Blank Rome, Alex. Brown | Raymond James, and Lockton will host a Business Owner Strategy Summit on Thursday, April 9, 2026, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., at the Fitler Club in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 

Blank Rome partners Peter I. Tsoflias, Andrew J. Haas, and Michael S. Swoyer and chief client development and relationship officer Mitchell Sterling will speak on panels alongside Alex. Brown | Raymond James and Lockton professionals. They will join a select group of privately held business owners for discussions in an interactive, roll-up-your-sleeves environment designed to help owners prepare for and realize maximum value of a full or partial exit of their business.

Fireside Chat Session 1: Operating for an Exit

Panelists:

  • Moderator: Emma Waldron, Investment Banking Analyst, Raymond James
  • Pete Tsofilas, Partner, Mergers & Acquisitions, Blank Rome
  • Andrew Haas, Partner, Trusts & Estates, Blank Rome
  • Michael Carter, Business Owner

Topics include:

  • Building the right advisory team for a successful transaction (tax advisers, M&A counsel, private banker, investment bankers, insurance)
    • Key steps owners should do before receiving a letter of intent
    • Trust and estate planning best practices
    • Raising investor money from the lens of local single family office chief investment officer

Session 2: Nuts and Bults of a Transaction:
Panelists:

  • Moderator: Kevin Walker, Senior Vice President, Raymond James 
  • Mike Swoyer, Partner, Mergers & Acquisitions, Blank Rome
  • Nick Karalis, Business Owner
  • Eileen Kuo, Senior Vice President, Lockton

Topics include

  • Common M&A deal mechanics including representations and warranties, roll‑over equity, earn‑outs, term‑out, and seller financing
    • Employee stock ownership plans
    • Diligence and quality of earnings
    • Business owners: “what I expected” vs “what actually happened” during transactions
    • Negotiation strategies to drive better outcomes

Session 3: Leading Up To & Post Transaction 

Panelists:

  • Moderator: Mitch Sterling, Chief Client Development and Relationship Officer, Blank Rome
  • Jessie AI, Family Office Chief Investment Officer
  • Joe Bell, Private Banker
  • Ryan Clark, Business Owner

Topics include: 

  • Post-sale tax strategies 
  • Early-stage investing / board involvement 
  • Community engagement and philanthropy after an exit
  • The role of an adviser as quarterback before, during, and after the transaction
    • Foundation / donor-advised fund
    • Family office
    • Financial planning 

Questions? Contact Eric Kaufman via e-mail.