GROWTH & IMPACT WEEK SPEAKER LINEUP
The speakers at Growth and Impact Week are award-winning advisors, operators, and thought leaders who don’t just understand growth and impact, they execute it. Each speaker has been selected for their ability to translate methodology into real-world implementation, sharing how they’ve built in-demand practices through intentional, ROI-driven relationships with business owners. Expect candid perspectives, practical frameworks, and honest discussion around what works in today’s market, from client selection and trust-building to accountability, culture, and value creation. This is not a stage of theorists; it’s a room of practitioners committed to helping you apply what you learn and accelerate results in your firm.
Gerry Spitzer
Gerry Spitzer is a nationally recognized expert in Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) and exit planning for privately held business owners. As co-founder of Questar Capital Partners, Gerry leads a team that specializes in helping founders and...
ABOUT GERRY
Gerry Spitzer is a nationally recognized expert in Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) and exit planning for privately held business owners. As co-founder of Questar Capital Partners, Gerry leads a team that specializes in helping founders and leadership teams design tax-efficient exit strategies, often through ESOP transactions that preserve legacy, reward employees, and optimize value.
With over 30 years of experience in wealth management and financial planning, Gerry has become a go-to advisor for businesses navigating complex succession plans, liquidity events, and generational transitions. His practice focuses on working with companies generating $20M–$300M in annual revenue and EBITDA over $3M, particularly those looking to retain culture and leadership while planning for long-term growth.
Gerry holds the Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) designation and is a licensed CPA. He serves as President of the New Jersey Chapter of the Exit Planning Institute (EPI), where he convenes professionals from across disciplines—attorneys, CPAs, M&A advisors, and valuation experts—to educate and guide business owners on how to successfully exit their businesses, often using ESOPs as a core solution.
His firm, Questar Capital Partners, is frequently brought in to:
- Lead feasibility studies and determine maximum business value
- Assemble and coordinate multi-disciplinary deal teams
- Structure ESOPs that meet IRS §1042 tax deferral requirements
- Integrate personal financial, tax, and estate planning into exit strategies
- Guide companies through the full lifecycle of the ESOP transaction, from valuation to close
- Prior to founding Questar, Gerry held senior roles at UBS and Merrill Lynch, where he advised both privately and publicly held companies on executive compensation plans, equity programs, and corporate liquidity strategies.
In addition to his leadership at EPI, Gerry sits on the Rutgers Center for Employee Ownership Advisory Board, contributes to Forbes Finance Council, and serves on the board of NAMI New York, supporting mental health initiatives and financial literacy.
Gerry earned his Bachelor’s in Accounting from Binghamton University's School of Management. He lives in Scotch Plains, NJ, with his wife Jeanne and their three daughters. Outside the office, Gerry is an avid golfer, frequent traveler, and loyal fan of the New York Jets and Syracuse University sports.