FTI Consulting promotes 16 to senior managing director in US

Advisory firm FTI Consulting announced the promotion of 34 professionals to senior managing director across its global offices, including 16 in the US, effective Jan. 1, 2020.

“Many congratulations to our new Senior Managing Directors,” said Steven H. Gunby, president and CEO of FTI Consulting. “They collectively reflect the depth of talent we are fortunate to have at FTI Consulting, as well as our commitment to attracting and retaining the best professionals. I am confident their promotion will further enhance the incredibly bright future in front of our firm.”

The 16 senior managing director promotions across FTI’s US offices were:

Michael Busen (Forensic and Litigation Consulting, Washington, DC) has more than 18 years of experience providing litigation support to attorneys and Fortune 500 clients, with a focus on the analysis of large data sets. He joined FTI in 2008, having previously been a managing consultant at Navigant.

Casey Estep (Health Solutions, Brentwood) has more than 19 years of experience in the healthcare consulting industry, with a focus on regulatory compliance, investigations, and disputes. Prior to joining FTI as a director in 2007, Estep held consultant roles at McBee Associates, Navigant, and Arthur Andersen. 

Heath Gray (Corporate Finance & Restructuring, New York) focuses on advising telecom, media, and technology (TMT) firms on operational turnarounds, financial restructuring, and M&A. He has supported clients such as Vice Media, Reader’s Digest, and THQ. Gray joined FTI in 2008.

Ryan Herrington (Forensic and Litigation Consulting, Dallas) has more than 18 years of experience applying financial, accounting, and economic principles to complex business disputes. He has particular expertise in intellectual property disputes, and has served as an expert witness. Prior to joining FTI in 2005, Herrington was a senior analyst at Analysis Group and a consultant at PwC.

Rick Jordon (Corporate Finance & Restructuring, New York) specializes in operations and revenue growth in transportation and logistics, bringing more than 25 years of global supply chain and logistics experience. Prior to joining FTI in 2017, Jordon was a managing director at Orange Logistics Consulting, and VP of the logistics practice at AlixPartners. He also previously held several leadership roles at logistics industry firms.

Christopher Lee (Corporate Finance & Restructuring, San Francisco) has more than 15 years of advisory experience, and focuses on financial due diligence and M&A advisory for private equity and corporate clients. Before joining FTI in 2016, Lee spent 11 years at PwC, where he was latterly a director in the deals practice in New York.

Toni Mele (Forensic and Litigation Consulting, New York) has more than 20 years of litigations and investigation experience. Mele specializes in corporate investigations, with a focus on fraud, anti-money laundering, anti-corruption, and due diligence investigations. Prior to joining FTI in 2015, she was VP and assistant general counsel at JPMorgan Chase, and before that was an attorney in the US Department of Justice.

Michael Ovalles (Corporate Finance & Restructuring, Atlanta) focuses on transforming the finance function through digitalization, operating model realignment, cost reduction, and organizational structure redesign. Before joining FTI in 2017, he spent 13 years at PwC, where he was a director focusing on finance effectiveness.

Nick Pelino (Forensic and Litigation Consulting, Chicago) has more than 12 years of experience, and specializes in financial crime analytics. He supports companies, law firms, and regulators with analytics consulting related to fraud investigations, financial crime, and compliance. Pelino joined FTI in 2007.

Brian Pitkin (Corporate Finance & Restructuring, McLean) is co-leader of the TMT dispute advisory group, and advises general counsel, outside counsel, and boards on strategy, settlement negotiation, and litigation risk. He has more than 25 years of dispute resolution experience, including expert testimony.

Chris Post (Corporate Finance & Restructuring, Denver) advises companies, creditors, and equity sponsors on corporate restructurings. He has more than 15 years of corporate finance, M&A, interim management, and restructuring consulting experience across a range of industries. Before joining FTI in 2012, Post was a VP focusing on debt restructuring at Bank of America.

Chris Riper (Forensic and Litigation Consulting, Portland) has more than 13 years of financial analysis and forensic investigation consulting experience. As a certified fraud examiner, Riper has been involved in numerous forensic accounting engagements related to SEC and DOJ compliance, Ponzi schemes, and misappropriation of assets. Riper joined FTI in 2011, and was previously a consultant at LECG.

Rachel Rosenblatt (Strategic Communications, New York) specializes in reputation management, crisis communications, corporate positioning, and communications training. She previously held senior leadership roles at communications firms Financial Dynamics (acquired by FTI in 2006) and Westhill Partners.

Robert Stanislaro (Strategic Communications, New York) specializes in communications strategy for healthcare and life sciences organizations, supporting clients through periods including clinical trial results, product approvals and divestitures, financings, M&A, and management changes. Stanislaro also previously held a senior role at comms firm Financial Dynamics before it was acquired by FTI in 2006.

Jim Toole (Forensic and Litigation Consulting, Winston-Salem) leads the life and health actuarial team in the global insurance services practice. He has more than 30 years of industry and consulting experience in the life, health and property & casualty insurance industries. Toole joined FTI in 2011.

William Tusa (Forensic and Litigation Consulting, Houston) has more than 25 years of experience in the construction industry, and specializes in preparing, monitoring, and analyzing schedules and programs for construction projects. Prior to joining FTI in 2006, he was a vice president at Brower, Kriz & Stynchcomb and at Anodyne Business Industries.