The stories of the Gryphon began as far back as 3000 BC when they are said to have been the Pharoah’s companions in Ancient Egypt and later became guardians in Minoa. The Romans used Gryphon’s for decoration and they are commonly carved as Gargoyles on medieval buildings.

In mythology, the Gryphon would find gold in the mountains and make their nests of it, sometimes at the entrance to caves filled with valuables. The Gryphon also had an instinct to know how to locate buried treasure and once found, they would apply themselves to guarding it the best they could, keeping plunderers at a distance. This made these creatures very tempting for hunters and thieves, so Gryphon’s were forced to keep vigilant guard.

Today, Gryphon’s can be found in boardrooms or bank buildings and are likely to be meeting with attorneys or corporate officers. The setting is a little different, but the goal is the same; keep diligent guard and protect the value of the assets within their control.

Richard F. Kruse is the managing partner and co-founder of Columbus, Ohio based Gryphon Asset Advisors where his engagements primarily focus on the wind down and liquidation of single assets, corporate divisions or entire companies. Mr. Kruse has acted in the capacity of an asset purchaser in Chapter 7 and 11, represented the interests of debtors and creditors as auctioneer or liquidator and held engagements as court appointed receiver. He holds real estate and auctioneer licenses in Ohio and other states and designations as an appraiser with focus on commercial equipment.

Mr. Kruse has been a speaker to the National Auctioneers Association, Columbus Bankruptcy Bar Association, Alexandria Virginia Bankruptcy Bar Association, numerous real estate brokerages, is an instructor for the Lorman Education Institute and is regularly interviewed by the Daily Reporter and Business First newspapers for his opinion on asset sales. He is an active member of the National Auctioneers Association, National and Ohio Associations of Realtors, American Bankruptcy Institute and Turnaround Management Association, where he sits on the board of the Ohio Chapter.

Melissa M. Kruse is a former Senior White House aide whose background includes international presentation of US policy to domestic and foreign government officials, trade negotiations, international business outreach to US and foreign corporations, as well as media and public relations coordination for various White House departments.

Mrs. Kruse is a Sr. Partner and Co-Founder of Gryphon Asset Advisors, LLC, chair of the corporate partnership committee for the Columbus Jr. League, a non-profit women’s group with national recognition and is one of 54 individuals participating in the 2004-2005 Leadership Columbus program designed to encourage and promote community activity and expand local leadership growth in Ohio and beyond.