Andres Ochoa, CFA – Andrés is a Manager with SVG. He has over seven years of providing valuation advisory services to publicly-traded, privately-held, and portfolio companies related to business valuations, intangible assets, and complex securities over a broad range of industries. His valuation experience includes valuations for financial reporting, estate planning and tax, transaction opinions, consulting, litigation support, and ESOPs.

Andrés received a BSc in Finance and a BA in Economics from California State University, Northridge. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation and is an active member of the CFA Society in Los Angeles and a Committee Member of its Applied Behavioral Finance Group. Prior to joining SVG, Andrés was an investment banking analyst at Duff & Phelps, where he specialized in fairness and solvency opinions. Previously, he provided valuation services at SingerLewak and Ceteris (a Duff & Phelps company).

Kelli Bidinger – Kelli is the project and office manager at SVG and provides project management, human resource, and other administrative support services. Kelli manages the day-to-day operations of the office. She has over 20 years of experience working in this capacity working at a law firm and an accounting firm. She also held positions in customer service.

Kelli earned her Paralegal certificate through Watterson College.

Scott DeFreest, MBA ‒ Scott is a Member with SVG. He has 15 years of business valuation experience and assists in overseeing the firm’s strategic and business development efforts. His valuation experience includes performing valuations for estate and gift tax, financial reporting, transaction opinions, ESOPs, and litigation support. Services provided for financial reporting and tax compliance include appraisals performed under the guidance of ASC 350, 805, and 718, as well as IRC 409A. Scott also regularly speaks to local and national audiences on a variety of issues related to a number of valuation topics.

Scott received his Master’s in Business Administration from the UCLA Anderson School of Management. He received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California, with a concentration in Finance. He is also a Level III Candidate for the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation. In addition, Scott is in the process of completing the education requirements to receive the Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA) designation with the American Society of Appraisers. Prior to the formation of SVG, he was a Valuation Manager with Business Enterprise Company, Inc. (BEACo), where he focused on the valuation of closely held businesses and intangible assets.

Alejandra Espinosa – Alejandra is an associate with SVG. She joined SVG as an intern in 2017, prior to becoming an associate. She assists in all facets of project execution, including data gathering, company, industry, and economic research, valuation analysis and financial modeling, and narrative report writing related to business and entity valuations for estate planning and tax, financial reporting, transaction opinions, litigation support, and ESOPs.

Alejandra received her bachelor’s degree in Finance from Loyola Marymount University. Prior to joining SVG, she was an intern at Molina Healthcare in financial planning and analysis, and at K1 Investment Management in business development, where she helped identify M&A opportunities.

Nikki Berg – Nikki is a Senior Associate with SVG. She has over eight years of providing valuation advisory services to publicly-traded and privately-held companies related to business valuations and undivided interests in real property. Her valuation experience includes valuations for estate planning and tax, transaction opinions, and litigation support. Nikki specializes in valuations related to real estate holding companies, stock and security holding companies and undivided interests in real property. Additionally, Nikki performs in-depth industry, economic, and financial research for such valuations.

Nikki received her bachelor’s degree with a concentration in Economics from Loyola Marymount University. Prior to joining SVG, Nikki worked for CBS TV Distribution.

Jay Monroe – Jay is a senior real estate appraiser with the real property appraisal division of SVG. He has extensive experience in the appraisal of an array of property types including Class A office buildings, industrial buildings, shopping centers, multi-family residential and vacant land. He has prepared assignments with various intended uses, including estate and gift tax, financing, condemnation (full and partial takes), litigation support/expert witness and bankruptcy. He is a Certified General Real Estate Appraiser by the State of California.

Jay earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance from California State University, Northridge. Prior to joining SVG, he was the owner and senior appraiser with Monroe Appraisal Services (MAS). MAS provided economic and financial analysis for real estate valuation projects. While running MAS, Jay was responsible for developing independent appraisals to determine market value of a variety of property types for lending, litigation, condemnation and estate planning purposes, including the analysis of economic and financial data to support valuation opinions. Jay’s skill set includes preparing discounted cash flow analysis, going-concern valuation, statistical analysis, cost studies, financial analysis, feasibility analysis, economic forecasting, demand studies, and Highest and Best Use analysis. Prior to MAS, Jay held senior appraisal positions with Riggs and Riggs, Inc. and Glendale Federal Bank. Jay is a Candidate for Designation with the Appraisal Institute. He has successfully completed numerous courses and seminars at the Appraisal Institute.

John Golt – John is a senior real estate appraiser with the real property appraisal division of SVG. He has extensive experience in the performing and reviewing of appraisals related to a wide variety of property types, including: retail, office industrial, apartments, condominiums, mixed-use, special purpose, and vacant land. He is experienced in appraisals for commercial mortgage lending, litigation, estate and gift tax, eminent domain, and financial reporting. John is a Certified General Real Estate Appraiser by the State of California.

John earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance and Real Estate from California State University, Northridge. Prior to joining SVG, John was a senior appraiser at Curtis Rosenthal, A-Core Consultants, Integra Realty Resources, Marshall & Stevens, and Duff & Phelps. John is a Practicing Affiliate with the Appraisal Institute and has successfully completed numerous courses and seminars at the Appraisal Institute.