About Our Company
Reliant Business Valuation is the nation’s most comprehensive provider of SBA related business and equipment appraisals. Over 150 regional and national SBA lenders depend on Reliant Business Valuation when they want the highest quality valuations in a timely manner.
The Reliant Business Valuation team has extensive experience with small business valuations and SBA financing, and its founder has firsthand ownership experience of multiple small businesses, including multi-unit franchised restaurants, liquor stores, a sports bar, a physical therapy practice, a web development company and a financial services company. This comprehensive experience, along with significant appraisal education, helps our team understand the intricacies of the businesses we appraise, while enabling us to add unique value to a nationwide roster of clients.
Reliant’s Core Values are our guiding principles which dictate our behavior and help us make personal and business decisions.
Your Valuation Team
Robert Vafiadou, CVA
Director of Business Valuation / Certified Valuation Analyst
Robert’s responsibilities are related to multiple aspects of the valuation process including financial analysis, application of valuation approaches and report review and completion. Furthermore, he is the lead employee responsible for rule of thumb analysis. Robert has earned the Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) designation from the NACVA. He graduated from The College of New Jersey with a B.S. in Management and a minor in Finance.
Yesenia Mirrione
Director of Processing and Billing
Yesenia works closely with the leadership team on daily operations. Her main focus includes managing the Valuation Processing team while maintaining client relationships and bookkeeping. Yesenia has a B.A. in Economics and a minor in Business Administration from Rutgers University. Prior to working with Reliant, she had over five years of experience working for small businesses.
Matthew Lore, CVA
Senior Vice President / Certified Valuation Analyst
Matt is involved in many aspects of the valuation process. Matt joined the Reliant team in 2014 after graduating from The College of New Jersey with a B.S. in Economics. In addition to being the office “Excel guy” Matt has earned the Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) designation from the NACVA. Matt is a recipient of the prestigious 30 Under 30 Award from the NACVA.
Michael Schykerynec, ASA, CMEA
Director of Machinery & Equipment Operations / Accredited Senior Appraiser / Certified Machinery and Equipment Appraiser
Mike conducts in-depth research for the equipment appraisal division and earned the Certified Machinery and Equipment Appraiser designation from the NEBB Institute. Michael Schykerynec has also earned accreditation from the American Society of Appraisers (ASA) in the Machinery and Technical Specialties discipline. The esteemed ASA designation is reflective of his expertise gained from over five years of providing trusted machinery and equipment appraisals to SBA lenders across the U.S. Mike graduated from The College of New Jersey with a B.A. in Political Science and a Minor in Economics.
Ben Varone, CVA
Senior Vice President / Certified Valuation Analyst
Ben’s responsibilities are primarily related to financial analysis within the valuation process. Ben graduated from The College of New Jersey with a B.S. in Finance and a Minor in Accounting. Ben has earned the Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) designation from the NACVA.
Todd Kutcher, ASA, CVA
Senior Vice President/ Accredited Senior Appraiser / Certified Valuation Analyst
Todd conducts in-depth financial analysis within the valuation process. Todd became interested in valuation after studying the topic intensely as an undergraduate. Todd graduated magna cum laude from The College of New Jersey’s Honors Program with a B.S. in Finance and a minor in Actuarial Science. Todd has earned accreditation from the American Society of Appraisers (ASA) in the Business Valuation discipline as well as the Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) designation from the NACVA. The esteemed ASA designation is reflective of his expertise gained from over five years of providing trusted business valuations to SBA lenders across the U.S.
Michelle Leitstein
Vice President, Research & Talent
Michelle is responsible for collecting data, analyzing information, and conducting extensive in-depth industry and economic research. She also assists with marketing. She graduated cum laude from Rowan University in three years with a B.S. in Marketing.
JoAnna DiCicco, CVA
Vice President / Certified Valuation Analyst
JoAnna conducts in-depth financial analysis within the valuation process. JoAnna graduated from The College of New Jersey’s Honors Program and earned a B.S. in Finance with a minor in Professional Writing. Prior to joining our team, JoAnna worked as a mortgage underwriter. JoAnna has earned the Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) designation from the NACVA.
John Milnes, CVA
Vice President / Certified Valuation Analyst
John conducts in-depth financial analysis within the valuation process. Prior to joining our team, John was an SBA credit analyst. John graduated from Rutgers University with a B.S. in Finance. John has earned the Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) designation from the NACVA.
Ross Blanchard, CMEA, ASA
Director of Equipment Appraisals / Accredited Senior Appraiser / Certified Machinery and Equipment Appraiser
Ross brings a decade of experience in machinery & equipment appraisals to Reliant Business Valuation. A graduate of Cornell College, Ross is trusted in M&E appraisals throughout the Midwest and across the nation. His breadth of experience covers most businesses and equipment, earning him the Certified Machinery Equipment Appraisal designation by the NEBB Institute. Ross Blanchard has also earned accreditation from the American Society of Appraisers (ASA) in the Equipment Appraisal discipline. The esteemed ASA designation is reflective of his expertise gained from over a decade of providing trusted machinery and equipment appraisals to SBA lenders across the U.S.
Katie Coakley
Valuation Coordinator / Office Manager
Katie is part of the Valuation Processing team and is responsible for collecting financials, analyzing information, and conducting extensive research for various industries. Katie also assists with office administrative duties. Prior to joining our team, Katie has over four years of customer service experience and graduated from Ramapo College with a B.A. in Social Science.
Ally Yan
Financial Analyst
Ally conducts in-depth financial analysis within the valuation process. Ally graduated from The College of New Jersey and earned a B.S. in Business Administration.
Matt Safft, CVA
Financial Analyst / Certified Valuation Analyst
Matt conducts in-depth financial analysis within the valuation process. Matt graduated from Bentley University and earned a B.S. in Finance.
Gabe Duque
Financial Analyst
Gabe conducts in-depth financial analysis within the valuation process. Gabe graduated magna cum laude from The College of New Jersey with a B.S. in Finance and a minor in Biology.
Daniel Mullen
Equipment Research Analyst
Dan conducts in-depth research for the equipment appraisal division. Dan graduated from Rutgers University with a B.S in Business Analytics and Information Technology.
Timothy Rusli
Research Analyst / Business Technology Liason
Timothy is responsible for collecting data, analyzing information, and conducting extensive in-depth industry and economic research. He graduated summa cum laude from Rutgers University with a B.A. in Applied Mathematics.
Cibely Leguizamon
Valuation Processor
Cibely is part of the Valuation Processing team and is responsible for collecting financials, analyzing information, and ensuring a superior client experience. She graduated from Felician University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Business. Prior to joining Reliant, Cibely worked as a coordinator for a COVID-19 related clinic and resource center for Hudson County.
James Gilbride
Equipment Research Analyst
James is responsible for collecting and analyzing data and information, as well as conducting extensive in-depth industry and economic research. He graduated from Moravian University with a B.A. in Organizational Leadership and Accounting.
Mia Carley
Junior Financial Analyst
Mia is involved in many aspects of the valuation process. She plans to pursue a B.S. in Finance at Rutgers University as a transfer student from Raritan Valley Community College.
Phil Acinapuro
Financial Analyst
Phil conducts in-depth financial analysis within the valuation process. Phil graduated from Boston College with a B.S. in Management and concentrations in Finance and Economics.
Jordan Hawk
Valuation Processor
Jordan is a part of the Valuation Processing team and is responsible for collecting financials, analyzing information, and ensuring a superior client experience. She graduated magna cum laude from Moravian University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Prior to joining Reliant, Jordan has worked in various customer service and satisfaction positions.
Scott Toohey
Junior Financial Analyst
Scott is involved in many aspects of the valuation process. He is a rising senior at The College of New Jersey and is working on a B.S in Business Administration. At TCNJ, Scott is a former member of the Student Investment Fund and currently serves as treasurer at his chapter of Alpha Chi Rho.
Jake Wallace
Junior Financial Analyst
Jake is involved in many aspects of the valuation process. He is a rising senior at The College of New Jersey and is working on a B.S. in Finance and a minor in Information Systems and Technology.