Member Profile - John Ohlwiler

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•  John Ohlwiler

• Founder & CEO, Sentry Technology Solutions

• LinkedIn Profile

• ACG Member Since: 2024

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Tell us about your role/firm.

As Founder and CEO of Sentry Technology Solutions, I lead a team transforming how growing businesses leverage technology. We're not your typical IT provider—we position technology as a strategic advantage rather than a cost center. Through our Technology Maturity Model, we guide companies from operational challenges to AI-powered innovation. Our focus on franchises and second-stage businesses earned us Inc. 5000 recognition, positioning Sentry as a trusted technology partner serving clients across 28 states.

What are you currently focused on? 

I'm laser-focused on M&A technology due diligence and integration planning—a niche where we're adding significant value for acquirers and private equity firms. Having sat at the table as an IT executive when a regional firm sold three-quarters of its business to a Fortune 500 company, I learned firsthand how technology issues can make or break deal value. That experience now helps acquirers identify integration risks and compatibility challenges before closing. We develop comprehensive integration plans that preserve business momentum, protect investment value, and prevent the technology surprises that often derail post-acquisition success and customer retention.

What have you gained from your ACG membership experience?

ACG membership has reinforced what I've always known — business is fundamentally about people. Even as AI advances and technology evolves at a crazy speed, meaningful connections drive real success. Through ACG, I've connected with incredible business leaders who challenge my thinking and expand my perspective. These relationships have opened doors to strategic partnerships and genuine friendships. The caliber of people — from private equity professionals to fellow entrepreneurs — has been invaluable. ACG provides a community where leaders genuinely invest in each other's growth. 

Motto or quote you live by? 

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts." - Winston Churchill. I love that quote because leading a business means experiencing constant ups and downs — navigating the pandemic, pivoting strategies, embracing uncomfortable change. I've learned that failing often teaches more than any success and if you can fail forward you can get better. Each setback reveals insights that fuel future innovation. In today's AI-powered, rapidly evolving technology landscape, the courage to innovate separates thriving businesses from those left behind. It's not about never failing; it's about having the resilience to keep moving forward.