiated 17 lease renewals or extensions to improve cash flow. • Negotiated additional lines of credit for equipment financing of $10M. • Negotiated financing to purchase $14.5M of new equipment. • Implemented partnerships with leasing organizations to seat needed truck drivers.

A privately held manufacturer of doors, windows, and appliances for the RV industry. • Negotiated a 25% reduction in audit fees. • Reduced staff 45% reducing total financial organization expense $600K. • Restored 5-day closing across 7 plants with reduced staff. • Established cash management practices reducing past due accounts receivable by 55%.

A privately held flight, helicopter, and engine services company with flight operations in 25 locations operating 36 helicopters. Keystone Ranger Holdings was sold to Sikorsky Aircraft in 2005 yielding a 52% IRR. President of Composite Technology, Inc. post its merger with Keystone Ranger Holdings. Leadership team increased sales 3X to $125M.

A privately held bonded structures services company with facilities in the US, UK, Canada, Singapore, and Brazil. Composite Technology, Inc. was sold to Ranger Holdings in 2004 yielding a 25% IRR. President & Partner (1998-2006) Vice President Finance (1990-98) • Member of the Singapore joint venture Board of Directors. • Established a highly profitable joint venture in Brazil. • Managed OEM relationships in the U.S, Russia, Italy, and Germany. • Established the South America representation network.