Testimonials
Selling shareholders
Stew Weis, MT Ace “Taking our Company ESOP was one of the most massive undertakings that I have ever embarked upon. George Cassiere quickly became a trusted advisor, guiding me and instilling confidence every step of the way. George is a virtual one-stop ESOP shop thanks to the many contacts and relationships that he has with people in related industries. George is clearly one of our nation’s foremost ESOP experts. He focuses as much on mitigating tax consequences as he does compliance with the multitude of regulations that govern ESOPs.”
Brad Skillman, President, The SKILLMAN Corporation "The Skillman Corporation is a second-generation firm with 80 employees providing construction management services across the Midwest. As the sole owner of our firm, I was looking for a partner that would help me navigate the multiple options to consider in our ownership succession planning. George Cassiere and Pace Financial Group was the perfect partner for me and our company. Mr. Cassiere provided multiple ownership succession options and without bias provided the financial for all of those options. George’s experience and keen business insight allowed us to weigh several options that best fit me as an owner and for the long-term benefit of our future owners. Even after the initial transaction, George has been a diligent partner to follow up with our leadership team to provide guidance through this very important transition. I strongly recommend having Pace Financial Group lead the efforts for any company looking to develop and ownership succession plan. Our process would not have been successful without George Cassiere’s leadership and technical skills. He has served and continues to serve as a valued partner to the Skillman Family."
James Smith – CEO, Advanced Aluminum of Polk county “We did our first ESOP transaction in 2004 prior to meeting George and Pace. It was a mess. Thankfully, Pace was able to help get everything in proper order beginning in 2005 and has been the trusted financial advisor to the ESOP ever since. Pace has recently helped in securing financing that will allow the ESOP to thrive well into the future after I am retired. It has been a great 15 year relationship and we look forward to many more years."
Gregg Maggioli, Lighthouse Autism Center “George Cassiere is very ESOP knowledgeable and experienced but what we found most helpful is his ability to step us through the complicated ESOP process. He helped us build an efficient and skilled ESOP team. Overall, we would recommend George to anyone who is considering an ESOP.“
Mike Baugh, CEO, FasTrack Mechanical, LLC "Janice and I would like to thank you and your Team for a Job well done in guiding FasTrack Mechanical, LLC through the transition. You and your Team made this process very seamless for our Team. All question and concerns have been answered to most everyone’s satisfaction. The timeline to get to signing was less than originally anticipated, and the help with the banking was unbelievable and smooth. Even with having to change banks. FasTrack would highly recommend the Pace Financial Group to anyone that was thinking of going the ESOP route."
ESOP Company Executives
Robert Andersen, CEO, Superior Oil, Inc. “George Cassiere has served our ESOP well since 2003. We continue to be very satisfied and took forward to our continuing relationship.”
Mark Thompson, CFO, Wood-Mizer Holdings, Inc. “George Cassiere has served as a valued finance and business resource since June 2004 for the Wood-Mizer Holdings, Inc. ESOP.”
Ben Buren, CEO, Generant Inc. “Pace and George has represented the ESOP since 2006. Pace guided the company through becoming a 100% ESOP in 2014. Prior to that, there was a Department of Labor audit wherein the “DOL” asked numerous questions concerning the original transaction and subsequent valuations. Mr. Cassiere drafted an elongated response to the DOL which resulted in the case being closed. Since then, we have not heard again from the DOL."
Dr Raymond G Nikodem, DDS, President and CEO
- Nikodem Dental Holdings, Inc and Custom Dental Management, Inc
"I have been working with George Cassiere and Pace since 2016. George and Pace have provided me and my company with accurate and timely valuations. I have found George to be knowledgeable, effective and respectful of our time. I found Pace’s valuation process to be honest and fair. I highly recommend George and Pace Valuations for all of your valuation needs. I am also a client of One America and have found the synergistic relationship between Pace and One America to be extremely advantageous to the growth of my company. The communication between the two companies has been seamless. I can't imagine working with two more qualified companies to service our valuation and ESOP needs."
Jeremy Anshell, COO, RC Lurie Inc. "Pace represented the RC Lurie ESOP in the initial transaction in 2007 and ever since. Lurie became a 100% ESOP in 2012. The ESOP has worked out extremely well and our long-term employees leave with tremendous benefits. We have been able to move into expanded headquarters and showroom facilities. We look forward to continued success for our employee owners and Pace continuing to represent our ESOP."
CPAs, JDs, Financial Advisors and Bankers
Howard Gross, CPA, Co-Founder - BGBC Partners, LLP "I have worked with George since the 1990’s, before the founding of Pace. We greatly value the relationship."
Steve Goodman, JD, Partner – Lynch, Cox, Gilman & Goodman P.S.C. "Pace and my firm have worked on dozens of transactions and cases over the last decade together. Pace has always provided quality work products and services on a cost competitive basis. When it comes to ESOPs, there has not been an ESOP audit of any Pace valuation or feasibility study in over 5 years which is a testament to the respect Pace has built with the DOL."
Mike Walling & Steven Lichblau, Directors – R.B. Gold "Pace and R.B. Gold have trusted each other with client referrals since 2006. Pace has helped our clients initiate ESOPs and has also supported our Estate Planning work from a valuation perspective. We view Pace as a trusted and very valuable resource."
Guy Judson – Corporate Banker – Fifth Third Bank (5/3) "Pace always provides a very complete financing memorandum including necessary attachments which expedites our credit process."
Samuel Hammer, CPA, Managing Director
- Hammer Navarro and Associates, PA
"I first met George in late 2019 as owners of my client were considering an ESOP. George and Pace represented the ESOP: completing the valuations & opinions; assisting in obtaining bank financing; creating the feasibility studies and leading the process. I was so pleased with Pace’s work that I have provided Pace several valuation cases in 2020."
Michael Nader, JD, Partner – Barnes & Thornburg, LLP "George and I have worked on transactions and cases together since the early 2000s. We have worked on ESOPs and ERISA matters as well as other types of cases. I remember one ESOP Department of Labor audit on which George and I worked together representing the ESOP in 2014. After written responses to the DOL questions and an elongated interview also involving the Trustee and Senor Management, the DOL closed the case, approving Pace’s valuations in full."
Hilgardt Lamprecht – Founder & CEO, The LifeWealth Group, LLC "Pace has supported our estate and exit planning work for approximately 15 years. In addition to supporting our work with business valuations, Pace is helping in our exit planning initiatives. LifeWealth and Pace enjoy a highly mutual beneficial relationship."
ESOP Trustees
Stephen C. James – CPA "As a trustee, I have engaged Pace as a financial advisor on numerous ESOPs for nearly a decade. Pace is very reliable, meeting deadlines while providing quality work products. As Pace has grown, George has added superior talent to the Pace team. In 2019, Pace added Alex Quade from E & Y. Alex has been an excellent addition to the team. We enjoy working with George, Alex and the Pace team."
Michael A. Staton – CPA "As Managing Partner of the Alerding CPA Group, I have worked on ESOP transactions and for clients with ESOPs for many years. In 2019, I decided to offer ESOP Trustee services. Knowing that I could rely upon Pace for valuations, opinions and feasibility studies helped my decision to expand into this area. I had seen Pace’s work for years in my CPA capacity and knew that the Department of Labor had approved all of Pace’s valuations in those cases where the DOL decided to review the work. Pace has now supported me on numerous transactions. Pace has met the high expectations I had for the firm. I look forward to a growing relationship with Pace."