Axia’s Managing Directors are highly successful executives and recognized industry leaders who have a unique blend of strategic, operational, financial and business development (mergers & acquisition) experience that spans several technology domains.

Peter A. Hunter phunter@axia-partners.com Mr. Hunter is a well respected executive with over 25 years of business experience. Most recently Peter was the CEO of Innovative Microplate, Inc, where he grew revenues by 100% and, led the sale of the company. Previously, Peter was CEO and director of Inspectron Corporation, a machine vision hardware and software company focused on the factory automation market. Under his leadership, the company grew over 400% in less than three years and was ultimately sold to a strategic buyer in 2002. Prior to Inspectron, Peter was EVP, COO & CFO for Data Instruments, Inc., a manufacturer of industrial sensors and factory automation equipment. During his twelve years at Data Instruments, he initiated and completed seven acquisitions that provided significant growth to the company (revenues of $70 million) and ultimately led to the sale of the company to Honeywell International in 1998. Prior to joining Data Instruments, Peter was a consultant for Deloitte & Touche. Peter is also on the board of a number of for-profit and non-profit entities. An attorney and CPA, he received his JD in corporate law and BS in Accounting at Suffolk University where he is currently on the board of Trustees. Peter lives in Concord, Massachusetts with his wife, Elizabeth, and daughters, Libby and Sally.

James A. Pelusi jpelusi@axia-partners.com Mr. Pelusi is an accomplished executive with over 22 years of business experience. Most recently Jim was SVP and General Manager of the Factory Software Division of Brooks Automation, where he personally led the acquisition and integration of six complementary product and service organizations. Under his management, the division’s revenues grew from $24 million to $130 million in two years. Jim also was a key player on the Brooks road-show team that raised over $280 million in a successful secondary equity offering. Previously, Jim was the CEO and co-founder of FASTech Integration, a developer of mission-critical manufacturing software for large semiconductor and electronics companies. At FASTech, Jim was successful in raising $6.5 million in venture financing and led the company through significant growth, increasing revenues to $24 million. FASTech was ultimately sold to Brooks Automation in 1998. Jim has a BS in Operations Research from Columbia University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. Jim lives in Winchester, Massachusetts with his wife, Faith, daughter, Anna, and two sons, Drew and Jake.

John F. Ippolito jippolito@axia-partners.com Mr. Ippolito is an experienced advisor to private and public companies relating to mergers and acquisitions and capital markets issues. Prior to joining Axia Partners, John was a Partner at Creek Park Capital, a firm focused on advising and investing in small, public companies. Before co-founding Creek Park, he was Managing Director of Investment Banking and Head of M&A at H.C. Wainwright & Co., a full-service investment bank focused on small public companies in technology, healthcare and growth industrial segments. Prior to Wainwright, he was Managing Director at Downer & Company, a boutique investment bank focused on cross-border mergers and acquisitions. Prior to joining Downer & Company, he held various senior management positions within factory automation and systems integration companies, including ITP Boston, PlantStar, Inc., and Horizon Software, which he founded in 1983. John has a BS in Industrial Engineering with Highest Distinction from Purdue University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. He lives in Andover, Massachusetts with his wife, Maria, and children, Michael and Laura.

John H. Ricketson jricketson@axia-partners.com Mr. Ricketson is an experienced mergers and acquisitions advisor and operating manager. Prior to joining Axia Partners, John was a principal at BRC, a boutique M&A advisory firm focused on industrial technology and automation markets. At BRC John managed over 40 transactions. On the strength of BRC’s industry knowledge, the firm provided extensive strategic advice to clients regarding growth strategies for revenue and equity value, as well as joint ventures, industry partnerships, and strategic capital sources. Prior to BRC, he spent seven years at Dynatech Corporation (now Acterna) in various senior management roles, including Director of Corporate Development for Dynatech, and Vice President Sales and Marketing for Parallax Graphics, a subsidiary. Prior to Dynatech, he was Vice President of Marketing for the Computrol division of Kidde, for four years and a software engineering manager for the Lummus Company, subsidiary of Asea Brown Boveri. John has a BS in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from Princeton University, and an MBA from Harvard Business School. He lives in Westford, Massachusetts, with his wife, Catherine, and sons, William and Matthew.