Bluestem Capital Loses Investor Relations Lead

The Sioux Falls investment firm is shifting investor relations and portfolio management duties after a 14-year tenure concludes.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Corporate Finance

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Bluestem Capital is shifting investor relations and portfolio management responsibilities following the departure of vice president Jon Kirby. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Bluestem Capital vice president of investor relations Jon Kirby has left the Sioux Falls firm after a 14-year tenure. He has moved to a new position at Liberty National Bank.

Why it matters

The leadership change at the firm affects how its portfolio companies manage investor relations and investment evaluations. Bluestem Capital oversees approximately $220 million in assets for more than 450 investors.

Bluestem Capital maintains approximately $220 million in assets under management for a base of over 450 investors. The firm, which has operated for over 30 years, is now adjusting its investor relations leadership following the departure of a 14-year veteran.

The players

Jon Kirby

A financial professional who recently served as vice president of investor relations at Bluestem Capital for 14 years.

Bluestem Capital

A Sioux Falls-based investment firm managing approximately $220 million in assets for over 450 investors.

Steve Kirby

The co-founder of Bluestem Capital who also serves on the Homeland Security Advisory Council.

Liberty National Bank

A financial institution where Jon Kirby has begun new employment.

The details

Jon Kirby previously managed existing portfolio companies and evaluated new investment opportunities during his time at the Sioux Falls-based firm. His departure shifts oversight for these responsibilities, a core operational function for the investment group's portfolio management and stakeholder communication strategy.

Timeline

  1. October 14, 2026: Jon Kirby announced his departure from Bluestem Capital.

  2. 14 years ago: Jon Kirby began his tenure at Bluestem Capital.

  3. Over 30 years ago: Bluestem Capital was founded.

  4. 2025: Steve Kirby was appointed to the Homeland Security Advisory Council.

Market Landscape

Bluestem Capital maintains its continuity under co-founder Steve Kirby, who continues his service on the Homeland Security Advisory Council following his 2025 appointment. This leadership shift occurs as the firm manages its $220 million asset portfolio across 450 investor relationships.

Operators dealing with Bluestem Capital should confirm their primary points of contact for ongoing investment evaluations and portfolio management inquiries. The transition signals a change in the firm's investor relations interface that may affect how partners interact with the fund.

The takeaway

The departure marks a major change in the firm's client-facing leadership after 14 years of internal continuity. Investors and portfolio managers should monitor the firm's updated communications to identify the new point of contact for investment opportunities.

Further reading

For more on shifts in local investment management, see Corporate Finance.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Argus Leader.

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