John Kirkpatrick
Managing Director
John Kirkpatrick is a digital transformation leader and former founder and CEO of an award-winning CMS Digital Media SaaS company. For almost 10 years, he was known simply as “JK” to hundreds of colleagues at 3M after a successful M&A with the Fortune 500 company. As a pioneer of pragmatic digital intelligence and cognitive neuroscience decision logic, John has led transformative programs into diverse industry segments including Smart Retail, Hospitality, Transportation, Banking, Gaming, Sports & Entertainment, Telecommunications, and Ad-tech.
With more than 25 years’ experience as a business leader, John now uses his broad expertise to help other entrepreneurial business owners navigate successful outcomes along their M&A journey, including those in IoT, Gaming, Applied AI, Health-tech, Smart Logistics, Telecommunications, IT Services, Fintech Payment-Stream Control, Hybrid Cloud and Edge Computing, Mining, CRM, and Marketing Automation.
John has a B.A. Economics, Business & Marketing from Wilfrid University in Waterloo, Ontario. He also has his Six Sigma Green Belt certification and has served as InfoComm Adjunct Instructor at AVIXA, the Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association.
INSIGHTS & PERSPECTIVES FROM INDUSTRY EXPERTS
Actionable insights, strategic thinking, and expert advice to help you plan, prepare, and succeed in your exit journey.
Press Releases
Pursant Founder Mark Herbick Joins STS Capital Partners as Chief Executive Officer
November 2, 2026
STS Capital Partners is pleased to announce that Mark Herbick has been appointed Chief Executive Officer, effective November 1, 2026, as Pursant, the firm he founded, joins forces with STS. A serial e…
Press Releases
Steve Weclew is Appointed by STS Capital Partners as Managing Director
October 29, 2026
We are pleased to announce the appointment of Steve Weclew as a Managing Director. A CPA by training, former public-company CFO, and co-founder and CEO of an acquisition-led platform, Steve brings…
Press Releases
Former Goddard Enterprises Managing Director Anthony Ali Joins STS Capital Partners as Managing Director and Partner
October 19, 2026
STS Capital Partners is pleased to announce that Anthony Ali is joining the firm as Managing Director and Partner, bringing extensive international leadership experience and a proven track record in b…
Featured
Thought Leadership
If You’re Considering an ESOP, Run a Competitive Process
October 15, 2026
Why founders should apply the same process to an ESOP as they would to any other buyer. For many founders, the decision to explore an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) is not driven by valuation…
Press Releases
Claude Zdanow is Appointed by STS Capital Partners as managing director
September 30, 2026
We are pleased to announce the appointment of Claude Zdanow as a Managing Director. A public-company CEO, serial founder, and M&A principal, Claude brings nearly two decades of experience building…
Thought Leadership
Building for an Extraordinary Exit™ Starts on Day One
September 15, 2026
Founders rarely begin building a business with an exit in mind. The early years are consumed by proving an idea, winning customers, preserving cash and creating momentum. Decisions about governance…