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 CEOs in Cleveland
1. Norbert Muhrer – Eagle Wireless
Recent Transaction: Strategic Acquisition | 12/17/2025 | Undisclosed
Eagle Electronics has acquired Wireless Mobility and rebranded as Eagle Wireless, creating the only Western cellular module vendor built to serve both the automotive and IoT markets at scale, with domestic manufacturing in Solon, Ohio and global R&D spanning North America, Europe, and APAC. The deal positions Eagle Wireless to capitalize on surging demand driven by new U.S. regulations including the Connected Vehicles Rule, which is forcing OEMs and enterprises to rapidly shift toward trusted, Western-controlled connectivity supply chains.
Norbert Muhrer brings over 25 years of experience in scaling market-leading module businesses, with deep expertise in building global product portfolios, supply chains, and customer relationships in both automotive and IoT sectors. His leadership has been instrumental in transforming companies into global leaders, and his strategic vision continues to drive the success of Eagle Wireless in an increasingly geopolitically sensitive market.
View the full profile in Dakota Marketplace.
2. Alex Greg Sturmer – Elysium Therapeutics
Recent Transaction: Venture | 1/28/2026 | $7.5M
Elysium Therapeutics has completed a $7.5 million SAFE round to advance its SOOPR technology, a rapid-onset, long-acting rescue agent specifically designed to prevent and reverse overdoses from oral synthetic opioids including fentanyl and nitazenes. Unlike existing rescue agents such as NARCAN, SOOPR's proprietary naloxone prodrug formulation is designed to provide 12–24 hours of effective opioid blockade, addressing the critical limitation of short-acting agents that are outlasted by prolonged oral fentanyl exposures.
Greg Sturmer's extensive experience in the healthcare industry, combined with his strategic vision and financial acumen, has been pivotal in advancing Elysium Therapeutics' mission to develop innovative treatments for acute pain and opioid-use disorder. His leadership in securing significant funding and establishing key partnerships underscores his effectiveness in driving the company's growth and impact in the biotechnology sector.
View the full profile in Dakota Marketplace.
3. Dan Crouse – Smithfield Trust Company
Recent Transaction: Growth Equity | 3/11/2026 | Undisclosed
HASI has made a structured equity investment in Viridi Energy's Marathon landfill gas-to-renewable natural gas facility, marking HASI's third investment into Viridi's portfolio and providing capital to accelerate project development for the Warburg Pincus and Green Rock Energy Partners-backed company. The Marathon facility is projected to produce RNG equivalent to powering approximately 5,800 homes annually while reducing carbon emissions by an estimated 18,400 tons per year through the capture and utilization of landfill gas that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere.
Dan Crouse's extensive experience in the renewable natural gas sector, combined with his leadership roles at Air Liquide and Keystone Renewable Energy, positions him as a pivotal figure in advancing Viridi Energy's mission. His strategic vision and expertise in biogas development have been key to the company's growth and its commitment to sustainable energy solutions.
View the full profile in Dakota Marketplace.
4. Frank Crisafi – Ceres Enterprises
Recent Transaction: Credit Direct Lending | 2/25/2026 | $16.3M
BGL's Real Estate team advised the ownership group of two Wyndham hotels — totaling 245 keys in Avon, Ohio and Noblesville, Indiana — on a $16.3 million refinancing and restructuring, securing new multi-year senior bridge financing from American Bank to retire maturing construction loans and an SBA 504 loan. The transaction also included a preferred equity raise to recapitalize both hotels' balance sheets, redeem minority interests within the original ownership group, and fund reserve accounts at each property.
Frank Crisafi's leadership at Ceres Enterprises, LLC has been marked by a commitment to growth, employee satisfaction, and customer service. His strategic vision has transformed the company into a respected entity in the hospitality industry, with plans for future expansion into new markets.
View the full profile in Dakota Marketplace.
5. Benjamin Ferguson – Bendon, Inc.
Recent Transaction: Buyout/Private Equity | 4/22/2026 | Undisclosed
Brightstar Capital Partners has acquired Bendon Publishing International, a designer and distributor of licensed children's coloring, activity, and educational products headquartered in Ashland, Ohio, marking Brightstar's first investment under its dedicated lower middle market strategy. The company maintains long-standing licensing relationships with Disney, Nickelodeon, and Universal and distributes products through major retailers including Walmart, Target, Costco, and Amazon, with founder and CEO Ben Ferguson retaining a meaningful ownership stake and continuing to lead the business.
Benjamin Ferguson's leadership as CEO and co-founder of Bendon, Inc. has been instrumental in the company's rapid growth and success in the children's publishing and manufacturing sectors. His strategic vision and ability to establish partnerships with major licensors have enabled Bendon to expand its product offerings and distribution channels significantly. Ferguson's commitment to delivering high-quality, affordable products has solidified Bendon's position as an industry leader, and his continued leadership is expected to drive future growth and innovation.
View the full profile in Dakota Marketplace.
6. Ken Fitzpatrick – Everstream
Recent Transaction: Buyout/Private Equity | 3/6/2026 | $384.6M
Bluebird Fiber has completed the purchase of substantially all assets and operations of Everstream, an approximately 25,000 route mile Midwest fiber network, creating a combined network spanning from Kansas to Ohio and north to the Canadian border with over 36,000 route miles across 12 states and more than 400,000 near-net buildings. The acquisition, which coincided with Everstream's emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy, establishes Bluebird Fiber as the Midwest's dominant business-only fiber network serving enterprise, hyperscale, carrier, and government customers.
Ken Fitzpatrick's extensive experience in the telecommunications industry, combined with his leadership roles at major companies, positions him as a valuable asset to Everstream. His strategic vision and operational expertise are instrumental in driving the company's growth and expansion. Fitzpatrick's leadership style emphasizes operational excellence, building strong cultures, and developing high-performance teams to achieve profitable growth. His involvement in non-profit organizations, such as the McCourt Foundation, reflects his commitment to social responsibility and community engagement.
View the full profile in Dakota Marketplace.
7. John Roberts – R.E.L.A.M., Inc
Recent Transaction: Buyout/Private Equity | 5/11/2026 | Undisclosed
Paceline Equity Partners has agreed to sell R.E.L.A.M., a leading North American lessor of maintenance-of-way and hi-rail equipment, for undisclosed consideration following a comprehensive transformation that tripled revenue during Paceline's ownership through organic growth initiatives, two strategic acquisitions, and the divestiture of non-core operations. The sale marks the successful creation of the first pure-play MOW and hi-rail equipment leasing platform in North America, built through Paceline's dual acquisition of R.E.L.A.M. and 1435 Rail.
John Roberts brings over two decades of leadership experience to his role as CEO of R.E.L.A.M., Inc. His strategic vision and operational expertise have been key in driving the company's growth and profitability. Known for his innovative approach, John has successfully led multiple acquisitions and holds four safety-related patents, underscoring his commitment to innovation and safety in the industry. His leadership style emphasizes operational excellence, strategic growth, and continuous improvement, positioning R.E.L.A.M., Inc. for sustained success in the railroad equipment leasing and maintenance sector.
View the full profile in Dakota Marketplace.
8. Carey Jaros – GOJO Industries
Recent Transaction: Acquisition/Merger | 4/1/2026 | $2.25B
Clorox has completed its acquisition of GOJO Industries, maker of the Purell brand, for $2.25 billion in cash ($1.92 billion net of anticipated tax benefits), adding a business with nearly $800 million in annual sales growing at a 5% three-year CAGR that generates over 80% of revenue through a stable B2B distribution network underpinned by roughly 20 million installed dispensers. The deal expands Clorox's Health and Wellness segment with the #1 hand sanitizer brand across both B2B and retail channels, with at least $50 million in targeted run-rate cost synergies and expected EPS accretion in year two.
Carey F. Jaros is a seasoned executive with a proven track record in strategic leadership, operational excellence, and innovation within the consumer goods and health sectors. As CEO of GOJO Industries, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, by significantly scaling production to meet global demand for hygiene products. Her strategic vision and commitment to the company's mission have solidified GOJO's position as a market leader in health and hygiene solutions. Carey's background in management consulting and her experience in various leadership roles have equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of business operations, making her a valuable asset to GOJO Industries.
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!
