Our team identifies, facilitates, and manages financial incentive programs for economic development projects.
ABOUT US
With over 50 years of combined experience, GAX Capital Group provides expert economic incentive program services to clients with new and existing development projects that support economic opportunity, local investment, job creation and infrastructure expansion in local communities.
Our firm utilizes the most current development financial tools, resources, and best practices to provide our clients with the most efficient and cost effective capital structures and project management services available in the marketplace today.
OUR SERVICES
From inception to close, our team provides projects with financial solutions, structuring, management, marketing, and administrative services to make the utilization of financial incentive programs as simple and client friendly as possible.
THE TEAM
Donald J. Hart
Principal
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Don has over 40+ years of experience in economic development and structured public finance. Throughout his career, he has worked as an Underwriter, Financial Adviser, Project Finance Manager, and Managing Director for Bank of America Capital Markets, Wells Fargo Bank, National City Investments, Fifth Third Securities Inc., and Stern Brothers & Company.
Since 1990 Don has focused primarily on serving Port Authorities and other Economic Development Agencies across the country to provide the most creative and cost effective financial strategies and solutions to meet client project needs. Don has completed over 475+ projects in 20 states during his extensive economic development career.
Don is the founder of GAX Capital Group, LLC. In addition to the oversight of GAX's general business and financial affairs, he plays an active role in business development, client relationship management, incentive program education via presentations and participation in conferences, strategy development, and project management.
For the last 10 years Don has provided advisory services and participated as an investment banker, project coordinator, and administrator for the Stark County Port Authority on all phases of the $750M mixed-use sports, wellness, and recreational facilities for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Village in Canton, OH.
Don is very active in the community and currently serves the following organizations:
Council of Development Finance Agencies
The Lake County Development Council
The Stark Economic Development Board
The Leadership Council for University Hospitals
Executive Advisory Administration at Saint John’s Hospital
The Turn Rehab Center
Harrington Heart and Vascular Center
Southwest General Hospital Foundation
Holy Trinity Parish
Rocky River Boosters
Xavier University Alumni Association
St Edward High School Alumni Association
Don is a graduate of Xavier University. In his spare time, Don is an avid golfer and proud supporter of Glenbard West High School in Chicago, IL.
Don Hart and Amanda Kozak together with their project teams bring a diverse set of knowledge, experience and skills to every devel0pment project, providing clients with a well rounded and efficient project team to meet every client project need from inception to close.
Amanda Kozak
Managing Director
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Amanda offers 15+ years of diversified experience in organizational growth and strategy development, program development, project management, economic and statistical analytics, cross-sector and cross-cultural communication and negotiations, development of equity and inclusion strategies, and general business management. Before joining GAX, Amanda served as a nonprofit executive director, and held various positions in community healthcare and business management.
Amanda is involved in the company's general management and the management of projects including the analysis and development of financial strategies for complex projects utilizing local, state, and federal financial incentive programs. She conducts research and generates financial models for program recomendations based on project qualifications and the most cost efficient capital structures available for funding the project. Active project management duties include loan origination, team coordination, project due diligence and the tracking of closing checklists and schedules for program approvals and loan closings. Amanda leads GAX's PACE initiative including legislative consultation and project specific services via the company's subsidiary, PACE Capital Solutions.
Amanda received her B.S. degree in Applied Management from Ohio University (GPA 3.9). She is a CFA Institute Investment Foundations certificate holder and completed the Cleveland Civic Leadership Institute program. She has served as an advisory board member for Ohio City Farm and board member/part-time director for the nonprofit organization, Food Conscious.
Amanda is engaged in refugee response efforts, equitable access to capital initiatives for minorities and disinvested communities, and the expansion of economic initiatives that progress environmental remediation efforts.
In her spare time, Amanda enjoys spending time with her husband and 2 children, skiing, hiking, attempting DIY house projects, and gardening.
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