Advisory Board
At Exit Right Advisers, our Advisory Board comprises industry veterans and thought leaders who bring unparalleled expertise in M&A, finance, and strategic growth. Their insights help shape our approach, ensuring we deliver maximum value to our clients. With a commitment to excellence and innovation, they guide ERA in navigating complex transactions with precision and foresight.
Berry Brunk
A versatile technology executive who has more than 20 years of leadership experience with companies who have been at the forefront of transforming the delivery of healthcare in the US.
He was with Sun Healthcare for the development of the first EMR for the LTPAC industry in 1999, and then founded and VC-funded a company that developed the first interactive patient care and tele-homecare platform.
He has served on the Advisory Boards of more than ten companies and works with venture capital and private equity organizations to fund start-ups and growth stage companies. Recently he held the role of Consulting CIO with Extendicare’s technology consulting division, and was Healthcare Technology Practice Leader with Stantec working on multi-billion dollar transformation projects. For the past couple of years he has consulted with health systems on ways to improve clinical outcomes and optimize the revenue cycle.
He has deep relationships with the thought-leaders on both the LTPAC and Acute sides of the continuum of care and is active in AHIMA, HIMSS, CHIME, Leading Age/CAST and the AHCA. He is a frequent speaker at national and regional events on topics such as ACOs, HIEs and the future of care delivery. Berry studied Aerospace Engineering at Virginia Tech where he received his Bachelor’s degree. He currently sits on an Advisory Board there for the departments of Communications and Business and also holds a similar position with the Carson College of Business at Washington State University.
Specialties: Technology Consulting, Corporate Management, Sales Management, Channel Sales, Software Sales, Professional Services Business Development Executive, High-dollar, Long Sales Cycle Consultative Selling, Negotiations, Team Communication, Competitive Positioning, Team building, on-line and off-line business development, contract negotiations, branding and identity, and P&L management.
Dr. Maria McWhirt
Dr. Maria McWhirt has over 30 years of experience in Medicare and Medicaid policy, quality, and integrity, including advisory consulting for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
She’s a fierce advocate for empowering the voice and choice of individuals through technology and practice that overcomes long-standing barriers. She’s the co-founder and CEO of MPower Me, a cognitive support software company, and serves on the board of VaACCSES, a provider association in her home state. She consults with providers and county Boards across several states to translate evidence-based practices into customizable multimedia tools that reduce risk, improve outcomes, and ensure consistent supports and services amidst an industry-wide staffing crisis. Dr. McWhirt directs several grants, pilot programs, and system-level integration demonstrations, such as public and private programs for aging adults, such as the PACE programs, and presents at state, national, and international conferences about advancing technology parity and universal access to information for aging adults people with neurodiverse conditions, such as intellectual and developmental disabilities, brain injury, mental health, dementia, substance use, and stroke.
John F. Derr
John F. Derr is a highly accomplished healthcare executive with over 60 years of leadership spanning clinical technology, healthcare operations, and government advisory roles.
Throughout his career, he has been a driving force in advancing healthcare IT, regulatory policies, and strategic planning. His expertise extends across sales, research, development, and M&A, making him a sought-after advisor in the industry. John has played a pivotal role in shaping federal healthcare initiatives, having served on over 50 advisory boards and committees, including key appointments by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Veterans Administration. His contributions to Elderly and Long-Term Post-Acute Care (LTPAC) have positioned him as a national leader in the field, helping to implement patient-centered care models and innovative healthcare solutions.
John’s executive experience includes leadership roles as CIO, COO, and SVP for major healthcare organizations, where he oversaw multi-billion-dollar operations, technology integration, and clinical advancements. His strategic insights have influenced the development of electronic health records (EHRs), interoperability standards, and policy frameworks that continue to impact the industry today. Beyond his corporate contributions, John is a retired U.S. Navy Captain, recognized for his service in strategic planning and advisory roles at the Pentagon. His deep knowledge of healthcare technology, combined with his dedication to improving patient care and operational efficiency, makes him a valuable asset to the Exit Right Advisers Advisory Board.
Tommy Barletta
Tommy Barle+a is the Founder and Managing Partner of Jones Point – a strategic advisory firm that helps venture
capital, private equity, and investors navigate the ever changing healthcare policy landscape.
Jones Point
combines deep connecBons in Washington and the states
with in-depth policy experBse to drive clients insights and acBonable strategies.
Prior to launching the firm, he was the Director of Research at the Marwood Group – a leading healthcare advisory and research firm. In this role, he led the Washington Research team’s coverage of policy catalysts for the firm’s insBtuBonal investor and private equity clients – including policy-driven idea generaBon, tracking and handicapping key issues, and coordinaBng in-person and virtual client events. He was responsible for business development for the firm’s hedge fund and mutual fund clients, coordinaBng client roadshows and he led the expansion into private credit and collateralized loan obligaBon funds.
Prior to Marwood, Tommy worked on Capitol Hill as a senior Congressional staffer for former Congressman Cal Dooley (D-CA). During his Bme with Congressman Dooley, he served as Press Secretary, where he led engagement with both local and naBonal media outlets. As a LegislaBve Assistant, he advised the Congressman on internaBonal trade, tax, and healthcare policy issues and coordinated biparBsan campaigns with external stakeholders to enact key internaBonal trade and healthcare legislaBon.
Tommy currently resides close to Washington, DC, in Great Falls, Virginia with his family. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Wake Forest University and an MBA from Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business.
Stephen Martinez
Dr. Martinez has over 22 years of leadership experience in the healthcare industry. His
experience ranges from the creation of start-up organizations to leading established companies
through growth phases.
His areas of focus include Medicare Advantage, PACE, managed care, and health information technology (HIT).
His experience includes:
• Leading organizations from design through successful launch.
• Consulting with health care organizations to develop population health management
and value-based reimbursement programs.
• Developing physician and provider networks for geographic expansion and growth.
• Implementing various IT systems such as electronic health records (EHR) and database
systems.
His accomplishments include Premier Patient Healthcare being ranked #3 in the United States
as part of Medicare’s Shared Savings program and implementing EHR systems to over 2,500
providers.
For the last 15 years, Dr. Martinez has been at the C-level for various entities. He is the former
President and CEO of Brandman Health Plan, a Medicare Advantage health plan based in Los
Angeles, California. He was the COO of Premier Patient Healthcare, an Accountable Care
Organization (ACO) in Dallas, Texas. He was also the CEO and Founder of Medical Technology
Solutions, a health information technology company in Los Angeles, California. Dr. Martinez
currently consults with various Medicare Advantage and PACE organizations.
Dr. Martinez has written numerous articles and has been a speaker at various conferences and
media events. He has also held leadership positions at non-profit organizations.
Dr. Martinez received his Ph.D. in Organizational Psychology from Alliant University and a
Master’s of Science degree in Educational Psychology from California State University,
Northridge.
