Integrity

vcardDara Shareef

Managing Partner
4030 West Boy Scout Blvd
Suite 500
Tampa FL 33607
About

Dara serves as Managing Partner at Benchmark International charged with running the Tampa Transaction office and the two transaction teams therein. His role has three primary pillars: 1. Managerial. He is responsible for the success of Benchmark International’s first US office and the two transaction teams. 2. Operational. He takes an active, leadership role in some of our more complex engagements and serves as a sounding board for the teams on all others. 3. Corporate. The third element of his role is strategic in nature; to represent the Tampa Transaction team in leadership discussions helping our leadership team to architect and navigate the path forward.

He also holds the rare distinction of having served in every role over the course of his career. His career in finance started in financial services, where he was a bona fide phone basher. Further into his career, he authored dozens of business plans and pitch decks to mobilize capital and negotiated and closed dozens of deals. In addition to serving as a buyer of businesses, an operator of businesses and board member of companies contemplating an exit, he has played virtually every role in the execution of the sale of businesses.

His diverse background as both an operator of business and an investor into businesses allows him to anticipate issues in deals before they happen. Having been in each of their shoes, this allows him to think like both a seller and a buyer

Success

One of the most exciting aspects of Dara’s job is the opportunity it affords him to play with dozens of industries and business models. He has successfully facilitated transactions in sectors as diverse as SaaS, Commercial Landscaping, Vertical Market Software, Healthcare, Retail, Commercial Printing, Business Services, Marketing, IT Services, Niche Manufacturing, and Engineering. What is perhaps most remarkable about the Benchmark International model is that it transcends specific industries and business models. The sample mentioned above illustrates the point emphatically; Benchmark International’s unique approach translates across sectors and geographic borders.

Resolute

Tombstones

Sample of Involvement

Our Success
D TEL Telecommunications, Inc.Acquired ByResponsive Technology Partners
Seller
D TEL Telecommunications, Inc.
Acquirer
Responsive Technology Partners
Industry
Technology, Media, Telecom, and Data
Pinnacle Fire Systems, Inc.Acquired ByThe Hiller Companies
Seller
Pinnacle Fire Systems, Inc.
Acquirer
The Hiller Companies, LLC
Industry
Healthcare
Jardon & Howard Technologies, Inc.Acquired ByPrecise Systems, Inc.
Seller
Jardon & Howard Technologies, Inc.
Acquirer
Precise Systems, Inc.
Industry
Technology, Media, Telecom, and Data
Square One Coating Systems, LLCAcquired ByLionheart Industrial Group
Seller
Square One Coating Systems, LLC
Acquirer
Lionheart Industrial Group
Industry
Industrial and Manufacturing
A.D.A. Supplies & Leasing Services IncAcquired BySafety Supply Group
Seller
A.D.A. Supplies & Leasing Services Inc
Acquirer
Safety Supply Group
Industry
Consumer, Food, and Retail
Awnclean U.S.A. Inc.Acquired ByThe Valcourt Group
Seller
Awnclean U.S.A. Inc.
Acquirer
The Valcourt Group
Industry
Business Services
B.L. Family Practice, P.A.Acquired ByMed First
Seller
B.L. Family Practice, P.A.
Acquirer
Med First
Industry
Healthcare
Lenhart Electric Company LogoAcquired ByIn Charge Electrical Services Logo
Seller
Lenhart Electric Company
Acquirer
In Charge Electrical Services
Industry
Energy and Power
Solution Matrix Inc.Acquired ByBroadview Group Holdings LLC
Seller
Solution Matrix Inc.
Acquirer
Broadview Group Holdings LLC
Industry
Industrial and Manufacturing
Read's UniformsAcquired ByBrighton Partners Equity - Benchmark International Buyer Success
Seller
Read's Uniforms
Acquirer
Brighton Partners Equity
Industry
Consumer, Food, and Retail
Intracoastal Environmental, LLC Company LogoAcquired ByAmbipar Group Company Logo
Seller
Intracoastal Environmental, LLC
Acquirer
Ambipar Group
Industry
Environmental, Waste, and Recycling
Hagan Heating & Air Conditioning LLC - Benchmark International Client SuccessAcquired ByNearU HVAC Services - Benchmark International Buyer
Seller
Hagan Heating & Air Conditioning LLC
Acquirer
NearU HVAC Services
Industry
Construction
PBK Architects, Inc. - Benchmark International Client SuccessAcquired ByDC Capital Partners
Seller
PBK Architects, Inc.
Acquirer
DC Capital Partners
Industry
Construction
Rivertop Contracting - Benchmark International Client SuccessAcquired ByThe Greenery, Inc.
Seller
Rivertop Contracting, Inc.
Acquirer
The Greenery, Inc.
Industry
Business Services
Becker Communications, Inc. - Benchmark International Client SuccessAcquired ByMidwest Alarm Company, Inc. - Buyer
Seller
Becker Communications, Inc.
Acquirer
Midwest Alarm Company, Inc.
Industry
Technology, Media, Telecom, and Data
Suntech Electricial Contractors, Inc.- Benchmark International Client SuccessAcquired ByPrivate Investors
Seller
Suntech Electricial Contractors, Inc.
Acquirer
Private Investors
Industry
Construction
In-O-Vate Technologies Incorporated - Benchmark International Client SuccessAcquired ByContinental Materials Corporation - Benchmark International Success
Seller
In-O-Vate Technologies Incorporated
Acquirer
Continental Materials Corporation
Industry
Industrial and Manufacturing
AM Engineering, Inc - Benchmark International Client SuccessAcquired ByFremont-Wright, LLC - Benchmark International Success
Seller
AM Engineering, Inc
Acquirer
Fremont-Wright, LLC
Industry
Business Services
Credex Systems, Inc - Benchmark International Client SuccessAcquired ByValsoft Corporation, Inc
Seller
Credex Systems, Inc
Acquirer
Valsoft Corporation, Inc
Industry
Business Services
Schwabs Enterprises DBA Bayou Lawn Services - Benchmark International Client SuccessAcquired ByLandscape Workshop - Benchmark International Client Success
Seller
Schwabs Enterprises DBA Bayou Lawn Services
Acquirer
Landscape Workshop LLC
Industry
Business Services
Integrated Legacy Solutions, LLC - Benchmark International Client SuccessAcquired ByNXTsoft, LLC - Technology
Seller
Integrated Legacy Solutions, LLC
Acquirer
NXTsoft, LLC
Industry
Financial
Comprehensive Clinical Trials - Benchmark Client SuccessAcquired ByVitaLink Research - Benchmark International Client Success
Seller
Comprehensive Clinical Trials
Acquirer
VitaLink Research
Industry
Healthcare
AMTIS, Inc - Benchmark International Client SuccessAcquired ByBlackfish Federal LLC - Benchmark Client Success
Seller
AMTIS, Inc
Acquirer
Blackfish Federal LLC
Industry
Education and Government
MC2 Inc - Benchmark International Client SuccessAcquired ByStark Holdings America Inc - Benchmark International Client Success
Seller
MC2 Inc
Acquirer
Stark Holdings America, Inc.
Industry
Construction
T3 Technologies - Benchmark International Client SuccessAcquired ByBlue Stone Government Solutions - Benchmark International Success
Seller
T3 Technologies
Acquirer
Blue Stone Government Solutions
Industry
Technology, Media, Telecom, and Data
Atlanta Biologicals, Inc - Benchmark International Client SuccessAcquired ByBio-Techne Corporation
Seller
Atlanta Biologicals, Inc
Acquirer
Bio-Techne Corporation
Industry
Healthcare
Enroute Networks, Inc. - Benchmark International Client SuccessAcquired ByDynamic Quest - Benchmark International Success
Seller
Enroute Networks, Inc
Acquirer
Dynamic Quest
Industry
Technology, Media, Telecom, and Data
Paragon Plastics, Inc - Benchmark International Client SuccessAcquired ByAshley Industrial Molding, Inc - Benchmark International Success
Seller
Paragon Plastics, Inc
Acquirer
Ashley Industrial Molding, Inc
Industry
Industrial and Manufacturing
Bean, Whitaker, Lutz & Kareh, Inc (BWLK) - Benchmark International Client SuccessAcquired ByCES, Inc - Benchmark International Success
Seller
Bean, Whitaker, Lutz & Kareh, Inc (BWLK)
Acquirer
CES, Inc
Industry
Business Services
Central Window of Vero Beach Inc - Benchmark International Client SuccessAcquired ByFlorida Window and Door - Benchmark International Success
Seller
Central Window of Vero Beach Inc
Acquirer
Florida Window and Door
Industry
Industrial and Manufacturing
GPL Landscaping - Benchmark International Client SuccessAcquired ByRotolo Consultants - Benchmark International Success
Seller
GPL Landscaping
Acquirer
Rotolo Consultants
Industry
Construction
Network Technologies, Inc. - Benchmark International Client SuccessAcquired ByAutomated Systems Design, Inc - Benchmark International Success
Seller
Network Technologies, Inc
Acquirer
Automated Systems Design, Inc
Industry
Technology, Media, Telecom, and Data
Plastic Revolutions, Inc - Benchmark International Client SuccessAcquired ByIndustrial Container Services - Benchmark International Success
Seller
Plastic Revolutions, Inc
Acquirer
Industrial Container Services
Industry
Environmental, Waste, and Recycling
Carpet Super Mart Inc - Benchmark International Client SuccessAcquired ByHigh Net Worth Individual
Seller
Carpet Super Mart Inc
Acquirer
High Net Worth Individual
Industry
Consumer, Food, and Retail
Challenger Pools of Tampa, Inc - Benchmark International Client SuccessAcquired ByCody Pools of Florida, LLC - Benchmark International Success
Seller
Challenger Pools of Tampa, Inc
Acquirer
Cody Pools of Florida, LLC
Industry
Construction
Sun Coast Hydraulic Electric MFG Inc - Benchmark International Client SuccessAcquired ByScott Industrial Systems, Inc - Benchmark International Success
Seller
Sun Coast Hydraulic Electric MFG Inc
Acquirer
Scott Industrial Systems, Inc
Industry
Industrial and Manufacturing
Consolidated Sign - Benchmark International Client SuccessAcquired ByHigh Net Worth Investor
Seller
Consolidated Sign
Acquirer
High Net Worth Investor
Industry
Industrial and Manufacturing
Fast of Florida, Inc - Benchmark International Client SuccessAcquired BySouthern Air & Heat Holdings - Benchmark International Success
Seller
Fast of Florida, Inc
Acquirer
Southern Air & Heat Holdings
Industry
Industrial and Manufacturing
Canaide, Inc - Benchmark International Client SuccessAcquired ByApprio Holdings, LLC - Benchmark International Success
Seller
Canaide, Inc
Acquirer
Apprio Holdings, LLC
Industry
Financial
Silexx Financial Systems - Benchmark International Client SuccessAcquired ByChicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE)
Seller
Silexx Financial Systems
Acquirer
Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE)
Industry
Financial
Cade & Associates Advertising, Inc - Benchmark International Client SuccessAcquired ByEyeworks Advertising - Benchmark International Success
Seller
Cade & Associates Advertising, Inc
Acquirer
Eyeworks Advertising
Industry
Technology, Media, Telecom, and Data
Stouten Cramer, Inc - Benchmark International Client SuccessAcquired ByKing Engineering - Benchmark International Success
Seller
Stouten Cramer, Inc
Acquirer
King Engineering
Industry
Business Services
Southern Weaving Company - Benchmark International Client SuccessAcquired ByOppermann-Bandweberei - Acquirer name
Seller
Southern Weaving Company
Acquirer
Oppermann-Bandweberei
Industry
Industrial and Manufacturing
Rochester Electro-Medical, Inc - Benchmark International Client SuccessAcquired ByAdvantage Medical Cables - Benchmark International Success
Seller
Rochester Electro-Medical, Inc
Acquirer
Advantage Medical Cables
Industry
Healthcare
Progressive Industries Inc - Benchmark International Client SuccessAcquired ByPower Products LLC - Benchmark International Success
Seller
Progressive Industries Inc
Acquirer
Power Products LLC
Industry
Industrial and Manufacturing
Advanced Renal Care, Inc - Advanced Renal Care, Inc.Acquired ByFresenius Medical Care North America - Benchmark International Success
Seller
Advanced Renal Care, Inc
Acquirer
Fresenius Medical Care North America
Industry
Healthcare
C&S Carpet Distribution - Benchmark International Client SuccessAcquired ByBest Logistics Group - Benchmark International Success
Seller
C&S Carpet Distribution
Acquirer
Best Logistics Group
Industry
Business Services
Badge Express, Inc. - Benchmark International Client SuccessAcquired ByPlasco ID
Seller
Badge Express, Inc.
Acquirer
Plasco ID
Industry
Business Services
Garden Innovations - Benchmark International Client SuccessAcquired ByFlorentaise - Benchmark International Success
Seller
Garden Innovations
Acquirer
Florentaise
Industry
Consumer, Food, and Retail
Steven Feller P.E. PL - Benchmark International Client SuccessAcquired ByYenni Capital - Benchmark International Success
Seller
Steven Feller P.E. PL
Acquirer
Yenni Capital
Industry
Business Services
MediaWorks - Benchmark International Client SuccessAcquired ByDimension Design
Seller
MediaWorks
Acquirer
Dimension Design
Industry
Technology, Media, Telecom, and Data
Big Couch Media Group LLCAcquired ByForte Industries
Seller
Big Couch Media Group LLC
Acquirer
Forte Industries
Industry
Technology, Media, Telecom, and Data
G&G Graphics and Promotions, Inc - Benchmark International Client SuccessAcquired ByProforma Idea Press - Benchmark International Success
Seller
G&G Graphics and Promotions, Inc
Acquirer
Proforma Idea Press
Industry
Technology, Media, Telecom, and Data
Component Technology Inc - Benchmark International Client SuccessAcquired ByMonroe Engineering - Benchmark International Success
Seller
Component Technology Inc
Acquirer
Monroe Engineering
Industry
Industrial and Manufacturing
Nissco Restaurant Dealer Group Inc - Benchmark International Client SuccessAcquired ByExcell Marketing - Benchmark International Success
Seller
Nissco Restaurant Dealer Group Inc
Acquirer
Excell Marketing
Industry
Industrial and Manufacturing
Southpoint JacksonvilleAcquired BySouth CarolinaG Partners
Seller
Southpoint Jacksonville
Acquirer
South CarolinaG Partners
Industry
Construction
Advantone Inc - Benchmark International Client SuccessAcquired ByIntelePeer Holdings Inc - Benchmark International Success
Seller
Advantone Inc
Acquirer
IntelePeer Holdings Inc
Industry
Technology, Media, Telecom, and Data
Omega Technology Solutions, LLC - Benchmark International Client SuccessAcquired ByCertive Solutions Inc
Seller
Omega Technology Solutions, LLC
Acquirer
Certive Solutions Inc
Industry
Healthcare
Trec Corporation - Benchmark International Client SuccessAcquired ByInergex Holdings - Benchmark International Success
Seller
Trec Corporation
Acquirer
Inergex Holdings
Industry
Business Services
Central Emergency Medical Services Inc - Benchmark International Client SuccessAcquired ByPriority Ambulance owned by Enhanced Equity Funds - Benchmark International Success
Seller
Central Emergency Medical Services Inc
Acquirer
Priority Ambulance owned by Enhanced Equity Funds
Industry
Healthcare
Intact Pathways and MyIOM Company LogoAcquired ByHigh Net Worth Individual Logo
Seller
Intact Pathways and MyIOM LLC
Acquirer
High Net Worth Individual
Industry
Healthcare
Williams Testing LLC Company LogoAcquired ByPrimoris Services Corp. Company Logo
Seller
Williams Testing LLC
Acquirer
Primoris Services Corp.
Industry
Construction
G.W. Schultz Tool Company LogoAcquired ByAddison Capital Partners Company Logo
Seller
G.W. Schultz Tool
Acquirer
Addison Capital Partners
Industry
Industrial and Manufacturing
Venturian GroupAcquired ByIntelligent Living America Company Logo
Seller
Venturian Group
Acquirer
Intelligent Living America
Industry
Technology, Media, Telecom, and Data
BlueForge Company LogoAcquired ByArgo Systems Company Logo
Seller
BlueForge
Acquirer
Argo Systems
Industry
Construction
Albors & Alnet Company LogoAcquired ByInterpreters Unlimited, Inc. Company Logo
Seller
Albors & Alnet
Acquirer
Interpreters Unlimited, Inc.
Industry
Business Services
Tee Times USA Company LogoAcquired ByHigh Net Worth Individuals
Seller
Tee Times USA
Acquirer
High Net Worth Individuals
Industry
Real Estate, Lodging, and Leisure
Zucker Public Relations Company LogoAcquired ByRogers & Cowan Company Logo
Seller
Zucker Public Relations
Acquirer
Rogers & Cowan
Industry
Business Services
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Empathetic

Education

Lehigh University - BS, Finance

University of Rochester Simon School of Business - MBA, Competitive & Organizational Strategy

Passion

Dara has a passion for entrepreneurship. He has reviewed thousands of business plans and written dozens more. He has mentored CEOs of growing businesses in the Center for Economic Growth’s CEO Connex program; He’s lectured at dozens of universities, graduate schools and law schools, served on panels, judged business plan competitions, and been a mentor at several business incubators. Served on many boards and was recognized for his contributions to the community as a 40 Under Forty designee in 2010. His history is based on funding/starting small businesses and growing them to a point where they can successfully exit. Dara has a tremendous passion for both the small business and the art of deal-making. Benchmark International allows Dara to stitch these two passions together, working with small to medium-sized companies to facilitate their transactions and to do so in a way that others in the industry simply can’t.

Skills

Negotiation, Finance, Strategy, M&A, Leadership, Venture Capital, Marketing, Sales, Entrepreneurship, Financial Modeling

Experience

Before arriving at Benchmark International, Dara served as COO of GSL Solutions. GSL provides web design and content management for roughly half of the US Senate and many school districts. Before GSL, he was a VC working for three different funds and held C-Suite operational roles in several businesses. Dara was formerly Vice Chairman of Sunmark Federal Credit Union in NY.

Passionate

Accountable

I would like to thank Benchmark International for their persistence, and focus during this transaction. As is often the case, this transaction faced numerous challenges during each stage of the process. The Benchmark team remained focused, and leveraged their experience to maintain forward progress during difficult times of the process.
Thomas Frey
President and Majority Owner of Silexx Financial Systems, LLC
Benchmark made the sales process timely and seamless. We went to market just a few short months ago and they quickly found a great cultural fit that would allow me to step away quickly from the helm while partaking in future growth under the guidance of Apprio.
Art Seypura
Owner of Canaide

I would like to thank the entire transaction team at Benchmark International. Their M&A deal expertise was brought to bear at the most difficult and important moments. Throughout the process, they continued to find value in the deal for me in areas I would never know to look. I can truly say I could not have consummated such a successful transaction without Benchmark by my side. Perhaps just as important, they were able to find an international strategic buyer that valued my company based on more than just financial performance. Benchmark ensured that the buyer truly understood that the unique value of my business lies in the robust distribution channels I have worked so hard to build. Now that the companies are together, the buyer can penetrate the US market with their existing product line and sell Garden Innovations, LLC products through their European channels. The ability to bring an international acquirer to the table truly separates Benchmark International from their competition.

Jeff Mounce
CEO and Owner of Garden Innovations, LLC