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 Seattle
1. Steve Scharnhorst – Maclean Power Systems
Recent Transaction: Buyout/Private Equity | 3/4/2026 | Undisclosed
MacLean Power Systems and Power Grid Components completed their merger under Blackstone Energy Transition Partners' majority ownership, creating one of the largest suppliers of highly-engineered utility equipment in North America. The combined platform — spanning switches, insulators, switchgear, transformers, and related grid components — is positioned to capitalize on surging demand for electrical infrastructure driven by electrification, grid hardening, and rising power consumption.
Steve Scharnhorst's leadership at MacLean Power Systems has been marked by strategic growth and innovation. His focus on expanding product offerings and enhancing market presence has positioned MPS as a leader in the utility sector. Scharnhorst's ability to drive acquisitions and secure significant investments underscores his effectiveness in steering the company toward sustained success.
View the full profile in Dakota Marketplace.
2. Noah Hickey – Whip Around
Recent Transaction: Buyout/Private Equity | 3/3/2026 | Undisclosed
Accel-KKR made a majority investment in Whip Around, a cloud-based fleet maintenance and compliance software platform, to accelerate the company's product development, go-to-market expansion, and M&A strategy. Terms were not disclosed.
Noah Hickey's leadership at Whip Around has been instrumental in driving the company's growth and innovation in the fleet maintenance software industry. His extensive experience in business development and operations management has enabled Whip Around to expand its global presence and enhance its product offerings. Hickey's strategic vision and commitment to excellence have positioned the company as a leader in its field, with a strong focus on customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.
View the full profile in Dakota Marketplace.
3. Nick Johnson – AppsAnywhere
Recent Transaction: Acquisition/Merger | 3/3/2026 | Undisclosed
AppsAnywhere and LabStats completed their merger under Cordance's ownership, combining AppsAnywhere's application delivery platform with LabStats' real-time IT usage analytics to give higher education institutions a unified view of their end-user computing environment. The combined company, serving more than 1,000 institutions across 22 countries, aims to help IT leaders optimize software licensing, reduce costs, and improve equitable technology access for students and faculty.
Nick Johnson built AppsAnywhere into a global leader in higher education software delivery through a customer-first, innovation-driven approach, guiding the company through significant international expansion and revenue growth. His strengths in strategic partnerships and market navigation were central to positioning AppsAnywhere for its eventual merger with LabStats under Cordance.
View the full profile in Dakota Marketplace.
4. Marc Michael – SPX Flow
Recent Transaction: Buyout/Private Equity | 3/2/2026 | $4.775B
ITT completed its $4.775 billion acquisition of SPX FLOW from Lone Star Funds, adding a portfolio of highly engineered process technologies — including mixing, blending, fluid handling, and thermal transfer solutions — across industrial, chemical, energy, and health and nutrition end markets. The deal roughly doubles ITT's aftermarket sales and accelerates the company's portfolio transformation strategy, with the combined flow technologies business rebranded as ITT's Flow Technologies segment.
Marc Michael's leadership at SPX FLOW has been marked by strategic acquisitions and a focus on operational excellence, positioning the company for sustained growth and innovation in the industrial products sector. His extensive experience in global operations and market development has been instrumental in driving the company's success.
View the full profile in Dakota Marketplace.
5. J. Robert Atkinson – Medical Manufacturing Technologies LLC
Recent Transaction: Strategic Acquisition | 1/22/2026 | $685M
Perimeter Solutions acquired Medical Manufacturing Technologies (MMT) from Arcline Investment Management for approximately $685 million, adding a leading provider of highly engineered machinery and aftermarket consumables for minimally invasive medical device manufacturing. The deal diversifies Perimeter's portfolio beyond its core fire safety and specialty chemicals businesses, with MMT's roughly 50% aftermarket revenue mix offering a recurring, high-margin revenue stream.
Robbie Atkinson is a seasoned operator with over two decades of experience in strategy, finance, and M&A, having previously driven growth through acquisitions at NN, Inc.'s Life Sciences division before taking the helm at MMT. At MMT, he has focused on corporate strategy and operational excellence, positioning the company as a leader in minimally invasive medical device manufacturing.
View the full profile in Dakota Marketplace.
6. Nick Persavich – Advantco International, LLC
Recent Transaction: Buyout/Private Equity | 1/20/2026 | Undisclosed
Montage Partners exited its investment in Advantco International through a sale to Argano LLC, a Trinity Hunt Partners portfolio company, combining Advantco's proprietary enterprise integration software — spanning SAP, Oracle, Azure, AWS, and Salesforce — with Argano's broader digital solutions platform. Terms were not disclosed.
Nick Persavich brings a wealth of experience in corporate development, strategy, and private equity investment to his role as CEO of Advantco International LLC. His leadership has been instrumental in Advantco's growth and success in providing integration solutions for SAP and Oracle. Nick's strategic vision and expertise in business development have significantly contributed to Advantco's market expansion and product innovation.
View the full profile in Dakota Marketplace.
7. Tracey Zhen – Caring
Recent Transaction: Buyout/Private Equity | 1/12/2026 | Undisclosed
SilverAssist acquired Caring.com, one of the most visited online senior care destinations, to expand its national referral and advisory network for senior living operators and families. The deal brings together Caring.com's digital reach, Oasis Senior Advisors' local advisory network, and ElderLife Financial's payment solutions into a single platform, positioning SilverAssist as the fastest-growing referral network in senior housing. Terms were not disclosed.
Tracey Zhen brings over 25 years of experience in consumer technology to her role as CEO of Caring. Her leadership at Zipcar, TripAdvisor, and Expedia demonstrates her ability to drive digital transformation and scale high-growth platforms. At Caring, she is poised to leverage her expertise to enhance services for seniors and their families, aligning with the company's mission to provide comprehensive senior care resources.
View the full profile in Dakota Marketplace.
8. John Ragan – Cogentrix Energy
Recent Transaction: Acquisition/Merger | 1/5/2026 | $4.7B
Vistra Corp. agreed to acquire approximately 90% of Cogentrix Energy's natural gas generation portfolio from Quantum Capital Group for roughly $4.7 billion in total consideration, gaining approximately 5,500 MW of capacity across 10 modern facilities in PJM, ISO New England, and ERCOT. The deal bolsters Vistra's dispatchable generation fleet at a time of surging U.S. electricity demand driven by data center growth, electrification, and industrial expansion.
John Ragan's extensive experience in the energy sector, combined with his leadership roles at prominent companies, underscores his strategic vision and operational expertise. As CEO of Cogentrix Energy Power Management LLC, he has been instrumental in steering the company through the evolving energy landscape, focusing on sustainable practices and operational excellence. His leadership style is characterized by a commitment to innovation, efficiency, and stakeholder engagement, positioning Cogentrix for continued success in the energy industry.
View the full profile in Dakota Marketplace.
9. Jason Richardson – Service Logic
Recent Transaction: Buyout/Private Equity | 12/16/2025 | Undisclosed
Bain Capital, in partnership with Mubadala Investment Company, acquired Service Logic from Leonard Green & Partners, gaining a leading commercial HVAC services platform operating across 140+ North American locations with over 5,000 technicians. The deal sets up Service Logic's next phase of growth through continued organic expansion and M&A, building on the significant footprint Leonard Green helped the company develop over the prior five years. Terms were not disclosed.
Jason Richardson's leadership at Service Logic has been marked by a commitment to innovation and strategic growth. His extensive experience in finance and operations has been instrumental in the company's expansion and success. As CEO, Richardson continues to drive the organization forward, emphasizing the importance of a decentralized business model and the value of its people. His leadership style is characterized by a focus on empowering local leaders and fostering a collaborative culture.
View the full profile in Dakota Marketplace.
10. Chad Schuchmann – Daramic LLC
Recent Transaction: Buyout/Private Equity | 12/2/2025 | Undisclosed
Kingswood Capital Management acquired Daramic from Japan's Asahi Kasei in a corporate carveout, gaining the global leader in high-performance polyethylene battery separators used in automobiles, recreational vehicles, and heavy machinery across North America, Europe, and Asia. Terms were not disclosed.
Chad Schuchmann's leadership at Daramic LLC is poised to drive the company's growth and innovation in the lead-acid battery separator industry. His extensive experience in the battery separator sector and proven executive leadership skills position him to effectively navigate the challenges and opportunities in this market. Schuchmann's strategic vision and operational expertise are expected to enhance Daramic's market position and deliver value to customers and stakeholders.
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!
