The McFarland Group, an Omaha-based advisory firm specializing in ownership transitions for closely held businesses, has named John Bruckner as managing partner. The appointment, announced on September 13, 2026, formalizes a role Bruckner has effectively held for several years and signals continuity in the firm's strategic direction at a time when many business owners are navigating the complexities of selling or transferring their companies.
Bruckner has led the firm's mergers and acquisitions advisory practice for the past four years and has worked alongside founder Byron McFarland for more than a decade. In his expanded role, he will assume responsibility for operations and strategic direction while maintaining his client-facing work. For owners considering a sale, this leadership shift matters because it ensures the firm remains focused on its core mission: guiding owners through a once-in-a-lifetime transaction with careful preparation and positioning.
The appointment comes as the lower middle market—where owners often sell a business for the first and only time—faces unique challenges. Bruckner's legal training and transactional experience are particularly relevant to the structural questions that directly affect what an owner walks away with: valuation, deal terms, and the architecture of the agreement itself. His emphasis on preparation that begins well before any transaction is underway underscores a philosophy that prioritizes long-term outcomes over quick closings.
Byron McFarland, who founded the firm, described the appointment as a reflection of how the group already functions. "John has been carrying this weight for some time, and the title reflects the work rather than announces a change in it," said McFarland. "My job has always been to help owners slow the moment down and think clearly. That continues, with a partner steering the firm who holds the same standard."
Bruckner described his priority as preserving the firm's approach as its reach expands. "Most owners sell a business once. The decisions they make in that window shape everything that follows, and they deserve advisors who are not in a hurry," said Bruckner. "The work that matters happens long before a closing. That is what this firm was built to do, and it is what I intend to protect. I'm honored and excited for the opportunity to build on the foundation Byron created and help guide the firm into its next chapter. I have great respect for what he built and am committed to carrying that legacy forward together."
The McFarland Group works with owners of closely held businesses across three service tracks: M&A advisory for sales to outside buyers, management buyouts for owners transferring the company to their leadership team, and performance equity plans designed to build value a buyer will pay for. As an Omaha M&A advisor, the firm has guided over $3 billion in business value through more than 200 ownership transitions over two decades. Client engagements remain senior-led, and the appointment does not alter who owners work with on a day-to-day basis.
For business owners, the implication is clear: the McFarland Group is positioning itself to sustain its high-touch, preparation-focused approach as it grows. Bruckner's elevation ensures that the firm's guiding idea—Go Boldly—continues to drive its work with owners who are making the most consequential decisions of their business lives.
