Name: Max L. Friar

With Calder Since: 2013

Current Role: Max founded Calder Capital in 2013 and is its Managing Partner. A seasoned mergers and acquisitions expert with a career spanning 20 years in the industry, Max has successfully led the firm to become an anomaly in the M&A landscape across twelve locations with a team of 50+ M&A professionals.

Under Max’s leadership, Calder Capital has orchestrated the sale of over 300 businesses. His focus has been on building a marketing engine that expands options and outcomes for both buy-side and sell-side clients, fostering a culture that values honesty and long-term thinking, and consistently pushing for growth both in revenue and in team culture, even when it requires navigating uncomfortable challenges.

He has a passion for entrepreneurship, technology, psychology, process improvement, and growth. He brings energy, focus, creativity, and a unique ability to create order out of chaos.

Background: Max has been working in mergers and acquisitions since 2005, beginning his career as the Director of Marketing for a Midwest mergers and acquisitions firm, where he quickly fell in love with the fast-paced and challenging world of business transactions.

Beyond starting and owning businesses, Max also has personal experience in investing in, buying, and selling closely-held businesses. Max is a summa cum laude graduate of Alma College (2003) where he majored in International Relations and became the college’s first Fulbright Scholar.

Awards and Recognitions: Max has received numerous awards and recognitions for his work in M&A including Dealmaker of the Year Finalist (2018), Grand Rapids Top 200 Business Leaders (2019 - 2023), Grand Rapids Business Journal's 40 under 40 Business Leaders (2020), and Crain's Grand Rapids Business'  Notable Leaders in Finance (2025). Max has also been consistently recognized as a Business Brokerage Press Expert in Metal Fabrication Manufacturing, Construction, Wood Products Manufacturing, Machinery Manufacturing, Apparel Manufacturing, Signs Manufacturing, and Car Washes.

Hobbies: Max enjoys coffee, long hikes, and his favorite music genre is metal.

Linkedin: Click here to connect with Max.