Saddle Creek, LLC was founded in 2002 by John Sipala as the successor company to Elite Investment Group, LLC, a firm he co-founded in 1996. Saddle Creek was founded with the mission to deliver high quality corporate advisory services to mid-market businesses.

Saddle Creek brings a comprehensive perspective to its engagements through a blend of senior management operating experience and consulting and transaction expertise. Saddle Creek and its associates have completed numerous acquisitions, mergers, divestitures, recapitalizations and restructurings with companies ranging in revenues from $2 million to over $100 million

Managing Partner & Founder

Mr. Sipala has been providing investment banking and consulting services to mid-market companies since 1996. His senior management operating experience, consulting and transaction expertise spans over 30 years.

As part of his consulting practice, Mr. Sipala has functioned in senior management positions with day-to-day responsibilities including:

• Chief Operating Officer of Delta Corporate Services (www.deltacorp.com) an information technology solutions provider in both the commercial and federal government space from June 2010 through October 2013.
• Chief Executive Officer of TCS a leading perimeter detection and security company operating in the New York City area June 2005 through March 2008.

In addition, Mr. Sipala is Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors & Co-founder of MSRC Co., an independent distributor of computer and electronic components and automation and industrial controls.

Mr. Sipala has also been a senior dealmaker for Woodbridge International from 2008 through 2017. His work with Woodbridge included buy-side and sell-side engagements for companies and private equity firms in a variety of industries including business services, distribution and manufacturing.

Prior to establishing Saddle Creek and Elite Investment Group, Mr. Sipala held key management positions in industries that include private investment, manufacturing, service, distribution and retail. Some specific positions include:

• Managing Partner – Saddle River Capital, a private investment firm, where he was responsible for all aspects of the investment and acquisition of mid-market companies.
• Senior VP Finance & CFO of a $700 million NYSE retailer, where his responsibilities included all day-to-day activities of the company during its Chapter 11 liquidation process.

Mr. Sipala’s operating background also includes extensive experience in financial restructuring, cost containment, operational reorganizations and strategy development. Mr. Sipala also holds an Advanced Certification from Perth Leadership Institute, the world’s leader in behavioral finance consulting.

He holds an MBA in Finance from Fairleigh Dickinson University where he focused his studies on acquisitions and turnaround situations.