Andy Shirk

Andy Shirk spent the prior six years as the first outside CEO for ESI, an Arizona founder-owned K-12 staffing company with over 8,000+ W-2 employees. Andy helped grow ESI to the largest of its kind through innovative leadership development, in-house tech, advanced finance, and a major acquisition.

Prior to ESI, Andy advised owners of 50+ businesses, from startups to $100M+ companies. Industries ranged from healthcare and skilled trades to hospitality, agriculture, and financial services. Representative work included advising a healthcare startup through a $34M Series B, guiding independent businesses through a $132M light rail disruption, and serving as a multi-year advisor to a serial entrepreneur across an urban farm, restaurants, a $75M+ commercial development, and a small business incubator.

Andy honed his executive skills in the telecommunications infrastructure space, navigating significant M&A activity to include a $6B acquisition. A Florida native, Andy earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Florida State University. He also served as an active-duty member of the U.S. Air Force.