Stout Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

Stout has 10 executives leading key functions including corporate strategy, information technology, financial management, and advisory services.

Focused on delivering premier expertise in complex financial matters, Stout maintains a commitment to deep industry knowledge and unparalleled responsiveness for public and private clients across global markets.

Leadership Roles at Stout

  • Chief Executive Officer - Craige Stout
  • Chief Financial Officer - James Rojas
  • Managing Director - Chief Financial Officer Advisory Services - Sean Swiatek
  • Vice President. Office of the Chief Financial Officer Advisory - Edward Aertker
  • Vice President, Chief Financial Officer Advisory - Riley Speir
  • Senior Vice President - Office of the Chief Financial Officer - Anthony Sommer
  • Chief Operating Officer, Investment Banking - Bray Ridenour
  • Chief Operating Officer - Valuation Advisory - Gregory Gallagher
  • Chief Information Officer - Stacy Carron
  • Chief Human Resources Officer - Christine Jaroszewicz
  • Craige Stout - Chief Executive Officer

    Craige Stout, the Chief Executive Officer at Stout, directs the overarching strategic vision and global growth initiatives for the firm. Overseeing the integration of corporate finance, valuation, and dispute resolution services, the Chief Executive Officer ensures consistent delivery of high-value advisory solutions to a diverse client base. Craige Stout cultivates a culture of technical excellence and responsiveness, positioning the firm as a leader in complex financial investigations. By aligning internal resources with evolving market demands, the Chief Executive Officer drives long-term value creation for public corporations and privately held entities alike. This leadership role involves constant engagement with senior stakeholders to maintain the firm's reputation for deep industry knowledge. Through rigorous oversight of operational standards, Stout maintains a competitive edge in the global investment banking landscape, ensuring that every advisory engagement meets the highest benchmarks of professional integrity and analytical precision.
    Craige Stout

    James Rojas - Chief Financial Officer

    James Rojas, the Chief Financial Officer at Stout, manages the firm's fiscal health, capital allocation, and financial reporting processes. Overseeing the financial planning and analysis functions, the Chief Financial Officer ensures that the firm maintains the liquidity and stability required to support complex advisory projects. James Rojas directs the development of financial models that guide long-term growth and investment decisions across all service lines. By monitoring key performance indicators, the Chief Financial Officer provides actionable insights to the executive leadership team, facilitating informed decision-making regarding market expansion and resource distribution. This role involves maintaining rigorous compliance with financial regulations while optimizing internal cost structures to maximize profitability. Through disciplined financial oversight, Rojas supports the firm's ability to deliver high-quality valuation and corporate finance services, ensuring that the organization remains well-positioned to navigate the complexities of the global financial landscape while sustaining consistent growth and operational excellence.
    James Rojas

    Sean Swiatek - Managing Director - Chief Financial Officer Advisory Services

    Sean Swiatek, the Managing Director - Chief Financial Officer Advisory Services at Stout, leads the specialized practice dedicated to enhancing the financial operations of client organizations. Overseeing the delivery of strategic financial advice, the Managing Director - Chief Financial Officer Advisory Services ensures that clients receive expert guidance on complex accounting, reporting, and treasury matters. Sean Swiatek architects solutions that address the unique challenges faced by public and private companies during periods of transition or growth. By leveraging deep industry knowledge, the Managing Director - Chief Financial Officer Advisory Services helps clients improve their internal financial controls and reporting accuracy. This role involves close collaboration with other practice leaders to provide integrated advisory support that spans valuation and corporate finance. Through the execution of high-impact consulting engagements, Swiatek drives significant improvements in client financial performance, reinforcing the firm's reputation for providing unparalleled responsiveness and technical expertise in the advisory market.

    Edward Aertker - Vice President. Office of the Chief Financial Officer Advisory

    Edward Aertker, the Vice President. Office of the Chief Financial Officer Advisory at Stout, executes specialized advisory projects focused on optimizing the financial functions of client organizations. Overseeing the delivery of technical accounting and financial reporting support, the Vice President. Office of the Chief Financial Officer Advisory ensures that clients navigate complex regulatory environments with confidence. Edward Aertker drives the implementation of best practices in financial management, helping clients streamline their internal processes and improve data accuracy. By providing expert guidance on financial transformation initiatives, the Vice President. Office of the Chief Financial Officer Advisory supports the firm's mission to deliver unparalleled advisory expertise. This role involves working directly with client leadership to address critical financial challenges and implement sustainable solutions. Through the execution of high-value consulting engagements, Aertker contributes to the firm's reputation for deep industry knowledge, ensuring that clients receive the precise support needed to achieve their strategic financial objectives.

    Riley Speir - Vice President, Chief Financial Officer Advisory

    Riley Speir, the Vice President, Chief Financial Officer Advisory at Stout, leads the execution of strategic financial advisory engagements for a diverse portfolio of clients. Overseeing the delivery of specialized financial analysis and reporting solutions, the Vice President, Chief Financial Officer Advisory ensures that clients receive actionable insights to support their corporate finance decisions. Riley Speir drives the development of customized financial strategies that address the unique operational needs of public and private companies. By leveraging deep industry knowledge, the Vice President, Chief Financial Officer Advisory helps clients navigate complex financial reporting requirements and improve their overall fiscal performance. This role involves close collaboration with cross-functional teams to provide integrated advisory support that aligns with the firm's high standards of responsiveness. Through the successful delivery of complex consulting projects, Speir contributes to the firm's mission of providing premier expertise, ensuring that clients achieve their long-term financial goals with clarity and precision.

    Anthony Sommer - Senior Vice President - Office of the Chief Financial Officer

    Anthony Sommer, the Senior Vice President - Office of the Chief Financial Officer at Stout, manages the delivery of high-level financial advisory services focused on corporate finance and reporting excellence. Overseeing the execution of complex financial projects, the Senior Vice President - Office of the Chief Financial Officer ensures that clients receive expert guidance on technical accounting and financial strategy. Anthony Sommer drives the implementation of robust financial frameworks that support client growth and regulatory compliance. By providing deep industry knowledge, the Senior Vice President - Office of the Chief Financial Officer helps clients optimize their financial operations and enhance their reporting capabilities. This role involves working closely with client leadership to address critical financial challenges and deliver tailored advisory solutions. Through the execution of high-impact engagements, Sommer supports the firm's commitment to unparalleled responsiveness, ensuring that clients receive the precise financial expertise required to navigate the complexities of the modern business environment.

    Bray Ridenour - Chief Operating Officer, Investment Banking

    Bray Ridenour, the Chief Operating Officer, Investment Banking at Stout, manages the day-to-day execution of corporate finance and investment banking transactions. Overseeing the operational workflows of the banking division, the Chief Operating Officer, Investment Banking ensures that deal teams have the resources and support necessary to deliver exceptional results for clients. Bray Ridenour drives the implementation of standardized processes that enhance efficiency and quality control across all transaction phases. By coordinating with senior bankers, the Chief Operating Officer, Investment Banking facilitates the seamless execution of complex mergers, acquisitions, and capital raises. This role involves optimizing the division's internal infrastructure to support rapid scaling and market responsiveness. Through the application of rigorous operational discipline, Ridenour ensures that the investment banking team maintains its focus on providing high-value advisory services, ultimately supporting the firm's broader mission to deliver superior financial outcomes for a diverse range of corporate clients.

    Gregory Gallagher - Chief Operating Officer - Valuation Advisory

    Gregory Gallagher, the Chief Operating Officer - Valuation Advisory at Stout, directs the operational strategy and service delivery for the firm's valuation practice. Overseeing the technical resources and project management frameworks, the Chief Operating Officer - Valuation Advisory ensures that valuation engagements meet the highest standards of accuracy and regulatory compliance. Gregory Gallagher drives the development of standardized methodologies that allow the firm to provide consistent, high-quality analysis for complex financial assets and business interests. By managing the allocation of specialized talent, the Chief Operating Officer - Valuation Advisory supports the firm's ability to handle large-scale, multi-jurisdictional valuation projects with precision. This role involves continuous improvement of internal processes to enhance responsiveness to client inquiries and market shifts. Through strategic operational leadership, Gallagher ensures that the valuation practice remains a cornerstone of the firm's advisory capabilities, delivering deep industry knowledge and reliable financial insights to clients worldwide.
    Gregory Gallagher

    Stacy Carron - Chief Information Officer

    Stacy Carron, the Chief Information Officer at Stout, architects the digital infrastructure and cybersecurity frameworks necessary to support global advisory operations. Managing the firm's technological ecosystem, the Chief Information Officer ensures that data integrity and system availability remain at the forefront of all client engagements. Stacy Carron drives the implementation of advanced analytical tools that empower valuation and financial dispute teams to process complex datasets with speed and accuracy. By modernizing internal platforms, the Chief Information Officer facilitates seamless collaboration across international offices, enhancing the firm's responsiveness to urgent client needs. This role involves continuous assessment of emerging digital threats to protect sensitive financial information. Through strategic investment in scalable technology, Carron supports the firm's mission to provide unparalleled expertise, ensuring that all digital assets remain secure, efficient, and fully aligned with the sophisticated requirements of the global investment banking and advisory sector.
    Stacy Carron

    Christine Jaroszewicz - Chief Human Resources Officer

    Christine Jaroszewicz, the Chief Human Resources Officer at Stout, directs the firm's talent acquisition, professional development, and organizational culture initiatives. Overseeing the human capital strategy, the Chief Human Resources Officer ensures that the firm attracts and retains the industry's top experts in finance, valuation, and advisory services. Christine Jaroszewicz drives the implementation of training programs that foster deep industry knowledge and professional growth among all staff members. By aligning human resources policies with the firm's strategic goals, the Chief Human Resources Officer supports a high-performance environment characterized by responsiveness and collaboration. This role involves managing complex workforce planning and employee engagement strategies to maintain the firm's competitive advantage in the global market. Through the cultivation of a diverse and skilled workforce, Jaroszewicz ensures that the organization remains equipped to handle the most challenging client matters, reinforcing the firm's commitment to excellence and professional integrity across all service lines.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Stout Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Stout?
    Stout is led by Craige Stout (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as James Rojas (Chief Financial Officer) and Sean Swiatek (Managing Director - Chief Financial Officer Advisory Services).
    Who is part of Stout’s executive team?
    The executive team of Stout includes leaders such as Craige Stout (Chief Executive Officer), James Rojas (Chief Financial Officer), Sean Swiatek (Managing Director - Chief Financial Officer Advisory Services) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Stout have?
    Stout has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Stout’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Stout includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Managing Director - Chief Financial Officer Advisory Services, Vice President. Office of the Chief Financial Officer Advisory, Vice President, Chief Financial Officer Advisory.