How to Invest Post-Liquidity

Nick is an Entrepreneur, Strategic Business Advisor and Attorney with experience ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies, universities and national non-profit organizations.

Prior to dedicating himself full-time to his entrepreneurial endeavors, Nick had a highly successful twenty-year legal practice with firms in Cleveland, Chicago and Columbus. As an Entrepreneur, Nick has been an owner, investor, director and partner in several companies throughout his career with domestic and international operations. Nick’s motivation and passion over his 25-year career has been to inspire and help people and organizations maximize potential. He has played leadership roles in a number of community and nonprofit organizations focused on improving the lives and conditions of the communities around him. Nick is the Co-founder and Board Chair of the Ohio Innovation and Technology Associaiton (OITA). Nick has served as Vice Chair of the University of Akron Board of Trustees. He has been a champion of entrepreneurship on the national level as a Board Member of the National Small Business Association (NSBA) in Washington, DC, and as Vice Chair of the Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE), the largest small business member organization in the country

Partner at a multi-family office with $1.7 billion under management focused on investment strategy, client relationships and management of the firm. Leads a private capital program which invests in private equity, venture, real estate, and non-correlated assets and built a successful co-investment program across these asset classes. Prior to joining CM Wealth in 2015, Paul was an equity research analyst covering industrials.

Craig Cook is the former CEO of Precision Production LLC, a supplier of machined components and assemblies serving global OEM customers across various markets. Craig co-founded the business with a partner in 1994, and previously practiced law with Reminger LPA in Cleveland. In 2019, Craig and his partner sold a majority stake to PE, positioning the company for future growth as a platform investment. Under Craig's leadership, Precision Production made a strategic acquisition in 2021 as part of its expansion strategy. In 2023, Craig transitioned from his daily role at Precision Production to pursue new ventures as an active owner or silent partner. His background in M&A, law and manufacturing offers a unique perspective on the challenges faced by small and medium-sized businesses seeking strategic growth investments or a liquidity event.

Dan is a founding partner of Provariant Equity Partners, a Cleveland OH based equity investor focused on the lower middle market. Prior to Provariant, Dan was a partner with Linsalata Capital Partners, a private equity firm, for 18 years. Prior to that, Dan was with Ernst & Young where he was a Senior Manager providing M&A transaction support services to middle market clients. Dan received a B.S. in accountancy from Miami University, and he earned an M.B.A. with distinction, from Northwestern University. Dan’s responsibilities at Provariant include sourcing and transacting new investment opportunities as well as managing portfolio company oversight. Dan currently serves on the Boards of three Provariant investments: MWE Holdings, Stanisci Design and Smart Vent Holdings.

Following his retirement from Lubrizol in December 2011, Steve Kirk joined Cleveland State University as Executive in Residence in the Monte Ahuja College of Business. In this volunteer role he works primarily with the Executive MBA program as Leadership Coach and helps prepare students in the program for senior level leadership and executive positions.

Steve enjoyed a 43-year career at Lubrizol, a global $6 billion Fortune 500 Company. He was elected Chief Operating Officer in 2008, leading over 6,500 people, half of them overseas and half working in the United States (with ~2,000 in the Greater Cleveland area).  Prior to that, he served as President of Lubrizol Additives. He joined LZ as a co-op/intern in 1968 and full time in 1972, and enjoyed roles in engineering, sales and marketing until being elected Corporate Vice President in 1993. Lubrizol was acquired by Berkshire Hathaway in 2011.