ACG Upstate SC presents: Entrepreneurship to Exit

Dr. Brannon is a performance psychologist and serves as a partner with AMPLOS. Dr. Brannon completed his psychology doctoral training at the University of Georgia, while focusing on a dual track of counseling and sport/performance psychology. In his role at AMPLOS, Dr. Brannon provides performance psychology and consulting services in the areas of performance enhancement, leadership development, culture assessment, and keynote addresses. In addition, he serves as the Consulting Sport Psychologist to University of Georgia Football. In the corporate setting, Dr. Brannon has worked with executive leaders and professionals in industries including healthcare, accounting, law, pharmaceuticals, finance, medical devices, and engineering. Dr. Brannon and his wife are the proud parents of two daughters and a son. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family and is also an avid runner and cyclist.

Zack Devier is Chief Executive Officer at OnPoint, where he provides strategic leadership and guidance to support the company's mission of helping businesses achieve financial clarity and sustainable growth. With more than 25 years of experience in executive leadership, Zack brings deep expertise in financial strategy, risk management, and organizational growth.

In addition to his role at OnPoint, Zack serves as a member of the Board of Directors at Armada Analytics which he owned and led for nearly two decades before a successful exit in 2025. Throughout his career, he has held leadership positions with various organizations, building extensive experience in strategic decision-making.

Zack earned a Master of Science in Finance from Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Real Estate and Finance from Georgia State University's J. Mack Robinson College of Business. He has also completed executive education through Harvard Business School, including the Leading Professional Service Firms program, further enhancing his expertise in leadership, strategy, and professional services management.

Known for his strategic perspective and collaborative leadership style, Zack is passionate about helping organizations make informed decisions, navigate complex challenges, and build a foundation for long-term success.

Mark Essex didn't set out to build a healthcare software company. In 1995, he was simply helping his wife, Karen, solve a problem at the addiction treatment clinic where she worked. What started as a part-time project to automate a manual process eventually became Methasoft, a leading software platform for opioid treatment programs.

In 2001, Mark founded Netalytics and spent the next two decades building the company from a bootstrapped startup into an industry leader. By the time of its exit, Netalytics had approximately 80 employees, served 1,200 treatment facilities, and held nearly 60% of the U.S. opioid treatment program market.

In early 2020, Mark partnered with private equity firm Prairie Capital, retaining a significant ownership stake while continuing as CEO. During the partnership, Netalytics acquired competitor SMART Management, and in October 2023, the company was acquired by Netsmart Technologies. Mark transitioned out of the business following the acquisition.

Today, Mark and Karen lead Indigo Hope Foundation, which they founded to "Multiply Hope" by supporting organizations focused on homelessness, addiction, at-risk youth, first responders, and veterans throughout Upstate South Carolina. Mark also serves as Board Chairman of Jumpstart SC and continues to explore his passion for software development, artificial intelligence, and helping nonprofits leverage technology.

A Greenville native and Clemson University graduate, Mark credits perseverance, learning from mistakes, and faith in God's timing as important parts of his entrepreneurial journey.

A Partner within Cherry Bekaert’s Deal Advisory practice, Sidney brings over 20 years of buy and sell-side due diligence, finance and accounting experience to his clients. He has worked on more than 200+ middle-market deals covering advisory on mergers and acquisitions, financial due diligence, Quality of Earnings and valuation engagements.

Sidney’s industry expertise includes deals in manufacturing, financial services, healthcare, transportation and logistics, retail and professional service-related industries. As a member of the Firm’s Private Equity Services group, he has extensive experience working with private equity funds, senior and mezzanine lenders and strategic firms in all aspects of acquisitions and divestures.

Prior to joining Cherry Bekaert, Sidney was a director at CTS Capital Advisors, LLC, a boutique transaction advisory firm that specialized in financial due diligence, valuation and business advisory services. He was also vice president in the financial accounting and consulting group at American Capital, a public leverage buyout firm, and served as part of the advisory practice for a Big Four firm.