New subsidiary combines business leadership, management consulting, and intellectual property experience to support companies from idea to commercialization
, /PRNewswire/ — McNees Wallace & Nurick today announced the launch of Ryepeck Ventures, LLC, a management and commercialization consultancy firm that helps businesses turn innovative ideas into commercially successful ventures.
Ryepeck Ventures is a subsidiary of McNees and will be led by Geoffrey White, who will serve as president. White is an attorney in the firm’s Intellectual Property Group, with extensive experience in intellectual property and patent law. Walt Vester, an experienced management consultant, investor, and business leader, will serve as executive vice president.
The launch expands the range of professional solutions McNees and its affiliated companies provide to businesses and organizations, adding C-suite business consulting and commercialization support to legal, human resources, public relations and marketing services.
“Cultivating excellence and championing growth are among our core values at McNees,” said McNees Chair Brian Jackson. “With Geoff’s extensive background in corporate management and intellectual property law, we believe Ryepeck’s efforts will cultivate excellence for innovative organizations and create substantial growth for those organizations.”
Ryepeck works with innovators, entrepreneurs and organizations through three primary service areas:
- Ryepeck Venture Studio, which partners with clients to develop, launch, and commercialize intellectual property.
- Fractional Executive Engagement, which provides experienced leadership to help organizations execute their vision and strategy through fractional CEO, chief financial officer, chief operating officer, chief marketing officer, chief information officer, and other C-level roles.
- Management Consulting, which provides hands-on, business-led support to strengthen operations, address complex business challenges, and execute organizational priorities.
“Ryepeck was created to help organizations with strong ideas navigate quickly through the commercialization race with the right combination of business judgment, operating support, and intellectual property awareness,” White said. “Our approach enables innovative companies to reach their finish line: commercialization of new and disruptive innovation.”
White brings significant commercialization experience to Ryepeck through his legal practice and prior corporate leadership roles. He previously served as president of Innovative Product Manufacturing, chief operating officer of Advanced Construction Robotics, chief innovation officer and general counsel of Grouse Ridge Capital, and general counsel and longtime board member of SilcoTek Corporation.
Vester has held leadership roles across management consulting, investing, and business operations. Most recently, he was with Boston Consulting Group, where he advised organizations on strategy, growth, operations, and organizational design. He previously served as managing director in Blackstone’s Private Equity Group, co-founded Blackstone CleanTech Ventures, and held an investment role with AllianceBernstein’s Early Stage Growth Venture Fund.
Together, White’s background in intellectual property and Vester’s management consulting and investment experience position Ryepeck to help companies strengthen operations, increase the value of their intellectual property, and evaluate early-stage investment opportunities.
“Ryepeck was created to help companies move from the idea phase to commercialization and long-term growth,” White said. “We’re guiding ideas across the finish line and providing a platform to help companies turn those strong ideas into commercially successful businesses.”
Ryepeck joins McNees’ network of affiliated businesses that provide services beyond traditional legal counsel, including Apollo Communications, HR Influenced, Keystone Advisors, Keystone Municipal Solutions, Pine Street Land Company, and McNees Government Relations. Together, these businesses connect clients with resources across strategic communications, human resources, government relations, municipal consulting, real estate transactions, and other business needs. Ryepeck expands those capabilities to include commercialization and management consulting.
About McNees
McNees is a multidisciplinary law firm founded in 1935 with more than 170 attorneys representing businesses, associations, institutions, municipalities, and individuals. The firm serves clients worldwide from 12 offices in Harrisburg, Lancaster, Plymouth Meeting, Pittsburgh, Radnor, Reading, State College, and York, Pa.; Columbus, Ohio; Frederick and Towson, Md.; and Washington, D.C.
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About Ryepeck Ventures
Ryepeck Ventures, LLC is a commercialization partner that helps enhance the value of ideas and organizations by bringing resources, relationships, and experience to the commercialization process. Ryepeck services include the Ryepeck Venture Studio, Fractional Executive Engagements, and Management Consulting.
SOURCE McNees Wallace & Nurick
