Stony Hill Advisors Research
Advisory Approach
Stony Hill Advisors is a premier merger and acquisition advisory firm specializing in intermediary services for lower middle market companies with revenues between $2 million and $50 million. Founded with a mission to help business owners maximize the wealth they have created, Stony Hill takes a consultative, partnership-based approach to M&A advisory. The firm operates on the thesis that small and mid-sized business owners require the same level of expertise, dedication, and institutional-quality process that larger companies receive—but delivered with personal attention and an understanding of the unique challenges of family-owned and founder-led businesses.
The firm's philosophy centers on honoring what business owners have built and guiding them through structured sales that protect their legacy, care for their employees, and secure their financial future. Stony Hill's extensive process includes market analysis, valuation determination, buyer identification and screening, negotiation support, and transaction closing—ensuring the best possible outcome for each client.
Sector Focus
Stony Hill Advisors maintains broad industry expertise across the lower middle market, with particular depth in several key sectors. The firm has completed transactions in manufacturing (precision components, chemicals, building products), distribution and logistics, healthcare services (home care, medical equipment, therapy), real estate and property management, construction and engineering, business services, technology and IT services, and retail and consumer businesses.
The firm's team includes former operators and industry specialists who bring deep domain knowledge. For example, Fred Kaplan leads the Food, Beverage & Hospitality practice with fourth-generation industry expertise, while Laurie Barkman specializes in the Architecture, Engineering & Construction (AEC) industry. This operator-to-operator understanding allows Stony Hill to credibly engage with buyers and accurately position businesses for maximum value.
Deal Track Record
Stony Hill Advisors has completed 50+ transactions across their team's cumulative experience, with recent representative deals including:
- Chemical Concepts (specialty chemicals distribution) — represented in acquisition of Perigee Direct
- The Clarient Group (smart building consulting) — sold to CannonDesign, a strategic architecture firm
- Construction Specifications Inc. (architecture consulting, 55-year-old firm) — sold to Milrose Consultants
- Snider & Associates (residential surveying) — acquired by Exacta, the nation's largest land survey provider
- Summit Waste (Philadelphia-based waste management) — acquired by Direct Waste for market expansion
- Thermocouple Technology — acquired by Viking Capital Holdings (private equity)
- Medisys (healthcare services) — sold to private investor
- Kybra Products (DME medical supplies) — acquired by Keystone Medical Holdings
- SRM Entertainment (toy manufacturer) — acquired by Term Capital (private investment group)
- CPM Property Management — acquired by The Loreon Group
- Atlantic Coast Moving & Storage — agent for National Van Lines since 1995
- Home Instead Senior Care franchise — sold to new operator
- Trisis Technologies (IT services) — acquired by IT Assist
- Plenty Philadelphia — acquired by The Mascieri Group (including business and real estate)
Beyond individual transactions, Stony Hill's team has represented clients across manufacturing (door and window manufacturing, wholesale supply), staffing companies, retail food establishments (franchise and independent), wireless electronics, business services, and technology-enabled businesses. The firm has experience with both sell-side and buy-side mandates, including representing corporate acquirers completing add-on acquisitions.
Process & Fee Structure
Stony Hill Advisors follows a structured, three-phase process:
- Value Phase — Comprehensive business valuation, exit value planning, and preparation activities to maximize enterprise value before going to market
- Prepare Phase — Quality of earnings preparation, marketing materials development, management presentation coaching, and data room organization
- Market Phase — Targeted buyer identification, confidential marketing, buyer screening, negotiation support, and transaction closing
The firm engages in open and transparent discussions with clients to fully understand goals, timelines, and feasibility of objectives within current market conditions. This consultative approach ensures alignment and manages expectations throughout the process.
Regarding fees, Stony Hill charges success-based compensation—typical for lower middle market business brokers and M&A advisors. The firm does not charge upfront retainer fees for many engagements, instead earning compensation through success fees at closing. Fee structures are negotiable and vary based on deal complexity, size, and scope of services required.
Buyer Network
Stony Hill Advisors maintains relationships with a broad network of potential acquirers, including:
- Private equity firms — lower middle market and middle-market PE groups seeking add-on acquisitions and platform deals
- Strategic buyers — corporations looking to grow through acquisition, including Fortune 500 companies in relevant industries
- Individual investors — high-net-worth individuals and family offices acquiring businesses
- Family offices — multi-generational wealth families seeking investment opportunities
- Industry consolidators — Roll-up platforms and consolidators in healthcare, technology, distribution, and business services
The firm's deal history demonstrates successful transactions with strategic buyers (e.g., CannonDesign acquiring Clarient Group), private equity-backed buyers (Viking Capital Holdings, Term Capital), and individual investors. Stony Hill's team members have direct experience with PE and angel investment communities through participation in groups like the Keiretsu Forum.
Competitive Positioning
Stony Hill Advisors differentiates through several key advantages:
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Operator expertise — Multiple team members are former CEOs, CFOs, and business owners who have personally navigated transactions. Laurie Barkman sold a $100M firm to a Fortune 50 buyer; Geoff Miller scaled and sold a family business to PE; Fred Kaplan advised on transactions as a middle-market CFO.
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Industry specialization — Deep expertise in verticals including AEC, food & beverage, healthcare, and manufacturing, rather than a generalist approach.
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Exit preparation focus — Through Stony Hill Academy, the firm provides educational resources (100+ courses, 80+ videos) to help owners prepare for exits before going to market.
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National footprint with local presence — Offices across 10+ states enable local market knowledge while maintaining national buyer outreach capabilities.
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Integrated services — Beyond M&A, Stony Hill offers management consulting, fractional executives, financial restructuring, and capital strategies—providing holistic support for business transitions.
Not a Fit If
Stony Hill Advisors typically declines engagements for:
- Businesses below $1 million in revenue (too small for their model)
- Startups without established cash flow or operating history
- Pure asset sales or distressed liquidations (their focus is on going-concern businesses)
- Real estate-only transactions (they focus on business sales, though some deals include real estate)
- Public companies or large middle market transactions above their $50M revenue focus
Team
Paul Visokey — CEO and Founder. Certified M&A Advisor (CM&AA), Certified Business Intermediary (CBI), and Certified Value Builder. Former sales executive at ROLM/IBM, Octel Communications, Nuance Communications, and InterBay Funding. Holds Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, and MBA degrees from University of Pennsylvania, Rutgers, and Pace University.
Fred Kaplan — Certified M&A Professional (CM&AP) and Certified Business Manager (CBA). Former Director at Mazars USA (international CPA firm) and middle-market CFO. Leads the Food, Beverage & Hospitality industry practice with fourth-generation family expertise. Cornell University (BA Economics) and Drexel University (MBA Finance).
Laurie Barkman — Certified M&A Advisor and Exit Planner. Former CEO of a $100M architecture and design services firm acquired by a Fortune 50 buyer. Amazon best-selling author of "The Business Transition Handbook" and host of the Succession Stories podcast. Specializes in AEC industry sell-side and buy-side advisory.
Dave Dickens — Chief Operating Officer. Former semiconductor executive at Texas Instruments and GE Aircraft Engines. Built two semiconductor businesses from startup to >$100M ARR. Holds Certified Financial Planner™ designation and Series 7, 63, and 65 securities licenses. Bachelor's and Master's in Electrical Engineering from University of Dayton.
Geoff Miller — Southeast Regional Director of Business Development. Former CEO of Revco Solutions ($70M revenue, 450 employees) which he scaled from a family business and sold to private equity. Successfully navigated company through COVID transition to remote operations. University of Georgia (BBA Finance).
Geographic Coverage
Stony Hill Advisors maintains a national footprint with team presence and active operations in: Pennsylvania (headquarters region), New Jersey, Connecticut, New York, Delaware, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Texas, and California. The firm continues expanding geographic coverage and can represent clients throughout the United States.