Meet the Management Team Leading Apex Financial Partners

Decades of combined expertise in business, venture capital, finance, technology, and marketing.

Apex Financial Partners is guided by a team of proven leaders, entrepreneurs, and industry experts with decades of collective experience. With diverse backgrounds spanning venture capital, private equity, technology development, and legal compliance, our management team provides the vision, strategic guidance, and hands-on support to propel Apex and its portfolio companies to success.

We are committed to values-based leadership, transparent operations, and creating long-term value for our investors.

  • A smiling man with light skin, white hair, and a white beard, wearing a navy blue pinstripe suit, white dress shirt, and a small American flag lapel pin. He is outdoors with blurred background of buildings and trees.

    Richard O'Connor

    CEO/Founder

    A pioneering entrepreneur and investor with decades of experience in private equity, media, and tech, Richard drives Apex's strategic vision and capital formation. Throughout his career, he raised capital for startups. Richard’s leadership is defined by purpose and a history of overcoming adversity.

  • A man with gray hair and a beard wearing a gray suit and a light pink collared shirt, smiling against a dark blue background.

    Thomas Heckmann

    President/Founder

    A seasoned professional in shareholder activism and hedge fund management, Thomas brings expertise in capital raising, portfolio construction, and regulatory compliance to Apex. He holds several key industry certifications.

  • A woman with long auburn hair, wearing a black top and gold hoop earrings, standing outdoors with blurred green foliage in the background.

    Rachel Svoboda

    Chief Operating Officer (COO)/Founder

    Rachel is a visionary marketing strategist and serial entrepreneur, driving brand development and scalable growth at Apex and its portfolio companies. She has more than 20 years of experience to bring success to APEX.

  • A middle-aged man in a dark suit, white shirt, and colorful tie posing against a textured dark background.

    Hans Daerendinger

    VP International Shareholder Relations

    Hans Daerendinger applies his deep international sales and engineering experience to strengthen Apex Financial Partners' global partner network. He builds lasting relationships between technical expertise and his ability to drive action in Northern and Southern American markets.

  • Headshot of a smiling man wearing a white dress shirt and a blue plaid tie, outdoors with blurred trees in the background.

    Andrew C. Tice, Esq.

    Corporate Counsel

    Andrew C. Tice is a skilled attorney and business executive specializing in regulatory compliance and risk management. His expertise will assist APEX in this complicated endeavor.