About Alden capital Advisors

Kevin Heslin is the founder of Alden Capital Advisors, bringing decades of experience at the intersection of mergers & acquisitions, brand strategy, and entrepreneurship. Before launching Alden, Kevin was a partner and co-founder at Cynergy Capital Partners, a Connecticut-based M&A firm where he successfully closed multiple of deals, helping business owners transition their companies to high-net-worth individuals, investment groups, or private equity. With a deep understanding of what it takes to build and sell a business—having sat in the entrepreneur’s seat himself—Kevin is known for his sharp instincts, strategic deal-making, and extensive network.

Earlier in his career, Kevin founded and led multiple marketing and consulting firms, including Universal Branding & Media, where he specialized in global brand licensing for major international brands and celebrities, and professional athletes, and York & Chapel, a national marketing agency that grew to over 6 offices worldwide under his leadership. His experience spans brand building, client strategy, and national sales—working with major names like American Express, BIC, Dannon, Lexus, Golf Digest, and Citibank. A University of Georgia graduate with a BA in Marketing, Kevin also served on the marketing committee for the 1996 Olympic Games. At Alden, he brings this unique blend of business acumen, creative thinking, business modeling, and hands-on execution to every client he serves.

Sam Markle is a seasoned sales leader and entrepreneur with a diverse background spanning across tech, sports and startups. Sam is also the founder of SDM Business Partners, a consultancy based firm in Branford, Connecticut, focused on driving sales, marketing and business development strategies for emerging companies. With prior sales management roles at InsideTracker, a data-driven wellness platform, and medical technology giant Zimmer Biomet, Sam has built a track record of success across multiple industries. 

Before entering the business world, Sam recieved a full scholarship to play basketball in college and continued to play professional basketball in Europe. Sam has a BA from Stonehill College. He was also awarded a full scholarship to earn his Master's degree in Global Brand Management from Griffith College in Dublin, Ireland. Sam now coaches basketball through local nonprofit organizations. He also enjoys traveling and playing golf and tennis in his spare time. 

Rob Cottle has spent the majority of his professional career in Secondary and Higher Education. He has held senior management positions in Undergraduate Admissions, Alumni Relations, Annual Giving, Corporate Relations, Development, Principal and Major Gifts. Amoung his experience, Rob had held positions as Executive Dir. of Enrollment & Engagement at Elizabeth Ann Seton School, VP for University Advancement at University of Bridgeport, VP for Advancement Principl and Major Gifts at Fairfield College Preparatory School, and Assistant VP for Development at Fairfield University.

A seasoned fundraising professional, Rob is a leader in helping institutions realize their aspirations and has personally raised more than $200 million in support of strategic priorities throughout his career. These are highlighted by building relationships that led to two separate eight figure commitments-$25M and $10M among many more.

Kristine Heslin is an accomplished entrepreneur and certified Optician who spent over 27 years building and leading one of Connecticut’s most respected family-owned optometry practices. As Owner and Managing Partner of Family Vision Center, she oversaw its growth into a multi-location operation with one of the state’s only certified dry eye treatment centers. Under Kristine’s leadership, the practice ultimately attracted the attention of a private equity firm that acquired the business in 2025.

Before her tenure at Family Vision Center, Kristine served as Marketing Director at the Sacramento Center for Sight, where she helped promote one of the first LASIK surgery practices in the U.S. Kristine is a graduate of Central Connecticut State University with a degree in Communications. She also competed as a Division I tennis player and continues to play competitive USTA tennis at the 4.5 level.