About John

Finance leader, West Texan, and a family man first.

I’m John Dolan. For more than 25 years I’ve led finance for hospitals, health systems, energy and service companies, a fast-growing payments company, and a bank. Along the way I’ve been through turnarounds, acquisitions, system rollouts, and rapid growth.

I started ThinkSmart Partners to give business owners the same kind of experienced, straight-talking guidance, without the cost of a full-time CFO. I take on a small number of clients at a time and treat every business like it’s my own.

Desk with laptop and coffee

Career

25+ years in the CFO chair and beside it.

Healthcare, banking, energy, and growth companies, almost all of it right here in West Texas.

2025 – Present

West Texas State Bank

SVP & Chief Financial Officer

Leading finance for a West Texas community bank.

2019 – Present

ThinkSmart Partners

Founder

Advisory, planning, and project work for owner-led businesses.

2024

7Crew Enterprises (7 Brew franchisee)

Chief Financial Officer

Financial leadership for a multi-state franchise build-out.

2021 – 2024

Wholesale Payments

EVP & Chief Financial Officer

Finance leader for an Inc. 500 fast-growing payments company.

2019 – 2020

Blackwater Capital Investments

Chief Financial Officer

Oversaw finance across trucking, energy services, real estate, and investment companies.

2016 – 2019

Shannon Health System

CFO, Shannon Clinics

Finance for a 280+ provider clinic network within a 400-bed health system, including the sale of outpatient dialysis and an EPIC rollout.

2015 – 2016

Nix Health Care System

Chief Financial Officer

Re-engaged physicians, grew service lines, and improved cash collections for a 275-bed system in San Antonio.

2014 – 2015

NewLight Healthcare

Regional CEO / CFO

Led a 64-bed hospital through bankruptcy and a turnaround, and consulted for hospitals across Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.

2006 – 2014

Covenant Hospital Levelland

Chief Financial Officer

Paid off long-term debt, reinvested in the hospital and its rural clinics, and recruited new physicians to the community.

2001 – 2006

Covenant Health System

Manager, Business Administration

Joe Arrington Cancer Research & Treatment Center, Lubbock.

1999 – 2001

Alamosa PCS

Manager, Financial Analysis

Finance for a start-up wireless carrier through its early growth.

Credentials

Credentials & education

FACHE

Fellow, American College of Healthcare Executives

FHFMA

Fellow, Healthcare Financial Management Association

HACP

Healthcare Accreditation Certified Professional

Texas Tech

MA in Economics; BA in Economics & Business

Beyond the office

What matters most

Family first

Husband and father. My family comes before anything else.

Granddad to Bodie

My favorite title these days.

Buddy

Our black lab and my most loyal companion.

Golf & Red Raiders

On the course when I can, and at Jones Stadium on Saturdays.

Faith

“May we spur one another toward love and good deeds.”

HEBREWS 10:24

My faith shapes how I work: honest counsel, careful stewardship of what’s been entrusted to me, and a genuine desire to see the people I work with succeed.

Let’s talk through what’s in front of you.

The first conversation is always free.

Start a conversationCall (806) 773-3002

Download the capabilities sheet (PDF)