Our Team
Chace Jacques
Chace Jacques
Chace Jacques
Founder, Board Member
Chace is the founder of Ascend Health M&A, dedicated to helping practice owners achieve growth and lasting impact. With a collaborative and strategic approach, he partners with business owners to create tailored solutions that unlock value and ensure a smooth transition. His leadership is marked by a commitment to em
Founder, Board Member
Chace is the founder of Ascend Health M&A, dedicated to helping practice owners achieve growth and lasting impact. With a collaborative and strategic approach, he partners with business owners to create tailored solutions that unlock value and ensure a smooth transition. His leadership is marked by a commitment to empowering providers and fostering success for every practice that joins the Ascend network.
Carla Salas
Chace Jacques
Chace Jacques
CEO, Board Member
With deep leadership experience at United Health Group, Elevance Health, and Harvard Medical School teaching hospitals, Carla specializes in building strong provider networks and advancing behavioral health care. She has a proven track record of helping practices grow, improving clinical quality, and scaling innovative pr
CEO, Board Member
With deep leadership experience at United Health Group, Elevance Health, and Harvard Medical School teaching hospitals, Carla specializes in building strong provider networks and advancing behavioral health care. She has a proven track record of helping practices grow, improving clinical quality, and scaling innovative programs nationwide. As both an executive and a community-based direct care provider, Carla is passionate about supporting clinicians, improving patient access, decreasing stigma, and ensuring excellent patient outcomes-making her an ideal strategic partner for practice owners seeking to secure their legacy and expand their impact.
Eric Alton Sr.
Eric Alton Sr.
Eric Alton Sr.
COO, Board Member
Eric brings over 25 years of healthcare leadership to Ascend Health M&A, with deep expertise in mental health systems, hospital networks, crisis call centers, and substance abuse programs. He excels at scaling operations, integrating innovative automation, and building strong relationships to drive sustainable growth. Pas
COO, Board Member
Eric brings over 25 years of healthcare leadership to Ascend Health M&A, with deep expertise in mental health systems, hospital networks, crisis call centers, and substance abuse programs. He excels at scaling operations, integrating innovative automation, and building strong relationships to drive sustainable growth. Passionate about making quality care accessible, Eric leverages his strategic vision and operational know-how to help practices thrive and expand their impact as part of a larger, mission-driven organization.
Lars Kielhorn
Eric Alton Sr.
Eric Alton Sr.
CIO, Board Member
Lars is an entrepreneurial CIO with over 20 years of experience transforming technology in healthcare, pharma, and private equity. He has built and led high-performing IT teams, integrated dozens of acquisitions, and implemented secure, scalable cloud and AI solutions that drive operational efficiency and compliance. La
CIO, Board Member
Lars is an entrepreneurial CIO with over 20 years of experience transforming technology in healthcare, pharma, and private equity. He has built and led high-performing IT teams, integrated dozens of acquisitions, and implemented secure, scalable cloud and AI solutions that drive operational efficiency and compliance. Lars specializes in rapid post-merger integration, risk management, and enabling growth for organizations of all sizes-making him a trusted partner for practice owners seeking a smooth transition and lasting impact