In partnership with

Image of NJEDA logo

Rutgers NJ/NY Center for Employee Ownership
Business Exit Planning Conference

May 15, 2026
12pm - 6pm

Heldrich Hotel and Conference Center
10 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901

Conference is offered free of charge with support from our partners.
Advanced registration is required.


Overview

Every successful business needs a succession plan. At this conference you will learn about a business exit strategy that benefits both business owners and employees including:  

  • The Four Steps Developing a Business Exit Strategy
  • How to Know if an ESOP Business Exit Strategy is Right for You?
  • Valuing Your Business
  • Selling Your Business Tax Free
  • Structuring an ESOP Business Exit Strategy to Enhance ROI
  • How the NJEDA Assistance Program Can Help Get You Started


Agenda

Session
Time
Session Topic
12:00pm – 1:15pm

Lunch / Welcome

Session 1:
Four Steps Developing a Business Exit Strategy
Bill Castellano, Rutgers University

1:15pm – 2:00pm Session 2:
How to Know if an ESOP Business Exit Strategy is Right for You? Ashley Sarokhan, Lazear Capital
2:00pm – 2:45pm Session 3:
Valuing Your Business
Brian Turner, Stout
2:45pm – 3:00pm Break
3:00pm – 3:45pm Session 4:
Selling Your Business Tax Free
Gerry Spitzer, Questar Capital Partners
3:45pm – 4:30pm Session 5:
Structuring an ESOP Business Exit Strategy to Enhance ROI
John Vitucci, PKF O'Connor Davies
4:30pm – 5:00pm  

Session 6:
NJEDA Assistance Program
Michelle Bodden, NJ Economic Development Authority

5:00pm – 6:00pm  Networking Reception 


Presenters

Image of Bill Castellano

Michelle Bodden

Chief Equity Inclusive Culture Officer,
NJ Economic Development Authority

Image of Brian Turner

Brian Turner

​​​​Director - ESOP Advisory
Stout
 

Image of Ashley Sarokhan

Ashley Sarokhan

Managing Director,
NY/NJ Market Leader
Lazear Capital
 

Image of John Vitucci

John Vitucci

Partner, Employee Benefit Services
PKF O'Connor Davies

Image of Gerry Spitzer

Gerry Spitzer

Founding Partner
Questar Capital Partners

 

Image of Bill Castellano

Bill Castellano

​​​​Executive Director,
Rutgers NJ/NY Center for Employee Ownership


Conference provided with support from:
 

Image of Lazear logo

   Image of PKF logo

Image of Questar logo

   Image of Stout logo