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.
About Lazear
Headquartered in Columbus, OH, with a nationwide presence, Lazear is a premier middle-market advisory firm specializing in business ownership transitions. Since 1999, the firm has remained dedicated to helping business owners maximize wealth and preserve legacies through customized exit strategies, including ESOPs, M&A, and capital formation.
To learn more, visit www.lazearcapital.com and follow Lazear on LinkedIn.
Media Contact
Katherine Koon
Marketing Director
kk@lazearcapital.com
614-502-1411
