Rich brings a distinctive combination of legal expertise, private equity insight, and multi-generational entrepreneurial experience to his role leading Lazear’s presence in Buffalo and Western New York.

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. His journey as a business owner has equipped him with unique insight into the complexities of succession planning.