MIKE KISTNER
Operating Advisor
Mike Kistner has extensive experience as a hands-on executive leader having operated in a number of varied market segments, including industrial distribution & manufacturing, medical equipment, contract professional engineering for investor owned electric utilities, and engineered repairs of turbomachinery serving the chemical, petrochemical, and oil & gas markets. He has navigated a number of successful mergers and acquisitions, involving numerous business integrations. In many of these executive leadership roles he drove various product development, organizational realignment, and strategic planning initiatives.
Currently, Mike serves as Managing Partner for both Marsh Oak Capital Partners, and Marsh Oak Investors. Marsh Oak Capital Partners most recently partnered in 2015 with private equity to acquire Rotating Machinery Services (RMS). RMS is a provider of engineered repairs of large turbomachinery, and under Mike’s leadership the company achieved a very successful 6x shareholder return in less than 4 years.
Dennis Pope
Operating Advisor
Dennis Pope is a talented and seasoned executive with extensive experience in distribution, manufacturing and consulting. He brings a wealth of expertise with strengths in areas such as mergers and acquisitions (M&A), acquisition integration, strategic planning, international sales, new business development, entrepreneurship, key account management, and leadership development. He has an abundance of international experience, having acquired and managed businesses outside the US.
Currently, Dennis serves on the Boards of Cole-Parmer, KLATU Networks, Inc., Nordon, Inc., and FEI, Inc. He is also involved in Corporate Consulting, recently recruiting CEO’s for two companies, mentoring new CEO/Presidents, consulting on the sale of businesses, and providing valuation analysis prior to sale. He is routinely sought out for advice on day to day operating issues and strategic options.
In his last company, Environmental Express, Inc., Dennis worked with a private equity company to acquire a family owned business. Under his leadership the company was transformed from a small business to a recognized leader in its industry. The company was recognized as one of South Carolina’s “Best Places to Work in 2009 and 2010. Dennis retired as CEO of the company in 2013.
Prior to Environmental Express, he led manufacturing and distribution businesses in the laboratory products industry. He served as Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Past Chairman of the Laboratory Products Association.
In addition to his executive career, Dennis has served on the Board of Directors for Countryside Association in Illinois and Low Country Manufacturers Association in South Carolina and as a volunteer for Atlanta Junior Golf Association.