Nick Lodestro is a decorated Marine Corps officer turned high-growth CEO and board leader, known for his ability to blend battlefield-tested grit with strategic business leadership to drive transformative results. As Co-Founder and former Chief Executive Officer of VetEvolve Holdings, Nick has built one of the fastest-growing veterinary service platforms in the country—scaling it from a two-person startup with $1.8M in revenue to a 40+ location enterprise with $125M in revenue and $20M in EBITDA, ultimately reaching a $275M valuation in 2023.
Nick’s inspiration to launch VetEvolve traces back to his final deployment in Iraq, where he and his business partner envisioned a mission-driven company with core values rooted in service, integrity, and team empowerment—much like the units they led in combat. Under his leadership, VetEvolve redefined succession planning for veterinarians by offering a people-first culture alongside aggressive growth strategies, completing more than 40 acquisitions and navigating two private equity recapitalizations. Nick also led the development of a strategic five-year roadmap focused on M&A, talent development, integration playbooks, and operational excellence, all while maintaining a strong emphasis on culture and team cohesion.
As a board member of VetEvolve since its inception in 2014, Nick brings a wealth of competencies, including P&L management, strategic planning, M&A, distribution and manufacturing partnerships, and culture-building. He also serves as an Entrepreneur in Residence at The Pennsylvania State University, mentoring the next generation of innovators and founders.
Before founding VetEvolve, Nick built a stellar track record in commercial leadership at IDEXX Laboratories, where he quickly rose through the ranks from a Laboratory Diagnostics Consultant to Regional Sales Manager. He led a $38M sales territory, consistently outperformed quotas, and earned multiple national awards, including President’s Club and Vendor of the Year honors. His ability to inspire high-performance teams, develop talent, and design scalable training programs laid the commercial foundation he would later apply as a CEO.
Nick’s leadership style is deeply influenced by his time as a Marine Corps officer, where he commanded units during complex counterinsurgency operations in Fallujah, Iraq. He was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal with Valor, Purple Heart, and several other commendations for courage under fire, logistical precision, and strategic execution. These experiences shaped his belief in decentralized command, adaptability, and the power of small, empowered teams—principles he now instills in every business venture he leads.
Nick holds an MBA in entrepreneurship from Babson College’s Franklin W. Olin Graduate School of Business and a B.S. in Finance with a minor in Economics from Penn State University. Beyond the boardroom, he is a two-time competitive weightlifting champion, Certified Compassion Fatigue Professional, avid outdoorsman, and veterans’ advocate. His dedication to mentorship and his commitment to leading with purpose continue to inspire both corporate and entrepreneurial communities.
From battlefield command to boardroom innovation, Nick Lodestro exemplifies what it means to lead with courage, vision, and impact.
Character
Nick Lodestro’s leadership is defined by integrity, resilience, and a deep sense of service rooted in his experience as a decorated United States Marine Corps officer. His commitment to building people-first organizations and empowering teams has consistently driven cultural strength and long-term success across his ventures.
Knowledge
Nick brings extensive expertise in P&L management, mergers and acquisitions, business development, and organizational growth, supported by a strong academic foundation with an MBA from Babson College and a finance degree from Penn State. His deep operational understanding spans from frontline military logistics to multi-state healthcare business leadership.
Strategic
Nick has a proven ability to scale organizations through disciplined strategy, having led VetEvolve from its founding to over $125M in revenue and $275M in valuation. He has executed more than 40 acquisitions, multiple recapitalizations, and a robust five-year corporate roadmap centered on growth, integration, and operational excellence.
Communication
A compelling communicator and mentor, Nick excels at aligning teams around mission-driven goals and articulating complex strategies with clarity and conviction. Whether guiding executive peers, speaking publicly, or mentoring emerging leaders, he fosters trust and collaboration through authentic, impactful dialogue.
