Team

Team Philosophy

At North Country Holdings, we understand that business owners have multiple options when selling their companies. We set ourselves apart from traditional private equity, externally funded searchers, and strategic buyers through the following strengths:

Operational Expertise: Our team has funded, operated, and successfully exited multiple businesses. We bring seasoned, hands-on experience to elevate your enterprise.

Buy-and-Build Philosophy: We are committed to acquiring and growing businesses with a multi-decade horizon through organic and inorganic growth. 

Self-Funded Independence: Our equity is principally sourced internally, granting us the freedom to make decisions with a long-term view, prioritizing sustainable growth over short-term gains.

Legacy-Driven Approach: We strive to preserve and amplify a founder’s vision, partnering closely with existing teams to ensure a seamless continuation of your legacy. 

Investment Team

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Aaron Smith
Co-Founder & Managing Partner

Aaron co-founded NCH after nearly a decade helping entrepreneurs grow and scale their businesses. Before NCH, he led private investments for a single-family office and worked at ZS Fund and Goldman Sachs. With a hands-on approach, Aaron is passionate about partnering with owners and management teams to fuel growth through acquisitions, operational improvements, and other strategic initiatives.

Aaron has a B.A. from Hamilton College and an M.B.A. from Columbia Business School.

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Ian Sheffield
Co-Founder & Managing Partner

Before co-founding NCH, Ian invested in public and private companies for 15 years at firms including Citadel, Bridger Capital, Great Point Partners, and Versant Ventures.

Prior to his investing career, he spent eight years in general management, building businesses and leading teams at Procter & Gamble and Medtronic.

Ian has a B.S. from Miami University and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.

Operating Partners & Senior Advisors

North Country’s operating partners and senior advisors are deeply embedded in our business—not just in title, but in day-to-day execution. They play an active role across all aspects of firm operations and bring invaluable, hands-on experience from building and scaling successful lower middle market companies.

This team is a core part of every investment we make, providing significant strategic capacity and operational strength to support our portfolio companies and drive growth.

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Matthew Nix
President & CEO
Nix Companies
Matthew Nix started working as the 5th generation in his family’s mom & pop welding business at the age of 8, sweeping the floor and cleaning machinery for $5.00 a Saturday. Later, he began working in the shop as a summer intern learning the ropes. In addition to learning the trade, he credits much of the values he learned working alongside his father and grandfather. Matthew began working full time for the company in 2004 after receiving a 1 year certification in Welding Technology from Vincennes University. Matthew is an advocate of lifelong learning. In 2017, while still working in the business, he completed his certificate in Executive Business administration from the University of Notre Dame.

Today, Matthew currently serves as the President and CEO of Nix Companies Inc., a holding company he founded in 2017. Among its holdings, remains their family’s 120+ year legacy business. Under the 5th generation’s leadership, the business has grown from 4 family members to a regional company with over 150 team members and has achieved 100X revenue growth in less than 20 years. Matthew is passionate about building a company known for excellence in its people & culture, and he believes business can and should be a force for good. Nix Companies was named to the Inc 5000 fastest growing companies in America for 7 consecutive years, Indiana Companies to Watch, and one of the Best Places to Work in Indiana in 2018, 2019, and 2022.

Matthew is passionate about adding value to other business owners (especially family business) and his community. He is (or has been) involved in multiple groups and activities to support this mission; some notable ones are the Southwest Indiana Chamber of Commerce- Family Business Alliance – Tri-State Manufacturers Alliance- Posey County Economic Develop – Posey County Redevelopment Commission- Forum 4 Growth, Business owner network- Junior Achievement – and Legatus, Catholic CEO network- Evansville chapter charter member.

Forging Ahead, a recently published book, reveals how Matthew, now CEO, and the team he methodically curated leaned on small-town values and faith to transform humble Nix Welding into Nix Industrial, a revered custom manufacturing and industrial repair powerhouse. Today Nix Industrial is one of the fastest growing companies in America.

Author Angie Klink paints a vivid portrait of a business saga from America’s heartland. Forging Ahead is a family tale, a coming-of-age story, a business handbook, and a letter to future generations.

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John Zurborg
Former CEO
Skilcraft
John Zurborg brings seasoned executive experience as a coach who empowers entrepreneurs and executives to navigate change, unlock their potential, and achieve results. His background includes working with small to medium-sized privately held companies as CEO, COO, EVP Business Development, and Engineering for rapidly growing companies.

Driven by a deep-seated passion for inspiring progress John guides clients through the complexities of leadership, fostering clarity, addressing workforce challenges, and nurturing high-performing teams. His ability to establish clear visions, and cultivate cultures of growth has enabled numerous businesses to break through limitations, increase profitability, and facilitate career advancement for employees. John's personalized approach combines his wealth of knowledge with FocalPoint methodologies, equipping business leaders with the tools and strategies to overcome obstacles, achieve their goals, and experience true fulfillment through meaningful transformation.

As CEO and Owner of Skilcraft, a regional fabricator in NKY, John utilized best practices such as those found in books such as Good to Great, Scaling Up, and 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. He understands the challenges of business leaders. Juggling multiple roles and responsibilities, all while ensuring the satisfaction of shareholders and financial institutions. By establishing a clear vision and fostering a culture of change and progress, he successfully guided Skilcraft to break growth barriers at several stages that resulted in a brand recognized around the world, increased sales over 140%, increased profitability 212% and ultimately, a sale of the company.

John believes that our communities are better when we are helping others become the best version of themselves. He volunteers in the community with organizations that help prepare young men and women for their adult life. This includes mentoring young men and women to advance their education, careers or to overcome environments as an at-risk individual.
John enjoys spending time with his wife, Susan, their four children, and a growing number of grandchildren. He enjoys boating and being on the water for as many sunsets as possible during the summer.
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Charles Hinnant
Chairman & Owner
Optima Chemical LLC
Charles (Charlie) A. Hinnant is the Chairman & owner of Optima Chemical LLC, a custom manufacturing concern in Douglas, GA.
Mr. Hinnant was also the founder of Charkit Chemical Corporation located in South Norwalk, CT. Charkit is an international trading and chemical distribution company, acquired by LLB Specialties, where Charlie now serves as a member of their advisory board. Mr. Hinnant was also the owner of Arran Chemical, Athlone, Ireland for twenty years which he sold in 2015 to Almac Group, a global pharmaceutical contract and manufacturing operation.

Prior to founding Charkit in 1982, Mr. Hinnant was employed by Fairmount Chemical in New Jersey as Vice President of Marketing. Before Fairmount he was employed by Olin Corporation formerly located in Stamford, Connecticut.

Mr. Hinnant has a BS in Chemistry from Davidson College, an MBA from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, and has completed Post Graduate work at Tulane University.

He currently serves or has served on the:
Visitors Board of the Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD)
Board of Directors of the Maritime Aquarium (Norwalk, CT)
Davidison College Board of Visitors
United Way of Fairfield County, CT plus Allocation Committees

Mr. Hinnant’s primary residence is Palm Beach, Florida but spends time in Connecticut, South Carolina and Nantucket as he enjoys many sporting activities especially boating with the extended family including six grandchildren ranging in age from 19 to 4.

Interns

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Jaiden Patel
Jaiden is an intern at NCH. Jaiden had internship experience in both the sell side and buy side working in Investment Banking at Integrus Partners and in Private Equity at SaxeCap. In addition, he has extensive equity research experience working at student run investment funds and placed 2nd in a national stock pitch competition sponsored by the TAMID Group.

Before college, Jaiden was the valedictorian of his class and founded his school’s Future Business Leaders of America chapter. Now, he is pursuing a finance degree at the University of Florida in their Honors Program. 
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Joseph Garcia
Joseph is an intern at NCH. His recent internships include the Connecticut Small Business Development Center and ABC Fitness, where he supported small business strategy and product development. In addition, Joseph gained Private Equity experience as an intern at Somerset Capital. He is passionate about both investing and working closely with businesses to improve their operations and drive growth.

Joseph is from Norwalk, Connecticut, and is currently pursuing a B.S. in Finance at the University of Connecticut.

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