John Stanier Bio

John Stanier is a Principal at the Firm and has more than 25 years of experience advising and lending to lower middle market companies. Prior to joining Salem, John was a Co-Founding Partner of an Atlanta based Investment Bank -Clarity Capital Advisors. Clarity (now Hancock Advisors) provides advice to lower middle market companies across the US. Prior to Clarity, John was a Managing Director with Carolina Financial Securities. John provided advice and capital raising services to lower middle market companies. Prior to Carolina Financial, John was a Managing Director with Merrill Lynch in London, UK. John was a member of the Financial Sponsor Group with clients that included both US and European Private Equity firms. John was recruited to Merrill as the Co-Head of their new European M&T Leverage Finance Group. John began his career as an Analyst at the Chase Manhattan Bank in New York ending as a Managing Director in London. John completed Chase’s credit training programs (both analyst and associate level). At Chase and Merrill, John originated both senior/ subordinated debt facilities and high yield debt placements. While at both institutions he conducted financial and business diligence, performed financial analysis, prepared and negotiated legal documentation, and monitored and managed credits post-closing. ​ John received his BS/BA in Finance from Georgetown University. John is/has been active with many NC based non-profit organizations.