The Montclair Group, LLC, a boutique investment bank specializing in the franchising, services, consumer, and multi-unit sectors, has announced the appointment of Boris Katsnelson as Managing Director.

Katsnelson brings over 25 years of experience spanning investment banking, private equity, and operational leadership across franchising, consumer products, e-commerce, home services, and real estate. He began his investment banking career at Wachovia Securities and Credit Suisse before transitioning into private equity with the Anschutz Investment Company. Subsequently, he acquired, operated, and successfully exited multiple franchise and consumer businesses. Notably, he served as CEO of SpeedPro, a business services franchisor, guiding the company through substantial growth in both systemwide sales and unit count. He has also operated as a franchisee of Primrose School and College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving. Most recently, Katsnelson has applied his multifaceted perspective to M&A advisory, advising both franchisors and franchisees.

The hiring comes at a time when franchise M&A continues to attract attention from both strategic buyers and private capital, with franchised business models across food service, home services, and childcare drawing interest for their recurring revenue streams and scalable unit economics. Boutique advisory firms with deep sector specialization have played an increasingly visible role in these transactions, bridging the gap between institutional buyers and owner-operators who often navigate a sale only once in a lifetime.

"I've known Boris for the better part of a decade. He's consistently demonstrated sharp strategic instincts, uncompromising values, and relentless commitment to his clients," said John Goldasich, Founder and Managing Partner at Montclair. "Few professionals in this space have sat on every side of the table the way he has — as advisor, as CEO, and as an owner-operator. His breadth of perspective will drive tremendous value for our franchising clients. We are thrilled to welcome him to Montclair."

"We have built Montclair around senior bankers with genuine depth in the sectors we serve," said Gavin McKinney, Co-Founder and Partner at Montclair. "Boris is precisely that, and our clients will be better for it."

Reflecting on his new role, Katsnelson said: "Over the course of my career I've sat on every side of the franchise table, as a banker, as a CEO, and as a franchisee, and that vantage point has taught me just how much is riding on the decisions owners make when they pursue a transaction. What drew me to Montclair was simple: this is a team that puts clients first and understands this industry at a level few others do. I couldn't be more excited to bring my experience to bear for Montclair's clients."

Katsnelson holds an MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a BBA from the Goizueta Business School at Emory University.