Albert Kass
Senior Executive Vice President, Corporate Restructuring Services
akass@kccllc.com 917.281.4860 As SEVP, Albert drives the strategic direction of the company’s client engagement initiatives. In addition, he oversees the business development professionals who lead regional campaigns to solidify KCC market leadership position in claims administration and noticing solutions. Albert brings more than 19 years of experience to his role at KCC. Prior to his role as SEVP, he served as Vice President of Corporate Restructuring guiding the strategic development and implementation of KCC’s services, maximizing the scope and value of the company’s suite of Chapter 11 service offerings. Previously, Albert represented debtors and official committees in chapter 11 restructuring engagements as an associate in the Restructuring Group of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. While at the firm’s New York office, he worked on cases including Calpine Corporation, Collins & Aikman Corporation, Solutia, Inc. and Wellman Inc. Albert was recently recognized by the M&A Advisors for his outstanding contributions to the restructuring industry in their 2014 Annual 40 Under 40 Recognition Awards. Admitted to practice law in New York and New Jersey, he earned his Juris Doctor from Fordham University School of Law. While serving as an editor of the Fordham Urban Law Journal, he was awarded the Archibald R. Murray Public Service Award. Albert received his Master's in Public Administration from New York University Robert F. Wagner Graduate School and holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Michigan.Drake Foster
Executive Vice President and General Counsel
dfoster@kccllc.com 310.776.7334 Drake serves as KCC’s General Counsel and Executive Vice President for Restructuring and Mass Tort. While advising on all aspects of the company’s business operations and best practices, Drake leads an experienced management team and is responsible for the creation and execution of short and long-term strategies. Drake works to align internal resources and workflows to meet client needs and ensure successful outcomes. As a member of KCC’s Executive Committee, Drake helps oversee the company’s strategic direction and initiatives; efficiency and effectiveness of business lines; and expansion into new markets. Over the last ten years, Drake has held several leadership positions at KCC and brings significant managerial and industry expertise to the company’s management team. As the company’s EVP and GC, with over two decades of experience, Drake ensures a high standard of excellence in client service, technology development and financial performance. Drake serves as an important resource to current and prospective clients on the design and execution of case administrations and provides strategic guidance to KCC’s Operations team to implement client programs achieve efficient, streamlined and cost-effective results. Prior to joining KCC, Drake was a senior associate in the Financial Restructuring practice at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP. Focused on corporate restructurings, Drake represented creditors’ committees and bondholder committees, debtors in possession, post-petition lenders and acquirers of distressed assets. He also has significant experience with corporate financial transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, public and private securities offerings, and commercial transactions. Drake received his Juris Doctor cum laude from Loyola Law School of Los Angeles. While serving as an articles editor of the Loyola of Los Angeles Law Review, he was a member of Order of the Coif and St. Thomas More Law Honor Society, as well as a Sayre MacNeil Scholar. Drake received his Bachelor of Arts in English from Tufts University.Rebecca DeGroot
Executive Vice President, Trustee and Fiduciary Services & Corporate Restructuring Services
More detailsRebecca DeGroot
Executive Vice President, Trustee and Fiduciary Services & Corporate Restructuring Services
rdegroot@kccllc.com 310.220.9325 As Executive Vice President of Corporate Restructuring and Trustee and Fiduciary Services (TFS), Rebecca brings over 15 years of industry experience to the KCC Business Development team. Rebecca leverages her broad range of expertise in consumer and corporate bankruptcy matters to partner with clients seeking fiduciary administration services. She manages key client relationships and facilitates the growth of new client engagements. Prior to KCC, Rebecca worked as the National Account Executive for a software and fiduciary services provider. Rebecca is a board member of National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees (NABT). She is a member of Turnaround Management Association (TMA), National Association of Federal Equity Receivers (NAFER), American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI), International Women’s Insolvency Restructuring Confederation (IWIRC) and Association of Insolvency & Restructuring Advisors (AIRA). In addition, Rebecca held a sub-chair position for the technology committee with (NABT).Beth Friedman
Senior Director, Corporate Restructuring Services
bfriedman@kccllc.com 917.281.4863 Beth brings over 30 years of corporate restructuring experience to her role as Senior Director at KCC. Most recently, Beth was Restructuring Department Coordinator at Kirkland & Ellis LLP working on complex cases such as Calpine Corporation, Charter Communications, Sbarros, The Great Atlantic and Tea Company, The Readers Digest Corporation, Avaya, Energy Future Holdings, Caesars Entertainment Operating Company, Payless Corporation and 21st Century Oncology amongst others. As a key member of KCC’s business development team, Beth works with our restructuring clients to ensure they receive exceptional service tailored to the unique needs of the specific case. Throughout her career, she has built a reputation as a trusted and valued advisor. Having experience in large and small, pre-pack and pre-arranged as well as free fall cases, her first-hand knowledge proves invaluable in managing the complexities and challenges of developing claims administration and noticing plans that suit each client. As an active member in the industry, Beth has been recognized for her contributions and achievements by the International Women’s Insolvency Restructuring Confederation (IWIRC). She is also a member of the American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI) and a volunteer with Her Justice.Evan Gershbein
Executive Vice President, Corporate Restructuring Services
egershbein@kccllc.com 310.751.1803 As Executive Vice President, Evan oversees KCC’s Corporate Restructuring division, including the consulting and operations departments. With over 15 years of experience, Evan provides an in-depth knowledge to the corporate restructuring process, which he uses to ensure that all of KCC’s restructuring cases are properly staffed with the most experienced consultants best suited for the particular requirements of each case. Prior to his current position, Evan managed the claims administration and noticing process for dozens of clients, including Circuit City, Delphi Corporation, Hostess Brands, Magna Entertainment, New Century Financial, Overseas Shipholding Group and Peabody Energy. In addition to managing the most experienced consulting team in the industry, Evan oversees various committees to enhance the overall quality of KCC’s client services. Evan works closely with the Technology department and steers their efforts to create new advancements and improve existing features to KCC’s various technology platforms and websites. While driving KCC’s Professional Development Committee, Evan also identifies and implements training programs and procedures to facilitate the professional growth of all corporate restructuring consultants. He also works directly with the Production department to ensure KCC’s continued reputation for providing the highest quality noticing materials while utilizing the latest possible deadlines. Admitted to practice law in California, Evan earned his Juris Doctor from Loyola Law School and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from UCLA.Francine Gordon-Durrer
Managing Director, Corporate Restructuring Services
fgordon@kccllc.com 310.824.3269 Francine is a veteran and pioneer of the chapter 11 bankruptcy and claims administration industry with more than 33 years experience. Francine's career began with the largest retail chapter 11 bankruptcy of its time, Revco D.S. Inc. From there she went on to manage the administration of many chapter 11 cases including PharMor, McCrory Stores and HomePlace Stores, Inc. Other representative engagements involve assisting a broad range of industries, including gaming, real estate, healthcare, manufacturing as well as experience with chapter 9 and 15 filings. As a Managing Director of Corporate Restructuring Services at KCC, Francine works with clients to ensure they receive high-quality services tailored to their unique needs. In addition to being a key player on KCC's Business Development team, Francine brings first-hand knowledge in managing the complexities and challenges of claims administration and partners with clients to ensure a successful outcome. As an active member in the industry, Francine has been recognized for her contributions by the International Women’s Insolvency Restructuring Confederation (IWIRC) who bestowed on her the Founders Award in 2008. She currently serves as an At Large Director for the International Board of IWIRC where she has also served as the Recruitment Director. In addition, Francine has served on the Steering Committee for the IWIRC NorthEast Ohio Chapter. She is also a longstanding member and supporting sponsor of the American Bankruptcy Institute, Turnaround Management Association and the AIRA. Prior to joining KCC, Francine was one of the chief executives of a national claims administration consulting firm.Robert Jordan
Senior Managing Director/Distressed Analyst, Corporate Restructuring Services
More detailsRobert Jordan
Senior Managing Director/Distressed Analyst, Corporate Restructuring Services
rjordan@kccllc.com 347.722.0545 Rob Jordan brings over 17 years of industry experience to his role as Senior Managing Director and Distressed Analyst of Business Development to KCC Corporate Restructuring Services. Leveraging his corporate and legal experience, Rob manages key client relationships and furthers the strategic partnerships with distressed investment firms. Prior to KCC, he previously worked was a Senior Associate in the Business Finance & Restructuring group at Weil Gotshal & Manges LLP and, subsequently, as Senior Managing Director - Corporate Counsel at Third Avenue Management, a NY-based asset management platform with a strong legacy in long-equity value and distressed investing. Over the span of his career, Rob worked on a number of high-profile in-court and out-of-court restructurings representing debtors, creditors, funds, and asset purchasers. A representative sampling of matters includes: Washington Mutual Inc., Aleris Inc., Vertis Inc., Palm Harbor Homes Inc., Koosharem Inc., General Maritime Inc., Landsource Inc., Panolam Industries Inc., US Shipping Inc., St. Vincents Catholic Medical Centers, Denver Radio Inc., and Advanta Inc. Rob earned his JD with Honors from The George Washington University Law School while simultaneously completing an MA in International Economics and Middle Eastern Studies at The Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. He graduated with High Honors with a triple major from Rutgers University (New Brunswick). Rob is licensed to practice law in New York. Rob is an active member in key industry associations including the American Bankruptcy Institute and Turnaround Management Association.