In order to amplify and diversify education and resources for our members, the DEO has brought top industry leaders on board. We have a diverse Faculty dedicated to providing exceptional service to DSOs/group practice owners. These inspiring leaders are eager to add tremendous value to your operation!
Introducing the DEO Faculty
Dr. Jerry Lanier
CEO and Founder of EntrepreneurDentist.com
Dr. Lanier is CEO and founder of EntrepreneurDentist.com. His focus is on mentoring and simplifying business for dentists. He coined the phrase “If your money stops every time you stop, you need to get a better plan.” Dr. Lanier’s emphasis is on dentists building a franchise-like brand and devising an exit strategy focusing on EBITDA.
He started his professional career with the U.S. Public Health Service Corps in New Orleans working at a children’s clinic for four years, before venturing into private practice. Dr. Lanier founded Kids Dental Kare in California which became a leading provider of pediatric dental services to the Medicaid population. He sold it to Western Dental Services, Inc. in 2017. His experience includes building 26 de novo offices as 100% owner.
Dr. Saam Zarrabi
Co-founder of Rodeo Dental & Orthodontics
Dr. Zarrabi is co-founder of Rodeo Dental & Orthodontics, Fort Worth, Texas with 21 locations. Since being founded in 2009, Rodeo Dental has focused on their mission of “Giving every family the key to access high-end dental care”.
With a personal commitment to improving oral health and the lives of young leaders, his charitable concerns are evidenced through his work with The LEAP Foundation and Dentists Who Care. Dr. Zarrabi’s Board Seat assignment to the Pacific Dugoni Foundation Executive Committee and the Board of the National CAMBRA Coalition also reflects his commitment to the field of dentistry.
Dr. Samson Liu
Owner, Founder, and CEO of SOHDental
Dr. Liu is owner, founder, and CEO of SOHDental. He has become one of group dentistry’s most incredible success stories, going from acquiring the first location for SOHDental at the beginning of 2018 to its 25th location by the end of that year. SOHDental pursues dental practices who are dedicated to making the patient their number one priority — practices and associates that are looking to bolster their administrative efficiency and expand their affiliate network.
Dr. Liu spent the majority of his career as an executive vice president at Heartland Dental helping it grow from 13 to 800 locations.
A.J. Peak
CEO of Peak Dental Services
A.J. Peak is CEO of Peak Dental Services, a 30-location DSO based out of Colorado Springs, CO. A.J. founded Peak Dental Services in 2008. Under A.J.’s leadership, the company has been recognized as one of Inc. Magazines Top 5000 fastest-growing companies. Peak Dental Services focuses on offering expert staff and perfected management systems, allowing dental practices to run smoother even while taking on more patients.
Prior to starting Peak Dental Services, A.J. worked at Merrill Lynch as a senior business analyst and with McKinsey & Company for seven years as an Engagement Manager.
Dr. A.J. Acierno
CEO/Owner DecisionOne Dental
Born and raised in Chicago, Dr. Acierno created DecisionOne Dental Partners in 2011 with his brother, believing dentistry can thrive locally while adhering to the core values that support patients above all else. With approximately 30 current locations, DecisionOne is the fastest growing dental group in Illinois.
Prior to starting DecisionOne, Dr. Acrierno started his career with Heartland Dental then founded his first practice, Acierno Dental which he still owns.
Dr. Sulman Ahmed
Founder and CEO of Deca Dental
Dr. Ahmed is founder and CEO of Deca Dental, one of the largest DSO’s in the U.S., based in Dallas, Texas. In 2008, Dr. Ahmed opened his first dental office and set out to create a truly patient-centered model. His belief in putting patients first is the fundamental backbone of DECA Dental’s core values and patient care delivery model.
Having a natural talent for finding and cultivating leadership and growth within people, Dr. Ahmed has led DECA Dental to become one of the industry’s fastest growing and most respected organizations.
Ken Cooper
CEO and Founder, North American Dental Group
Ken is the CEO and founder of 150+ location North American Dental Group (NADG) based in New Castle, Pennsylvania, which he helped build to become one of the leading DSO’s in the U.S. Ken is a motivated leader with a patient-centric focus who ensures that providers have the clinical autonomy to provide the very best treatment and environment possible.
Ken has 25+ years of proven management and finance experience – 10 years as a CEO in healthcare. In 2008 Ken founded Dental Express and in 2010 he co-founded Refresh Dental, which became NADG.
Eric Roman
Executive Coach/Strategic Advisor for DSO leaders, High-performing Dentists, and Dental Companies
Eric is an Executive Coach and Strategic Advisor for DSO leaders, high-performing dentists, and dental companies.
For six years, beginning in 2013, Eric was the CEO and co-founder of CarolinasDentist, a six-location DSO in North Carolina, where he provided the company’s vision and day-to-day executive-leader development. Eric led the growth of CarolinasDentist to become a progressive, responsible and admirable $100m company. Later he started focusing on multi-location development and consolidation.
