Kathryn Scarmato is a results-oriented professional with over 23 years of experience in arranging for the successful merger, buy-side acquisition of well-established businesses. Ms. Scarmato’s experience includes business valuations and transactions within manufacturing, wholesale/distribution, construction, hospitality and business-to-business service sectors. Ms. Scarmato personally oversees the closing of transactions, assists in assuring smooth transition to new ownership and provides post-closing follow up. Since 1987 she has successfully completed over 400 transactions. She has served clients in bankruptcy, and has qualified as an expert witness. Ms. Scarmato is the founder of Ascend Capital Group (ACG), a boutique M&A/business brokerage firm specializing in the valuation and sale of privately held businesses with up to $50M in value.

She is a past principal of Barron Creations, a Los Angeles based manufacturing firm; and subsequently managed and led the #1 producing office of Business Team, the largest business brokerage office on the west coast. As Senior Vice President for TRI Commercial-Oncor International, she established and co-chaired the M&A Division for a well-established San Francisco Bay Area based commercial real estate firm with multiple offices and over 100 agents. Prior to her departure in 1999 to establish ACG, she was the #1 producing agent for the company.

As the principal of Ascend Capital Group, Ms. Scarmato works with complicated and challenging contract negotiations and distinguishes herself by a high level of integrity and determination to provide exceptional services and products. She and her clients have been featured on the cover of Inc. Magazine and most recently were featured in the November 2010 Fortune 500 issue.

Ms. Scarmato earned a BS in Business Administration in Entrepreneurship and Venture Management from the University of Southern California (USC), graduating “Female Top of the Class Entrepreneur”. She also graduated summa cum laude with an AS degree in Viticulture and Winery Technology (with an emphasis on wine marketing and sales) from Napa Valley College. Licensed as a Real Estate Agent since 1987, Ms. Scarmato is a former member of the M&A Source, the world's largest international organization of experienced, dedicated merger and acquisition intermediaries representing the middle market.

During her career, Ms. Scarmato has been a keynote speaker for professional organizations and has been featured on several television programs, including the top female entrepreneur in a documentary feature filmed at Paramount Studios and has authored numerous articles on entrepreneurship and the sale of companies. Ms. Scarmato has been recognized for her dedication and results in fundraising abilities for chambers of commerce and charitable organizations. She is the past recipient of Diablo’s Top Enterprising Women of the East Bay Area and is a past Director of Marin Family Service Agency (for 65 years, FSA has worked to champion freedom from abuse, violence, and poverty). She has been a Director and sponsor for Molly’s Angels, an innovative grassroots organization in Napa serving persons in crisis, and is incoming Advisory Board member for Equine Outreach in Oregon that facilitates the rescue, rehabilitation, adoption, and permanent placement of abused, neglected and unwanted horses.

Ms. Scarmato has recently joined the Bend Chamber of Commerce and Rotary International. In the fall of 2011, ACG plans to fund the building of wells in developing nations and provide clean water for a community of over 750 people that will sustain them for 20 years. Ascend Capital Group donates 2% of every closed transaction to a designated charity.

Ms. Scarmato spends her time between Oregon and California. Her passions include travel, golf, motorcycling, horses, biking, sailing, charitable endeavors, great wine, cooking & entertaining. She is guided by the principle that our lives are defined by opportunities, even those we miss.