One Business, Long Term
Focused on acquiring and operating one company, not building a portfolio of disconnected investments.
About Me
I was born and raised in a small town in Northern Michigan, where small businesses weren’t just storefronts, they were the heartbeat of the community. They sponsored local teams, employed neighbors, and helped shape the character of the places we called home. Growing up around that environment sparked a lasting respect for the people who build something meaningful for their communities.
My career eventually led me into the marine industry, a natural fit after growing up along the shores of Lake Michigan. There I built my career around relationships, trust, and a shared appreciation for the Great Lakes. Over time I became a top-performing sales leader in the region and had the opportunity to work closely with the company’s founder during one of the most important moments in a business owner’s journey: preparing for and completing the sale of the company they had spent decades building.
Experiencing that transition from inside the business left a lasting impression on me. I saw firsthand the pride, responsibility, and emotion that come with passing a company to the next generation of ownership.
That experience ultimately led me to pursue my MBA at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business, where I became deeply interested in Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition, a path that allows someone to steward an already great business while preserving what makes it special. Through the Zell Entrepreneurs Program, I’ve had the opportunity to learn from experienced founders, operators, and investors who believe in building enduring companies.
While I’ve been fortunate to travel widely across the United States and abroad, one truth has remained constant: the grit, character, and sense of community found in the Midwest is hard to match. It’s what shaped me, and it’s why my wife and I are proud to call Michigan home.
Through New Shores Ventures, my goal is not simply to acquire a business. It is to carry forward what has already been built, preserving the legacy, culture, and relationships that made the company successful, while thoughtfully building the next chapter.
Because the best businesses in Michigan are more than companies.
They are part of the fabric of the communities they serve.
I was born and raised in Northern Michigan, where local businesses are part of the fabric of the community. They create jobs, support families, sponsor teams, and help shape the places we call home.
That upbringing shaped how I think about ownership. A good business is not just a financial asset. It represents years of decisions, relationships, reputation, and responsibility.
My career began in the marine industry, a natural fit after growing up along the shores of Lake Michigan. I built my early career around relationship-driven sales, customer trust, and high-value transactions in a market where reputation matters. Over time, I had the opportunity to work closely with customers, teams, and ownership during periods of growth and transition.
That experience gave me a lasting appreciation for what it takes to build and carry a business over time. It also made clear that ownership transitions are not just financial events. They affect employees, customers, families, and communities.
I later pursued my MBA at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business, where I deepened my focus on small business acquisitions, private equity, search funds, and long-term operating models. Through that work, I spent time sourcing and evaluating acquisition opportunities, studying what makes businesses durable, and learning from experienced founders, operators, and investors.
Those experiences brought me back to the kind of ownership I want to pursue: local, long-term, and grounded in trust.
New Shores Ventures is the result of that path. My goal is to acquire and operate one established Michigan business, preserve what makes it special, and thoughtfully build its next chapter.
What Guides New Shores Ventures
Continuity
Before ChangeMy first responsibility is understanding what already works before making changes.
Local Commitment
I am based in Traverse City and focused on businesses rooted in Michigan and the Great Lakes region.
Respect for
What Was BuiltA business carries relationships, culture, reputation, and responsibility.