We hosted our second annual CEO Day a few weeks ago at our office in downtown Kalamazoo. It was another ‘awe’ moment in this crazy journey that Derrick and I started in 2020.
All seven of our CEOs participated, coming from Walker, Portage, Grand Rapids, Grand Haven and virtually in-flight from Finland. They heard stories from seasoned leaders that have scaled great West Michigan businesses, they learned from each other and they were able to share feedback with our team. But the best part of the day was the strengthened relationships and common desire to grow as leaders.
I also recently had a guest essay published in The New York Times. The historic convergence of the "silver tsunami" of retiring business owners and the growing reach of private equity has profound implications for American communities and the United States as a whole. The essay explores the intersection of these mega trends and how investors, economic development, universities, and entrepreneurs can empower local ownership.
As we start to look back on 2026, we have a lot to celebrate. Highlights in this issue:
Thank you for partnering with us to be the succession solution of choice for West Michigan business owners.
Co-Founders, Sleeping Giant Capital
In September, we were excited to announce our investment in Pathfinder Systems and the appointment of Travis Hilldore as president and CEO. Located in Holland, Michigan, Pathfinder Systems is an industrial equipment and aftermarket services platform serving concrete product manufacturers across North America.
Travis has been with the business since 2005, most recently serving as Vice President of Marketing and Sales, and succeeds his father, Larry Hilldore, who founded the company nearly three decades ago. As part of the transition, Travis remains a significant shareholder, aligning leadership and ownership for the company's next chapter of growth.
"Facilitating a family transition is a testament to the power of our model to give owners and families a credible path to protect what they have built while enabling the next generation of growth," said Sleeping Giant Capital Co-Founder and Managing Partner Doug Lepisto.
Read the full release here.
We are proud to welcome Peter Anjorin as our newest CEO-in-Residence. Peter brings more than 20 years of experience across manufacturing operations, commercial leadership, and corporate strategy, and is seeking to acquire and lead a West Michigan manufacturing company for the long term.
Supported by an education in mechanical engineering at Calvin University and an MBA from Western Michigan University, Peter has held leadership roles with organizations including DENSO, Whirlpool, and SpartanNash, where he helped drive operational excellence, product innovation, strategic growth initiatives and several acquisitions.
Peter's deep roots in West Michigan, combined with his passion for people, continuous improvement, and long-term business building, make him an outstanding addition to the Sleeping Giant Capital CEO-in-Residence program as he pursues the next chapter of ownership and leadership.
In this episode of The Do Diligence Podcast, Mitch Brownell shares what motivated him to leave the security of corporate America in pursuit of business ownership, reflecting on the planning, mindset and conviction required to take that leap. The conversation dives into the realities of the transition from searcher to operator, including lessons from the first 90 days as president, balancing strategy with the day-to-day demands of a growing business.
Watch here, or listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
The fall 2026 cohort for our Acquire Executive Coaching Program has officially reached capacity, reflecting growing interest in entrepreneurship through acquisition in West Michigan.
As the program continues to evolve, we are sharpening our focus on individuals who are seeking to acquire and operate a business with the backing of an investment partner, rather than those pursuing fully self-funded search paths.
If you or someone you know is interested in acquiring a West Michigan business, learn more about Acquire here, or join our Introduction to Search Workshop.