The Team
Manager
Clinton E. Kasten: As the Manager of StoneBrook Capital, LLC, Clint makes the final decisions for StoneBrook.
Clint has nearly 15 years experience in making and managing private equity investments. In 1997, Clint assumed primary responsibility as manager in his prior firm, Kasten Group, LLC. By developing a unique vision and executing it well, he led that entity to become one of the country’s preeminent private equity firms.
Until March 2005, Kasten Group specialized in working with proven operators to find, acquire and grow an array of companies across the USA. Typically, the acquisition targets generated annual revenues of $5 to $30 million at the time of close. Over the firm’s 25 year history, acquired companies grew at an average of about 15% (essentially doubling every 4 or 5 years). Kasten Group (or entities related thereto) initiated the acquisitions, arranged all the financing, managed the closing process, held minority ownership positions and supported post-close growth in active and/or passive ways. As manager of this firm, Clint retained final decision-making authority for 8 years.
StoneBrook’s mission is a conscious effort to improve on the former successful business model of Kasten Group. StoneBrook believes it has improved on the proven model by allowing each company, current owner and situation to drive the ultimate solution. It also believes that its current focus on the middle market and harder-to-do transactions involving service-based companies provides value that fills a void in the market.
Clint holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business from the University of Iowa and a Master's Degree in Business Administration from St. Louis University. A detailed resume, specific examples and references can be provided upon request.
Advisors
Curtis A. Kasten: As the founder of Kasten Group in 1979, Curt pioneered the concept of partnering with proven operators to acquire and grow smaller middle-market companies. Although he relinquished control of Kasten Group to his son Clint Kasten in 1997, Curt’s foundation, ideas, vision and ongoing input was critical to Kasten Group’s success. Curt fully supports the evolution of StoneBrook’s business concepts and provides ongoing advice and counsel based on 25 years of helping private companies in transition.
Chadwick A. Kasten: In spite of being a) an attorney b) a permanent resident of New Zealand and c) Clint’s brother, Chad is a valuable advisor to StoneBrook. Prior to his relocation, he established a thriving Merger & Acquisition-based practice and was a significant contributor to the success of Kasten Group, LLC. Chad has had a unique level of in-depth exposure to many companies, the influencing economics and ownership transitions. Chad demonstrates a remarkable level of creativity in finding solutions that work, and has the unique ability to see a “bigger picture” and the drive to see projects completed successfully.
Please note: Advisors may offer advice to StoneBrook, but will not have managerial authority over the decisions of StoneBrook.
Others: On a less formal and as-needed basis, StoneBrook has access to experts in many fields.
Through a range of experiences, StoneBrook is blessed with ongoing relationships with a number of successful entrepreneurs and their operating teams. These proven business managers provide incredible perspectives on how to best run and grow various companies. Several of the companies run by these individuals have grown from $10 million to $40 million or more in less than 5 years.
StoneBrook also has access to a wide range of professionals available to provide task-specific services. We have purposefully developed this pool of available advisors to cover the gamut of information systems, accounting, marketing/sales, safety, risk management, benefits, recruitment and other areas. StoneBrook may formally engage these advisors, or seek more general counsel from these trusted sources, as the situation dictates.