CEO Advisors

Our experience, expertise, education and hands-on advice can be the difference in your business.
Each CEO Advisor has experience with both mid-size/major corporations and small entrepreneurial businesses. Our experience includes years at McGraw-Hill Corporation, The Walt Disney Company, eToys.com, Digital River, Accenture, Thomson Corporation, Saban Entertainment/Fox and others. Our education includes Master's Degrees in Business (MBA) from top 10 business schools, as well as, Certification in Mergers and Acquisitions from Wharton Business School, University of Pennsylvania, and over 70 years of mergers and acquisitions experience and expertise.

Meet the Founder Mark Hartsell, MBA, President

Mark Hartsell has over forty years of experience with small businesses and Fortune 250 corporations. He was most recently the founder, Chairman and CEO of Infocon America Corp., a software company that he funded, grew and sold to a NASDAQ company with a $1 billion market capitalization. His prior experience includes Chairman/CEO/President, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Group Director of Consumer Products, and Vice President of Subscriptions Services with companies including McGraw-Hill, Film & Video, Thomson Corp., Saban Entertainment/Fox and Digital River.
As an M&A advisor and a business advisor to CEOs, Presidents and business owners of small and mid-size companies since 2004, our specialization in mergers and acquisitions will enable you to accelerate your growth, grow through acquisitions, and plan and execute your exit through the sale of your company.
Mark Hartsell attended the University of Maryland for undergraduate studies, has a Master's Degree in Business (MBA) from Loyola University, and achieved a Certification in Mergers & Acquisitions from the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania. Mark is an Accredited CEO Advisor, a member of Octane and the Association of Corporate Growth (ACG) and is an expert in growing, acquiring and selling software companies, as well as technology and media companies.

Meet the Team

Joe McCarthy CEO Advisor
Joe McCarthy is a seasoned business advisor, expert in mergers and acquisitions due diligence, company financing, company sale preparation, growth, strategy and turnaround situations. Joe has extensive experience in working with private equity firms and their portfolio companies, in acquisition integrations, turnarounds and as a Board member.
Prior to becoming a business advisor and fractional CFO, Joe McCarthy was the Sr. VP/CFO of Sunrise Growers, Inc., EVP/CFO of Trojan Battery, EVP/CFO of Case-Swayne Company, Director at Ashton-Tate Software Company, KPMG and other positions.
Joe McCarthy achieved a Bachelor's in Science, Business & Accounting from Pennsylvania State University. He achieved both CPA and CMA designations during his career.
Craig Cooke CEO Advisor
Craig Cooke is a dynamic entrepreneur, digital expert and business advisor. Craig was formerly the CEO of Rhythm Interactive, Inc. for 26 years from January, 1996 to March, 2022. Craig Cooke’s expertise in growth, strategy, digital transformation and digital marketing is top in the industry.
Craig has deep expertise across a wide array of industries to design and build web applications of all types for both growth and cost-efficiencies, as well as, a full range of digital marketing expertise for accelerated growth.
Prior to becoming a business advisor and CEO of Rhythm, Craig Cooke was the Interactive Co-Chair for the American Advertising Federation, Co-Founder of My Empowered World, Chief Technology Officer of Triax Media Group and other positions.
Craig Cooke achieved a Bachelor's in Science in Business Administration from California State Polytechnic University-Pomona.
Theresa Caruso VP/CEO Advisor
Theresa Caruso has a wide range of business and marketing experience with both small and Fortune 50 companies. Her experience includes Marketing Director, Account Director, Sr. Manager of Licensing and other positions with The Walt Disney Company, eToys.com, Sachs/Finley Advertising & Promotions and Thacher, Zades & Aubrey Advertising.
Theresa Caruso attended the University of Delaware for undergraduate studies and has a Master's Degree in Business (MBA) from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), a top ten business school.

Scott Sparks CEO Advisor

Scott Sparks, MBA, is a seasoned executive with broad-based business experience. Scott was previously a Partner at Accenture providing strategy and business advisory services for sixteen years to privately-held and public companies. Scott was also an Associate Consultant at A. T. Kearney providing general strategy advisory services to key executives.
Scott achieved his MBA from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and has a BS in Engineering from the University of California, San Diego.

Ryan Barlow

Business Development

Ryan Barlow is a Business Development Associate and valued member of the CEO Advisor, Inc. team. Ryan focuses on relationship building with CEOs, Presidents and business owners with a focus on growth/strategy and mergers and acquisitions advisory services. Ryan has also served as a Project Engineer at AJ Kirkwood Associates. Ryan Barlow completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management at California State University, San Marcos and he is currently engaged in a Master’s Degree in Business (MBA) program at California State University, Fullerton.
CEO Advisor, Inc.
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