Dev Warren, CEO & Board Member
Dev Warren is a seasoned entrepreneur and business leader with a remarkable track record spanning over two decades in private equity, venture capital, and corporate development. Throughout his career, he has held various executive positions, including CEO, CFO, Director of Corporate Development, and Accenture Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Process Improvement Director. Most recently as CEO of Ascendant Advisory Group (AAG), Dev has demonstrated exceptional skills in transforming average companies into high-performing entities.
Dev’s approach focuses on developing integrated workplace cultures, prioritizing customer-centricity, and fostering personal investment in company success. Under his leadership, AAG has become a top M&A and consulting firm in the outdoor, defense, and healthcare sectors, with offices in Whitefish, MT, and Los Angeles, CA. His innovative methods for ensuring successful growth, mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures have proven highly effective, particularly his unique approach to integrating company cultures and strategic alignment during M&A processes. Beyond his professional achievements, Dev is actively involved in fundraising and support for wounded veterans and outdoor-focused causes for the disabled. He resides in Whitefish, Montana, with his wife, Megan, and their three boys.
Randy King, President
Randy has performed healthcare claims audits for self-funded employers since 1999, and all of the company’s current audit projects are performed under his direction. He has been part of the leadership team since 2003 and has served as president of the company since 2014. With more than 24 years of healthcare experience, Randy has worked with both payers and providers, auditing all national and most regional carriers and third-payer administrators across the country. He has expertise in claims auditing, big data analytics, project management and operations. His experience includes involvement in several government programs for the state of Tennessee, including the start-up of a behavioral care organization. Randy earned his Master of Business Administration from the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga, and his bachelor’s degree in Finance, Summa Cum Laude, from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Randy received a Data Analytics Certificate from Cornell University, SC Johnson College of Business.
Tom Barker, Board Member
Tom brings a wealth of experience in managing complex operations and teams, honed through his distinguished 21-year career as a Navy SEAL. During his military service, Tom excelled in coordinating intricate joint operations with various agencies and foreign countries. He earned a reputation for driving efficiency, clear communication, and implementing best practices in increasingly large-scale operations. His ability to thrive in high-pressure environments and lead diverse teams has been a hallmark of his professional journey. Following his military career, Tom transitioned to the private sector, joining Booz Allen as a consultant, and started his own distribution and rep firm and a consulting firm, where he applied his analytical and management skills to drive operational process improvements for clients. Through these ventures, he met and joined Ascendant Advisory, where he was able to leverage these skills and become a Partner and Director of M&A.
With his extensive defense background and analytical prowess, Tom has cultivated a valuable network throughout multiple defense and manufacturing industries. This unique combination of military experience, analytical skills, and leadership credibility makes him an invaluable asset to Ascendant’s clients. Tom’s educational background includes a BS degree from the American Military University, which he completed while on active duty, and an MBA from the University of Montana, demonstrating his commitment to personal growth and lifelong learning. He currently resides in Whitefish, Montana, with his wife and three children.
Chad Ferguson, MD, Board Member
Dr. Chad Ferguson is a distinguished orthopedic surgeon whose career spans clinical excellence, entrepreneurial innovation, and strategic healthcare leadership. Board-certified and fellowship-trained, Dr. Ferguson has established himself as a skilled clinician and a pioneering force in healthcare technology. His expertise extends beyond the operating room, encompassing medical device development, healthcare consulting, and the application of artificial intelligence in financial asset management. As a board member at Healthcare HorizonsTM, Dr. Ferguson leverages his comprehensive understanding of orthopedic care and healthcare operations to drive strategic initiatives, enhancing both clinical decision-making and operational efficiency.
Dr. Ferguson’s impact on the medical field is multifaceted. He has been instrumental in developing novel orthopedic implants, demonstrating his commitment to advancing patient care through innovation. His role as an educator contributes to shaping the future of orthopedic surgery, training the next generation of surgeons. Beyond his professional achievements, Dr. Ferguson is dedicated to expanding access to quality orthopedic care, particularly in underserved communities. This commitment to improving healthcare delivery is balanced with his personal interests in endurance athletics and adventure travel. Based in Whitefish, Montana, Dr. Ferguson continues to push the boundaries of orthopedic care while enjoying time with his family, embodying a harmonious blend of professional excellence and personal fulfillment.
Greg Wasson, Board Member
Greg plays a pivotal role in shaping strategic direction, bringing decades of leadership, operational, and governance expertise to the organizations he serves. As co-founder of Wasson Enterprise, Greg leverages his extensive experience in healthcare and retail to guide initiatives that enhance precision, efficiency, and long-term impact. His ability to combine hands-on operational insight with strategic vision enables organizations to achieve transformational results and strengthen key partnerships.
Greg brings a robust foundation in healthcare and business strategy through his 35-year career at Walgreens, where he progressed from pharmacy services intern to President and CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance. His experience spans operational leadership, transformational innovation, and scaling organizations for sustainable growth. In addition, as co-founder of Innventure, Greg has demonstrated his capacity to drive innovation and commercialization across industries.
His passion for operational excellence, strategic problem-solving, and building high-performing teams continues to make him a valued leader across the boards and ventures he supports.
Josh Salyer, Board Member
Josh, as VP of People at Wasson Enterprise, is a dynamic leader who shapes the company’s internal culture and drives its human resources initiatives. He oversees recruitment, talent acquisition, professional development, and employee engagement, ensuring that the organization’s values are lived out daily. Josh’s innovative approach led to the creation of WE People Solutions, a customizable Professional Employer Organization (PEO) platform that offers tailored HR services to companies at various stages of growth. This comprehensive solution encompasses payroll administration, benefits management, and HR information systems, demonstrating Josh’s ability to anticipate and meet diverse organizational needs.
Beyond his role at Wasson Enterprise, Josh has been instrumental in supporting partner companies with their people-related strategies and visions. His expertise has been crucial in scaling teams, establishing executive compensation programs, developing stock option plans, and creating HR processes for growing organizations. Josh’s collaborative approach allows him to integrate seamlessly with each partnership, focusing on specific needs and building sustainable solutions. His work with companies like iA and PureCycle Technologies showcases his versatility in adapting to different industries and organizational cultures. With a background that includes leadership roles at Amazon and experience with Fortune 500 companies like Hyster-Yale and Sherwin-Williams, Josh brings a wealth of knowledge to his role. His bachelor’s degree in business management from Eastern Kentucky University and Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification further underscore his expertise in the field. Josh is a die-hard University of Kentucky fan, and lives in Lexington with his wife and two boys