Paul Carrazzone has over two decades of commercial banking, underwriting, deal making and business development experience. Paul has been an investor, advisor or consultant to a myriad of private and public transactions, ranging from business start-ups to billion-dollar transactions.

Paul brings to Legion proven experience in business management and development, corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, transaction analysis, contract negotiation and deal structuring. Paul oversees all new transaction underwriting and management of Legion’s portfolio holdings.

Results-driven executive leader with expertise in all facets of financial management, analysis, and turnaround management within high-profile corporations. Skilled in collaborating across the enterprise to achieve long-term financial and business objectives. Accomplished in transforming underperforming companies into highly profitable and revenue-generating businesses while streamlining and improving processes to enhance productivity. Exceptional communicator able to build relationships to drive impactful change resulting in increased business profitability.

Jason Plucinak is a financial professional with 20 years of experience in the securities, alternative investment, and insurance industries. As one of three partners at Legion Capital Corporation, Mr. Plucinak serves as Vice President of Corporate Finance where he is responsible for building and managing the firm’s independent broker dealer and RIA distribution channels, national sales management, and corporate finance initiatives. Prior to joining Legion, Mr. Plucinak helped build a specialty finance firm for 11 years spanning from 2007 – 2018.  There he helped structure, launch, and distribute 8 proprietary investment offerings in both retail and institutional marketplaces. Those offerings included private placements, publicly registered offerings, an IPO, and cumulatively raised over $1 billion dollars for the company. Mr. Plucinak’s experience encompasses all roles of investment wholesaling, product due diligence and distribution, and private equity. Early career roles included licensed registered representative positions at Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co. and Ameriprise Financial Services. He currently holds a FINRA Series 7 and Series 63 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from St. Cloud State University in Minnesota. Mr. Plucinak presently resides between Minneapolis, MN and Cocoa Beach, FL.

A renowned direct marketing expert, Shane Hackett is a 25 year media and marketing veteran, having built multiple broadcast, technology, marketing and training companies. Shane is Chairman of the Board at MarketLeverage, an Inc. 100 Advertising Firm and Fortune 5000 fastest growing company. He served as President and General Manager of the radio stations KGU-AM in Honolulu, Hawaii, KTSS-FM in Honolulu, Hawaii and WTIX-AM in New Orleans, Louisiana. He served as Director of Continuity and Executive Producer for Gannett with KCMO AM/FM and the Kansas City Chiefs Radio Network. 

Shane began his career in radio, having been responsible for the creation and production of several nationally syndicated radio shows, including “Baseball Sunday with Joe Garagiola”, “Football Sunday”, and “NBA Basketball Sunday”.

From 1984 to 2000, J. Bradley Hilton was employed by Hilton Hotels, including serving as Information Technology Director from 1998-2000.  He has been an owner of Gains Venture Group, a venture capital firm located in Phoenix, Arizona which was one of the early investors in Legion Capital.  From 2016 – 2019 Mr. Hilton served as President and Director of Legion Capital and then Vice Chairman and Chief Technology Officer serving in that capacity from 2020 – 2023.   He currently serves on the Advisory Board.  

MATT GALLANT is a Veteran of the United States Marine Corps where he served as a Team Leader and Squad Leader with Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment from 2007 through 2011.  During his service, Mr. Gallant served in Ramadi, Iraq and also Marjah and Sangin, Afghanistan.  In 2014 he moved from New England down to Florida to continue education and during this time began his journey with Legion.  Mr. Gallant assumed operational roles in creating programs, policies, and procedures, and also assumes vital management functions within Legion’s portfolio companies.  He brings years of teamwork, leadership, and organizational skills to the table.  As his tenure with Legion transitioned to starting his own company, he still works side by side with Legion on the construction development side of their loan portfolio.  The services provided include, but are not limited to management of vendor payables, oversight of development progress within the communities being developed and detailed reporting to the lender related to their collateral.

Jim Byrd is a veteran corporate attorney and venture capital executive who brings a unique blend of both legal and entrepreneurial skills to his role as advisor. Jim  was a Co-Founder and served as CEO and Chairman of the Board at Legion Capital.   He has served as lead investor, attorney, strategic adviser, venture capital partner and corporate executive to numerous private and public companies in his distinguished 30 year career. Jim began his career as an attorney at Baker & Hostetler prior to founding his own law firm in 1987, which he grew into a highly successful full service commercial firm. As a trial lawyer, Jim has extensive experience trying cases in both State and Federal Courts, and has argued cases in front of The Florida Supreme Court and the U.S. Court of Appeals.

A lifelong business builder, Jim has owned and managed a successful private equity and venture capital firm, working with growing companies in the technology, media, manufacturing, distribution, automotive, oil and gas, real estate, and health and wellness industries. He has served, at times, as Chairman, CEO and Director of numerous private and public companies, including Vice Chairman of Success Magazine, N.Y. (1998-2000).