Who We Are

EQ Holdings is an ESOP-owned investment firm focused on building a diversified portfolio of assets through control and non-control investments that drive long-term value for its shareholders.

Our Firm

EQ Holdings acquires, invests in, and builds meaningful businesses in partnership with management and Investment firms over an indefinite time horizon. We understand that achieving sustainable growth takes time, careful planning, and methodical execution over the long term. 

Our Differentiators

EQ Holdings is a different type of investor. We are:

  • An entrepreneurial creator of businesses
  • Experienced with a broad investment mandate and a flexible structure orientation
  • Able to accommodate extended hold periods and tax-efficient structures
  • Focused on fundamental value creation
  • Completely self-funded and does not have limited partners

Our Story

In 2007, our Founder, Andy Juang, faced the same dilemma many business owners face when seeking liquidity options. How do I protect my employees who helped me build my business? How does the legacy of my company, my brand, and my customers endure?

These are difficult questions to answer when considering the options of selling to a strategic buyer or a private equity fund. EQ Holdings leverages its unique structure as an ESOP to differentiate itself from other buyers or investors and is intentionally focused on the greater good for all participants.

EQ Holdings History

Our Team

Our leadership team guides EQ Holdings with the vision, long-term perspective, and operational agility needed to grow a successful organization. As we expand our investment strategy, we maintain a broad team of experienced operating and investing professionals to generate superior returns for our employee-owners.

Andy Juang

Founder & Executive Chairman

Andy Juang

Founder & Executive Chairman

Andy Juang

Founder & Executive Chairman

Company founder and executive chairman, Andy Juang launched Equus in 1989. Initially, the business was a local technology retailer, but Andy’s forward-thinking approach for new opportunities and trends allowed Equus to become a leading provider of integrated IT. In 2007, Andy sold the company to his employees. As the company grew and additional business units were created or acquired, the organization evolved into Equus Holdings.

Rick Green

CEO

Rick Green

CEO

Rick Green

CEO

CEO Rick Green joined the Equus Holdings leadership team in 2017. Rick has successfully led several companies and co-founded a private equity firm. He has deep expertise in growing companies through leadership development and process improvement, and has participated in over 30 M&A transactions. Prior to joining Equus Holdings, Rick held positions with several companies including McKinsey & Company, Emerson Electric, Nationwide Electric and most recently Range Systems.

Jim Sorboro

CFO

Jim Sorboro

CFO

Jim Sorboro

CFO

Jim joined EQ Holdings as Chief Financial Officer in 2020 and leads the finance and legal functions.

Prior to joining EQ Holdings, Jim was the CFO and had responsibility for finance, legal, customer service, and supply chain at private equity sponsored Phillips and Temro Industries. Prior to that, he spent 9 years at private equity sponsored Katun Corporation, with the last 7 as CFO and as a member of the Board of Directors. He held various accounting, manufacturing finance and international operations roles, at publicly traded Cypress Semiconductor and Sysco to start his career.

Jim has a BS from Miami University, and an MBA from the University of Minnesota.

Anthony Pence

VP of Corporate Development

Anthony Pence

VP of Corporate Development

Anthony Pence

VP of Corporate Development

Anthony joined Equus Holdings in 2019 as the Vice President Corporate Development after a 20+ year career in investment banking focused on middle market companies. At Equus, Anthony is responsible for developing the company’s investment strategy for control, non-control and fund investments, which includes originating, reviewing and will leading the diligence and investment process. Prior to joining Equus, Anthony was the founding partner of BlackTorch Capital, a boutique investment bank, where he led several engagements, including mergers and acquisitions, debt financings and other financial advisory services. Anthony’s investment banking career includes time at Teneca, formerly affiliated with Devenir, where he was founding partners, and TripleTree, where he led the investment bank’s expansion into the telecommunications sector. Anthony also served as Manager of Corporate Development for Vodafone, where he led and participated in several transactions in Asia and the Americas. He has also been employed as a corporate finance analyst for Dain Bosworth (now RBC Capital Markets). Anthony leverages his diverse experience providing services to middle-market, Fortune 500 and global companies to develop creative, comprehensive investment solutions for Equus. Mr. Pence holds a B.A. in Economics and Finance from the University of St. Thomas, where he graduated magna cum laude.

Crystal Welna

Chief Human Resources Officer

Crystal Welna

Chief Human Resources Officer

Crystal Welna

Chief Human Resources Officer

Crystal Welna joined Equus Holdings in 2018. Crystal has diverse experience leading Human Resources strategies in large, medium and small companies including Dougherty Financial Group, Target Corporation, DaVita, and Milk Specialties Global. In January 2022, Crystal obtained Kolbe Consultant certification. As a Kolbe Consultant, she teaches individuals and businesses the Kolbe Wisdom line of products to help Equus increase productivity, create team synergies, build leaders and determine the best candidates in the hiring process.

Core Values

Our passion as owners and employees is to pursue purposeful work and make a difference in all our companies. Our employees are driven to create value every day. Our core values are the foundation of our company, essential to our success and serve as the lens through which we evaluate every business decision. Our commitment to these values, in both words and actions, builds a stronger, healthier company, benefiting all our stakeholders.

Customer Success

is our goal

Innovation

nurtures future success

Owner’s Mindset

accountability is key

Collaboration

is working as a team

Do the Right Thing

always