The McFarland Group, an Omaha-based advisory firm specializing in ownership transitions for closely held businesses, has appointed John Bruckner as managing partner. The promotion, announced September 13, 2026, formalizes a role Bruckner has held in practice for several years and places him in charge of the firm's operations and strategic direction alongside his client work.
Bruckner has led the firm's mergers and acquisitions advisory practice for the past four years and has worked with founder Byron McFarland for more than a decade. His practice focuses on the lower middle market, where owners often navigate a sale for the first and only time. With legal training and transactional experience, Bruckner advises on valuation, deal terms, and the architecture of agreements—factors that directly affect what an owner walks away with. He emphasizes preparation and positioning that begin well before a transaction is underway.
Byron McFarland, who founded the firm, said the appointment reflects how the group already operates. “John has been carrying this weight for some time, and the title reflects the work rather than announces a change in it,” McFarland said. “My job has always been to help owners slow the moment down and think clearly. That continues, with a partner steering the firm who holds the same standard.”
Bruckner said his priority is to preserve the firm's approach as its reach expands. “Most owners sell a business once. The decisions they make in that window shape everything that follows, and they deserve advisors who are not in a hurry,” he said. “The work that matters happens long before a closing. That is what this firm was built to do, and it is what I intend to protect. I'm honored and excited for the opportunity to build on the foundation Byron created and help guide the firm into its next chapter. I have great respect for what he built and am committed to carrying that legacy forward together.”
The McFarland Group works with owners across three service tracks: M&A advisory for sales to outside buyers, management buyouts for owners transferring the company to their leadership team, and performance equity plans designed to build value a buyer will pay for. The firm said client engagements remain senior-led and the appointment does not alter who owners work with day-to-day. Over two decades, the firm has guided more than $3 billion in business value through over 200 ownership transitions. Learn more at themcfarlandgroup.com.
The leadership transition matters for business owners considering an eventual sale, particularly in the lower middle market where first-time sellers often lack experienced guidance. Continuity in leadership suggests the firm's senior-led, preparation-focused model will remain intact, giving owners confidence that their transition will be handled by advisors familiar with the complexities of valuation, deal structure, and legacy concerns. As more baby boomer-owned businesses come to market, the demand for specialized advisory services is expected to grow, and the McFarland Group's formalized leadership structure positions it to meet that demand while maintaining its established approach.
