SPEAKERS
Jennifer Derse, DDS
Chief Clinical Director, Espire Dental
After finishing dental school at Marquette University School of Dentistry in 2005, Dr. Jennifer Derse immediately focused her practice on cosmetic dentistry in Scottsdale and taught part time at the Arizona School of Dentistry. In 2010, Dr. Jen moved to Denver and continued to focus on restorative and cosmetic dentistry changing thousands of smiles for patients around the country and world. Dr Jen is also mentor at the Kois Center in Seattle WA, and leads the clinical mentorship of doctors at Espire Dental. As a KOL for Straumann and VOCO she is passionate about growing doctors' skills in cosmetic dentistry and has lectured internationally. Some of her post graduate nonclinical education includes Harvard Business School Online CoRE, McKinsey Leadership and Ritz Carlton Leadership programs. She is actively involved in the Denver community, serving on local non-profit boards and she has also gone on numerous medical missions to the Dominican Republic and Guatemala to provide dental care in underserved communities. To build upon her service in non-profits, she started the Espiration Foundation, Espire’s 501c3 philanthropic arm that funds humanitarian work along with local charities. Dr. Jen is passionate about the patient and team experience and improving the dental space for both.
Tim Hill
Chief Executive Officer, Espire Dental
Under Tim Hill‘s leadership, he is responsible for the creation and strategic implementation of Espire’s vision to build a dental group centered around superior and elevated patient experiences and outcomes. Tim brings extensive operational and dental industry experience to the Espire leadership team having spent the last 17 years of his career in various leadership roles within a dental support organization that owned and operated over 150 dental practices throughout five states. Prior to his career in dentistry, Tim held leadership positions for Verizon Wireless where he was instrumental in developing the direct retail store channel operations throughout Florida and the Mid-gulf region. As a seasoned executive with broad-based experience in public, private, and venture-stage organizations, the common leadership thread for Tim is all about helping people where he works to inspire them to grow and give their personal best. “By putting our patients first, we are here not just to elevate the dental industry, but more importantly the quality of life for our patients, empowering us all to be the best version of ourselves.”
Eric Tobler, DMD, MBA
Mortenson Dental Partners
Dr. Eric Tobler is the National Clinical Director for Mortenson Dental Partners and Regional President of Stonehaven Dental. He also serves on the AAGDP Board of Directors.
Dr. Eric has been practicing at Stonehaven Dental since 2007 with a focus on providing comprehensive dentistry including IV sedation. He attended Utah State University for undergraduate followed by University of Nevada Las Vegas School of Dental Medicine. Dr. Eric earned his MBA from Washington State University. He is a Member of the American Dental Association, Utah Dental Association and American Dental Society of Anesthesiology. He has volunteered on dental humanitarian trips to Haiti, Dominican Republic and Mexico.
Bill Becknell
Chief Executive Officer, Mortenson Dental Partners
Bill Becknell is the CEO of Mortenson Dental Partners, a 138 practice Dental Support Organization based in Louisville, Kentucky. Bill joined Mortenson Dental Partners in 2014 and served as the Chief Strategic Officer, President of Dental Teams. He has served on the Board of Directors since 2017 and became Chief Executive Officer in 2018.
Bill was previously the Director of Store Operations for North America at PPG Industries. During his tenure at PPG, the business grew from 357 locations to 867 locations across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. Prior to PPG, Bill spent twenty-one years in the grocery industry with The Kroger Company. When recruited by PPG, Bill was Manager of Store Operations for Kroger’s Mid-South Division, a 156-store chain with 17,000 employees serving Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, and Tennessee.
Bill holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and completed the Executive MBA program at University of Pittsburgh Katz School of Business. He enhanced his leadership and executive education through programs at the University of Notre Dame and Kellogg School of Business.
Bill enjoys spending his time with his wife, Debra, and their three children, Elizabeth, Madison and Parker. Bill also enjoys music, playing guitar, spending time outdoors and boating.
Dr. M. Ray Scott, Jr.
Dr. M. Ray Scott, Jr. graduated from the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio Dental School in 1983. He has practiced in a variety of settings both solo and group. Dr. Scott joined Carus Dental (formerly known as Longhorn Dental) in 1985, became a partner in 1997, and was elected President of the doctor group in 1998. Carus Dental was a multi-specialty, 30-location, 65-doctor group serving the greater Austin, Cen-Tex, and Houston markets. In 2012, Dr. Scott started a pediatric Medicaid Group in the Dallas/Fort Worth market- A Tooth Doctor for Kids Dallas/Fort Worth. Both Carus and Tooth Doctor were Affiliates of American Dental Partners, Inc. (ADPi). Quality of Care is extremely important; Dr. Scott led Carus thru the rigorous accreditation process of the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC). Dr. Scott has served on the ADPi Senior Management Team (ALC), the National Leadership Team of ADPi, was Chair of the Product Advisory Council, and the board chair of the American Dental Partners Foundation. Dr. Scott served as the Vice President of Clinical Development with American Dental Partners until his appointment as Chief Dental Officer. Heartland Dental acquired American Dental Partners in 2021 where Dr. Scott served as Vice President of Clinical Operations. Dr. Scott has served as President of the UTHSCSA Alumni Association and its Board and has been named to the Dean's Council. Dr. Scott is a native Texan and has been married for 43 years and has two daughters and four grandkids.
Dr. Jimmy Gardiner
Dr. Jimmy Gardiner’s roots run deep in the heart of Northwest Alabama where he was born and raised. After graduating from Birmingham Southern in 1987 and the University of Alabama Birmingham School of Dentistry in 1992, he established a private practice in Tuscumbia, a huge step on his lifelong journey of serving the area. In 2014, he expanded through Singing River Dental Partners, leading a team with 10 locations across Northern Alabama. This impressive network includes three pediatric clinics under the brand Treehouse Children's Dentistry and seven general clinics under the brand Singing River Dentistry. Today, it’s the largest privately held Dental Service Organization (DSO) in Alabama.
In his dual role as a practicing dentist and owner, Dr. Gardiner is dedicated to providing the highest level of care and encourages his team to be their best. Beyond his professional life, he is a family man, sharing his life with his wife, Nan, and their two adult children. The Gardiners engage in various outdoor activities, including the annual "Saddle-up for St. Jude" event in Tuscumbia, raising over 3 million dollars for St. Jude's Children's Hospital. Dr. Gardiner's lifelong mission is simple yet powerful: "Take care of people."
Maria Melone, MSA, CPA, CVA
M&A Strategist, Valuation Expert and Healthcare Middle Market Advisor
As a leading M&A advisor to the dental industry, Maria Melone’s mission is to help both individual dentists and dental groups navigate the complex landscape of dental-practice transactions.
Maria has extensive knowledge of the dental industry and brings a wide breadth of skills to thetable—particularly in valuation. As a Certified Valuation Analyst, she is an expert in helping clients understand what a dental practice or dental group practice is worth. She determines business value based on tangibles like equipment, actual cash flow, and profitability. But she also understands that a more complete picture of practicevalue includes much more, including variables like business climate, market demand, and competition.
Detail-oriented and team-focused, Maria is a confident, eective negotiator with a strong track record ofhelping clients close transactions and achieve the best possible outcomes.
Prior to joining Caber Hill Advisors, Maria worked in corporate development for American Dental Partners, Inc. During her 10 years with the company, she managed lead generation, valuation, legal-document negotiation and integration. She also developed a deep understanding of dental practice and dental group practice operations which informs her insight in the intangible aspects of dental valuations.
More recently, Maria founded MORR Dental Solutions in 2012 to provide an investment banking perspective to solo practitioner dentists looking to transition their practices, as well as fill a gap in service for emerging dental group practices.
Maria has touched well over 500 dental transactions in her career.
Maria holds a B.A. in Economics from Gettysburg College and a Master of Science in Accountancy from Bentley College. She received her CPA license in 1998 and became a Certified Valuation Analyst in 2014.
Outside of work, Maria enjoys giving of her time and talent to a variety of non-profits, playing soccer & pickleball, and creating feasts for friends and family.
Perrin DesPortes
Co-Founder, Polaris Healthcare Partners
Perrin DesPortes is one of the Co-Founders of Polaris Healthcare Partners. He is a Washington & Lee University graduate and earned his MBA from the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina. Perrin has over 25 years of experience in the business side of dentistry, having run three different business units for Patterson Dental Supply over a 15-year career. Perrin is happily married and has an 8-year-old daughter at home. In his spare time, he is an avid cyclist and tennis player; enjoys cooking and reading; and loves good red wine and strong coffee.
Tama Martello
Director of Hygiene Operations for Solomon Family Dental Management
Tama Martello has over 35 years of experience in the dental industry and currently serves as Director of Hygiene Operations for Solomon Family Dental Management. She’s previously held roles as Regional Operations Manager, Director of Hygiene, and has consulted for top dental practices.
Tama has a passion for the dental industry and strives to make a difference in the lives of those around her by positively influencing the standard of care for lifetime dentistry.
Theresa Yanicak
Dental Executive, Thought Leader and Advisor
Theresa Yanicak is a clinical dental hygienist armed with an MBA in Healthcare Administration. With a remarkable 30-year career, she stands as a results-oriented healthcare executive leader, specializing in optimizing operational and program functions. Her expertise shines in guiding large-scale projects from inception to successful fruition. Theresa's strategic acumen, along with her impeccable communication and people management skills, consistently drives her teams to achieve critical objectives. She offers innovative, personalized solutions tailored to meet specific client needs, all while embodying integrity, grace, and authenticity in her leadership.
As a C-Suite executive, Theresa continues to provide invaluable leadership and education. Her versatile background encompasses roles as an educator, main-stage speaker, consultant, recruiter, and clinician.
Above all, Theresa's passion lies in fostering strong relationships within the dental community, ensuring they have access to the resources they need."
Danielle Turner
Chief Clinical Officer, First Choice Dental
With over 25 years of experience in the industry, Danielle Turner is a seasoned professional dedicated to exceptional patient care and fostering employee growth.
Danielle currently serves as Chief Clinical Officer for First Choice Dental. In her previous roles, she served as Director of Operations, Training and Development Manager, Patient Coordinator, and Hygiene Coordinator. Her time as an Adjunct Dental Hygiene Instructor honed her leadership abilities, inspiring others to excel as skilled clinicians and trusted dental care providers.
Brian Colao
Dykema’s DSO Industry Group, Director
Brian Colao is the Director of Dykema’s DSO Industry Group. He has been serving the dental industry for nearly 30 years and is widely regarded as one of the foremost authorities in the United States on DSO formation, DSO business structures, DSO related mergers and acquisitions, and the full array of regulatory compliance requirements for DSOs. Brian was named a “2019 DSO Influencer” by Group Dentistry Now, the “2023 Thought Leader of the Year” by Planet DDS and the “2023 Influencer of the Year” by The Dental Socials.
Zack Hoard
Dykema’s DSO Industry Group, Member
Zack Hoard is a Member of Dykema’s DSO Industry Group and advises clients nationwide in the healthcare industry on all manner of regulatory issues related to the formation, reorganization, and acquisition of DSOs or group dental practices. He has also successfully represented clients in multiple federal and state regulatory investigations and traditional litigation disputes regarding allegations of the corporate practice of dentistry, fee splitting, fraud and abuse, teledentistry, and related violations.
Dr. Tanious
Chief Dental Officer at Affinity Dental Management
Dr. Tanious has worked in the dental field for over 13 years and she brings her 10+ years of expertise in Quality Assurance to Affinity Dental Management. She joined Affinity in 2021 to develop a Quality Improvement Program to aid Affinity's doctors and staff in delivering optimal dental care to Affinity’s patients. Dr. Tanious believes in creating a positive culture that allows to uplift and develop their employees.
Prior to joining Affinity, Dr. Tanious was the Dental Director at West Coast Dental Services and worked as a Dental Consultant at Western Dental Services in their Quality Management Department where she held key roles for their Grievance and Peer Review Communities. She earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the New York University College of Dentistry, completed a general practice residency through Columbia University and earned a bachelor’s degree in Neurology from the University of California, Davis.
When Dr. Tanious is not immersed in the world of dentistry, she loves spending time with her husband and her two boys, Alexander and Nicholas.
Teresa Williams
Chief Operations Officer at Dental Express
Teresa Williams is a seasoned DSO professional serving as Chief Operations Officer for Dental Express. She leverages her extensive experience and expertise in ensuring regulatory adherence and operational excellence. In her current role, she collaborates closely with dental providers and DSO leadership to deliver financial and operational guidance to support their strategic objectives. Teresa's invaluable leadership and proficiency in navigating the intricate DSO landscape have contributed to success in both de Novo and acquisition-based companies. With a focus on achieving transformative outcomes, Teresa has effectively led cross-functional teams and implemented impactful changes. Throughout these endeavors, she maintains unwavering attention to regulatory obligations and compliance both at the DSO and the clinic level. Her academic background, consisting of a BA in Administrative Leadership from the University of Oklahoma and an MLS in Health Care Law from the University of Oklahoma College of Law, significantly contributes to her success in the healthcare industry. This unique combination of practical expertise and academic training equips her with a holistic understanding of the complex regulatory environment surrounding DSO companies.