About Us
Why We Partnered
John & Robert met on the first day of their first MBA class at Rice University. Through their MBA program they have worked together inside & out of the classroom. From consulting with non-profits and small businesses to winning case competitions. Over the last two years they have developed a strong partnership & ability to work together, complementing each other's strengths. Coming from similar backgrounds in consulting & entrepreneurship, but bring bringing unique skillsets is what makes the partnership powerful.
Robert Dougherty
Robert Dougherty, Married to Jennifer Dougherty has three children, Connor, Ethan, & Logan. Family and legacy is a crucial aspect of his life.
Professionally, Robert has 8 years of experience working with industrial and retail businesses growing topline revenue and managing exit transitions. As a co-founder and director of Arete Advisors Robert is passionate about helping business grow in value. He has been involved in acquisitions, turnarounds, and corporate strategy projects.
Looking forward, Robert graduates from the MBA program at Rice University in September of 2022. He plans on utilizing his education to enhance and transform middle market businesses.
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John Strickland
Early in his career, John had the pleasure of working at a tech startup. Being a part of a growth-minded environment allowed him to work with people at every level of the company, sparking his interest in entrepreneurship. Upon completing his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science, he launched J&S Consulting and guided small to medium-sized businesses through technical implementation of Corporate Development and Organizational Change endeavors. In 2 years, he completed complex projects with approximately 30 firms before deciding to expand his education to improve his business acumen.
The combination of his professional experience and now Rice MBA coursework make him a creative problem-solver and ambitious leader. He has a “leave no stone left unturned” mentality and cares deeply about each firm he has had the opportunity to contribute to.
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