Meet the Team
Loch McCabe | Founder & CEO
Founding Shepherd Advisors in 2000, Loch focuses on methodical research, sound growth strategy development, and building robust foundations for successful and sustainable growth. Loch has a knack for understanding stories, recognizing opportunities, and developing pathways that allow clients to move forward with clarity and confidence. Prior to founding Shepherd Advisors, he spent several years helping design and raise money for commercial and municipal recycling programs. He also built the Environmental Capital Network (ECN), which facilitated over $50 million in early-stage investments to Clean Tech companies nationwide and later arose as the Cleantech Group LLC. Loch holds Master’s degrees in both Natural Resource Management and Applied Economics from the University of Michigan as well as a dual BA/BS from American University.
Michael Holzworth | Advisor
Mike Holzworth is an experienced business leader grounded in the science and the art of increasing marketing and sales effectiveness. He has led branded sales growth at Fortune 100 companies, engineered two turnarounds, and has led revenue growth at small businesses by driving sales and marketing performance with tight resources. Holding a progression of sales, brand and top executive positions in his career, Mike has proven skills in building teams that create and execute strategic vision within lean organizations. His specialities also include sales management, direct sales, marketing, customer service, and operational improvement.
Amy Cottrell | Senior Associate
Utilizing her strong NYC Advertising Agency foundation within the Research and Strategic Planning venue and entrepreneurial experience, as owner of a Field Directing Firm (servicing Fortune 500 companies for over 20 years), Amy focuses on research and marketing/digital communications to assist Shepherd Advisors and its clients to drive their business forward with clarity and alignment. Amy has a BA in Communication from Michigan State University.
Merv Carse | Advisor
Merv brings more than 25 years of experience as a successful entrepreneur taking industry-leading manufacturing and product technologies from the lab to the marketplace. Prior to this, Merv was in the automotive business for over 25 years, both as an engineering manager at Ford and then as the president of a successful Tier #1 supplier. Simply put, Merv loves to commercialize interesting innovations. He focuses on making commercialization happen, and works equally well with OEMs, suppliers, channels and startups. His education includes earning a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering at Queen’s University in Belfast, Ireland (where he is originally from.) and advanced business and leadership training at INSEAD and Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.
Jon Minder | Senior Associate
Jon Minder focuses on strategy for small to middle-market businesses. He assists companies across multiple industries with all types of marketing, operational, and financial challenges. He also specializes in launching new lines of business, divisions, or startups. Jon has an MBA from The University of California, San Diego – Rady School of Management where he was published in the Rady Business Journal, completed the Cleantech to Market program and Israel Immersion. He dedicates himself to personal development and philanthropy.
Ed Holinski | Advisor
Ed is a business and transformation leader who helps organizations accelerate and sustain growth. He specializes in growth strategy clarification, leadership development and culture change. As a transformation consultant who works across numerous industries, Ed uses organization development as a growth lever. He is purpose driven and gets great gratification from growing organizations and people simultaneously.