Ken Demske, Business Development Advisor

Direct number: 262-939-2080

Ken is an experienced M&A Advisor with scores of successful mid-range business transactions.  He has closed several Multi-Million Dollar transactions as well, all in diverse industries such as manufacturing, service, distribution and retail.  Ken has numerous contacts in various fields such as the Banking, Accounting, Consulting and Legal arenas. These contacts serve to assist buyers and sellers in accomplishing their goals. Ken has a diverse background from working on startup companies to being the general manager of a manufacturing company. In addition, he has worked in multiple sales capacities all the way up to International Sales Manager of a Fortune 200 company.

With a career spanning over 30 years, Ken brings real life experience, which provides valuable insight into the complexities and process of the negotiations required to successfully complete business transactions. Ken is annually recognized as the top contributor of his team.

Industry Focus: Ken has extensive experience in manufacturing, distribution, and service businesses such as home health care and child care.

Association Memberships: member MBBI

Jim Gaulke, M&A Advisor

Direct number: 414-617-9847

Jim Gaulke joined Sunbelt in 2005 after owning his first business and was with Sunbelt until 2010. In 2010 Jim left the industry after buying his second business. After the sale of his second business in 2019 Jim rejoined the team. Jim has owned both franchise and non-franchise businesses and brings a wealth of firsthand knowledge of business buying and selling.

Jim brings years of broker experience, twenty-eight years of business ownership experience and a unique perspective of being personally involved in buying and selling two of his own businesses.

During Jim’s time as a business owner, he took two businesses from the brink of bankruptcy back to profitability. Jim owned a retail power equipment business that went from insolvency to the top 2% in sales volume in the industry.

Jim likes to spend time volunteering with the VA hospital in Milwaukee, Stars and Stripes Honor Flight, spending time with family and grandchildren, and church activities.  Jim is an outdoor enthusiast and enjoys downhill skiing, bicycle riding, and bow hunting.

Industry Focus: Jim has over 8 years’ experience as a business advisor and twenty-eight years of business ownership experience.

Association Memberships: member MBBI

Alex Karl, Analyst

Direct number: 312-961-9334

Alex joined Valens M&A as an analyst in 2021, where he serves in a deal support role for all transactions. He is responsible for company and industry research, financial analysis, coordinating marketing and outreach efforts, and assisting deals through due diligence. Prior to joining Valens, Alex worked in the food industry where he quickly moved up the ranks while learning the art of good customer service.

Alex graduated from high school in 2021 with honors and he is now a student at Carlson School of Business at the University of Minnesota. He plans to graduate with a major in Entrepreneurial Management and a minor in Business Analytics.

In Alex’s spare time, he enjoys playing all kinds of sports and is a member of the fraternity Delta Tau Delta.

Industry Focus: Supports all industries

Stacie Krajcir, Chief Operating Officer

Direct number: 262-844-9971

As Chief Operating Officer of Valens M&A, Stacie is responsible for the day-to-day operations and managing the company’s KPIs. 

She started her career with a Fortune 500 insurance brokerage firm where her focus was on the aerospace industry.  She quickly sharpened her negotiating skills with the responsibility of negotiating with Governments around the world on behalf of large US defense contractors.  Stacie then left Corporate America to become a business owner, which has given her unique perspective in assisting people in buying or selling a business. 

In addition to her internal company responsibilities, Stacie provides M&A advisory and value-enhancement services to lower-middle market businesses.

Stacie has 4 children, enjoys playing golf with her husband and friends, and enjoys watching a lot of club volleyball!

Industry Focus: Stacie has advisory experience in various industries; however, her focus is the healthcare industry.

Association Memberships: member MBBI

Awards & Recognition: Winner of multiple MBBI’s Collaboration Awards.

Mark Kuether, M&A Advisor

Direct number: 262-227-7850

When you meet Mark Kuether (pronounced Kee-ther), you will know immediately that he’s not just interested in a sale, but really wants to know about you and your business. What drives Mark is working with clients to reach their goals in a transaction. He does this while bringing a practical approach to a deal - whether working on a value analysis or negotiating terms of a deal. With more than 17 years of experience in transactional work, Mark can guide you through the oft-times emotional process with a steady hand and reasoned insight.

Mark is a family man, in the middle of raising 6 children with his very patient wife and trying to keep up with all their activities. He enjoys sports of all kinds (often to his wife’s irritation) and anything related to technology or science. He believes humor is essential to life – again often to his wife’s irritation. An avid reader of Isaac Asimov, Terry Brooks, Tom Clancy and Scot Adams.

Industry Focus:  While a generalist, Mark has extensive experience with machine shops/metal fabrication, having closed numerous deals in the industries. He also enjoys working in the senior care industry – both non-medical home health care and assisted living.

Association Memberships: member MBBI

Awards & Recognition: Winner of multiple MBBI’s Collaboration Awards.

Bob Wood, Business Development Advisor

Direct number: 608-208-4502

Bob Wood is an experienced businessman who has joined the team as a certified business advisor. He is based in Madison to negotiate deals in the Central Wisconsin area. Bob brings a wealth of experience from a variety of industries. After attending several years of college, he began working in the electrical industry in Chicago, for Steiner Electric Supply and Frontier Electric Supply.  Bob has experience being a truck driver, purchasing agent and inside salesman. Upon relocating to Wisconsin, he worked as an outside salesman for BJ Electric Supply as well as Interstate Electric Supply.

While working in the electric industry, he pursued his hobby of building houses on the weekends. This turned into a full-time job when he started a company in the home remodeling and building arena.

During this time, he developed strong relationships with a variety of tradesmen and was given the opportunity to purchase Complete Drywall Services, a company that had been in business 25 years. While under his leadership, Complete Drywall doubled sales from $800,000 to $1.8 million. He has a true Entrepreneurial spirit.

Bob is an avid outdoorsman, solves the occasional crossword puzzle, makes a mean homemade deep-dish pizza, and stays involved in construction by assisting family and friends.

Industry Focus: Bob has over 5 years of M&A advisory experience as well as business ownership experience.

Association Memberships: member MBBI

Steve Boylan, M&A Advisor

Direct number: 414-416-1024

Steve comes to Valens M&A with 20 years of Mergers & Acquisitions experience working in a variety of industries. He founded Beacon Business Group in 2006, where he served as managing director of investment banking prior to joining Valens M&A. He has earned the Lifetime Certified Business Intermediary (CBI) and multiple Chairman’s Circle Award designations from the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA) and is also an Accredited Business Intermediary with the American Business Brokers Association (ABBA); he has served on the IBBA’s Education Committee and is currently a member of the IBBA Ethics Committee.  A founding member of the Wisconsin chapter of the Midwest Business Brokers & Intermediaries and the ABBA Best Practices Forum, Steve is passionate about his work, helping business owners to plan strategically when deciding to sell or exit their businesses. His goal is to confidentially and professionally help business owners start retirement or begin a new chapter, leaving a business legacy that takes care of employees and preserves the critical relationship with customers.

In his spare time he enjoys life with his wife, Catherine Cassidy, their four children and three grandchildren.  Steve has coached multiple Wisconsin Special Olympics teams as well his children’s sport teams.

Association Memberships: Midwest Business Brokers & Intermediaries (MBBI), International Business Brokers Association (IBBA), American Business Brokers Association (ABBA), Independent Business Association of Wisconsin (IBAW), Wisconsin Veterans Chamber of Commerce, the Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) Small Business Committee.

Craig Evans, M&A Advisor

Direct number: 262-490-0911

Craig has guided medical and dental practices to operational, practice management, revenue cycle and clinical documentation solutions for 35+ years. He founded his consultancy in 2018 and began to discover opportunities to help practice and business owners buy or sell. Having joined Valens M&A, Craig is able to leverage his healthcare business expertise to articulate value and ensure open and clear communication between buyers and sellers.

Craig is also a musician that has performed professionally throughout the Midwest including 20+ years at Milwaukee’s Summerfest, opening for classic rock acts like REO Speedwagon, Cheap Trick, John Fogarty, Styx, Doobie Brothers, Blondie and more.

Association Memberships: American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management - AAHAM Wisconsin, Illinois Medical Group Management Association - MGMA, Health Practice Advisors, Chicago Health Executives Forum, Healthcare Industry Professionals Group

Aaron Somero, M&A Advisor

Direct number: 906-364-2692

Aaron Somero is a trustworthy business professional with more than 20 years’ experience. He is based in northern Wisconsin, near Hurley. After graduating from Michigan Tech University, he began in public accounting with Ernst & Young - serving clients around the country. With his strong foundation as a CPA, experience in private and public companies, he has enjoyed growing business opportunities in private Midwest companies as Controller and CFO at Ottawa Forest Products and BuildWitt.

 During his time in private industry accounting, he had the opportunity to work on many purchases and sales of businesses. While working with business owners he appreciated the challenge of helping owners sell, grow, and buy businesses. He now focuses his effort on guiding business owners through the selling process to a successful closing. He also serves a select group of his clients through fractional CFO services, helping owners grow their bottom line and seize business improvement opportunities. He has a mind that seeks to constantly learn and improve. Drawing inspiration from the quote “It is difficult to say what is impossible, for the dream of yesterday, is the hope of today, and reality of tomorrow” - Robert Goddard

 Industry Focus: Aaron has strong experience in timber/mills/lumber; trucking & logistics; financial, auto repair, manufacturing; construction; among other industries.

 Aaron lives in the Northwoods of the Midwest, raising his children with his wife Amy. He enjoys exploring the waters of the Great Lakes in kayaks / boats; skiing in the winter; tackling new hikes around the country; and dirt biking with his children. His family grows blueberries, fruit trees, and a large garden on their 20-acre hobby farm.