About

Helping closely-held businesses survive and thrive in their transition to the next generation.

Meet Brad Franc

Entrepreneur, author and business advisor.

Bradley Franc is the creator of The Succession Solution and author of The Succession Solution: The Strategic Guide to Business Transition. He has formed four companies named nine times to INC Magazine's list of fastest-growing companies in the U.S., and has led quarterly strategic meetings for 25 years.

With over 35 years representing closely-held businesses in succession planning, he is a former president of Houston Harbaugh P.C., one of Pittsburgh's 20 largest law firms. Worth Magazine named him one of the top 100 attorneys in the United States.

Bradley is a CPA (inactive) with a B.S. in Accounting from Penn State, and a law review graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. He has been featured on Bloomberg television, Sirius Radio and YPO, and published in Forbes, Fox News and U.S. News & World Report.

Book a consultation LinkedIn

Core principles

Trust

Create a safe and supportive environment for our clients.

Empowerment

Empower our clients to take control of their plan.

Objectivity

Remain neutral and avoid biases.

Collaboration

Work with every important stakeholder to create a shared vision.

Results-oriented

Help our clients achieve tangible, objective results.

Continuous learning

Prioritize continuous learning for ourselves and our clients.

Meet the team

The people behind the process

Bill Egger

Bill, a seasoned executive with over three decades of experience, excels in guiding businesses through successful succession and ownership transitions, creating enhanced value. As a **Certified Succession Solution Advisor**, he builds trusting relationships, facilitates complex negotiations, and fosters strategic alliances for mutual benefit. His expertise spans family-owned, publicly traded, and private equity-backed organizations, with a background in corporate development, strategic planning, mergers and acquisitions, team development, and process innovation. Bill has held leadership roles in Construction, Engineering, Industrials, and Aerospace and Defense. His influence extends across companies of all sizes, from local to global, with academic credentials including an MBA from the University at Buffalo School of Management, complemented by MS and BS degrees in Electrical Engineering from the State University of New York at Buffalo. Bill is also certified as an Advisor by the Judgment Index and a Talent Optimization Consultant by The Predictive Index. His commitment to academia is evident through his role on the Mechatronics Advisory Committee at Volunteer State Community College and as a former Advisory Board Member at the University of Houston. He has also contributed to the community and healthcare as a Founding Board Member at Trace My Heart™, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamegger)

William Ilgenfritz

With over two decades of experience in business, consulting, and leadership, Bill Ilgenfritz is a trusted advisor for entrepreneurs navigating the often-complex journey of buying or selling a business. As a trained Business Intermediary and **Certified Succession Solution Advisor**, Bill brings a strategic, relationship-driven approach to every transaction—helping clients achieve both financial success and personal fulfillment through smooth, goal-aligned transitions. Bill’s diverse background spans key industries including healthcare management, marketing, and finance, giving him a broad perspective on what drives business growth and operational excellence. His expertise allows him to facilitate high-stakes negotiations, build strategic partnerships, and deliver customized solutions that create lasting value. As a seasoned entrepreneur himself, Bill understands the freedom and financial empowerment that comes with owning a business. That insight drives his passion for helping others step confidently into ownership—or exit on their own terms. Academically, Bill holds a Master’s in Business Administration and is a Certified Trainer with the John Maxwell Team, equipping him with the tools to mentor, lead, and inspire business owners at every stage of their journey. [Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-ilgenfritz-83161652/)

Randy Russell

Randy started his career in finance working for Federated Investors. After a few years, he decided to join the family business working along side his father at Ranbar. Ranbar was a growing chemical manufacturing company at the time. Randy was named President in 2000 and ran the company until he decided to sell the entire business in 2017. Randy has seen first-hand succession planning at its best and worst over his lifetime. His grandfather was a very successful entrepreneur who decided to retire abruptly. He sold off all his many businesses and transitioned none to his family members. Randy and his father took a different approach with Ranbar after watching what happened to the family after his grandfather’s succession planning decision. Randy has a BS Finance degree from Georgetown University and an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh. He is also Vice Chairman of Preservation Technologies. He has also been very involved in the Young President Organization over the years serving as Chapter Chair of Pittsburgh and Region Chair. [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/randy-russell-7a78558/)

Jessica Lee

Jessica Lee brings 20+ years of experience as a sophisticated advisor, investor and entrepreneur in multiple industry sectors, including the following: - Strategic business advisor and executive coach for 20+ years through ViveVenture, LLC advising entrepreneurs, executives, businesses and investors (both individual and institutional) - Business, Investment and Entrepreneurial Counsel with undergraduate at Duke University (Durham, NC) and law degree at Duke University School of Law (Durham, NC) - Investment Adviser, including legacy and charitable advisory services, in affiliation with H Financial Management (Southpointe, PA) - Social Entrepreneur in affiliation with Pittsburgh Gateways Corporation; Pittsburgh Green Innovators, Inc.; and Energy Innovation Center (Pittsburgh, PA) - Creative Entrepreneur through ViveVenture Productions as a Professional Vocalist, Musician, Songwriter & Producer (www.jessicaleejazz.com) with national and international performance, production, composition, and song recording and licensing experience and credits [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-lee-60460121/)

Lisa Reagle

**Manager of Client Relations** Lisa brings more than 35 years of experience in professional services working alongside senior executives and attorneys. Her extensive background has instilled in her a deep respect for discretion and trust that comes with handling sensitive client information. She enjoys building genuine relationships making sure clients feel heard, supported, and well cared for throughout their experience. As Manager of Client Relations, Lisa helps to ensure every interaction with The Succession Solution is professional, responsive, and personal. She helps to keep things organized, brings a friendly, thoughtful approach to her work, and genuinely enjoys helping people navigate important transitions with confidence.

Michele Lengyel, Pa.C.P.

**Board of Advisor** Michele has been an integral part of The Succession Solution team since its inception. She brings over 20 years of experience as a resourceful and hard-working professional and utilizes her unique skills to assist the team as an advisor to provide strategic guidance and mentorship. Her leadership has a proven track record of successfully managing client portfolios, resolving complex issues, and contributing to the overall growth of The Succession Solution. Michele believes that at the heart of successful client relations is the ability to listen and empathize with clients, creating a foundation of trust that leads to enduring partnerships. Her approach is always client-centric, focusing on delivering value beyond the contract.

The book

The Succession Solution: The Strategic Guide to Business Transition

Brad's Amazon best-seller lays out the full framework for owners and advisors.

Free · 10 minutes

How ready is your business for succession?

Take the Succession Assessment and get a clear picture of where you stand — and what to do next.

Take the Assessment