2024 ACG CIN OCT LUNCH: Successful ESOP Exits

Rob is the co-founder and CEO of Finit, a 100% employee-owned services and software firm that provides technology and process solutions to the Office of Finance of large multi-national firms such as Johnson Controls, Costco, Comcast and 400+ other clients.  Finit has been recognized by Fortune as a Best Workplace in Technology and by Medical Mutual Pillar Awards for Community Service.  Prior to co-founding Finit in 2002, Rob worked at Arthur Andersen and graduated from Miami University.

Hillary Hughes joined Prairie Capital Advisors in 2011 and is a shareholder in the firm. She provides strategic insights to assist ESOP Trustees, business owners and boards of directors to address long-term ownership transaction goals. Hillary has been highly involved in the structuring and valuation related to employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) on behalf of ESOP Trustees as well as business owners. Hillary provides financial advisory services to clients ranging from small family-owned businesses to large multi-national conglomerates. She specializes in the valuation of businesses and business interests for purposes of mergers and acquisitions (“M&A”), ESOPs, gift and estate planning and strategic planning. Hillary is a leader in Prairie’s ESOP trust-side practice, overseeing project teams and driving initiatives to enhance the company's overall performance.  In addition, Hillary is a frequent speaker in forums around the country on topics including valuation, ESOPs and ownership transition planning. She is a member of The ESOP Association Valuation Advisory Committee and is the immediate past president of the Iowa/Nebraska Chapter.

Michael Kroeger is the Co-Founder and CEO of Revision Collective, PBC.  Revision consists of a collection of IT and Mgt Consulting companies which are 100% Employee Owned.  With 25 years of leading and managing large scale change efforts, business transformation, and developing strategy to create thriving organisations Michael now focuses on creating high impact, triple bottom line companies focused on People, Planet, and Profit. Successful in building two profitable social enterprises from the ground up, he is now focused on bringing in like-minded enterprises into the Employee Ownership Model.  

Andy is a Vice President at J.P. Morgan.  He is dedicated to advising commercial bankers and their clients on the benefits of executing Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) transactions and understanding ESOP related issues. Coverage territory includes Ohio, Indiana south to the Gulf Coast and Texas. Licensed by FINRA with a Series 63 and Series 79. J.P. Morgan’s ESOP Advisory Group maintains over 1,200 banking relationships with ESOP companies, including 600 lending relationships. Andy has deep expertise in ESOs, having served as the President/ESOP Trustee and CFO of a middle-market holding company, operating in the construction and distribution sector.

Kelsey Mehaffie is a Partner in the Corporate Transactions & Securities practice group at Thompson Hine LLP. Kelsey focuses her practice on mergers and acquisitions and general corporate matters, including complex corporate reorganizations, governance, and commercial agreements. She has particular experience in stock acquisition transactions involving employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs). She regularly advises corporations being sold to ESOPs, the trustees buying company stock in ESOP transactions, corporations that are owned by ESOPs and desire to sell to third parties, trustees of ESOPs being sold to third parties, and third-party buyers of existing ESOPs. Kelsey has been recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch since 2021, and has been selected as a SuperLawyers Ohio Rising Star since 2023. She also serves as the Thompson Hine’s Cincinnati Co-Chair for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

Josh is a Managing Director focused on traditional sell-side and ESOP transaction services for middle-market companies.  Prior to joining Lazear, Josh served as a Senior Manager with KPMG where he was responsible for leading one ot the firm’s largest financial services clients and helping clients navigate complex business transactions.  Josh is a CPA in the the states of Ohio and Illinois and received his Master’s of Accountancy from Miami University.