Patrick Morin’s career has been defined by bold moves and an unshakable sense of optimism. From Wall Street to Richmond, from startups to investment banking, he has built a life rooted in courage, kindness, and purpose. Today, as Managing Partner at Transact Capital Partners, he brings that same energy to helping others build and grow their businesses.
Raised in upstate New York, Morin began his career at General Electric before moving to Wall Street. But despite his success, he found himself craving a different pace and culture. One Friday, he quit his job, packed his car, and drove south — landing in Richmond, Virginia, after literally throwing a dart at a map.
That leap of faith shaped everything that followed. In Richmond, he joined Dale Carnegie Training, where he discovered his passion for leadership and human potential. He went on to help manage a large real estate trust, lead several startups, and eventually found his way back to investment banking. When he met the founder of Transact Capital, he promised, “I’ll be your exit strategy.” Twelve years later, he kept that promise — buying the firm and leading it into its next chapter.
Morin’s specialty is the staffing industry, which he calls “the mortar between the bricks of the economy.” He sees endless opportunity in its people-driven nature and its fragmented landscape of small, entrepreneurial firms. When valuing a staffing company, he looks closely at leadership continuity, financial clarity, client mix, growth potential, and operational systems.
For those considering acquisitions, Morin emphasizes readiness over perfect timing: have a clear thesis, know your financial capacity, build a trusted team, and gain buy-in from key stakeholders. “M&A can be intense,” he says, “but incredibly rewarding if you’re prepared.”
He believes culture is the foundation of strategy. “As soon as two people come together, there’s culture,” he says. “The question is whether you’re shaping it intentionally.” For him, high-performing organizations are built on clarity, humility, and shared purpose. “People always support what they help to create.”
Optimism — what Morin calls “a form of currency” — runs through everything he does. After surviving a stroke at 27, he learned the power of unprompted kindness when his sister sent her last $432 to help him recover. Since then, he’s carried grocery gift cards to quietly give to strangers in need.
That philosophy deepened after the loss of his son Henry, an 18-year-old Eagle Scout, pilot, and adventurer whose motto — Live kindly. Live courageously. Live adventurously. — continues to inspire people around the world.
Whether advising a client on a multi-million-dollar merger or helping someone in line at the grocery store, Morin’s message is consistent: optimism, courage, and generosity are the real measures of success. “At the end of the day,” he says, “it’s not about how much we make — it’s about how much we give and how we live.