Integrity

vcardDara Shareef

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

Mr. Shareef was born in Massachusetts and grew up in Connecticut, moving frequently throughout the New England region during his youth. He excelled athletically and leaned on his successes on the field to build confidence, and develop friendships and leadership skills. Those experiences, largely within the context of teams, shaped how he excels in our team environment at Benchmark, serving in both an operational role and a managerial one, leading a team of 20 hard-charging M&A transaction professionals.

Dara has 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, Mr. Shareef has played virtually every role in the execution of the sale of businesses. He brings empathy to every interaction he has within the M&A process. He can put himself in the shoes of buyers, sellers and advisors, as he has actually been there in past experiences.

Success

Over the course of his years at Benchmark International, Dara has led teams that have closed more than 50 deals across numerous industries. However, he also defines his success by the success of the team members he has played a part in developing. He has aided in the development of multiple team members that have ascended from Analysts to the Director level.

Mr. Shareef has served on multiple not-for-profit boards over the years. Of note was his board work for The American Red Cross of Northeastern NY. His oldest daughter Mikaila was born three months premature and greatly benefited from The Red Cross. He proudly served on their board for several years. He was also fortunate to teach the capstone business strategy course as an adjunct professor at Siena College in NY. During the holidays, he contributes both time and money to Christmas for Kids, an initiative in St. Petersburg, FL, that provides essentials to dozens of families every year. 

Resolute

Tombstones

Sample of Involvement

Our Success
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
Albors & Alnet Company LogoAcquired ByInterpreters Unlimited, Inc. Company Logo
Seller
Albors & Alnet
Acquirer
Interpreters Unlimited, Inc.
Industry
Business Services
Solution Matrix Inc.Acquired ByBroadview Group Holdings LLC
Seller
Solution Matrix Inc.
Acquirer
Broadview Group Holdings LLC
Industry
Industrial and Manufacturing
Read's Uniforms, Inc. - Benchmark International Client SuccessAcquired ByBrighton Partners Equity - Benchmark International Buyer Success
Seller
Read's Uniforms, Inc.
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
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
Credex Systems, Inc - Benchmark International Client SuccessAcquired ByValsoft Corporation, Inc
Seller
Credex Systems, Inc
Acquirer
Valsoft Corporation, Inc
Industry
Business Services
Integrated Legacy Solutions, LLC - Benchmark International Client SuccessAcquired ByNXTsoft, LLC - Technology
Seller
Integrated Legacy Solutions, LLC
Acquirer
NXTsoft, LLC
Industry
Financial
MC2 Inc - Benchmark International Client SuccessAcquired ByStark Holdings America Inc - Benchmark International Client Success
Seller
MC2 Inc
Acquirer
Stark Holdings America, Inc.
Industry
Construction
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
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
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
Drag The Cursor

Empathetic

Education

Lehigh University - BS, Finance

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

Passion

Dara’s history is in the area of funding and starting small businesses and growing them to a point where they can successfully exit. He has a tremendous passion for both the small business and the art of deal making. Benchmark International allows him to stitch these two passions together, working with small to medium-sized businesses to facilitate their transactions and to do so in a way that others in the industry simply cannot. No other lower middle market, sell-side M&A firm can match the level of service and expertise provided by Benchmark International.

Skills

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

Experience

Mr. Shareef has the esteemed experience of an M&A professional, C-Suite executive, board member and business operator. Like his experience, his role is at Benchmark is multi-dimensional. He is responsible for the success of the Tampa Transaction Team and the day-to-day responsibilities that go along with running a P&L. He works very closely with the deal teams to ensure they are on the right track, serving as a sounding board and to test their ideas. If they want to pursue a new strategy with one of our deals, he challenges their conviction and helps them to fortify the business case. Dara reviews virtually all of the LOIs and Purchase Agreements we receive and will often identify questions or issues that differ from those identified by others. 

Prior to arriving at Benchmark International, he served as COO of GSL Solutions. GSL provides web design and content management for roughly half of the US Senate and many school districts. Prior to GSL, he was a VC working for three different funds and held C-Suite roles in several businesses, such as the Vice Chairmanship at Sunmark Federal Credit Union in New York. His diverse background as both an operator of business and an investor into businesses allows him to anticipate issues in deals before they happen, thinking like both a seller and a buyer.

Dara has quite a bit of experience on the buy-side serving as a venture capitalist and saw firsthand the disparity in resources and experience between buyer and seller in small business transactions. He is inspired by how Benchmark International fills this gap to provide tremendous value to an underserved and vital swath of the market.

Passionate

Accountable

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
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