Working with St Johns Capital Partners and their team was a game-changer for our company. We were able to find the right partner quietly and they made the process seamless. Patrick and his partner worked tirelessly for us and thanks to their expertise and strategic approach, ensured that our goals and values were aligned throughout the process. We’re excited about the opportunities that lie ahead and grateful for the partnership with St Johns Capital Partners in achieving our expansion plans.
For three decades, Patrick Emmet has worked in leadership roles in finance, sales, operations, and strategy. He sits on the Board of TDC Communications, St. Johns Capital Partners, Memorial Park Association, and ASAP Staffing. Prior to forming St. Johns Capital Partners, a full service Financial Services firm located in Jacksonville, Florida, Patrick was a Principal at Heritage Capital Group and Managing Director of Business Valuation, Inc.. He earned his Series 79 license, a specialized credential administered by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), his real estate license, and is an expert in corporate valuations. He has been on both sides of numerous corporate M&A transactions assisting clients prepare to sell their company through to signing of the purchase agreement. Prior to HCG and BVI, Patrick was instrumental in securing financing for Encell Technology, a pioneering nickel iron battery company based in Gainesville, Florida.
Patrick has served as CFO of numerous companies overseeing finance, treasury, IT, HR, and Recruitment while also sitting on the Board of Directors and was recognized as one of three Finalists for CFO of the Year by the Atlanta Business Chronicle.
Patrick began his professional career with Frito-Lay as a Sales Information Officer for the Central Gulf Region winning the award as “Best of the Best” nationally for redesigning a route system in the Central Gulf area.
Additionally, Patrick has had a lifelong passion for tennis. Starting at the age of 6, Patrick played junior tennis ending up #3 in the Middle States Region and top 100 nationally. In college, he excelled becoming #1 in the United States Division II ending up a four-time All-American, NCAA Div II National Singles Champion in 1987, and a member of Tennis Magazine’s All-Star All American Team. After college, he joined the US National Team which took him on a three-year journey around the world on the professional tennis tour earning a world ranking in both singles and doubles. In 1996, Patrick was inducted into the Rollins College and Sunshine State Conference Hall of Fame. Most recently, Patrick came in second at the Men’s 55 and over World Championship in Doubles
Patrick is also passionate about helping his local community serving as Chairman of the Board of the Memorial Park Association, a private/public partnership with the City of Jacksonville. He has served on numerous committees at The Florida Yacht Club and Timuquana Country Club, also serving on the finance committee for USTA – Georgia, and a member of the junior fundraising committee for The Shepherd Center, and Fernbank Museum in Atlanta, GA.
Patrick holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Rollins College and an MBA in Finance from Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College. He resides in Jacksonville with his lovely wife, two dogs and enjoys spending time with his three grown children and four grandchildren.
Randy DeFoor, a seasoned businesswoman and attorney, boasts a deep-rooted connection to Jacksonville, where she hails from a lineage spanning six generations. Her dedication to public service was evident during her tenure on the Jacksonville City Council from 2019 to 2023, where she advocated for governmental integrity and spearheaded transformative initiatives in transportation and the arts within her district.
Beyond her civic contributions, Randy's professional trajectory is marked by notable achievements. With a wealth of experience, she served as counsel and senior executive at Fidelity National Financial, a Fortune 500 company, for 14 years. Additionally, she played a pivotal role as an officer at Regency Centers Corporation, pioneering the establishment of their legal department.
Randy's commitment to community progress extends to her roles on various esteemed boards and committees. She presently lends her expertise to the Audit Committee of Vystar and has previously served on the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission. Noteworthy leadership positions include her past chairmanship of the Board of Florida State College Jacksonville and the JIA Community Redevelopment Board. As a member of Leadership Florida Class XXXV, she has fostered relationships throughout the state.
Her philanthropic endeavors reflect her dedication to education and the arts, as evidenced by her trustee roles at institutions like the University of the South (Sewanee), Cathedral Arts Project, and Riverside Presbyterian Day School. Moreover, Randy contributes her time and insights to organizations such as the Innocence Project of Florida and Bok Tower.
Educationally, Randy holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee, and a Juris Doctorate from Cumberland School of Law, Samford University. Her executive education from Harvard Business School in Strategic Negotiations and Deal Making for Long Term solidifies her expertise in navigating complex business landscapes.
Amid her professional pursuits, Randy enjoys travel with her family and friends.
Mr Athey is an active investor, board member, and strategic advisor to growth oriented middle market firms. His history of success as both an operating executive and board member for several high growth technology focused firms allows his clients to see both short- and long-term results in strategic engagements. In addition to St Johns Capital, Mr Athey supports major Private Equity firms in their diligence and board governance of SaaS platforms in both Fintech and Govtech market prospect and portfolio companies.
Josh Shilts, CPA, ASA, ABV/CFF/CGMA, CFE, is an industry-leading expert in forensic accounting and business valuation (“FVS”), a thought leader, educator, and entrepreneur who assists attorneys, individuals, and businesses with complex financial matters and disputes. A focused problem-solver, he is equal parts expert, sleuth, and engaging communicator who thrives on the challenges and demands of his career.
A focused problem-solver, Josh thrives on the challenges and demands of his career. His natural curiosity and passion for learning stem from early childhood, as his father, a professor, and his mother, a teacher, highly encouraged their boys’ pursuit of knowledge. His brother went on to work in higher education, and even in Josh’s chosen profession, he naturally seeks to share the wisdom he has attained. Not only proven by his foundation of ShiltsSpeaksTM but also by a stint as an Adjunct Professor for Florida Atlantic University’s School of Accounting.
Josh graduated from Florida Atlantic University in 2007 with a Master of Accounting with a concentration in Forensic Accounting. The six (6) subsequent credentials (CPA, ASA, ABV, CFF, CGMA, CFE) he earned post-degree reflect his passion for education and his field. He also received formal training in interviewing, interrogations, and Florida Supreme Court Mediations and is qualified as an expert in State and Federal courts.
He has held roles with public accounting firms ranging in size from the “Big Four” to smaller regional and local firms, as well as large public organizations throughout Florida and New York. This history afforded him a broad range of experience managing hundreds of FVS matters involving civil, commercial, and criminal disputes, as well as cases identifying and quantifying fraudulent or disputed activities. Honored as “AIPCA’s Business Valuation Volunteer of the Year” in 2022, Josh appreciates and supports the nonprofits of his profession and community and is involved with at least eight organizations.
Known as a frequent lecturer and author, Josh’s newest venture, ShiltsSpeaksTM, is the perfect continuing education platform for him to share his experience and wisdom with others. His natural edutainment speaking and writing style helps keep the audience engaged while learning. You can experience this personally through his previous webinars, podcast participation, and speaking events.