Jeromy Dixson, DMD, MBA

Jeromy Dixson, DMD, MBA serves as a Strategic Advisor and Board Member for our group. Jeromy was also the Founder and CEO of Dental Capital Partners, a mergers and acquisitions advisory firm specializing in DSO acquisitions and funding. Likewise, he founded The DSO Project where he worked with Ian, and was responsible for the overall strategy, design and implementation of consulting services, and overall guidance for clients. In addition, he works as a trusted advisor on private equity backed DSO boards and dental focused Advisory Boards.

Dr. Dixson is a three-time INC Magazine 500/5000 awarded entrepreneur, Former CEO Member-Board of Directors of The Association of Dental Support Organizations (The ADSO), Former Member of The ADSO's Membership Committee, the Founder/Former CEO of Smiles Services LLC and Founder/Former President of Smiles Dental Group PC. In 2019, Dr Dixson was named to Group Dentistry Now's inaugural ‘DSO Influencers to Watch’ List.

Dr. Dixson possesses vast experience in all phases of DSO construction, operation and funding. He became the managing partner of Smiles Dental in 2008. In 2010, he finalized a buyout of his former partners, assumed the role of President and immediately accomplished a successful re-launch of the organization setting Smiles Dental on a path to explosive growth. The company proceeded to double its number of locations, triple revenue and quadruple its valuation in the ensuing three years. From 2013 to 2015, Smiles Dental roughly tripled the number of locations, revenue, EBITDA and organizational valuation again.

Under Dr. Dixson's leadership, Smiles Dental was recognized three years in a row (2013-2015) by INC Magazine as one of the fastest growing privately held companies in the United States, topping out at #550 in 2013. Additionally, in 2013 he completed a successful private equity transaction selling the majority of his stake in Smiles Dental.

Dr. Dixson holds a BS in Zoology from Brigham Young University, an MBA in Healthcare Management from Oregon Health & Science University, and a DMD from Southern Illinois University. Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeromy-r-dixson-dmd-mba-b6341326

Jon Copeland, DDS, FAGD

Jon Copeland, DDS, FAGD serves as CDO (Chief Dental Officer) for our group, and is the incoming President for the Missouri Dental Association. He worked as an associate for three years following completion of his training. After that, he opened a startup office near his home in the St. Louis suburbs.  Since then, Dr. Copeland has grown the office from three to eight operatories and has brought on his wife, Dr. Stephanie Copeland as a partner.  Dr. Copeland has worked with innovations and Beta testing over the years for multiple dental products, materials, and implants.      

Dr. Copeland has always had a passion for education and innovation in dentistry. Early in his carrier he noticed a disconnect in continuing education for young dentists and the groups providing CE.  For that reason, Dr. Copeland worked with the Missouri Dental Association (MDA) to create a conference geared to young dentists called Connect4Success.  Now, years later the conference has grown to a large, state meeting that emphasizes the challenges for new dentists, but is open to all doctors and staff. 

Additionally, Dr. Copeland commonly lectures on topics related to issues facing young dentists and practice owners.  He is one of a few general dentists in the country that leads a SPEAR Study Club and has been the chairman of the MDA’s education committee since 2018.  For his leadership and education concerns, Dr. Copeland was named One of the Inaugural “10 Under 10” by the American Dental Association in 2018.  He has also received recognition as Young Dentist of the Year by his alma mater, UMKC School of Dentistry and by the Missouri Dental Association. 

Dr. Copeland has received Fellowship in the American College of Dentists, the International College of Dentists and the Pierre Fauchard Academy, where he is currently the section chairman.  He is a believer in advocacy for dentists and patients and has spoken on behalf of dentists to state and federal legislators in efforts to provide better care and improve dental practice models.  Dr. Copeland also believes in giving back.  He sits on several charitable boards including the Missouri Dental Lifeline Leadership Council and his local Rotary Club.  He has traveled to Honduras, Guatemala and Zambia providing charitable dental care and most recently has focused his efforts on treating local Veterans dental needs.

Dr. Copeland holds a BS in Biology and a BA in Psychology from the University of Missouri, a DDS from the University of Missouri Kansas City, and a GPR Certificate from the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Lou Shuman, DMD, CAGS

Lou Shuman, DMD, CAGS, serves as a Strategic Advisor for ICON. He is the Founder and CEO of Cellerant Consulting Group, dentistry's leading source of creating accelerated growth for both start ups and mature companies. Cellerant currently serves over 40 companies and is the exclusive incubator for both Envista and Patterson.

Recently, Dr. Shuman was awarded The Denobi Awards' highest honor, the Denobi Pinnacle Achievement Award, which recognizes an individual whose leadership and ongoing contributions have dramatically impacted the dental profession. Going forward, the award will be named in his honor and known as the Dr. Lou Shuman Denobi Pinnacle Achievement Award. He is also a 2021 recipient of the Global Summits Institute Doctor-to-Doctor World’s Top 100 Doctors.

Dr. Shuman is a venturer-in-residence at the Harvard i-lab. This relationship resulted in launching as co-founder LightForce Orthodontics in May of 2019. LightForce has created the world's first fully customized ceramic 3-D printed orthodontic bracket. The impact of the technology resulted in winning the Mass Challenge Incubator Award, being one of thirteen winners from four thousand entries.

He currently serves as an advisory board member for Dental Economics, Dentistry Today, Dental Products Report, Inside Dentistry, Oral Health Canada, and Orthodontic Practice US. He is founder and associate editor of Dental Sleep Practice journal.

Dr. Shuman has monthly national columns in Dental Economics " Technology in Two Minutes" Dental Products Report "Dentistry Tomorrow" and Oral Health Canada "The Last Word on Technology."

He is the only dentist to be chosen both as a Top CE Leader and Leader in Dental Consulting by Dentistry Today.

Dr. Shuman created the Cellerant Best of Class Technology Awards in 2009 to recognize innovative products that set a standard of quality in their respective categories. It has been acknowledged as the most prestigious and coveted award that a dental manufacturer can receive. It is the only one of its kind and is covered by every major dental journal in North America. The Cellerant Best of Class Hygiene Awards are now in their third year.

He previously served as president of Pride Institute and as Vice President of clinical education and strategic relations at Align Technology while the company grew from $20 million to exceed $500M. He created Align’s orthodontic & GP clinical programs and was the professional and clinical lead on highly successful commercial projects, including the creation of Align’s Vivera retainer.

Seth Holmes

Seth Holmes serves as Vice President of Finance for our group. He is a seasoned professional in dental/medical practices and DSO finances. He has developed significant expertise in business planning, strategy, financial analyses, capital management, joint-venture partnerships, M&A, and related topics. He has experience in financial services, auto, leisure, and healthcare industries.

Seth served as Dr. Dixson’s Controller as he grew Smiles Dental, oversaw the cash to accrual accounting transition, ERP conversion, diligence, and aided in a successful private equity transaction. In addition, since 2018 Seth has worked with Ian and Dr. Dixson at The DSO Project as a part-time CFO for their DSO clients around the country.

Seth is a respected internal consultant to the CFO and a Strategic Finance Leader in a $27B inter-region healthcare organization; leading financial, strategic and economic analyses to drive diversified growth opportunities and sustainability. Seth also operates his own successful, Fractional CFO consulting services org: www.InRevConsulting.com.

Seth also serves on several boards of rollup transactions in the Healthcare and Pet industries. He serves as CFO for TailHand in helping bring the product to market while sourcing funding. He owned and operated his own successful franchise while attending college and achieved the President’s Club award for sales, customer, and employee satisfaction. He has achieved over 13+ years of progressively responsible finance and accounting leadership roles.

He has a BA in Business Administration from Warner Pacific University. In addition, Seth is an HFMA Member, ACHE Member, ACPA Member, IMA Member, and CMA Candidate.

Ashley Brooker

Ashley Brooker serves as the Vice President of Human Resources for our group. She is a SHRM-CP certified human resource executive with 22 years of progressive-level experience supporting the human capital initiative in multiple industries including dentistry, military aerospace, and electronics manufacturing. Prior to joining ICON, she spent 12 years leading the human resource organization at an East Coast mid-sized DSO.  Ashley is a champion of diversity, employee wellness, culture efforts, and strongly believes that when you support the whole employee, business success follows.

Through Ashley’s human resource leadership and culture initiatives, she has helped organizations become certified through Great Place to Work, Fortune Best Healthcare Workplace, and various state Best Place to Work awards, as well as Mental Health America and Cigna Wellness awards.  Ashley is very experienced in benefit design, recruiting, change management, and mergers and acquisition activity where she has helped transition 70 dental practices to DSO ownership to date.  

Ashley believes in creating workplaces where people thrive, succeed, and ultimately want to be. She is a servant leader and takes time out of her day to participate in mentorship and development programs for up-and-coming HR individuals. Ashley is also a published author for dental industry blogs and writes on human resources, training, and employment-related topics. Ashley is active on LinkedIn with 5,000+ followers. She shares important industry information, HR best practices, and has a well-known Friday dog post that her followers have come to expect. Her 3 Labradors are the stars of her Friday posts!

Ashley attended the University of Central Florida in Orlando, FL, and obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Ashley also holds a Master’s degree in Management and Leadership from Western Governor’s University.