Keynote Speaker
  
- Andrew Brandt -
- Columnist, Sports Illustrated, TheMMQB.com
- Host, “The Business of Sports” Podcast
- Executive Director, Moorad Center for Sports Law,  
- Villanova Sports Business and Legal Analyst, ESPN

Session Summary
Andrew Brandt, one of the most accomplished and respected voices in the sports world, will join FEI as a keynote speaker in their meeting on September 12, 2017. Brandt has a truly diverse background in player representation, team management, broadcast journalism and academic leadership. Most notably, Brandt served as the Green Bay Packers Vice President from 1999-2008 and will share his experiences, stories and insights, taking the group behind the curtain of America's most storied franchise. Brandt will also discuss topical issues in the business of sports, such as National Anthem protests, concussion management, gambling and marijuana tolerance and player contracts. It should be a memorable event for our members!

Biography
Andrew Brandt has established himself as one of the most respected national voices in sports and sports business. He provides truly insightful perspectives in all forms of media and academia.

Brandt writes a weekly column to TheMMQB.com, the compelling NFL-centric site from Sports Illustratedheadlined by Peter King. Brandt provides unique and differentiated insight from the point of view of a former agent and team executive, breaking down often-complex topics and making them understandable and digestible for mass audiences. His must-read signature column taking readers inside the inner workings of the NFL every week for the site as well as providing regular contributions to Sports Illustrated magazine.

Brandt also hosts a weekly “Business of Sports” podcast, taking listeners behind the curtain with unique insights and perspective from Brandt and his impressive list of guests. Podcast guests have included Aaron Rodgers, Tom Condon, Rich McKay, Jeffrey Kessler, John Spanos and many more. The unique podcast has found a niche in the marketplace, with thousands of subscribers and several recurring sponsors.

Brandt provided sports business and legal analysis for ESPN from February 2011 until May of 2017. Brandt takes viewers behind the curtain of both the management and labor sides of sports, not only in the NFL but also other sports as well. He provides unique business and legal insights and perspective. Brandt appeared regularly on all ESPN studio shows and platforms such as SportsCenter, Outside the Lines, NFL Insiders, NFL Live, LateNight with Scott Van Pelt, ESPN Radio and more. Brandt has also appeared on ABC News, NBC News, CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, CNBC, Bloomberg and various documentaries discussing in-depth sports issues.

Brandt was named Executive Director of the Jeffrey S. Moorad Center for the Study of Sports Law at Villanova University Law School in 2012. Brandt leads and directs the premiere program in the country in sports law, business, thought and policy. The Moorad Center has become a destination program for students interested in working in sports.  Brandt uses his vast practical and real-world experience to guide and inspire students, to develop courses, both on-ground and online, and host leading sports industry professionals visiting the center. Brandt’s Moorad Symposium has become a signature event on the sports event calendar, regularly making news from its leading panelists and speakers.

Brandt’s two and a half decades in professional football are split evenly between working in team management and player representation. He spent nine years (1999-2008) as vice president of the Green Bay Packers, where he handled legal and business affairs for the team’s football operations, negotiated all player contracts, managed the team’s NFL salary cap. Brandt’s skillful management earned him professional acclaim within the league. The highlights of his Packers tenure included the franchise hosting the NFC Championship Game in 2008 and negotiating contracts for most of the players who eventually lead Green Bay to continue their run of sustained success victory in Super Bowl XLV.

In 2008, Brandt, in collaboration with other NFL insiders, launched The National Football Post (www.nationalfootballpost.com) – a leading online resource and publication focusing on NFL business news and statistical analysis. Brandt was also a full-time lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business, where he taught sports law, sports business and negotiations, and his academic work earned him the prestigious Whitney Award for excellence in undergraduate teaching.

A native of Washington, D.C., Brandt now lives outside of Philadelphia and is married with two sons, Sam and Max. His interests include playing jazz piano and competing in running races and triathlons. 

Professional Development Session – Part 1
Presented by Cleary Gull Inc.
Topic: M&A Market Update

Summary
Mr. Peterson’s remarks will focus on the current activity, valuation benchmarks, and trends, transaction process best practices, and other recent developments affecting middle-market mergers, acquisitions, divestitures and business sales in the US.

Presenter
 
- John Peterson -
Managing Director
Cleary Gull Inc.

Mr. Peterson joined Cleary Gull in 1995 and is a Managing Director and member of the firm’s Board of Directors. With over 30 years of transaction experience, Mr. Peterson has advised numerous clients in a variety of industries and has significant experience in the Manufacturing, Consumer, Wholesale Distribution, Healthcare, Technology, Automotive, and Staffing industries.

Mr. Peterson previously held investment banking positions with Tucker Anthony Sutro where he was co-head of Investment Banking. Prior to this, Mr. Peterson practiced corporate law and was an attorney in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin, law firm of Godfrey & Kahn, S.C., where he represented buyers, sellers, lenders, investors, intermediaries, executives and owners of privately and publicly held businesses in numerous transactions including mergers and acquisitions, public offerings, private placements of debt and equity, senior credit facilities, management and leveraged buyouts, joint ventures and strategic alliances.

Mr. Peterson is a member of the Boards of Directors of TCI, LLC, a privately-held manufacturer of drive peripherals, Gemini Health, LLC, a venture stage healthcare information technology company, and former member of the Boards of Directors of Krueger International, Inc., Richardson Electronics, Inc. (NASDAQ:  RELL), Medem, Inc., and Metis, Inc.

Mr. Peterson earned a BA in Accounting with high honors from Michigan State University, earned a CPA designation in Illinois, where he was a tax accountant with Arthur Young, and obtained his JD (Order of the Coif) from the University of Wisconsin.

Professional Development Session - Part 2
Presented by Wipfli LLP
Topic: Revenue Recognition

Summary
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued the final standard on revenue from contracts with customers, Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 606. It has been described as one of the largest changes to GAAP in over a generation and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance. It is designed to create consistency across industries, enrich financial disclosure, and enhance comparability for those relying on financial statements.

Presenter

- Sara Funk -
Partner
Wipfli LLP

Sara Funk has been with Wipfli LLP since 1999 and has deep experience in assisting manufacturing and distribution companies. She provides audit, review, and compilation services to her client base of closely held businesses.  Clients appreciate Sara’s attention to detail and the application of sound strategies that help them overcome challenges and achieve their goals.

Certifications

• Certified Public Accountant

Professional Memberships and Activities

• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) - Member
• Wisconsin Institute of Certified Public Accountants (WICPA) - Member
• Financial Executives International (FEI) - Sponsor
• Management Women, Inc. - Treasurer elect
• Kewaunee County Children’s Community Options Program Advisory Committee - Member

Professional Development Session - Part 2 (Continued)
Presented by Wipfli LLP
Topic: Revenue Recognition

Presenter
 

- Marcus Koehl -
Senior Manager
Wipfli LLP

Marcus Koehl has been with Wipfli LLP for over 10 years. He provides audit, review, and compilation services to his client base of closely held businesses. Marcus serves as a member of Wipfli’s construction and real estate leadership team, representing the Northeast Wisconsin region.

Specializations

• Construction contractor and real estate industries
• Manufacturing, distribution, retail, and service industries
• Corporate tax services
• Full- and limited-scope audit services for company-sponsored employee benefit plans

Professional Memberships and Activities

• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) - Member
• Wisconsin Institute of Certified Public Accountants (WICPA) - Member
• Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA), Fox River Valley Chapter - Member
• The First Tee of Northeast Wisconsin - Board member

Education

St. Norbert College - De Pere, Wisconsin

• Bachelor of business administration degree in accounting - Graduated magna cum laude