Mr. Hays has over 35 years experience centered in Private Equity, Investment Banking, Lending and Strategic Planning and all focused in the micro-cap business arena. Following a career with Westinghouse Financial, culminating as Group Head for Asset Sales and Syndications, Mr. Hays led Mellon’s Strategic Advisory Group which provided M&A and private placement advisory services. In 2001, Mr. Hays, co-founded the middle market Investment Banking firm, Strategic Advisors, Inc. Additionally, Mr. Hays’ experience includes three years (2006-2009) as a Principal with Main Street Capital Holdings, Inc., a middle market private equity firm.

Mr. Hays currently serves on the Board of Directors of St. Clair Hospital, Bridgeway Capital, Inc., Sajar Plastics, LLC and Elk Lake Capital I, LLC. In addition, Mr. Hays was a past judge for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. He is also a past president of the Pittsburgh Chapter of Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) and has also served on the Board of Directors for Mellon Financial Markets, LLC and AccuSpec Electronics, LLC. Mr. Hays has been a frequent speaker at numerous conferences including the NASBIC, ACG, CFA and has been a guest lecturer at Pittsburgh based universities. Mr. Hays received his B.A. Economics from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and his M.B.A. from the University of Pittsburgh, Katz Graduate School of Business.

Mr. Hays was raised outside of Philadelphia, lives in the Pittsburgh area, has 2 grown children and is an avid but not too talented golfer.