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Derek Kearns

Derek Kearns Profile Photo

Partner, SEC & SPAC Practice Leader

Derek is a Partner at Centri Business Consulting and the leader of the firm’s SEC, Financial Reporting & SPAC Practice. He has more than 25 years of accounting experience in both public and private industries. He joined Centri in September 2020 and has focused on Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules and regulations, recurring public company SEC filings, IPO registration statements, business combination filings and pro forma financial statements as well as private company IPO readiness activities and strategies. Additionally, he has significant experience with both domestic and international public filers in the technology, media, and telecommunications sectors, the mining industry, life sciences, merchant services, as well as experience in the cannabis industry and manufacturing.

Prior to his time with Centri, Derek oversaw the reporting and technical accounting functions at Mile High Labs, an international cannabinoid and CBD product manufacturer. He also successfully operated an independent consulting business for four years.

Derek has held management positions at multiple Fortune 250 companies, as well as a public gold exploration company, overseeing SEC reporting and technical accounting functions. Derek began his career with Deloitte, where he spent six years in the audit and assurance practice.

He received his B.S. in Accounting and Finance from The Kelley School of Business at Indiana University in Bloomington, IN. He is a Certified Public Accountant in the state of Colorado.

Aug. 27, 2025

SPAC Talk with Derek Kearns

In this episode of The SPAC Podcast, host Mike Blankenship is joined by Derek from Centri to walk through what really happens behind the scenes of a SPAC transaction. From the importance of early-stage capital markets readiness to preparing pro forma financials and navigating the SEC comment process, this conversation covers the critical technical and strategic steps in a successful de-SPAC. Derek shares why early involvement is essential—helping both SPAC sponsors and target companies align th...
Guest: Derek Kearns
Aug. 15, 2025

What Target Companies Should Do Before Merging with a SPAC

In this episode of The SPAC Podcast, Mike Blankenship and Derek discuss how target companies can effectively prepare for a SPAC transaction—and what often gets overlooked. Derek highlights the importance of completing a capital markets readiness assessment, a structured evaluation that helps management understand what’s required to become a public company. This assessment typically includes finance, accounting, IT, tax, HR, and operational systems. It helps companies identify which issues need ...
Guest: Derek Kearns
Aug. 6, 2025

The Biggest Misconception About SPAC Mergers

In this episode of The SPAC Podcast, Mike Blankenship and Derek break down one of the most common myths about going public through a SPAC: that it’s quicker and easier than a traditional IPO. While SPACs may provide access to capital up front, the reality is that operational readiness is critical to completing the merger. Companies still need to have audited financials, robust governance, internal controls, and disclosure processes in place—all under a fixed timeline. If that groundwork isn’t p...
Guest: Derek Kearns
Aug. 1, 2025

What SPAC Teams Look for in a Potential Merger Target

In this episode of The SPAC Podcast, Mike Blankenship and Derek dive into the due diligence process from the sponsor’s perspective. What does it really take to determine if a private company is ready for the public markets via a SPAC? Sponsors go beyond high-level growth narratives. They examine whether financials have been audited under PCAOB standards, evaluate the quality of forecasts, assess operational readiness, and explore any legal or regulatory risks. SPAC teams also consider leadershi...
Guest: Derek Kearns
July 29, 2025

Why Is Crypto Attracting So Much SPAC Attention Right Now?

In this episode of The SPAC Podcast, Derek joins Mike Blankenship to discuss one of the fastest-moving sectors in the 2025 SPAC landscape: digital assets and crypto. With several SPACs actively targeting the space—and recent announcements involving companies like ProCap and Tron—it’s clear this sector is drawing significant interest. As the public gains a better understanding of blockchain-based business models and regulatory frameworks continue to evolve, SPACs are increasingly positioning the...
Guest: Derek Kearns
July 24, 2025

Key Ingredients of a Well-Executed SPAC Transaction

What separates a successful SPAC from one that struggles? In this episode of The SPAC Podcast, Mike Blankenship and Derek explore the key characteristics of high-performing SPACs in today’s market. With nearly 60 SPAC IPOs in 2025 already, the data shows that most successful SPACs are led by experienced sponsors—those who understand the ecosystem and know how to navigate each stage of the transaction. Equally important is the strength of the advisory team, including legal, banking, and accounti...
Guest: Derek Kearns
July 18, 2025

Why are SPACs Gaining Traction Again in 2025?

After the historic SPAC boom of 2020–2021 and a cooling period that followed, 2025 is seeing renewed interest in the SPAC model. In this episode of The SPAC Podcast, Mike and Derek discuss why the market is turning back to SPACs as a viable capital formation pathway. Many SPACs from the boom years ultimately liquidated, returning billions in capital to investors. With the traditional IPO window still slow to reopen, that capital is now looking for new deployment vehicles—and SPACs are regaining...
Guest: Derek Kearns
July 17, 2025

SPAC Guest Spotlight: Derek Kearns

Derek is a Partner at Centri Business Consulting and the leader of the firm’s SEC, Financial Reporting & SPAC Practice. He has more than 25 years of accounting experience in both public and private industries. He joined Centri in September 2020 and has focused on Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules and regulations, recurring public company SEC filings, IPO registration statements, business combination filings and pro forma financial statements as well as private company IPO readines...
Guest: Derek Kearns