John L. Graaff, Founder/Senior Partner - has over 26 years of experience in the entrepreneurial startup, growth, and divestiture of technology companies. Additionally, as founder of Core Capital Group, he has over 16 years of experience working in investment banking and consulting to clients. He has participated in numerous merger and acquisition and corporate finance transactions of technology companies representing both buyers and sellers.
His entrepreneurial experience comes from being a founder, President and CEO of several successful technology companies. As a past business owner, he has direct hands-on experience in running businesses and participating in several ownership transfers including two IPO's and numerous acquisitions and divestitures in his own corporations. John's current technology specialty practice is international in scope providing financial and M&A representation for business-to-business buyers and sellers.
John has a BSEE degree from the University of Minnesota and has completed graduate work in Business Finance at the University of Colorado.
Terry J. Piddington, Senior Partner - brings over 26 years of executive level operating, marketing and sales, and strategic development experience in both the public and private sectors of the technology marketplace. Terry brings extensive experience within the investment banking community both nationally and internationally.
Most recently, he was Executive Vice President and Director of Strategic Development for Computer Technology Associates, Inc. (CTA). While with CTA, he was instrumental in guiding the company's growth from $15 million to over $250 million in annual sales. During his tenure, he led the company's efforts to successfully acquire five technology companies and complete the divestiture of several others in transactions ranging from $3 million to $40 million.
While a Senior Partner at Core Capital Group, Terry has led many successful M&A transactions with a principal focus in the government contracting market sector.
Terry holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and Computer Science from Colorado State University and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Pittsburgh where he was selected for membership in Beta Gamma Sigma, the national honor society for collegiate business schools.
Loren T. Lancaster, Managing Director - Loren has over 25 years of executive and management operating experience in developing a wide range of leading edge electronic products and technologies. In his early career, he led teams of world class engineers and scientists in the development of award winning communication products at AT&T Bell Labs and Motorola. Later, Loren joined with entrepreneurs to start and build several high-tech electronics and internet ventures.
As a Managing Director for Core Capital Group, Loren currently heads a specialty investment banking practice focused almost exclusively on middle market electronics technology companies, the Electronics and Semiconductor Group (ESG), where he leads mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and growth financing.
Loren is currently a board member of several companies and an active member of various state and local organizations. He holds two degrees (with honors) in Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas-Austin and 20 patents in the field of electronics.
Thomas H. Knops, Managing Director – Tom has over 30 years business and senior management experience in private industry primarily in the high technology sector, in business brokerage and investment banking and in business consulting. His IT background includes extensive interaction both domestically and internationally in operational management, business development and strategic partner/ channel development.
As Managing Director for Core Capital Group, Tom manages the Denver office and leads a practice focused on Information Technology and Healthcare.
Tom received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mathematics from St. Cloud State University and volunteers in many local community organizations.
Rita I. Janaky – Licensed International Financial Analyst – has over 20 years experience in financial analysis, investment management, accounting, and business valuation. Rita has performed research and analysis of both private and publicly traded securities, including software, semi-conductor, and telecommunication firms. She was Senior Financial Analyst for a mid-market software development firm with $100 million in annual revenue, responsible for international budgets and financial analysis.
Rita taught investment management, financial management and analysis, and accounting courses at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh and the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. She created and taught numerous business and financial instructional programs including: How to Write a Business Plan, Small Business Financing, and Buying and Selling a Business. She honed and developed the ability to convey complex, analytical data in a clear concise manner.
Rita is CEO/Founder of Golden Hills Financial Group, LLC (www.goldenhillsgroup.com), a registered investment advisory firm in Colorado. She received her M.B.A. and B.S. Business Administration (Finance and Economics), cum laude, from the University of Wisconsin System.
Craig L. Graaff, Analyst - located in our Chicago office, Craig has over 15 years of financial analysis, software development, and software architectural experience.
Craig has had management level responsibility for the design, development, and deployment of major software systems and projects within large banking environments, and has a deep knowledge of financial systems and processes within the banking industry. Craig leads the software gaming industry sector for Core Capital Group.
Lana M. Williams, Office Manager - brings over 16 years of administrative experience to the Core Capital team. Her experience in information technology and insurance industry sectors provides her with the broad range of skills needed to successfully manage the administrative challenges of an investment banking firm.
With Core Capital Group, Lana manages all aspects of the “back office” required to support the services that Core Capital Group provides.
Lana holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Black Hills State University. She participates in community and professional groups designed to support local educational institutions.