The McFarland Group, an Omaha-based advisory firm specializing in ownership transitions for closely held businesses, has appointed John Bruckner as managing partner. The announcement, made on September 13, 2026, formalizes a role Bruckner has held in practice for several years. He has led the firm’s M&A advisory practice for the past four years and has worked alongside founder Byron McFarland for more than a decade.
In his expanded role, Bruckner will assume responsibility for the firm’s operations and strategic direction in addition to his client-facing work. The appointment matters because it ensures continuity in a practice built on long-term preparation and positioning, particularly for owners who may only sell a business once. Bruckner advises owners of closely held businesses through the process of selling, with an emphasis on preparation that begins well before any transaction is underway. He brings legal training and transactional experience to structural questions that directly affect what an owner walks away with, including valuation, deal terms, and the architecture of the agreement itself.
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,” McFarland said. “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,” he said. “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. Client engagements remain senior-led, and the appointment does not alter who owners work with on a day-to-day basis. The firm has guided over $3 billion in business value through more than 200 ownership transitions over two decades. Its guiding idea is simple: Go Boldly. Learn more at themcfarlandgroup.com.
