Top 10 Sponsor-Backed CEOs in Atlanta

Top 10 Sponsor-Backed CEOs in Atlanta

Top 10 Sponsor-Backed CEOs in Atlanta
12:26

Identifying high-net-worth individuals in need of financial guidance is central to growth in the wealth management industry.

While advisors and sales teams use many signals to guide outreach, one of the strongest and most time-sensitive is often overlooked: the sale of a private business. A liquidity event instantly transforms business owners into high-net-worth individuals, creating a narrow window where the need for financial planning is at its peak.

We track more than 2,000 private company transactions each month in Dakota Marketplace and map those deals directly to key executives. This allows firms to gain a clear, actionable view into who has recently gone through a buyout and is likely navigating newfound liquidity, all in one place where you can view and act on every transaction.

Book a demo of Dakota Marketplace to source key executives and CEOs!

Top 10 CEOs in Dallas

1. Mike Weiler – LymphaTech Inc.

Recent Transaction: Acquisition/Merger | 2/17/2026 | $6.8M

Tactile Medical acquired LymphaTech for $6.8 million upfront, with additional milestone-based consideration, expanding its lymphedema solutions portfolio with a clinically validated 3D imaging and measurement platform. The transaction strengthens Tactile’s capabilities in disease identification, longitudinal monitoring, and next-generation lymphatic therapies, positioning the combined platform as a more integrated solution across the continuum of care.

Mike Weiler serves as a mission-driven CEO who combines deep biomedical engineering expertise with a practical understanding of medical device design to advance solutions for lymphedema detection and management. His strategic vision and entrepreneurial leadership have positioned LymphaTech as an innovator in patient-centered technology, driving both clinical impact and long-term growth within the healthcare sector.

View the full profile in Dakota Marketplace.

2. Avner Bendheim – Tenna Systems

Recent Transaction: Seed Venture | 2/11/2026 | $13.5M

Tenna Systems raised an oversubscribed $13.5 million seed round led by Costanoa, with participation from Viola Ventures, Fresh Fund, 202 Ventures, and existing investors, to accelerate expansion across the U.S. defense market. The capital will support deployment of its hardware-free spectrum intelligence platform, which transforms existing sensors into real-time electromagnetic domain awareness tools for defense, aerospace, and mobility applications.

Avner Bendheim serves as a forward-leaning CEO who blends strategic vision with operational execution to advance Tenna Systems’ mission of delivering real-time spectrum intelligence. His leadership has positioned the company at the forefront of defense-focused electromagnetic domain awareness, reinforced by his ability to secure institutional backing and attract top-tier investors committed to next-generation defense innovation.

View the full profile in Dakota Marketplace.

3. John T. Krause – OmniMax INTERNATIONAL INC.

Recent Transaction: Acquisition/Merger | 2/2/2026 | $1.335B

Gibraltar completed its $1.335 billion acquisition of OmniMax International from Strategic Value Partners, significantly expanding its position in residential building products and roofing accessories. The transaction is expected to be immediately accretive to EBITDA margins and cash flow, with $35 million in projected cost synergies and approximately $100 million in tax benefits, reinforcing Gibraltar’s scale and profitability in its core Residential segment.

John T. Krause serves as a disciplined, operations-focused CEO who combines more than 25 years of experience across general management, finance, and marketing to drive strategic growth and performance at OmniMax. Drawing on leadership roles at JELD-WEN, Cooper Industries, Eaton, and service in the U.S. Marine Corps, he emphasizes operational excellence, customer-centric execution, and scalable expansion within the building products sector.

View the full profile in Dakota Marketplace.

4. Tom Cook – FlexTecs

Recent Transaction: Growth Equity | 1/22/2026 | Undisclosed

FlexTecs announced a strategic investment from Cohere Capital to support continued expansion of its recovery audit and contract compliance services while accelerating innovation within its proprietary SaaS platform, FlexTrap. The partnership is designed to fuel geographic growth, enhance technology capabilities, and position the company for its next phase of scale, while maintaining its existing leadership team and operating model.

Tom Cook serves as a growth-oriented CEO who has guided FlexTecs into a leading provider of recovery audit and payment accuracy solutions through a clear strategic vision and disciplined execution. His entrepreneurial mindset, focus on client outcomes, and commitment to workforce development have strengthened the company’s culture and innovation capacity, positioning FlexTecs for continued expansion within the financial technology landscape.

View the full profile in Dakota Marketplace.

5. Mike Ybarra – PrizePicks

Recent Transaction: Acquisition/Merger | 1/16/2026 | $1.533B

Allwyn completed its $1.533 billion acquisition of a 62.3% majority stake in PrizePicks, expanding its footprint in the U.S. daily fantasy sports and prediction markets space. The transaction strengthens Allwyn’s strategy to build a diversified global gaming entertainment platform, pairing its scale and operational expertise with PrizePicks’ technology-driven growth and expanding product innovation.

Mike Ybarra's extensive experience in the technology and gaming sectors, combined with his leadership roles at Blizzard Entertainment and Microsoft, positions him as a strategic leader capable of driving innovation and growth at PrizePicks. His proven track record in managing large-scale operations and fostering high-performing teams is expected to propel PrizePicks to new heights in the daily fantasy sports industry.

View the full profile in Dakota Marketplace.

6. Jeff Uphues – DC BLOX

Recent Transaction: Credit | 1/15/2026 | $240M

DC BLOX secured a $240 million HoldCo financing facility from Global Infrastructure Partners, part of BlackRock, to support its hyperscale data center expansion strategy across the Southeastern United States. The facility strengthens the company’s capital structure and builds on prior senior secured green loan financings, positioning DC BLOX to accelerate AI-driven digital infrastructure development and regional connectivity growth.

Jeff Uphues serves as a seasoned technology executive whose three decades of experience in IT have guided DC BLOX’s emergence as a leading provider of interconnected, Tier III data centers across the Southeast. His leadership blends strategic vision with disciplined execution, fostering a culture built on transparency, trust, and operational excellence while reinforcing the company’s commitment to innovation, customer satisfaction, and long-term stakeholder value.

View the full profile in Dakota Marketplace.

7. Jeremy Toeman – Augie

Recent Transaction: Acquisition/Merger | 1/15/2026 | Undisclosed

JWX acquired Aug X Labs, the creator of Augie Studio, to expand its publisher platform with AI-powered content transformation capabilities. The transaction enhances JWX Studio by enabling media companies to convert existing content into multi-format, platform-ready experiences, strengthening distribution, engagement, and monetization across fragmented digital channels.

Jeremy Toeman is a product-driven CEO and media technology entrepreneur with a track record of building and scaling innovative digital platforms. Drawing on senior leadership experience at companies such as WarnerMedia and other technology firms, he combines strategic vision with hands-on product expertise to advance AI-powered content solutions and drive growth in the evolving digital media landscape.

View the full profile in Dakota Marketplace.

8. Bob Westfall – Westfall Group, Inc.

Recent Transaction: Acquisition/Merger | 1/8/2026 | Undisclosed

Gloo completed its acquisition of Westfall Group, adding Westfall Gold, Brain Trust Creative, and Parable Talent to its platform to expand donor engagement and fundraising capabilities for faith-based and mission-driven organizations. The transaction strengthens Gloo’s integrated ecosystem by combining technology, marketing, and high-capacity donor strategy to deliver end-to-end fundraising and donor development solutions.

Bob Westfall's strategic leadership has been instrumental in transforming Westfall Group, Inc. into a leading nonprofit fundraising consultancy. His expertise in major donor events and fundraising strategies has significantly enhanced the company's impact, raising over $530 million for various causes. Westfall's commitment to excellence and innovation continues to drive the company's success in the nonprofit sector.

View the full profile in Dakota Marketplace.

9. Rodney Dir – Talon Aerolytics Inc.

Recent Transaction: Acquisition/Merger | 1/5/2026 | Undisclosed

Bentley Systems acquired Talon Aerolytics and the technology assets of Pointivo to expand its Asset Analytics portfolio, strengthening its application of digital twins and AI across telecommunications and electric utilities infrastructure. The transactions enhance Bentley’s capabilities in drone data processing, AI-driven asset inspection, and grid and tower analytics, reinforcing its leadership in infrastructure performance and resilience solutions.

Rodney Dir is a telecommunications-focused executive whose operational depth and strategic leadership have driven Talon Aerolytics’ sustained revenue growth and market expansion. As CEO, he combines industry expertise with disciplined execution and innovation, positioning the company to scale advanced asset analytics solutions across the evolving infrastructure technology landscape.

View the full profile in Dakota Marketplace.

10. Jon Clift – Turf Masters Brands

Recent Transaction: Buyout/Private Equity | 12/11/2025 | Undisclosed

CenterOak Partners announced the sale of Turf Masters Brands, a residential lawn, tree, and shrub care platform serving more than 200,000 homeowners across 12 states, to ExperiGreen Lawn Care. During CenterOak’s ownership, the company more than doubled its customer base and branch footprint, positioning the business for continued expansion under new ownership.

Jon Clift's extensive experience in the residential services industry, combined with his leadership roles at Turf Masters Brands, underscores his strategic vision and commitment to organizational growth. His focus on people development and operational excellence has been instrumental in the company's expansion and success.

View the full profile in Dakota Marketplace.

Where Liquidity Events Become Prospecting Signals

Finding prospects may not be the challenge; it’s knowing when to reach them.

Private company transactions are one of the clearest signals of imminent need. They turn operating executives into newly liquid decision-makers almost overnight. Firms that align outreach to these moments gain a real advantage in timing, relevance, and conversion.

Dakota Marketplace delivers that edge.

Our combination of real-time private company transaction data and “likely to transact” signals allows RIAs and advisors to engage in timely, highly relevant outreach to individuals with newly acquired or soon-to-be-acquired wealth.

You’ll see all private company transactions in one place, updated continuously, so your team can prioritize outreach, engage with confidence, and convert at the right moment.

Book a demo of Dakota Marketplace to source key executives and CEOs!

Cate Costin, Marketing Associate

Written By: Cate Costin, Marketing Associate