Our Advisors and Team

We are a team of industry veterans, deeply knowledgeable about the Optometry field and passionate about helping professionals within it succeed. Strengthened by a dedicated, capable support staff, our advisors are committed to working side by side with you to learn about your background, understand your goals and implement a customized plan for a secure, successful future.

Rick Guinotte
CEO and Advisor

Rick has worked in the optometric field since 1989 – as a technician, optician, receptionist, manager, and as the territory director for 18 practice locations, $13.5 million in revenue and 120 employees.

In 2009, Rick left his position with one of the world’s leading frame manufacturers to become an advisor. Since then, he has worked with offices seeking growth and improved efficiencies, and he has helped people improve their team atmosphere, put systems in place to increase cash flow, and set goals for their practice locations. He is focused on helping his clients understand how to achieve and exceed the goals they’ve set.

Rick has worked with doctors in all aspects of their professional career, from opening their first locations who have gone on to quickly exceed revenue expectations. He has helped clients relocate, add associates and develop exit strategies. He also gives presentations throughout the United States, Canada and beyond, sharing his insight and inspiring others.

Rick and his wife Debbie, have three children, Patrick has graduated with his JD/MBA degrees and is married, Meghan is in Optometry School, and Mackenzie is a student at UNO. He enjoys running and long walks.

Rick's LinkedIn Profile
Tim Merrigan
President and Advisor

Tim has worked in the optical industry since 1992. He has held various positions in both the corporate and private sectors of the optical industry. He has been responsible for managing as many as 29 offices, and he has overseen the development and implementation of a variety of operational processes and procedures.

In 2013, Tim left a private practice to become a consultant to help private practice optometrists. He has worked with more than 100 offices in the United States and Canada. Tim’s areas of expertise include human resource management, staff training and development, employee retention, accounting and budgeting, and adjusting cost of goods levels. Tim has had the chance to share his expertise through various speaking engagements within the United States and Canada. Tim is a COPE and ABO approved speaker.

Tim has helped practices achieve success through financial controls, setting goals along with expectations and working with doctors on how to train and develop their team to meet those goals. “Everyone wants to be successful, we just sometimes need direction on how to get there,” Tim explains.

Before getting into the Optical Industry, Tim spent three and a half years refereeing for the Harlem Globetrotters. He has called a basketball game in over 70 countries and all 50 states. He says the jump from officiating to optical was a no brainer because everyone knows that referees have great eye sight. “I have never missed a call, just ask me!” says the former referee.

Tim is the proud father of two beautiful daughters, Kaylee and Madison while also being a proud grandpa to Brady. In his spare time, Tim still enjoys officiating and trying to lower his golf score without using an eraser.

Tim's LinkedIn Profile
Kirk Kastens
VP and Advisor

Kirk has worked in the optical industry since 1998, holding positions in private care practice as an office coordinator, and then as an Advisor to private optometric practices.

Kirk has been advising offices since 2005, working with more than 500 practices in the United States and Canada. Kirk shares his expertise in Human Resources, Marketing, Operations and Financial Management with private care practice owners and paraoptometrics, in multi-practice training sessions, and through phone consultations. Kirk also travels throughout the United States and Canada for various speaking engagements, where he is able to share his knowledge with Optometrists and their teams.

In his advising work, Kirk covers the broad spectrum of practice development, from putting together a business plan that fits a doctor’s goals to helping a staff member improve his or her ability to educate patients. His passion for the industry continues to grow as he works closely with practice owners and members of their team to establish key processes critical to long-term success.

Kirk and his wife Cindy have three children, Olivia, Katherine, and Jack. He loves watching their activities and family time. In his spare time he enjoys golfing, running, and being outdoors.

Kirk's LinkedIn Profile
Teresa Stancik
Advisor

Teresa is an enthusiastic, ABO Certified leader. She started her career in the optical industry in 2002 working for one of the largest optical retailers in the world. What started off as a part time position while attending Northern Illinois University, grew into a passion and life-long mission of helping people see their best. Her experience in the optical industry is multifaceted including store management and leadership, new store business development, and multi-unit field management where she supported fifteen retail locations in the Chicagoland area.

After spending nearly two decades working in the optical industry for multimillion dollar brands and startups, Teresa knows and understands what really drives the business – It is how well you connect with the heart of the people you are working with, whether that is your patients or your team, while communicating your understanding of their needs and goals.

Teresa has a consistent track record of achieving sales targets, profit, and regional growth objectives. She also has an excellent reputation for developing diverse, high performing teams that offer exceptional customer service and positively contribute to company initiatives.

Teresa and her husband Derek have one child, Gabriel. She loves spending time with her family, traveling, and considers herself to be an avid thrill seeker. She has been known to jump out of perfectly good airplanes (by choice!) and go scuba diving. She is always up for the next adventure and willing to try something new!

Teresa's LinkedIn Profile
Scott Cline
Advisor

Scott is a passionate, people-focused leader with over 25 years in customer service. He is a visionary manager with a long history of accomplishment within large organizations delivering superb strategic performance founded on fostering a positive employee morale while meeting sustained revenue growth objectives.

Scott joined the optical world eight years ago where he was able to incorporate all aspects of his background into one place, finding his true passion. Scott’s time in the industry has been well rounded; working in sales, merchandising, training, Human Resources, management, and multi-unit leadership where he supported 25 teams throughout the United States.

Having worked with people for nearly three decades, Scott has recognized that people are what make the difference. Because of this he has a deep dedication to teaching others the importance of strong communication, training, and relationship building skills; knowing that this is the foundation for building and sustaining a successful business.

Scott is a results-focused leader who offers a track record of success in managing complete business operations. He has a strong background in driving sales, boosting revenue, influencing market share, implementing sales plans, and improving profitability. Scott excels in enhancing customer satisfaction, implementing marketing campaigns, performing quality control - contributing towards overall operational objectives. His skills in executing business strategies and identifying opportunities to improve business growth are well established.

Scott and his wife, Lisa, have three children, Gavyn, Aynslie and Eleanor. Scott loves doing anything that involves spending time with his family, including playing games, cooking, and watching movies. In his spare time Scott loves to read and tend to his small garden.

Scott's LinkedIn Profile
Kendall Ellis Guinotte
Client Account Specialist/Advisor

Kendall joined Acquios Advisors in June 2018. She graduated from the University of Nebraska at Omaha with a degree in Business Administration, emphasis in Accounting. In August 2019, she became certified in QuickBooks Online. She enjoys applying her knowledge to helping our clients achieve success!

Kendall works closely with clients in all phases of their career. Kendall spends a great deal of time training client offices how to track key metrics using Acquios tools and guiding ODs on QBO processes and functionality. She is also a voice you will hear on calls. She enjoys analyzing financials, creating new tools that can be utilized by our team and our clients, and aiding in maintaining our Social Media presence.

Kendall and her husband, Patrick, enjoy watching movies, traveling, discovering craft breweries and spending time with friends and family.

Kendall's LinkedIn Profile
Michelle Bogeart
Advisor

Michelle joined Acquios Advisors in April 2023. Based out of Missouri, Michelle graduated from Northwest Missouri State University with a degree in Advertising, and an emphasis in Marketing. During college, she began her journey within the eye care industry. Since then, she has gained extensive experience in retail, independent eye care, and optometric consulting.

Throughout her career, Michelle has held various roles with much of her experience focused on the aspects of leadership, marketing, training and development, billing and cash flow efficiencies within the eye care practice. She has always had a growth mindset and is not afraid to support her team throughout change, making her a supportive and valuable team player. She enjoys working with clients and their teams, identifying opportunities, and helping businesses create changes that allow them to work more efficiently and effectively, while providing excellent patient care.

Michelle is married to her husband Ryan, and together they have a little girl named Emma and a doodle named Marley. They love spending time with family and friends, enjoying the outdoors, cheering for Mizzou, and traveling to new places.

Michelle's LinkedIn Profile
Ellie Rogers
Advisor

Ellie has been in the optical industry for nearly 25 years and brings experience and expertise to the Acquios Advisors team in all facets of the independent eye care industry. She has a strong focus in practice management, clinical operations, and all things related to optical and inventory management.

Her passion for the eye care industry has grown over the years and continues to grow as she assists clients in accomplishing their goals. She is focused and energetic about her continuation of helping others in this amazing industry. In the last six years, Ellie has shifted her focus to advising practices across the US and Canada. Her inspiring approach combines the seriousness of business with heart and humanity. She loves helping practices achieve their financial goals and their creation of a culture in their practice that people love to work for, and patients want to visit.

Ellie and her husband Chris are proud parents of two beautiful girls, Isabel and Abigail. They love spending time with their girls and their two dogs Yadi and Cooper. They are living their best life, and you will often find them floating down a river, barbecuing, and watching movies or just hanging out together with friends and family.

Ellie's LinkedIn Profile
Deb Bacon
Advisor

Deb has worked in the optical industry since 1997. Her career began in the corporate setting, transitioning to private practice from there to private equity based private practice. Most recently Deb has been managing optical dispensaries for several Ophthalmology offices across the US.

Deb is a solution-focused and performance-driven leader, with expertise in orchestrating turnaround and improving operations via performance, cost control, and business planning. Deb also excels in formulating strategies to grow business models while bolstering long-term value and patient experiences.

Deb is passionate about helping her teams achieve their goals through actively coaching and mentoring on all aspects related to the success of the practice. One of her favorite quotes is “Greatness is never an accident.”

Deb might be a bit fanatical about anything related to Arizona State University and the Phoenix Mercury. She loves traveling, spending time with her family, and spoiling her fur babies.

Holly Kudym
Office Administrator

Holly earned her Bachelor of Science from Northwest Missouri State University. She enjoys interacting with people which is proven in her past work experience including over 15 years in customer service. She has also worked on marketing aimed to help communicate the goals of the business she represented. She found her way to a Human Resource Management position where she was responsible for over 240 employees. She brings with her communication skills, a smile, and energy to help Acquios Advisors assist optometrists to be the best private practices for their patients.

Holly recently relocated to the city of Omaha where she enjoys reading, baking as if she is in the Great British Baking Show, traveling, exploring museums, and spending time with her fiance and friends as well as her cats and rescue dog.

Holly's LinkedIn Profile