Nick Ruta

Advisor

Extensive business experience in the sports, entertainment, and securities industries with a particular focus in finance, business affairs, and operations.

Mr. Ruta began his career with Merrill Lynch as a Registered Representative in 1980 and in 1992 established Shallowbrook Securities, a direct Participation Broker Dealership holding Series 7,63, and 39 NASD Licenses. Having interfaced with Howard’s brother, Michael, a Principal in an investment advisory firm, Mr. Ruta met Howard Baldwin, joining Pittsburgh Hockey Associates in 1992 as a Senior Vice President, charged with the development of special projects including the acquisition and management of alternative sports franchises and development and production of independent film investments.

Recognizing the opportunities in the film industry led Mr. Ruta and his wife Linda to relocate to Los Angeles joining as a Senior Vice President, Crusader Entertainment, a Beverley Hills-based film development and production company owned by Howard Baldwin and Philip Anschutz, principal of The Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), owner of the Staples Center and various other entities. Crusader produced the feature film “Ray” which was nominated for 6 Academy Awards.

Howard and Karen were drawn back to Hartford, Connecticut pressed by a local group to rejuvenate the AHL franchise as well as the desire to return the hockey team to the AHL franchise as well as the desire to return the hockey team to the NHL. Mr. Ruta relocated to Hartford in 1999 and stepped into the position of Senior Vice President, Business Affairs, of Whalers Sports & Entertainment overseeing the creation and marketing of a Reg D securities offering.

In 2005, Mr. Ruta joined Baldwin Entertainment Group, as a Senior Vice President responsible for money management, tax planning and finance. Business affairs responsibility includes contract negotiations for “A” list writers, directors, and actors, negation for co-production deals, film budgeting, and administering relationships with the professional entertainment union.