Mr. Della Ratta has more than 27 years of investment banking experience. Prior to founding Western Reserve Partners, Mr. Della Ratta managed the Investment Banking Division of McDonald Investments Inc. for more than 12 years. At McDonald he was responsible for the firm’s relationship with its corporate clients and prospects and for the firm’s activities in initial and secondary public offerings, private placements, venture capital and mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Della Ratta was a member of the KeyCorp’s Executive Council, the Equity Underwriting, Debt Underwriting and M&A Commitment Committees.

Prior to joining McDonald Investments Inc. in 1987, Mr. Della Ratta was employed at Bank One, Indianapolis, N.A. for ten years, most recently in the capacity of a Division Manager in the Corporate Group. His previous experiences at Bank One, Indianapolis include: Manager, International Banking Department, Board Member and an Executive Director of American Fletcher Bank Suisse, S.A.; General Manager of the European Branch, Luxembourg; and Area Manager for Europe. Mr. Della Ratta was a member of various management committees at Bank One, Indianapolis.

Mr. Della Ratta received his B.A. from Duke University in 1975. In 1977, he received a Masters in Business Administration from the American Graduate School of International Management. In 1986, he received a graduate degree in Banking from the Stonier Graduate School at Rutgers University. Mr. Della Ratta serves on the Board of Directors of Olympic Steel Inc. and Hyland Software Inc. He has also been actively involved in various charities and not-for-profit organizations. Mr. Della Ratta currently serves on the Board of the City Club and Business Volunteers Unlimited. His past public services includes serving on the Executive Committee of the Annual Fund of Duke University, the Board of the Duke Alumni Association, the Board of the Cleveland Center for Contemporary Art, Past Chair for the United Cerebral Palsy Telethon, Past Chair of INROADS of Northeast Ohio, Past President of the Achievement Centers for Children, Past Treasurer of the Capital Improvements Board of the City of Indianapolis.