The market in 2024 shifted into a slower and more uncertain period. IPO activity cooled, and M&A momentum slowed as well. It is against this backdrop that we completed a major $4.4 billion deal.
Over the last five years, we built a very robust strategy and execution model, all centered around customer success and productivity, that has and can result in healthy growth rates for several years. So, when the prospect of going private became real, it was critical that we found a partner who aligned with our goals.
This became one of the defining moments of my career, culminating in a $4.4 billion transaction to take SolarWinds private with Turn/River Capital. These negotiations exercised my leadership principles, sharpened my judgment under pressure, and expanded my experiences.
Negotiations have always been a part of life. Whether it involves your teenager’s curfew, your team’s priorities, or your board and the future, every negotiation comes down to the same vital tenets: credibility, balance, stamina, and persistence.
Seven months later, I’ve had time to reflect on what made this negotiation successful—and what business leaders can apply to deals built for long-term success. The positive outcome of this transaction was not individual—it was the product of a highly engaged board and an extended leadership team aligned around a shared vision and disciplined execution.
