Next7’s David Stumph to succeed Next7 IT Founder Don Houk as CEO
Evergreen, a family of managed IT services and software partners, announced the acquisition of Next7 IT, an award-winning managed service provider (MSP) specialized in helping small businesses achieve better IT outcomes, optimize IT expenditures, and become more resilient against cyber threats.
Founded in 2010 as a one-person team serving Pittsburgh, Penn. area businesses, Next7 IT has grown into a 26-person MSP supporting clients in legal, manufacturing, and professional services. The company’s disciplined approach blends strategic guidance, proactive maintenance, and responsive support with a strong focus on measurable results.
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“Every touchpoint in a B2B relationship is an opportunity to elevate the customer experience and learn more about how you can be of service,” said founder Don Houk. “It was important for us to choose a buyer who aligned with our values and focus on the customer. Evergreen’s buy-and-hold approach, focus on decentralization, and track record with companies including Wolf Consulting and JENLOR made them a clear fit. We wanted to avoid the disruption of consolidation, and Evergreen allows us to continue growing with our established team, people, processes, and culture that made us successful.”
People-first Mindset Drives Continuous Success
Next7 IT takes great pride in its ability to help clients level up from a starting IT best practice score of approximately 30% to a score between 85% and 95% as a result of the team’s efforts and the company’s ongoing refinement of managed IT processes.
This commitment to continuous improvement has fueled steady, referral-driven growth. Next7 IT maintains high client retention rates and attracts experienced MSP professionals seeking a stable, transparent, and engaging work environment. Many of these professionals have advanced from entry-level positions to senior engineering and leadership roles.
“Next7’s success comes from more than technical expertise; it’s rooted in how deeply they care about their clients and employees. That people-first mindset is exactly what we look for in our partners,” said Elliott Hyman, CEO at Lyra Technology Group. “We’re proud to welcome them into the Evergreen and Lyra families and excited to support David and the team as they continue building on that legacy.”
Next7 IT will continue operating independently under its existing name and leadership, under Lyra Technology Group, Evergreen’s portfolio of managed IT services providers. It will maintain the same high standards of service that earned it the trust of Pennsylvania businesses for more than 15 years.
Once the acquisition is complete, founder Don Houk will retire from the company and COO David Stumph will take the reins as CEO of Next7.
“Next7 continues to thrive through a customer-first approach, fanatical discipline, and the ability to adapt and overcome adversity. Supported by well-managed tools, refined processes, and detailed documentation, our experienced team delivers consistent results and exceptional customer service,” said Stumph. “We’ve worked hard to build trust by setting and managing customer expectations early and often. Every future twist and turn of technology and our industry is unknown. However, we can be sure the tenets that got us to where we are will be the foundation that carries us to where we are headed.”
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