Lee Lazarus

Game-changing executive and legal advisor quick to identify and execute opportunities for accelerating sales, revenue growth, and profitability in private equity, family offices, and public and private companies, ranging from early growth-stage enterprises to large complex organizations. Demonstrates ability to "wear many hats" by leveraging wide breadth of expertise in legal, operations management, finance and P&L, and transaction structuring and negotiation. Catalyst for transformational change and turnaround with rare ability to strategize through matters while always remaining a step ahead of short- and long-term objectives.

History of achieving success in every position ever held.

Senior Advisor - SUQUET CAPITAL PARTNERS - New York, NY

(2022-01)

Oversee management and strategic initiatives of an investment holding company. Structure and negotiate complex alternative investment transactions in AI technology, private credit, and media sectors. Handle legal matters, administrative issues, operational inefficiencies, risk analysis, & tax efficiencies. Serve as Operating Partner to portfolio companies and work closely with portfolio company executives on operations and business strategy to ensure revenue growth.

• Direct P&L management and portfolio optimization initiatives across portfolio companies, implementing operational improvements that increased average EBITDA margins by 8%.
• Lead exit strategy development achieving average 2.8X return multiples.
• Implement enterprise risk management framework reducing portfolio-wide operational risk exposure.

Managing Director & General Counsel - PERKIN INDUSTRIES PRIVATE EQUITY - New York, NY

(2018-01 - 2022-12)

Managed Fund administration and Firm operations, including Legal, HR, IT, Finance and Marketing. Negotiated and structured complex debt and equity investment transactions. Served as Operating Partner to portfolio companies by working directly with owners and CEOs of each portfolio company on Operational Advisory, Administrative Services, Business Strategy, Client Retention, Business Development, Digital Marketing Strategy, and to resolve inefficiencies and optimize revenue.

• Managed direct investments in healthcare, new media, technology, real estate and esports/gaming companies and increased distributions by 11%.
• Structured, restructured, and negotiated investments and divestitures across diverse sectors in healthcare, technology, real estate, digital media, and gaming, as well as vendor, partnership and JV agreements.
• Reduced portfolio company expenses by transitioning management and operating activities of each company to shared technology, CRM, communication, procurement and project management platforms.
• Oversaw affiliated M&A Advisory firm investment; responsibilities include sourcing, managing, and closing buy-side and sell-side transactions across a variety of sectors.

Chief Operating Officer & General Counsel - GRANDPARENTS.COM - New York, NY

(2013-01 - 2018-12)

Transformed a publicly traded digital media company into new profitable markets, including the marketing and sale of P&C and L&H insurance (including Medicare insurance), financial products, and pharmaceutical benefits, with partnerships with Aetna, Marsh McLennan, and CV Starr. Lead day-to-day operations, legal, finance, IT, HR, and handled 10K, 10Q, Proxy and other SEC filings.

• Increased revenue by 89% while decreasing operating expenses by 36% over tenure.
• Negotiated and structured various PIPE and debt financings.
• Built a health & wellness platform marketing Medicare insurance, financial products, and pharma benefits.
• Grew membership to 2M with more than 12M site visitors in 2 years.
• Built a nationwide insurance agency with hundreds of downline agents.
• Led first-ever initiative selling Medicare insurance live on HSN.
• Created first-of-its-kind pharmaceutical discount/rebate debit card program in conjunction with Fifth Third Bank and IMS Health.

Principal & General Counsel - APT TECHNOLOGIES - New York, NY

(2006-01 - 2017-12)

Brought onboard to guide the startup and operations of a new venture for this major manufacturer of automated technology for real estate development projects. Created the business plan, hired talent, and drove business development activities for robotic technology used by developers to reduce the size of building footprint and associated costs. Built and directed a national sales team of 20.

• Directed on-budget, on-schedule completion of an 80,000 sq. ft. mixed-use real estate development project in South Beach that generated 30% ROI for investors.
• Generated $18M in new client revenue by using AI technology to generate $400M in real estate opportunities.

CEO / COO - UP FRONT RENTALS - New York, NY

(1998-01 - 2006-12)

Recruited by CEO to develop, operationalize, and execute the business plan for a new market opportunity for this stadium concessionaire servicing sporting arenas throughout the Northeast U.S. Managed product delivery, inventory control, and client relationship management, in addition to financial management, contract negotiations, and vendor agreements. Administered a multi-million-dollar P&L budget and staff of 45.

• Leveraged expertise in cross-border transactions to source products from Asian manufacturing facilities.
• Provided divisional leadership that delivered consistent 60% profit margin at 6-fold ROI in first year of operation.

Corporate Attorney - PROSKAUER ROSE LLP - New York, NY

(1994-01 - 1998-12)

Provided legal advice and counsel to private and public companies, PE & VC firms, and investors in the areas of corporate finance, SEC, compliance, fund operations, mergers & acquisitions, and investments and divestitures. Structured transactions for clients including Charterhouse, Veronis Suhler Stevenson, The Related Companies, Starwood Capital, JP Morgan, GE, LIPA, and Ben & Jerry's.

• Negotiated and orchestrated $100M sale of television stations by Veronis Suhler Stevenson to NBC.
• Negotiated and managed the $200M sale of Integrated Resources to Apollo.
• Structured, negotiated, and managed $800M+ limited partnership investments for The Related Companies.
• Drafted investor partnership agreement for $194M investment in the Philadelphia Eagles.

Juris Doctor - Boston University School of Law

Bachelor of Arts - Economics & Political Science - Emory University