Lazear Capital Partners (Lazear), a leading investment bank specializing in ownership transitions through Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) and M&A advisory services, continues to expand its national footprint with the addition of dedicated leadership in Baltimore, Maryland.
Marking Lazear’s 17th location, this expansion reinforces a national platform built to lead in ownership transitions and serve business owners navigating succession, liquidity, and growth decisions.
Overseeing Lazear’s Mid-Atlantic efforts is Director Josh Stonko, who brings deep experience advising middle-market and mid-corporate companies. Throughout his career with Truist, JPMorgan Chase, and PNC, Josh has partnered with business owners and executives to optimize capital structures, navigate complex transactions, and execute growth and transition strategies. His background spans M&A advisory, ESOP transactions, capital markets, and treasury optimization, providing a comprehensive perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing privately held companies.
“Josh brings a strong combination of transactional experience and relationship-driven advisory that aligns well with how we serve clients,” said Bruce Lazear, founding partner at Lazear. “He understands how to guide business owners through critical inflection points and offers a practical, well-rounded perspective shaped by years of working alongside executives in the Mid-Atlantic market.”
As more business owners look beyond traditional sales, ESOPs offer a proven, tax-advantaged path to liquidity while preserving control, independence, and culture.
“The Baltimore region is home to a diverse and resilient base of privately held businesses, many of which are beginning to think more intentionally about ownership transition,” said Stonko. “I’m looking forward to working with owners to evaluate ESOP ownership strategies designed to maximize wealth and position their companies for long-term success while preserving what they’ve built.”
Josh holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Maryland and remains actively engaged in the regional business community.
About Lazear
Lazear is a premier middle-market advisory firm specializing in business ownership transitions nationwide. Headquartered in Columbus, OH, with a growing presence, the firm is dedicated to helping business owners maximize wealth and preserve legacies through customized exit strategies, including ESOPs and 1042, 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
