GARY STEHLE
Zionsville,IN
Summary
Business valuation, due diligence, and deal structuring form the core of a career built across M&A advisory, franchise ownership, and resale leadership. Transaction work includes preparing sellers, evaluating buyers, and guiding ownership transitions with practical financial analysis and stakeholder alignment. Value comes through steady deal execution and clear decision support.
Overview
1
1
Certification
32
32
years of professional experience
Work History
Franchise Resale Developer | Business Ownership Advisor
Neighborly
Indianapolis, IN
06.2022 - Current
- Lead franchise owners through the full lifecycle of preparing, valuing, marketing, and selling businesses across Neighborly's multi-brand system.
- Serve as a strategic advisor to sellers and prospective buyers evaluating franchise acquisitions.
- Advised franchise owners on exit readiness, valuation, market positioning, and buyer engagement to enhance sale potential.
- Strengthened resale marketability through financial analysis and operational review, leading to improved strategic preparation.
- Support prospective buyers through mutual evaluation, due diligence, and acquisition decision-making.
- Partner with brand presidents and operational leaders to improve system-wide resale processes.
- Contribute to franchisee onboarding and coaching to support successful ownership transitions.
- Provided insights that supported Neighborly's growth strategy and optimized franchise network performance.
Investor
FranchiseResale.com
Indianapolis, IN
09.2022 - Current
- Invest in a modern, technology-enabled platform designed to streamline franchise resales for franchisors, franchisees, and qualified buyers.
- Provided advisory insight on valuation and deal readiness, ensuring alignment between buyers and sellers.
- Shaped tools that enabled franchisors to manage system-wide resales, addressing distressed and complex locations effectively.
- Supported platform strategy to simplify ownership transitions and enhance resale transparency for stakeholders.
Senior Vice President
Northern Edge Advisors
New York, NY
11.2016 - 06.2022
- Led a senior team at a boutique investment bank specializing in sell-side advisory for privately held North American businesses.
- Spearheaded mid-market M&A engagements, including valuation, financial modeling, buyer outreach, negotiation, and closing.
- Managed complex transactions across multiple industries, ensuring strategic alignment and securing deal certainty.
- Advised founders and ownership groups on exit strategies and market positioning to enhance transaction readiness.
- Delivered compelling presentations and investment theses to ownership groups and boards, influencing key decision-making.
Regional Vice President
Sotheby's International Realty
Indianapolis, IN
07.2015 - 11.2016
- Led regional operations and growth strategy, driving market development for a global real estate brand.
- Enhanced revenue performance through improved franchise engagement and market penetration.
- Directed performance metrics and franchise support, facilitating market-expansion initiatives.
- Strengthened operational consistency and brand standards across multiple locations.
M&A Advisor
Indiana Business Advisors
Indianapolis, IN
01.2007 - 07.2015
- Advised sell-side and buy-side clients throughout the business sale, acquisition, and merger process.
- Executed hundreds of transactions for businesses generating $100K to $5M in revenue.
- Led valuation, financial analysis, buyer qualification, negotiation, and deal structuring.
- Cultivated long-term relationships with business owners, investors, and strategic buyers to enhance collaboration.
- Created repeatable processes that streamlined deal workflows and increased closing rates.
President / Owner
Ritters of Florida Franchising, LLC
, Florida
04.1997 - 12.2006
- Owned and operated a multi-unit franchise organization.
- Directed franchise development, operations, financial performance, and market expansion to drive sustainable growth.
- Built operating systems to enhance unit-level profitability and ensure consistent brand experience.
- Negotiated leases, vendor contracts, and franchise agreements to secure favorable terms and enhance operational efficiency.
- Gained firsthand experience in multi-unit ownership, operational scaling, and exit strategy.
Director of Business Development
Intercon Research Associates
Indianapolis, IN
08.1994 - 03.1997
- Established strategic partnerships and broadened client-acquisition channels to drive revenue growth.
- Strengthened revenue growth through targeted business-development strategies.
- Directed business-development initiatives to enhance service offerings and increase market presence for a research and consulting firm.
- Conducted financial and market analysis to support decision-making for corporate clients.
Education
MBA - MBA, International Business
Clemson University
Pordenone, Italy And Clemson SC01-1994
Bachelor of Science - Mathematics & Statistics
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN01-1993
Skills
- M&A execution
- M&A advisory
- Business valuation
- Financial analysis
- Due diligence
- Deal negotiation
- Deal structuring
- Transaction oversight
- Franchise ownership transitions
- Franchise growth strategy
- C-suite advisory
- Cross-functional leadership
- Transition management
- Strategic thinking
- Stakeholder management
- Relationship building
- Negotiation skills
- Problem-solving
Personal Information
Title: SENIOR DIRECTOR, CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT & M&A
Certification
FINRA Series 63, expired, FINRA Series 82, expired
VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP
- Kairos Prison Ministry International, Advisory Board, 2025, 2025
- Easter Seals Crossroads, Board of Directors, 2011, 2016
- Crossroads Industrial Services, Advisory Board, 2011, 2016
Timeline
Investor
FranchiseResale.com
09.2022 - Current
Franchise Resale Developer | Business Ownership Advisor
Neighborly
06.2022 - Current
Senior Vice President
Northern Edge Advisors
11.2016 - 06.2022
Regional Vice President
Sotheby's International Realty
07.2015 - 11.2016
M&A Advisor
Indiana Business Advisors
01.2007 - 07.2015
President / Owner
Ritters of Florida Franchising, LLC
04.1997 - 12.2006
Director of Business Development
Intercon Research Associates
08.1994 - 03.1997
MBA - MBA, International Business
Clemson University
Bachelor of Science - Mathematics & Statistics
Purdue University