The CEO role I couldn't ignore.

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I’m thrilled to announce the launch of a new platform that I’ll be leading as CEO.

With backing from Madison Dearborn Partners, LLC—a premier private equity firm—Nichols Cauley, JGH Consulting , and Partners Risk Services have combined to create a new financial services platform designed to put prosperity in reach for entrepreneurs, family-owned entities, and privately held small and mid-sized businesses in the Southeastern US.

We’re aligned on a singular vision under the Nichols Cauley name to provide big thinking and sophisticated financial strategies to an overlooked and underserved market.

Today, I want to take you behind the scenes of how this new platform came to be so you can get a sense for my decision-making process, what appealed about this opportunity, and why I’m so bullish on what we’re collectively building.

Plus, I’ll share some updates on the future of my content. Let’s dig in.

More Gas in the Tank

When I resigned from Baker Tilly, I felt like I had more work to do. There was still gas in the tank, and a lot of it. We went on an incredible ride, one that left me eager for more.

There’s something uniquely powerful about aligning people to a vision and seeing a team come together to build something that has a real impact on the trajectory of the clients we serve.

It’s an intoxicating feeling, and one where I find true meaning and purpose in playing a role.

The last couple of years as an advisor have been rewarding in their own way. This time has shifted my perspective as a leader, taught me about myself, and shown me that at the end of the day, organizations are all a lot more alike than different.

The challenges we face as individuals, teams, and businesses are shared across companies of any size. And the principles that make organizations relevant and sustainable apply to any situation.

While my work as an advisor and the privilege of being welcomed into leadership rooms of firms across the world have been meaningful experiences, I’ve found myself wanting to align with leading a singular vision and strategy.

So I kept an eye and ear open.

I explored many opportunities for something that felt right.

And then, when I least expected it, the right opportunity found me.

You Know It When You See It

I always said, “If I go back to being a CEO, it has to be the ideal opportunity.” In this case, the opportunity found me vs me finding it.

Although there were certain qualities, market indicators, and external markers that I thought would be elements of the ideal opportunity, at the end of the day, it’s challenging to evaluate opportunities as an outsider.

So I waited…

I enjoyed my role as an advisor, and I pursued conversations and opportunities that were presented to me.

Over the past couple of years, I passed on some opportunities for one reason or another… until I was introduced to a group down in Georgia as part of a diligence project.

Although that particular deal fell through, I was struck by what these firms were trying to create… and I wanted to be involved.

Why?

Well, not only was I interested in the platform these firms were coming together to build, I was also captivated by the people.

The leaders of these firms are down-to-earth, growth-oriented, great business minds, and had already decided to come together under one strategy to deliver a differentiated service in a targeted market.

If you know me, you know my belief that all roads lead to/from strategy and alignment is the ultimate accelerator, so you can see why my eyes lit up.

They were well on their way to building something through strategic collaboration and saw the benefit of having a seasoned CEO to guide the scaling journey.

Not only that, but we also had the opportunity to partner with a highly experienced private equity partner with deep resources and a vast network.

It checked all the right boxes.

And that’s when I knew it was the right opportunity.

What We’re Building at Nichols Cauley

Before I even got involved with the platform, these firms—which had been working together for years—decided to explore the idea of coming together to build a unique end-to-end financial services platform to serve the entire lifecycle of entrepreneurs and business owners in the Southeast.

Manage. Grow. Protect.

The critical stages of the entrepreneurial journey to provide strategic counsel.

They saw an opportunity to provide the same service that the big firms provide to the Fortune 500 to small and mid-sized businesses in their region.

The three firms:

Nichols Cauley - A CPA and advisory firm, led by Todd Giddens, with deep roots of domain expertise, holistic advisory, and meaningful relationship building.

JGH Consulting - An experienced M&A advisory firm, led by Greg Hicks, with $2B in M&A transactions in the last 12 months.

Partners Risk Services - A premier Metro-Atlanta-based insurance group specializing in personal and business risk mitigation strategies as well as life insurance and employee benefits. PRS is led by three seasoned insurance professionals - Joe Thompson, Mike Royal, and Michael Wilson, CIC, AAI.

Together, this newly combined platform will provide end-to-end service that includes accounting, tax, audit, advisory, insurance, and investment banking services to an overlooked and underserved market.

We want to be the advisor and partner who grows with you, from your first deal to your final liquidity event.

As for me? I’ll be welcomed as CEO to guide the scaling journey. I’ll work to align the firms under a shared vision and strategy, and pursue opportunities to enable further growth and collaboration.

I’m incredibly bullish on this team, this platform, and our opportunity to serve an underserved market with big thinking and sophisticated financial strategies.

Oh, and we’re looking for talented team members to join us and enable the scaling journey. Want to be part of something special? Get in touch with me.

The Future of My Content

As a member of the Break the Mold community, I want to officially welcome you to my latest social experiment.

Many of you have asked if I’ll continue writing newsletters and posting on LinkedIn—the answer is yes.

The foundation of my approach to writing and sharing content has been to coach in public. I take the most valuable advice and insights I’ve gained throughout my career and share it with you all.

Now, in this next chapter, I’m going to build in public.

We’re going to scale Nichols Cauley into something truly special, and I’m going to bring you on the journey with us.

You don’t have to wait to learn about our story in press releases, revenue reports, or in a future memoir written down the road.

I’m going to bring you behind the curtain and share the ups and downs, lessons and wins, and new learnings on the path to building a relevant and sustainable firm.

This firm already is, and is going to be even more special. And you’re going to have a front-row seat to what it becomes.

To set expectations, I am going to be sending 2 newsletters per month, rather than 4, so I can lean into this new role and be present with our team.

Otherwise, I’ll continue posting multiple times per week here on LinkedIn, so I encourage you to follow me - Alan Whitman.

My question to you… What would you find most interesting to learn/hear about related to this new platform? What would be most interesting for me to share with you?

I look forward to your feedback and am grateful to have you as part of this community.

See you next time, where I’ll tell you about my plans and priorities for my first 90 days as CEO.

With intention,

Alan Whitman - CEO at Nichols Cauley