Professional Profile
Lee N. Katz has specialized in turning companies around for more than 25 years. In 1986 he joined Grisanti, Galef & Goldress (GGG), one of the oldest turnaround consulting firms in the United States, and in 1997 became the managing partner. Throughout his career in crisis management, Mr. Katz has served as an interim executive officer and reorganization director for both large and small companies, public and private, with annual revenues up to $3 billion. In addition to offering expert-witness testimony regarding business valuations, turnarounds, and plan feasibilities, he has served as a court-appointed receiver on assignments in New York and Georgia. Mr. Katz’s corporate restructuring and workout experience spans a broad range of industries, and he also uses his skills to help boards of directors prevent crises from happening. He is known for rolling up his sleeves and focusing on the pertinent issues with straightforwardness and integrity.

Professional History
Prior to joining GGG, Mr. Katz served as president of Seaboard Industries from 1981-1985 and restructured the company to profitability. From 1974-1981 he worked for First National Bank of Atlanta, managing branches and loan portfolios. In 1978, he became responsible for directing the bank’s asset-based lending in the Atlanta area and gained his initial experience in restructuring defaulted loans in the bank’s portfolios.

For more than 30 years, Mr. Katz has also been developing and managing commercial real estate for such clients and end users such as Wal-Mart, John Wieland Homes, and other private investor groups.  In conjunction with his restructuring work, Mr. Katz has renegotiated more than $1 billion in real estate leases. He has handled numerous environmental issues for his real estate and corporate manufacturing clients in cooperation with state and national Environmental Protection Agency authorities.

In addition, Mr. Katz has served as a financial advisor to individuals and trusts.

Public Engagements
Mr. Katz has served as an executive officer or reorganization expert for numerous public companies and private companies with public debt, including the following:

• Verilink Corp.
• Retama Development Authority
• Laidlaw Energy Corp.
• Detroit Academy of Arts and Sciences
• Firstplus Financial Corp.    
• Gulf States Steel Inc.
• Signal Apparel Corp.
• Transit Group Inc.
• Life University Inc.

Privately Held Companies
Mr. Katz has served as interim officer or director of reorganization at more than 100 closely held companies for various industries, including banking/financial services, computers/IT, consumer products, distribution, electronics, education, entertainment, energy, seminars, leisure, manufacturing, materials and construction, media, metals, petroleum, real estate, retail, telecommunications, and textile apparel.

Expert Testimony
Mr. Katz has provided expert testimony in many United States Bankruptcy Court cases as part of his restructuring responsibilities.

Awards
GGG was recognized by the Turnaround Management Association’s Atlanta Chapter four years in a row, three of which were directly attributable to Mr. Katz’s work. Those awards include:

• 2004 Non-Profit Company Turnaround of the Year - Life University Inc.
• 2003 Large Company Turnaround of the Year - P.S. Energy Corp.
• 2002 Large Company Turnaround of the Year - Wyncom Inc.

Recognition
Mr. Katz has been featured in the national media, including the following:

• (2006) Kempner, Matt, “What Should the Braves Do?” Atlanta Journal Constitution, Jun. 14, C1.
• (2006) McCosh, Josh, “Turnaround Magic,” Business to Business Magazine, 43-45.
• (2003) “Squawk Box,” CNBC, May 28.
• (2002) Brennan, Terry, “Corporate CPR,” The Daily Deal, Jan. 31, 5-6.
• (2001) Glynn, Timothy, “Turnaround Tycoon,” Atlanta Jewish Times, Aug. 31, 12-13.
• (2000) Ford, Ed, “Living the Lessons,” The Lane Report, Nov., 42-44.

Speaking Engagements
Mr. Katz has given more than 100 presentations throughout the United States to Vistage International, the world’s largest CEO membership organization. His speeches and workshops have included “How to Keep Your Banker From Burying You” and “The Art of a Turnaround (How to Keep From Being a Statistic).”

Community Service
Mr. Katz currently serves on the board of directors, as vice president, and as chairman of the investment committee for the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta. He is also on the board of directors of Israel Bonds.

Education
Bachelor of Science in Industrial Management, Georgia Institute of Technology
Bachelor of Laws, John Marshall University
Licensed Real Estate Broker, State of Georgia