Employee Stock
Ownership Plan

Jon Gogolak is a Director in PCE's ESOP Advisory Group. As a dedicated finance professional with extensive experience in capital markets, investment banking, and treasury operations, Jon skillfully offers financial guidance to shareholders and fiduciaries, assisting them in structuring transactions that align with the client's desired goals and objectives.

Before joining PCE, Jon was responsible for the build-out and expansion of the capital markets function at one of the largest non-bank agricultural lenders in the U.S. As the Director of Capital Markets, Jon led the treasury strategy, focusing on cash management, collateral optimization, and loan funding.

With his strong analytical skills, collaborative approach, and deep understanding of the capital markets and ESOP landscape, Jon is committed to providing middle-market business owners exceptional ESOP services. He strives to deliver strategic solutions that optimize value and drive success for his clients in a dynamic and competitive business environment.

Certifications & Affiliations

• Member of National Center for Employee Ownership (NCEO)
• Member of ESOP Association
• FINRA Series 79 Securities License

Education

• DePaul University, Bachelor of Arts in Economics, Minor in Community Services Studies
• DePaul University, Master of Science in Economics: Economic Policy Analysis

David Jasmund is a founding partner of PCE, with more than 25 years of experience in mergers & acquisitions (M&A), ESOP transactions and corporate finance. He leads PCE’s Healthcare practice, but also has transactional and financial industry experience in Insurance, Business Services and Food & Agriculture.

David brings more than three decades of business experience to the table, along with a unique business perspective as a highly successful entrepreneur, business owner and advisor. Prior to his work at PCE, he grew a small insurance start-up of three people into a powerhouse that employed more than 1,200 people and generated annualized revenues of over $700 million. In addition, David has led other operations through start-ups, redefining business strategies, debt restructuring, de-franchising, mergers and equity capital placement in the Southeast.

Leading M&A transactions, including dual track engagements, and private equity placements; positioning several smaller companies for acquisition by a publicly traded company; and growing revenues in another series of strategic M&A transactions are among David’s accomplishments.

Certifications & Affiliations

• FINRA Series 7, 24 and 79 Securities Licenses
• General Property & Casualty and Life & Health Insurance Licenses – Florida

Service

• Board of Directors of UF Health Shands Hospital
• Board of Directors of National Chiropractic Mutual Insurance Company
• Board of Directors of Builders Insurance Group, Atlanta
• Member of Association for Corporate Growth, Atlanta
• Member of National Center for Employee Ownership (NCEO)
• Past Chair of the Coalition for the Homeless of Central FL
• Past Chair of the Board of Governors for MD Anderson Cancer Center Orlando
• Past Finance Committee of the Catholic Diocese of Central Florida
• Past Executive Committee and Board member of the Florida Blood Centers

Education

• University of Florida, Bachelor of Science

Ken is a Managing Director in PCE’s ESOP Advisory Group. He is a seasoned financial executive based in Denver, Colorado, with over 27 years of experience in finance, operations management, and accounting. As a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), he has demonstrated his ability to lead organizations and teams through ownership transitions.

As the Chief Financial Officer for an established manufacturing and distribution company, he was instrumental in driving the company's growth and financial success. Ken solved a company succession issue by installing an ESOP in 2010 and then managed the day-to-day decision-making for the ESOP until negotiating the sale of the ESOP to a private equity firm in 2021.

Ken has successfully implemented strategies to increase productivity, efficiency, and profitability across multiple industries. He combines hands-on experience and analytical skills to develop innovative solutions that yield bottom-line results.

Ken's previous experience at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP provided a strong foundation in audit and business advisory services. He worked with emerging and established companies, gaining valuable insights into inventory processes, revenue recognition, and accounting practices across different industries.

Certifications & Affiliations

• FINRA Series 79 Securities License
• Certified Public Accountant
• Member of National Center for Employee Ownership (NCEO)
• Member of ESOP Association

Education

• BS, Business Administration, Accounting, University of California, Berkley, CA

A PCE partner and the head of the firm’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) practice, Will Stewart is considered an expert in the ESOP community. Since joining PCE in 2004, he has closed more than $3 billion in ESOP transactions and is a frequent speaker, panelist and presenter at both regional and national ESOP-focused conferences and events.

Having a deep understanding of the benefits business owners and employees can realize through an ESOP, Will welcomes the opportunity to advise owners on all of their transaction options. He offers his clients a personalized approach in identifying, implementing and executing an ESOP suitably structured for the future well-being and sustainability of their business.

Will was formerly a vice president with a major bank holding company in their private wealth management practice, with personal responsibility for more than $300 million of assets. Prior to that role, he served as a credit officer underwriting commercial and corporate loan packages with transactions ranging from $5 million to more than $100 million in value.

Certifications & Affiliations

• Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Charter Holder
• FINRA Series 7, 24 and 79 Securities Licenses

Service

• Board Member of the Florida Center of Employee Ownership
• Member of ESOP Association
  • Member of the ESOP Association Finance Committee
  • Vice President, New South Chapter, ESOP Association
• Member of National Center for Employee Ownership, (NCEO)
• Member of Association for Corporate Growth (ACG)
  • Board Member of ACG Orlando
• Member of the Employee Owned S Corporations of America (ESCA)
• Member of CFA Institute
  • Member of CFA Society of Orlando
  • Former Board Member – CFA Society of Orlando 2008-2011
  • Former Membership Chair, CFA Society of Orlando 2010
  • Former Public Relations Chair, CFA Society of Orlando 2009
• Member of Florida Citrus Sports
  • Selection Committee (2009-2011)
  • Rookie of the Year 2009

Education

• Denison University, Bachelor of the Arts, Economics

Kyle Wishing is a Director in PCE's ESOP Advisory Group and is located in our Atlanta area office. In this role, Kyle provides financial advice to shareholders and fiduciaries to structure transactions that meet the client’s stated goals and objectives. With more than a decade of consulting and valuation expertise advising middle market clients on ESOP transactions and financing activities, Kyle understands the obstacles business owners encounter when attempting to grow and fund closely held enterprises.

Kyle’s past work experience includes providing valuation and financial advisory services for a national valuation firm, where he served as the firm’s ESOP practice leader. In addition to Kyle’s ESOP specialization, he prepared valuations for tax planning and compliance, forensic analysis and dispute resolution, strategic information and corporate planning, and financial reporting purposes.

Kyle has a diversified background, working with public and private companies in various industries.

Certifications and Affiliations

• Accredited Senior Appraiser from the American Society of Appraisers
• Chartered Financial Analyst charterholder and member of the Atlanta CFA Society
• FINRA Series 79 Securities License
• Member of the ESOP Association
• Member of the National Center for Employee Ownership

Education

• Middle Tennessee State University, Bachelor of Business Administration in Corporate Finance

Located in PCE’s Chicago area office, Eric Zaleski is a part of PCE’s ESOP Advisory Group. With over 20 years of experience advising middle market clients with liquidity and growth financing initiatives, often involving ESOPs, Eric understands the challenges that business owners face in growing and funding their companies.

With tremendous insight into the benefits associated with ESOPs, Eric has the analytical and organizational skills to guide business owners through the most complex ESOP structures. Over the years, Eric has established a proven track record of providing business owners with strategic advice for the implementation and financing of ESOPs to meet their objectives.

Prior to joining PCE, Eric served as Senior Vice President – ESOP Division Manager of a Chicago based bank. Throughout his career, Eric has managed nearly half a billion in commitments on middle market senior loans. Additionally, over the past 15+ years, Eric was responsible for sourcing more than $1 billion in ESOP and leveraged financed opportunities.