Latest news with #LazearCapitalPartners
Business Journals
6 days ago
- Business
- Business Journals
Lazear Expands Texas Presence with the Addition of Tommy Schulte
Lazear Capital Partners (Lazear) is expanding its national footprint across Texas with the addition of Director Tommy Schulte, who will lead the firm's efforts throughout Houston, Austin, and San Antonio. Texas ranks third nationally in the number of employee-owned companies, reflecting the demand for legacy-minded exit strategies. Tommy joins Dallas-based Managing Director Doug Janowski in helping business owners explore tax-advantaged exit strategies through Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs). With a focus on the construction industry, one of the most popular sectors for employee ownership, Tommy will help business owners explore ESOPs as a strategic exit option that rewards employees and preserves company culture. Based in Austin, Tommy brings more than a decade of experience in the construction and development space. Most recently, he served as Director of Business Development at The Beck Group, a regional commercial construction and architecture firm, with previous roles at Millis Development & Construction and the Texas A&M Foundation. A native Texan, he earned his undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University and holds a Master of Public Administration from Sam Houston State University. 'Tommy understands the values that drive Texas businesses, and those values shape how owners think about their exit,' shared Lazear Partner Mike Morosky. 'With so many business owners evaluating succession options, his industry background is a perfect fit to help owners unlock tax-free exits through employee ownership.'
Business Journals
07-05-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
Lazear Expands in New York Under Industry Veteran Rich Gioia
Lazear Capital Partners (Lazear), a leading investment bank specializing in ownership transitions through ESOP and M&A advisory, is expanding its national footprint with its 14th location in Buffalo under the leadership of Managing Director Rich Gioia. Rich brings a distinctive combination of legal expertise, private equity insight, and multi-generational entrepreneurial experience to the role. A fourth-generation entrepreneur, Rich has built a track record of acquiring, operating, and selling privately held lower middle-market companies across Western New York. As co-founder and Chairman of Gioia Capital, a family-based investment firm, and former managing member of Lorraine Capital, Rich has worked extensively with companies in need of thoughtful transition strategies. As a business owner, he is equipped with a unique insight into the complexities of succession planning. New York is home to 315 ESOPs with over 862,000 participants, ranking among the top states nationally for employee ownership. Rich's expertise is especially relevant in Western New York—a region with a rich history in manufacturing and industrial services, where ESOPs have long played a key role in preserving company culture and sustaining local economies. 'Rich's background, both professionally and personally, makes him an exceptional fit for this role,' said Bruce Lazear, Partner at Lazear. 'He knows the region, he's walked in the shoes of the business owners we serve, and he brings a rare combination of legal, investment, and operational insight to every conversation. We're proud to have him lead our efforts in Western New York, a market that aligns perfectly with our mission.' Rich began his career practicing law, including a federal clerkship with the Hon. William M. Skretny of the U.S. District Court, Western District of New York, and later at Damon Morey LLP. He holds an M.B.A. from the University of Rochester's Simon Business School (Dean's Leadership Award), a J.D., cum laude, from American University Washington College of Law, and a B.A. from George Washington University.
