sbLiftOff Welcomes Shaunna Balady and Kelly Kunkle as Senior Dealmakers to Enhance M&A Services
In an exciting development for the mergers and acquisitions (M&A) landscape, sbLiftOff, a notable advisory firm specializing in government contracting and founder-led ventures, has announced the strategic appointments of Shaunna Balady and Kelly Kunkle as Senior Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). This move aims to enhance the firm's advisory capabilities specifically in the Information Technology (IT) services and software sectors, which are currently experiencing unprecedented demand due to evolving market dynamics.
Shaunna Balady is a seasoned leader who has made significant contributions across various sectors. With a robust background in both publicly traded and privately held companies, she has facilitated over 100 transactions worth more than $20 billion in enterprise value across five continents. Her experience spans renowned companies including General Electric, Rockwell Automation, and AVEVA, primarily focusing on application software and automation technologies. Balady has also held pivotal roles, including Chief Operating Officer of a SaaS company catering to government agencies, where she successfully executed a profitable exit in 2023. Her expertise encompasses Software as a Service (SaaS), data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and natural language processing, positioning her as a valuable asset for sbLiftOff’s ambitious growth plans.
Joining her is Kelly Kunkle, a transformative force in software and technology who brings nearly three decades of experience to the table. Kunkle has held influential roles, including the Vice President of Strategy at AVEVA, where he successfully managed post-merger integrations and drove strategic initiatives that propelled corporate growth. He is also the founder of SuperQ Software Corporation, a consulting firm specializing in Statistical Process Control (SPC) for the industrial automation and healthcare sectors. His entrepreneurial journey culminated in a successful exit from the company after seven years, further solidifying his credentials as a savvy business leader in technology.
"With our expanding team comprising Shaunna and Kelly, sbLiftOff aims to meet the burgeoning needs of IT service and software companies as they seek to pivot their businesses in a post-DOGE market, characterized by urgency for operational efficiency, cost reduction, and enhanced data visibility for informed decision-making," commented Sharon Heaton, CEO of sbLiftOff. The strategic foresight of the firm highlights its commitment to ensuring that both government contracting and commercial businesses can effectively navigate these pivotal transformations.
The focus on enhancing M&A services comes at a time when there is mounting interest from both strategic buyers and private equity firms looking for quality acquisitions in the IT and software domains. As Kunkle aptly noted, "At this crucial juncture, there is substantial value for strategic entities and investors actively seeking meaningful acquisition opportunities in the rapidly evolving software and IT services sectors." This indicates that sbLiftOff is not only aiming to bolster its advisory services but also to enrich the M&A landscape with well-informed guidance for its clients.
In addition to their individual accolades, Balady and Kunkle are known for their alignments with sbLiftOff’s values-driven approach to M&A. Their impressive careers have equipped them with a depth of knowledge that is crucial for understanding the intricacies of government contracting, a market ripe for activity driven by advancing software and technology solutions.
Looking forward, sbLiftOff plans to promote its expanded suite of M&A consulting services, which now boasts the combined expertise of Balady and Kunkle. With a firm foundation rooted in trust and a deep understanding of the industry, the firm aims to be a guiding star for founder-led businesses and government contractors alike as they navigate their next steps in a changing economic landscape.
As the business world continues to evolve, sbLiftOff stands ready to lead its clients through these transformations, leveraging the considerable expertise of its newly appointed senior dealmakers to deliver exceptional results in mergers and acquisitions within the IT services and software sectors.
Shaunna Balady is a seasoned leader who has made significant contributions across various sectors. With a robust background in both publicly traded and privately held companies, she has facilitated over 100 transactions worth more than $20 billion in enterprise value across five continents. Her experience spans renowned companies including General Electric, Rockwell Automation, and AVEVA, primarily focusing on application software and automation technologies. Balady has also held pivotal roles, including Chief Operating Officer of a SaaS company catering to government agencies, where she successfully executed a profitable exit in 2023. Her expertise encompasses Software as a Service (SaaS), data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and natural language processing, positioning her as a valuable asset for sbLiftOff’s ambitious growth plans.
Joining her is Kelly Kunkle, a transformative force in software and technology who brings nearly three decades of experience to the table. Kunkle has held influential roles, including the Vice President of Strategy at AVEVA, where he successfully managed post-merger integrations and drove strategic initiatives that propelled corporate growth. He is also the founder of SuperQ Software Corporation, a consulting firm specializing in Statistical Process Control (SPC) for the industrial automation and healthcare sectors. His entrepreneurial journey culminated in a successful exit from the company after seven years, further solidifying his credentials as a savvy business leader in technology.
"With our expanding team comprising Shaunna and Kelly, sbLiftOff aims to meet the burgeoning needs of IT service and software companies as they seek to pivot their businesses in a post-DOGE market, characterized by urgency for operational efficiency, cost reduction, and enhanced data visibility for informed decision-making," commented Sharon Heaton, CEO of sbLiftOff. The strategic foresight of the firm highlights its commitment to ensuring that both government contracting and commercial businesses can effectively navigate these pivotal transformations.
The focus on enhancing M&A services comes at a time when there is mounting interest from both strategic buyers and private equity firms looking for quality acquisitions in the IT and software domains. As Kunkle aptly noted, "At this crucial juncture, there is substantial value for strategic entities and investors actively seeking meaningful acquisition opportunities in the rapidly evolving software and IT services sectors." This indicates that sbLiftOff is not only aiming to bolster its advisory services but also to enrich the M&A landscape with well-informed guidance for its clients.
In addition to their individual accolades, Balady and Kunkle are known for their alignments with sbLiftOff’s values-driven approach to M&A. Their impressive careers have equipped them with a depth of knowledge that is crucial for understanding the intricacies of government contracting, a market ripe for activity driven by advancing software and technology solutions.
Looking forward, sbLiftOff plans to promote its expanded suite of M&A consulting services, which now boasts the combined expertise of Balady and Kunkle. With a firm foundation rooted in trust and a deep understanding of the industry, the firm aims to be a guiding star for founder-led businesses and government contractors alike as they navigate their next steps in a changing economic landscape.
As the business world continues to evolve, sbLiftOff stands ready to lead its clients through these transformations, leveraging the considerable expertise of its newly appointed senior dealmakers to deliver exceptional results in mergers and acquisitions within the IT services and software sectors.
Topics Business Technology）
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