Panel Biographies:

James William Beshears, is a private-practice bankruptcy attorney in San Diego. James attended U.S. International University for undergrad and California Western School of Law for his Juris Doctor.  Jim has been practicing law in California bar since 1979.

Matthew Crist is a commercial loan officer at Wells Fargo.  He provides financing for businesses and works with investors and owner -perators to provide commercial real estate financing.  Before joining Wells Fargo in 2007, Matt was vice-president of Alliance Advisors’ west coast operations, consulting with publicly-traded companies on increasing investor awareness and planning for future growth.  He also worked as a director at an investment management firm.  Matthew obtained his MBA from Florida Atlantic University School of Business in 2000 and his B.S. in advertising from the University of Florida in 1988.

William Lynch joined ProFinance Associates, Inc. in 1999 to service and assist clients in arranging various forms of equity and debt financing, as well as strategic advisory work.  He previously worked at United States Gypsum Company’s Industrial Gypsum Division, where he worked his way through sales, eventually becoming a marketing and general business manager for the entire western U.S. region.  Bill graduated from Menlo College in Atherton, Calif., with a B.S. in Business Administration in 1984.

Marshall Varano, CPA, is a tax partner at J.H. Cohn, where he specializes in business tax consulting and real estate transactions. He frequently lectures at firm-sponsored education and client seminars on topics such as controlled foreign corporations, corporate reorganizations and incentive stock options plans.  Marshall previously worked as a tax manager for a national firm and has 22 years of experience in public accounting.  Marshall graduated magna cum laude from San Diego State University with a degree in Business Administration.

Moderator