AccessWave =
GROWTH + Savings
“A moment's insight is sometimes worth a life's experience.”
- Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.
What one insight has proven the GREATEST IMPACT on your success?
When we compared our collective experience, we realized the greatest impact to finding success — in not only scale but speed — was leveraging the insights, advice, and guidance from others who have already been through similar experiences and challenges. This is the question that started the ball rolling for AccessWave's mission and vision.
We've also realized (unfortunately) the alternatives to insights from trusted resources is a mixed bag. When we consider our list of failures and wasted time, we see decisions based on a bias of getting it done versus done right, or maybe a "lets go on gut” approach. Then there are the hours of struggling through search engine noise and ads disguised as content, or now using an AI prompt — but can you really trust the output is based on reality or is that an AI hallucination. In the end, lots of time spent, but not a lot of value and trust in these sources.
In our past, when it came to making a critical decision, meeting with a trusted resource consistently delivered better quality and faster results than other sources. AccessWave was started to deliver members easier access to these valued and trusted sources.
Trusted insights impactful?
Yes.
On top of realizing how impactful insights from experience are, we realize FINDING the right resource might be the real challenge. Someone truly qualified, not the friend at a BBQ but a peer or industry expert who's been through these challenges. Once found, there was typically a built in camaraderie of the shared challenges that let the insights flow. Here is where time compressed, and success rates grew.
Trusted insights easy to find?
Not so much.
AccessWave's mission is to help members find insights from truly experienced industry leaders and peers in settings where members can engage and learn.
Our member-only in-person Leadership Exchange events are designed around an industry or topic. These are lead by an industry expert — an AccessWave "Leadership Council" Member. These allow for a guided discussion with a peer group around current business and industry challenges like GROWTH drivers, BUDGET cuts, VENDOR options, TALENT acquisition, and TECHNOLOGY impacts, current industry and economic TRENDS.
Why not join and get access to expertise, networking, and insights that are hard to find elsewhere. There's no cost, so you have everything to gain and nothing to lose.
BILL WILLIAMS
CEO
Bill is a consummate networker. He founded AccessWave to bring that networking benefit to the AccessWave community.
In 2013 he founded BWG Strategy Group that brought industry expertise to leading Wall Street firms through expert panels where Bill personally moderated thousands of panels before exiting to private capital in 2021.
After graduating from University of Pennsylvania, Bill began his career at Prudential Securities, and later joined Morgan Stanley's Technology, Media, Telecom in Specialist Sales. In 2000 he founded CQ Partners, a long/short hedge fund focused on technology stocks, and later worked as Portfolio Manager at Eagle Asset Management. In 2006, Bill became the President of JNK Securities managing many successful industry forums.
Throughout his career, Bill has also been involved in various philanthropic activities, including serving on the Board of Directors for United Cerebral Palsy in New York City.
ANTHONY PIGNIO
CRO
Anthony joined AccessWave following a successful career on Wall Street, where he led teams, managed risk, and drove revenue at firms like Stephens, Lazard, and Cowen.
With a background in Sales and Trading, he excels in relationship-building and making quick, strategic decisions.
Originally from New Jersey, Anthony has returned after seven years in Little Rock, AR. He and his wife, Rosanne, are parents to three sons, each pursuing their own paths in business and education.
KEITH SANTANGELO
CFO
Keith joined AccessWave as CFO and Director of Restaurant & Hospitality vertical after spending the previous 3 years as the CFO & COO for Serafina Restaurant Group, headquartered in NYC with 20 Company Owned Restaurants across 5 concepts plus 22 Licensed locations in the US, Italy, and Globally. His career spans more than 24 years in the Restaurant and Hospitality Industry with a variance of experience in operations, finance, human resources, business leadership, and company strategy.
Originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Keith is a proud alumni of Louisiana State University, where he returns often to visit friends and family. Since 2001 he has lived in NYC and now NJ with his wife, Dina, and their four kids.
DREW KESE
CXO
Drew is a post-exit founder with wide array of product and startup experience. Drew started his career as a civil engineer out of Villanova, and transitioned into fintech after graduating from William & Mary's b-school.
He led product on the Ecount team (sold to Citibank in 2007), and became CEO/Managing Director of Citi’s Global Prepaid group. He left Citi to co-found MissionOG in 2012, a VC firm focused on early stage investments with the edge of providing hands-on help to the operators they invested in.
After MissionOG's first fund, he returned to operating in 2016 in a founding role at Spring EQ, which grew to one of the largest home equity lenders, and was acquired by Cerberus in December 2024.
RYAN WILLIAMS
VP; Principal of AccessWave Select
Ryan serves as Vice President and Principal of AccessWave Select, bringing a diverse background driven by startup and entrepreneurial experiences. Throughout his career, he has worked across accounting, marketing, technology, operations, and insurance, developing a strategic and collaborative approach to solving business challenges. His ability to adapt, lead, and enhance team dynamics makes him a valuable resource in driving AccessWave's initiatives forward.
A lifelong New Jersey resident, Ryan is passionate about continuous growth and empowering others to execute with confidence. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with family and is an avid supporter of the New York Yankees and Giants.
ANDREW FLANAGAN
VP of Employee Benefits, PEO & Life Insurance
Andrew joined AccessWave as Vice President of Employee Benefits, PEOs, and Life Insurance. He brings to this role over two decades of extensive experience within the insurance sector, having held significant positions at leading organizations including MetLife, Humana, and Delta Dental. His background also encompasses the benefit technology vertical through his tenure at Salesforce.com.
He possesses a comprehensive understanding of the synergy between insurance and technology, which will be instrumental in serving AccessWave's clientele. His experience working with organizations of varying sizes and across diverse industries has provided him with a deep insight into the complexities and challenges inherent in company-sponsored benefit programs.
A strategic partner with a demonstrated history of success, Andrew is committed to ensuring client needs are effectively met. He holds a degree from the University of Delaware and resides in New Jersey with his wife and two children.
