Hikers on golden ridgeline at sunset

The people behind the work

A small, focused team built for high-stakes conversations.

Partners

Byron McFarland

Byron McFarland

Founding Principal

Byron works with business owners navigating ownership decisions that carry financial, emotional, and relational weight. His work focuses on helping owners think clearly about succession, exits, and incentives — and act with intention rather than pressure.

Byron brings decades of experience advising closely held businesses through ownership transitions, equity planning, and M&A decisions, with an emphasis on clarity, alignment, and long-term value creation.

John S. Bruckner, J.D.

John S. Bruckner, J.D.

Partner

John leads The McFarland Group's M&A advisory work. He helps owners prepare for and navigate external sales by focusing on readiness, positioning, and disciplined execution before a transaction begins.

John brings legal training and deep transactional experience to complex ownership decisions, helping owners structure outcomes that protect value and align with long-term goals.

Connor Lacy

Connor Lacy

Partner

Connor leads the firm's equity compensation work. He oversees the design, financial modeling, and implementation of incentive and equity plans that retain key leaders and support transferable business value.

He brings a strong financial background and practical experience working directly with owners and leadership teams to align performance, accountability, and long-term outcomes.

Senior Advisors

Rob Allmand

Rob Allmand

Senior Associate

Rob supports owners with financial analysis related to valuation, capital structure, and transaction readiness. His background spans business valuation, M&A, and commercial lending, helping clients navigate complex financial decisions with confidence.

Mike Gioseffi

Mike Gioseffi

Senior Advisor

Mike advises owners on ownership succession and leadership development. Having served as CEO across private, public, and international companies, he brings firsthand experience leading organizations through growth, transition, and operational complexity.

Client Advocacy & Support

Kayleigh Bain

Kayleigh Bain

Client Advocate

Kayleigh serves as Client Advocate, supporting owners throughout their engagement with clarity, care, and responsiveness. She brings deep customer-service experience and a commitment to helping clients feel heard, supported, and confident as they move through important decisions.

Jared Cunningham

Jared Cunningham

Executive Assistant

Jared supports client relationships through thoughtful communication and coordination. He brings extensive experience in client service and a strong focus on trust, follow-through, and clear expectations during transitional moments.

Emeritus

Terri McFarland

Terri McFarland

Kolbe Consultant

Terri is co-founder of The McFarland Group and now serves in an emeritus role. She specializes in productivity and team effectiveness, drawing on years of experience using Kolbe assessments to help organizations understand how people turn ideas into action.

From our founder

“It is planning that allows entrepreneurs to leave their businesses when they want; sell to whom they want, for the money they need; and thus Realize the American Dream.”

Byron McFarland

Founding Principal

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Take the next step in securing your future.