OUR PROFESSIONALS

Chris Silk has a unique combination of Fortune 500 and Small Business experience.  Chris has worked with several Fortune 500 companies including Verizon, MCI, SBC and Worldcom; he spent over five years working at UUNET (a Worldcom company) in various Executive Leadership roles, including Vice President of Sales in Canada and Director of Sales and Marketing (European Business Development) where he helped to establish operations in eight countries.  Chris also held the position of Chief Operations Officer at Versatel Internet Group (Amsterdam Holland) where he was responsible for daily operations for six internet companies in three countries.  After his tenure at Versatel, Chris was Vice President of Sales and Customer Service at InQuent Technologies (an SBC company based in Toronto, Canada).  Chris has also held leadership positions with Verizon and MCI.

In addition, Chris purchased, owned and operated a Texaco gas station in Leesburg, VA.  Financed with an SBA loan, this multi-dimensional operation had three service bays (with State Inspections and Emissions Testing), five tow trucks serving AAA and all police services in Loudoun County, a Budget Rental Truck service (renting 150 trucks per month) and a convenience store.  Under Chris’ management, the operation grew from $2.3 million to $3.5 million, with a 50% increase in cash flow.  Chris sold the business for a profit in 2003.

After selling his business, Chris was CEO of a small private cable company with 20 employees.  As CEO, Chris worked with several investors to fund the business and to identify potential joint venture partners and acquisition targets.  During his tenure, Chris worked on several acquisitions as the “Mom & Pop” private cable industry evolved into consolidation.

Chris has a BS degree in Telecommunications Management from Syracuse University.  He lives on Lake Norman with his wife and two daughters; he enjoys golf, running, baseball and music.

At both the corporate and small business level, Chris has been involved in dozens of business acquisitions, sales, buyouts and investments.  This experience has helped Cobalt identify the best opportunities for small business owners as they look to a) find the right fit for their management experience, b) grow their operations, or c) find a strategic buyer to transition their ownership.


Craig Bakstad brings with him twenty four years of entrepreneurial experience in marketing, advertising, commercial building development, entertainment and food service. As founder and owner of Sierra Studio, Inc., a Chicago area creative services firm, he has operated within the highest levels of many companies, from CEO’s, Owners, and top management which has given him insight into many businesses. Specializing in graphic design, printing and commercial photography, he helped create and led a talented team which produced visual, marketing and collateral material for hundreds of companies, from Fortune 500 to local businesses. They have been noted for their contribution and excellence in various trade publications and newspaper articles.

Additionally, he owned, designed and general contracted the renovation of three commercial/historical buildings in Elgin, Illinois’ Center City. He also founded River East Ballroom, a live entertainment and meeting/banquet venue that hosted the Second City Comedy Group.

Active in the community, Craig has participated in city redevelopment programs for historical buildings, and was the recipient of the 1990 Elgin Illinois Mayor’s Award for Façade Renovation, helping pioneer the resurgence of the Center City. He has belonged to The Rotary Club of Elgin, Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce, Advertising Photographers of America, Direct Marketing Association and was a founding Board Member and Treasurer of the Elgin Children’s Museum.

Originally from the Chicago area, Craig and his wife Lynn live in Mooresville with their two youngest children, and their oldest daughter is attending North Carolina State in Raleigh. Besides family activities, he enjoys snow skiing, boating, golf, music and building design.

Craig brings to Cobalt a strong analytical background and keen insight into recognizing value and potential. Clients find him perceptive, intuitive and easy to work with. His strong visual background helps sellers fine tune their physical space and marketing collateral for their eventual exit and can help buyers take the business to the next level. He is committed to helping people and recognizes the uniqueness of each transaction and in finding the best buyer.