The Power of Partnership

Jake Sloane

Co-Founder

Originally from New York City, Jake Sloane is the Co-Founder of Shield Technology Partners. He is also co-founder of ZBS Partners, Crete United, Legacy Service Partners, Rocket Youth Brands, Crete Professionals Alliance, and Alliance Animal Health. Prior to this, Jake was an associate at Carlyle where he diligenced and oversaw investments in the healthcare space. Prior to Carlyle, Jake worked at Blackstone in their Mergers & Acquisitions group where he worked with media, chemicals, and financial services companies. Jake is a Trustee of the Heckscher Foundation for Children. Jake received an MBA from Harvard Business School and a B.A. in Political Science from Harvard University where he graduated magna cum laude.

Originally from New York City, Jake Sloane is the Co-Founder of Shield Technology Partners. He is also co-founder of ZBS Partners, Crete United, Legacy Service Partners, Rocket Youth Brands, Crete Professionals Alliance, and Alliance Animal Health. Prior to this, Jake was an associate at Carlyle where he diligenced and oversaw investments in the healthcare space. Prior to Carlyle, Jake worked at Blackstone in their Mergers & Acquisitions group where he worked with media, chemicals, and financial services companies. Jake is a Trustee of the Heckscher Foundation for Children. Jake received an MBA from Harvard Business School and a B.A. in Political Science from Harvard University where he graduated magna cum laude.

Frank Zhang

Co-Founder

Originally from Irvine, California, Frank Zhang is the Co-Founder of Shield Technology Partners. He is also co-founder of ZBS Partners, Crete United, Legacy Service Partners, Rocket Youth Brands, Crete Professionals Alliance, and Alliance Animal Health. Prior to this, Frank was an associate at Apollo where he diligenced and oversaw investments in gaming & leisure, metals & mining, security, and publishing. Prior to Apollo, Frank worked at Blackstone in their Mergers & Acquisitions group where he worked with companies in oil & gas, utilities, and chemicals. Frank received an MBA from Harvard Business School as well as a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and a B. S. in Economics (Finance) from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated summa cum laude.

Originally from Irvine, California, Frank Zhang is the Co-Founder of Shield Technology Partners. He is also co-founder of ZBS Partners, Crete United, Legacy Service Partners, Rocket Youth Brands, Crete Professionals Alliance, and Alliance Animal Health. Prior to this, Frank was an associate at Apollo where he diligenced and oversaw investments in gaming & leisure, metals & mining, security, and publishing. Prior to Apollo, Frank worked at Blackstone in their Mergers & Acquisitions group where he worked with companies in oil & gas, utilities, and chemicals. Frank received an MBA from Harvard Business School as well as a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and a B. S. in Economics (Finance) from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated summa cum laude.

Casey Botts

Co-Founder, COO

Originally from Los Angeles, Casey Botts is the Co-Founder and COO of Shield Technology Partners, where he focuses on building national-level resources that empower partners and drive strategic growth. Prior to this, Casey was an Operating Executive with Alpine Investors, leading businesses across the South with Orion Services Group. Prior to Orion, he was a management consultant at McKinsey & Company. Before transitioning to the private sector, Casey served on active duty in the U.S. Navy for eight years. Casey holds a BS from the U.S. Naval Academy, an MS from Johns Hopkins University, and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Originally from Los Angeles, Casey Botts is the Co-Founder and COO of Shield Technology Partners, where he focuses on building national-level resources that empower partners and drive strategic growth. Prior to this, Casey was an Operating Executive with Alpine Investors, leading businesses across the South with Orion Services Group. Prior to Orion, he was a management consultant at McKinsey & Company. Before transitioning to the private sector, Casey served on active duty in the U.S. Navy for eight years. Casey holds a BS from the U.S. Naval Academy, an MS from Johns Hopkins University, and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Rachel Comella

VP of Human Resources

Rachel Comella is an accomplished executive specializing in Human Resources, People, and Culture, with extensive expertise in building and scaling global HR operations. She is adept at aligning business, financial, and operational objectives with HR and culture strategies to drive efficiency, eliminate waste, and foster sustainable growth. With experience across diverse industries, Rachel brings adaptability, strategic insight, and a deep understanding of organizational dynamics to every role. As a former business owner, she offers a unique perspective on navigating challenges from both the CEO and HR vantage points. Over the past decade, Rachel has excelled in the fast-paced SaaS, MSP, and technology sectors, where adaptability and innovation are critical—and where her guiding motto remains: “The answer is almost always yes—there is no box!”

Rachel Comella is an accomplished executive specializing in Human Resources, People, and Culture, with extensive expertise in building and scaling global HR operations. She is adept at aligning business, financial, and operational objectives with HR and culture strategies to drive efficiency, eliminate waste, and foster sustainable growth. With experience across diverse industries, Rachel brings adaptability, strategic insight, and a deep understanding of organizational dynamics to every role. As a former business owner, she offers a unique perspective on navigating challenges from both the CEO and HR vantage points. Over the past decade, Rachel has excelled in the fast-paced SaaS, MSP, and technology sectors, where adaptability and innovation are critical—and where her guiding motto remains: “The answer is almost always yes—there is no box!”

David Finkelstein

Business Development

David Finkelstein supports business development at Shield Technology Partners, leading IT service businesses through the process from signing an LOI to closing. Since 2019, David has been affiliated with four companies founded by Frank Zhang and Jake Sloane, including joining Shield Technology Partners at its inception. David previously worked in strategy consulting, investing, and operations roles across multiple organizations. David holds a BA from Georgetown University, an MBA from Columbia Business School, and a JD from Columbia Law School.

David Finkelstein supports business development at Shield Technology Partners, leading IT service businesses through the process from signing an LOI to closing. Since 2019, David has been affiliated with four companies founded by Frank Zhang and Jake Sloane, including joining Shield Technology Partners at its inception. David previously worked in strategy consulting, investing, and operations roles across multiple organizations. David holds a BA from Georgetown University, an MBA from Columbia Business School, and a JD from Columbia Law School.

Alexander Reckford

Business Development

Alexander Reckford supports business development at Shield Technology Partners, leading IT service businesses from signing a letter of intent to closing. Alexander previously worked in strategy consulting and private equity investing, focusing on driving growth and value creation in high-performing organizations. Alexander holds a BA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Alexander Reckford supports business development at Shield Technology Partners, leading IT service businesses from signing a letter of intent to closing. Alexander previously worked in strategy consulting and private equity investing, focusing on driving growth and value creation in high-performing organizations. Alexander holds a BA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Jacob Sistrunk

Group Controller

Jacob Sistrunk is the Group Controller for Shield Technology Partners. He began his career in public accounting, focusing on audit and transaction advisory, before transitioning to private equity-held organizations in 2018. Jacob has since held senior leadership roles at Vology, Inc. and Integrated Supply Network. He holds a C.P.A. license in Florida, a Bachelor's degree in Accounting from the University of South Florida, and an MBA from Saint Leo University. A proud resident of Florida, Jacob serves middle market clients through extensive experience in financial reporting consolidation, GAAP knowledge, business integration, business process improvement, and data analytics. An avid soccer player, he values the competitive edge that partnerships and teamwork provide.

Jacob Sistrunk is the Group Controller for Shield Technology Partners. He began his career in public accounting, focusing on audit and transaction advisory, before transitioning to private equity-held organizations in 2018. Jacob has since held senior leadership roles at Vology, Inc. and Integrated Supply Network. He holds a C.P.A. license in Florida, a Bachelor's degree in Accounting from the University of South Florida, and an MBA from Saint Leo University. A proud resident of Florida, Jacob serves middle market clients through extensive experience in financial reporting consolidation, GAAP knowledge, business integration, business process improvement, and data analytics. An avid soccer player, he values the competitive edge that partnerships and teamwork provide.

Rick Tyson

VP of Finance & Accounting

Rick Tyson brings extensive expertise in finance, FP&A, operations, treasury, risk management, and efficient reporting in fast-paced, acquisitive environments. Starting as a CPA at Katz, Sapper & Miller, he served diverse industries before advancing to leadership roles at Duke Realty, Beazer Homes, PGT Innovations, and Apex Service Partners.

Rick Tyson brings extensive expertise in finance, FP&A, operations, treasury, risk management, and efficient reporting in fast-paced, acquisitive environments. Starting as a CPA at Katz, Sapper & Miller, he served diverse industries before advancing to leadership roles at Duke Realty, Beazer Homes, PGT Innovations, and Apex Service Partners.