Birmingham, Ala. (January 2026) – Founders Advisors (“Founders”) is pleased to announce the addition of four new Partners to the firm: Gene Bazemore, Brad Johnson, John Sullivan, and Chris Weingartner. These individuals have demonstrated exceptional leadership, client service, and a long-standing commitment to the firm’s mission and values.

The firm also announced a strategic reorganization designed to enhance client service and position the firm for continued growth.

As part of this reorganization, Founders has formed the Strategic Partnerships Group, led by Zane Tarence, Managing Partner. The Strategic Partnerships Group is responsible for driving and integrating all prospect-generating activities across the firm, including firm-wide business development, strategic partnerships, events, CEO networks, and centers of influence relationships. Mr. Tarence will report to Wesley Legg, Founders’ President.

Gene Bazemore, formerly Head of the Industrial Group, has been promoted to Head of Investment Banking. In this new role, Mr. Bazemore will oversee all investment banking groups, ensuring consistent delivery of gold-standard M&A advisory services, driving strategic sector coverage, and overseeing talent development across the firm’s deal execution capabilities. Mr. Bazemore will also report to Mr. Legg.

“This reorganization reflects our continued commitment to serving founders with excellence at every stage of their journey,” said Mr. Legg. “By forming the Strategic Partnerships Group under Zane’s leadership, and elevating Gene to lead our investment banking operations, we are strengthening our ability to build relationships, execute transactions, and deliver outstanding outcomes for the business owners who trust us with their legacy.”

The firm also announced several key leadership appointments within its industry groups. John Sullivan has been promoted to Head of the Industrial Group, succeeding Mr. Bazemore. Chris Weingartner has been promoted to Head of a newly formed Enterprise Group, which combines the firm’s Technology, Business Services, and Healthcare practices. Wayne Vacek will continue in his role as Head of the Consumer Group.

“These changes position Founders for our next phase of growth,” said Duane Donner, Founder and CEO of Founders Advisors. “We have an exceptional team of professionals, and expanding our partnership recognizes the contributions and leadership that have been instrumental to our success. In addition, our new organizational structure allows us to sharpen our focus on both adding value to business owners pre-transition and maintaining gold standard deal execution. We believe this will better serve the unique needs of family and founder-owned businesses – not only during their transaction, but in building the bridge to get there and in protecting their legacy long after.”

About Founders Advisors

Founders is a merger, acquisition, & strategic advisory firm serving middle-market companies. Founders focuses on helping companies across technology, business services, consumer, energy, industrial, and healthcare industries. Founders’ skilled professionals, proven expertise, and process-based solutions help companies access growth capital, make acquisitions, and/or prepare for and execute liquidity events to achieve specific financial goals. In order to provide securities-related services discussed herein, certain principals of Founders Advisors, LLC are licensed with Founders M&A Advisory, LLC, member FINRA and SIPC. Founders M&A Advisory, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Founders Advisors, LLC. Founders Advisors, LLC does not provide investment advice. For more information, please visit www.foundersib.com.