Tim Klatt is a Managing Director and leads the firm’s Craft Brewery Advisory Services market offering. Tim was integral to the formation and launch of Rockport Investment Partners, supports the growth of the firm’s Texas practice, and assists in business development activities and project execution in the craft beer, beverage and foods industry.

Tim leads Rockport’s management of three companies in Austin: he is Co-Founder and Vice President of Strange Land Brewery, Co-Founder and CEO of Barrel Creek Provisions, and Vice President and COO of Texas Saké Company. Tim recently finished serving as Technical Staff Assistant at the Applied Research Laboratories at the University of Texas at Austin on a project to design energy-absorbing honeycomb structure that could be used to improve safety equipment. Prior to his ventures in Austin, Tim served as a Developmental Engineer in the United States Air Force based in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Tim earned Bachelor’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Plan II, and a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin.

Jim Kerr is a Manager Director with a focus in the Valuation Service Area. Jim has over 35 years of experience in valuations, mergers and acquisitions, litigation support and other financial consulting matters. In his current role, Jim supports Rockport’s growth and business development, and provides oversight of the firm’s execution of valuation and M&A engagements.

During his career, Jim has been a partner or a senior director of many leading valuation advisory firms. Jim has directed thousands of valuation engagements involving private equity, intangible assets and intellectual property, divisions of public entities, companies entering or emerging from bankruptcy, allocating acquired assets and providing advice to boards of directors.

Jim’s valuation experience covers a full spectrum of industries from hospitality to manufacturing and high technology. He has been involved in several major litigation support projects as an expert witness before Federal and state courts and arbitration panels. The results of Jim’s valuation projects have been used for financial and tax reporting; litigation and expert testimony; fairness and solvency opinions; M&A transactions and reorganizations; strategic planning and ownership succession; and buy/sell agreements.

Jim received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Rutgers College and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Lehigh University.

Aroop Cherian is a Senior Director based in Hyderabad, India. Aroop specializes in the valuation of businesses, business interests, intangible assets, and complex securities. Aroop has over fifteen years of experience serving clients in technology, media and telecom, consumer and industrial products, financial services, and other industries.

Prior to founding Cherian Advisors in 2015, Aroop served clients in Deloitte’s valuation practice for ten years and KPMG’s audit practice for five years. During his last several years with Deloitte, Aroop worked closely with Nathan and the national valuation/audit leadership team on programs and initiatives that impacted Deloitte and changed the way Deloitte planned and performed valuations and the auditing of fair value estimates. During his career, Aroop has served numerous private and public companies in various industries in an array of financial consulting engagements.

Aroop brings significant insight and expertise as an advisor to his business partners and clients through his valuation modeling for both financial reporting and tax compliance purposes. Aroop supports the execution of complex valuation engagements for a variety of valuation firms including Rockport.

Scott A. Shockley is a Senior Director based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Scott’s focus is to actively build Rockport’s Valuation and M&A service areas in the Carolinas by actively reaching out to his network of business leaders, transaction professionals, and industry organizations. Scott has over 30 years of experience with large corporations, small businesses, churches and nonprofit organizations in roles of leadership, management, marketing and business development.

Scott oversees Rockport’s reach in the Carolinas in its mission to serve corporate management, asset managers, investors, private companies, and business owners with high impact professional services. Scott is a collaborative leader, experienced marketer and engaging connector. Scott’s marketing experience includes work in reaching local and national audiences utilizing digital, experiential and traditional strategies. Scott uses his 30 years of experience to inform him as he leads consulting engagements for an array of clients, and identifies and engages strategic partners to solve the challenges faced by his clients.

Scott received a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing Education from the University of Missouri at Columbia, and a Master’s Degree in Transformational Leadership from Bethel University.

Tim Vickers is a Senior Advisor with a focus in business development, strategy and growth. Tim has 20 years of experience in leadership, fundraising, management and marketing. In his role with the firm, Tim is an Advisory Board Member and supports Rockport’s growth through advice on the firm’s direction, strategic introductions, and business development.

During his 20 years of work with Young Life and other community organizations, Tim developed into inspirational leader, team builder and fundraiser that impacted thousands of teenagers and families in Ohio, New York, and Connecticut. Tim is a visionary with demonstrated success developing community outreach programs from launch to long-term sustainability.

Tim actively supports the Rockport team through his relationships with business leaders, private equity funds and asset managers, and centers of influence. Tim also supports Rockport leadership on matters such as operations, human resources, and marketing.

Tim received a Bachelor of Science in Journalism and Public Relations from Bowling Green State University.

Scott Krippel is a Director with a concentration in the firm’s Advisory Service Area. Scott supports the growth of the firm’s Texas practice in business development activities, the firm’s strategy, operations and financial consulting engagement at Texas Saké Company in Austin, and work with entrepreneurs, private companies and family businesses.

In addition to his work with Rockport, Scott founded and oversees New Shoes Music, which provides live entertainment for weddings, galas, festivals, and private events. He is the Musical Director for Buzz & the Blue Cats, which performs throughout the state of Texas and has been named “Best of The Knot” for 7 consecutive years (2011-2017). Performing at more than 450 events, Scott understands project management, event planning, budgeting, public speaking, client relations and executing under pressure. His efforts have helped non-profit and charity organizations to raise tens of thousands of dollars toward their goals.

Scott earned a Bachelor of Arts from The University of Texas at Austin. Additionally, Scott participates in continuing education in green building, rainwater collection, and is a member of the Dripping Springs Chamber of Commerce.

Kyle Queal is a motivated mission-minded leader committed to advancing excellent outcomes through collaborative partnerships and the strategic stewardship of resources.

A well-regarded community leader, writer and speaker, Kyle has led schools, church groups, and nonprofit organizations with a dynamic style that empowers and inspires. He leverages his talent, insight, and experience to help organizations maximize the efficient realization of their mission, vision, and core values.

Kyle is currently Vice President at Mission Advancement. In his current role, Kyle helps nonprofit organizations to provide the needed structure and strategy to solidify their financial health while building for future sustainability. Kyle serves Rockport as a senior advisor, supporting the firm in developing new opportunities in the Dallas/Fort Worth market.

John Schlegel is an industry leader in the executive search profession.

John’s focus has been in the financial advisory services arena for the past 17 years across the country. In that timespan, John has personally placed hundreds of professionals in his specialty areas, developing a reputation as an industry insider and a trusted advisor. John is a member of the prestigious Pinnacle Society, the premier consortium of 75 Industry-leading recruiters in North America.

As founder and principal of Stonebridge Search in Austin, John has built his firm on integrity, accountability, and timely industry insight. John’s passion is making meaningful connections that positively impact the quality of his candidates’ lives and the profitability of his clients. John is a trusted advisor for Rockport and supports the firm’s growth through strategic advice, insight into the financial advisory services industry, and introductions to consultants, capital providers and business owners.

Reid Swanson is a loyal and dedicated advisor, and a senior business development professional based in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Over the past 20 years, Reid has served multiple companies in various industries to grow existing customer relationships and build new ones.

Reid brings tremendous value to his clients through his relentless desire to serve, connect, and deliver. Reid supports the growth of Rockport through his connections in the Southeast to professional services firms, capital providers and business owners.