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In this New York Times guest essay entitled Baby Boomers are Retiring in Droves. Private Equity is Waiting, Sleeping Giant co-founder and managing partner, Doug Lepisto, explores how investors, economic development organizations, universities and entrepreneurs can work together to preserve local ownership and strengthen communities. The article examines emerging alternatives to traditional private equity, including place-based investment models designed to retain capital, leadership and decision-making within the regions where businesses operate.
Derrick McIver is West Michigan’s preeminent expert in training, advising, and acquiring small businesses. As co-founder and managing partner of Sleeping Giant Capital, he leads the Acquire and CEO-in-Residence programs, where he has trained more than 50 aspiring owner-operators and supported dozens of leaders who have completed successful acquisitions. He continues to mentor these owner-operators and serves on the boards of SignComp, Pondera and Rep-Lite.
Derrick has spent his career working in and understanding small businesses and is a trusted thought leader for owners preparing for succession. His guidance reflects Sleeping Giant’s mission to preserve and grow the next generation of businesses in American communities by pioneering a long-term place-based succession alternative to traditional private equity.
Additionally, Derrick hosts The Due Diligence Podcast, a show where leaders share how they make and execute their biggest decisions across the acquisition landscape. Produced by Sleeping Giant, the podcast features insightful conversations with owners, sellers and seasoned experts whose perspectives help future owner-operators navigate succession, leadership transitions, and thoughtful value creation.
Prior to co-founding Sleeping Giant, Derrick held technology and operations roles including a medical simulation video game startup and an operations role during the opening and first few years of Whitewater Golf Club. He has also consulted with companies around business analytics.
He holds a BA from Ferris State University, MBA from Texas A&M at Corpus Christi, and Ph.D. from University of Texas at San Antonio. He was a four-year letter winner and former minor league hockey player. In his free time, Derrick coaches travel hockey and enjoys quality time with his wife Stacey and two children, Harlow and Kade.
Derrick resides in Portage, Michigan.