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Role: Advisor

  • Joe Schwartz

    Joe Schwartz

    Joe has more than 30 years of experience in the industrial automation sector and serves on Northborne’s Advisory Board. He spent 19 years at Honeywell and later served as CEO of BRAAS Company prior to its sale to Motion Industries.

    Joe went on to serve as President of Motion Industries’ Automation Solutions Group before retiring in 2021. He now serves on several private company and nonprofit boards.

    Joe earned a BSME from Purdue University and an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis.

    Fun fact: Joe and his wife, Tammy, have been married for 40+ years, having met in the 2nd grade.

  • Bill Emory

    Bill is an accomplished business leader with nearly four decades of experience across B2B services and consumer products. He serves on Northborne’s Advisory Board and is currently the CEO of private equity-backed Ruff Roofers and has served as a board member of six private equity portfolio companies.

    Previously, Bill was CEO of Smart Care Equipment Solutions, leading the business through two successful private equity exits. Earlier in his career, he held leadership roles at Ecolab and led marketing for major consumer brands including Kellogg’s, Pillsbury and Heinz.

    Bill earned a BA in Economics and Political Science from Ripon College.

    Fun fact: Bill played competitive Rugby and Ultimate Frisbee in high school and college.

  • Jim D’Aquila

    Jim D’Aquila

    Jim brings over four decades of experience as an advisor, investor and operating executive. He serves on Northborne’s Advisory Board and is the Managing Member and Chief Investment Officer of Virentes Partners Group, a multifamily office investing in private companies and alternative assets.

    Previously, Jim held senior leadership roles at Lazard Middle Market, Rendersi, The Mercanti Group, DLJ, Dain Rauscher and Aurora Capital. His advisory experience spans consumer, retail, and private equity-backed businesses.

    Jim earned a degree from the University of Notre Dame.

  • Ken Higgins

    Ken Higgins

    Ken has more than 30 years of M&A and advisory experience spanning investment banking, venture capital and transactional law. Prior to Northborne, he led the Middle Market Healthcare M&A team at BMO Capital Markets and previously founded and led the healthcare practice at Greene Holcomb Fisher before its acquisition by BMO.

    His background also includes healthcare-focused venture investing with SightLine Partners / Piper Jaffray Ventures, investment banking at Piper Jaffray and M&A legal work at Dorsey & Whitney and Kirkland & Ellis. Ken brings a multidisciplinary perspective that helps clients navigate complex transactions with confidence.

    Ken earned a JD from Harvard Law School and a BBA from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business

    Fun fact: Ken was an Academic All-American wide receiver for the Bo Schembechler-coached University of Michigan football team, and claims to have the fewest “yards after catch” in the history of Michigan football.