Managing Director, Pilot Hill Advisors LLC

Junker is a Managing Director and Member of Pilot Hill Advisors LLC and Pilot Hill Capital LLC, where he has specialized in ESOP M&A advisory since 2018. At Pilot Hill, a leading national consulting and investment banking firm, he focuses on guiding companies and owners through employee ownership transitions. Prior to this, he spent 30 years in corporate and investment banking, leading more than $4 billion in transactions across syndicated loans, bonds, leveraged leases, securitizations, M&A, and ESOPs for prominent American companies. He currently serves on the board of the Michigan Center for Employee Ownership and previously served on the board of New Leaf Service Contracts. Junker holds a BA and an MBA from the University of Michigan, where he attended the Ross School of Business. He is FINRA-licensed nationally and in multiple states, having passed the Series 7, 24, 63, and 79 exams.

Retired CEO, Haviland Enterprises

Haviland is the retired CEO of Haviland Enterprises, where he led the company for over a decade before retiring in 2019. During his tenure, he was instrumental in transforming the organization into a 100% employee-owned ESOP corporation, expanding its international footprint with operations reaching Australia, Canada, Mexico, and Brazil. Under his leadership, Haviland successfully completed three acquisitions and three divestitures to better align with competitive markets, and he championed a cultural shift through the implementation of Lean practices, empowering employees at all levels. Haviland Enterprises, founded in 1934 and based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, employs over 250 people across 600,000+ square feet of manufacturing and warehouse space, specializing in innovative chemical solutions across multiple industries. Haviland holds a BS in Economics and an MBA from Arizona State University. He resides in Ada, Michigan, with his spouse and enjoys time with their two adult children.

Managing Director, Ventura

Perry is the Managing Director at Ventura, where he leads the Relationship Management Team, serving as Transaction and Ongoing Trustee for over 150 clients annually. An active leader in the ESOP community, he has co-authored chapters on executive compensation and acquisition offers in ESOPs, presents regularly at conferences and client events, and serves on The ESOP Association’s Committee on Fiduciary Issues. Prior to joining Ventura in 2018, Alex spent nine years with Adamy Valuation, specializing in business valuations for ESOPs, estate and gift planning, and management incentive plans. He is an Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA) in Business Valuation and a member of the American Society of Appraisers. Alex holds a BBA in Finance and Accounting from Grand Valley State University and lives in Grand Rapids, MI, with his wife and two dogs. In his free time, he enjoys disc golf and live music—having seen Umphrey’s McGee 64 times as of early 2024.

Partner, Warner Norcross & Judd LLP

Stemple is a partner with the Michigan law firm of Warner Norcross + Judd LLP, with offices in Grand Rapids, Detroit, Lansing, Midland, Kalamazoo, Muskegon and Holland. Justin focuses his practice in employee benefits law, with a special emphasis on ESOPs and routinely represents ESOP companies and ESOP Trustees from implementation of an ESOP, ongoing consulting, amendments and DOL audits, and termination of an ESOP or sale of an ESOP company. He is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, The ESOP Association, the National Center for Employee Ownership, and the Michigan Center for Employee Ownership. He currently serves as Chair of the firm’s Employee Benefits practice group, as an officer of the Executive Committee of the Michigan Chapter of The ESOP Association, and as a member of the Board of the Michigan Center for Employee Ownership. Justin has taught a course for human resources professionals seeking a certified employee benefits specialist (CEBS) designation and an employee benefits law course to master’s degree candidates at the Seidman College of Business, Grand Valley State University. Justin earned his undergraduate degree from Alma College and his law degree from the College of William & Mary School of Law.