CriticalPoint is pleased to announce that Chris Ball, Monica Martinez, and Mike Vehaskari have been selected as 2026 Leaders of Influence: Banking & Finance by the Los Angeles Business Journal (“LABJ”). The LABJ’s annual list recognizes exceptional banking and finance professionals across the Los Angeles region who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, deep industry expertise, and significant contributions to the financial services industry.
This recognition underscores CriticalPoint’s role as a trusted advisor and partner, known for consistently delivering high-touch, strategic guidance and the right resources to help clients navigate defining moments and beyond. When clients look for high-quality execution and superior outcomes, they rely on CriticalPoint’s proven track record across mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, private investments, special situations, deal sourcing, valuation, and financial advisory services.
Chris Ball
Managing Director
Chris Ball brings more than 25 years of experience spanning investment banking, entrepreneurship, and business operations. As a Managing Director at CriticalPoint, he advises founder-led businesses through strategic sell-side mergers and acquisitions across a diverse range of industries. Drawing on his experience as a former entrepreneur and operator, Chris combines transaction expertise with practical business insight to guide clients through significant strategic transactions.
His transaction experience spans transportation and logistics, telecom infrastructure, medical devices, business and residential services, petroleum distribution, and industrial sectors. Recent highlights include advising Gulbranson Services on its sale to TAK Broadband, a portfolio company of Platinum Equity, as well as managing the sale of Western Exterminator to Rentokil Initial plc.
Monica Martinez
Managing Director
Monica Martinez brings more than 15 years of experience across investment banking, mergers and acquisitions, and private investing. As a Managing Director at CriticalPoint, she leads mergers and acquisitions while supporting the firm’s private investment strategy, overseeing investment evaluation, transaction execution, portfolio initiatives, and value creation. Her ability to bridge investment strategy with operational leadership has made her an integral leader across CriticalPoint’s investment platform.
Recent highlights include playing a central role in the acquisition and successful sale of United E&C—CriticalPoint’s largest investment realization to date—as well as serving as Interim CFO of 1-800-DENTIST during a pivotal stage of the company’s growth. She also leads the recruitment and development of finance leadership across CriticalPoint’s portfolio.
Mike Vehaskari
Managing Director
Mike Vehaskari brings more than 25 years of experience across investment banking, management consulting, corporate finance, and cross-border mergers and acquisitions. As a Managing Director at CriticalPoint, he leads complex domestic and international M&A transactions, with particular expertise in the Aerospace & Defense sector. His strategic perspective and experience navigating sophisticated transactions have made him a trusted advisor to founder-led businesses and corporate clients alike.
Recent highlights include advising Healthicity on its sale to Compliancy Group, where he helped navigate a highly complex transaction involving cross-border considerations, and advising Tool-Gauge and Machine Works on its sale to DEMGY Pacific, successfully managing a multifaceted transaction involving international stakeholders across the aerospace supply chain.
To review the LABJ 2026 Leaders of Influence: Banking & Finance in full, please click here.
About CriticalPoint
CriticalPoint provides tailored financial solutions through a trusted platform, combining the best of Investment Banking and Private Capital. Backed by decades of diverse transaction experience, the CriticalPoint team delivers the insights clients and stakeholders need to achieve superior outcomes. Founded in 2012 by senior M&A professionals with a passion for deal-making, CriticalPoint stands out for its deep expertise in Investment Banking—including mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, deal sourcing, special situations, and valuation advisory—as well as in Private Capital investing, with a focus on corporate divestitures and special situations. When business owners, management teams, private equity firms, and corporate sellers reach a defining moment across a range of industries, they rely on CriticalPoint’s proven expertise.
