TEAM.
Our team has a wealth of experience in business development and finance with a track record that speaks for itself.
75+ YEARS
of combined experience
$100+ M
already raised
Rocco J. LaVista
Founder & CEO
BIO
Rocco has worked in the financial services industry for the past 25 years. Upon graduating Cum Laude from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 1994 with a B.S in Accounting, he began his career in the accounting departments at The Dreyfus Corporation and Mitchell Hutchins Asset Management before joining PaineWebber and embarking on an 18 year journey as a registered representative. He has held various FINRA licenses, including the Series 7, 24, 63 and 65. He is currently a licensed Life & Health Insurance producer in the State of NJ. During his tenure as a stockbroker, Rocco was very active in placing Investment Banking deals including Private Placements, Secondary Offerings, PIPEs, NASDAQ Uplistings, SPACs, Convertibles, Bridge Financings, and IPOs. Eager to be on the other end of these transactions, Rocco joined a start-up technology company, GLX, in early 2016 as a Business Development Officer and was soon promoted to Director of Business Development. He started Gurkha Consulting LLC in early 2017 and is firmly committed to servicing the firm’s clients and their needs.
Martin Keating
COO
BIO
Martin was born just outside New York City, and grew up in the New Jersey suburbs of NYC. He studied Finance at Pace University, Finance at Middlesex County College, and followed a Political Science/English concentration at Brookdale College. Martin started working in the financial services industry in the mid-1980s for the Prudential Insurance Company. He was licensed in Property & Casualty and Life & Health Insurance. Upon leaving Prudential, Martin advanced to the status of independent consultant, where he would remain for several years, until being hired on at a Wall St. broker-dealer in the 1990s. Martin held various FINRA licenses, including the Series 7, 63 and 66. He had a very successful career as a stockbroker, working with several Wall St. firms. Martin’s success and expertise eventually led him to employment in the Business Development/Corporate Finance arena, where he was appointed to the C-Suite level at an internet start-up company. Presently, Martin serves as Chief Operating Officer at Gurkha Consulting and has been affiliated with the company for over 2 years. Martin speaks English and Spanish.
Martin was a licensed Emergency Medical Technician, CPR Instructor and First Aid Instructor, on a professional and volunteer basis, for many years. In addition, he is a fully ordained minister in the Christian faith.
Michael D’Amato
CIO
BIO
Mike joined the firm in 2017 following a successful 12 year career as financial services professional. His aptitude for finance and economic fluctuations was developed as a result of many years in the brokerage industry. Mike has also worked in the insurance business for several years and is currently a licensed Life & Health Insurance Producer in the State of NJ. Prior to his financial endeavors, Mike was in the Information Technology field, where he learned the importance of customer satisfaction. Not only does Mike bring financial and technological knowledge to the table, but he is also passionate about fostering strong client relationships.
