McColl Partners, LLC is pleased to announce that the firm is launching an Employee Stock Ownership Plan ("ESOP") Corporate Finance Group with the hire of Louis A. Paone, former Managing Director at Houlihan Lokey. The addition of an ESOP practice complements McColl Partners' existing advisory services, which include mergers and acquisitions, private capital solutions, and strategic advisory. Mr. Paone brings over 20 years of experience, and he has completed over 100 ESOP-related transactions in his career. Before joining McColl Partners, Mr. Paone was a Managing Director at Houlihan Lokey where he oversaw the firm's ESOP national market initiatives and the conceptual development of ESOP corporate finance.

Dave Vorhoff, co-founder and Managing Director at McColl Partners, said, "The addition of an ESOP practice provides our clients with another option to maximize the value of their businesses. The tax benefits owners achieve when selling to an ESOP can be extremely compelling, and we are excited to have Lou join our firm and lead this effort. His transaction experience and understanding of ESOPs will be a great asset to our current and future clients."

About McColl Partners, LLC

McColl Partners is an independent investment banking firm specializing in the needs of management and owners of middle-market companies.  With significant experience working with entrepreneurs, family-owned businesses, private equity groups, public companies, financial institutions, and divisions of large companies, the firm is dedicated to offering strategic advice and assistance to its clients regarding mergers and acquisitions and private capital raising assignments. More information about McColl Partners can be found at www.mccollpartners.com.