Aphias Capital Announces Strategic Growth Investment in SNZweig

Aphias investment supports the combination of Stambaugh Ness and Zweig Group to form SNZweig, the architecture, engineering, and construction industry’s first advisory platform built exclusively for architecture, engineering, and construction firms

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aphias Capital (“Aphias”), an operationally and vertically focused private equity firm dedicated to helping lower middle market companies and their management teams prosper, announced plans to make a majority growth investment in SNZweig Advisors LLC. The investment is being made in connection with the combination of Stambaugh Ness and Zweig Group, which intend to merge and form SNZweig, a professional services and advisory firm built exclusively to support and advance architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) businesses. The investment will support the firm’s next chapter of growth. The deal is expected to become effective by the end of the year.

The combination follows the success of the strategic partnership between Stambaugh Ness and Zweig Group that began in March 2025. The transaction solidifies that relationship, creating the AEC industry’s leading advisory platform. It unites industry-specific financial, strategic, technology, and transaction advisory expertise under one roof to help clients address their most complex needs. The opportunities and challenges facing AEC firms no longer fit neatly into separate categories: growth, ownership, technology, talent, capital, risk, compliance, and performance have become deeply interconnected, yet most firms still rely on a patchwork of disconnected advisors with legacy business models and outdated technology. Leveraging its deep industry specialization, proprietary technology and intelligence, advisory services, and team of industry-leading experts, SNZweig gives AEC leaders a more connected, personalized, and specialized way to navigate complexity, accelerate growth, and build lasting value.

SNZweig is launching with well-defined growth plans, fueled by Aphias’ investment and a mandate to strengthen its national footprint, expand its technology capabilities, enhance and broaden its service lines, and scale the integrated model across the AEC market. The firm expects to grow through both organic expansion and additional strategic acquisitions of firms that share its vision for and commitment to the AEC industry, and is building its talent bench across advisory, audit, tax, technology, and consulting disciplines.

Steven L. Hake, Chief Executive Officer of SNZweig, said, “This is a defining moment for the AEC industry. SNZweig represents more than the combination of two organizations; it represents a new opportunity for the industry. Together, we’ve designed something unprecedented; equipping firm leaders with insight, confidence, and support to grow stronger and more resilient.”

Chad Clinehens, President of SNZweig, said, “We've created a platform unlike anything else in the AEC market – one that puts financial, strategic, technology, and transaction expertise under a single roof. That's what lets us deliver on our mission of elevating the industry and helping firms excel in an increasingly complex future. Firms of every size, from regional practices to national players, will benefit from the expanded resources SNZweig brings to the industry.”

Rob Wolfson, Founder and Managing Partner at Aphias, said, “Stambaugh Ness and Zweig Group have each spent decades earning the trust of AEC firms, and their partnership has already shown what the integrated model can do for clients. We are proud to partner with the SNZweig team to create the market-leading professional services provider and knowledge partner to AEC firms.”

Luke Torres, Managing Director at Aphias, said, “SNZweig’s expertise and specialization are unmatched in the AEC industry. We were most impressed by the firm’s people who are renowned in the sector, passionate about what they do, highly experienced, and singularly focused on helping their clients address their most complex needs to create value. We are excited to help them continue to elevate the industry.”

In connection with the investment, SNZweig will operate under an alternative practice structure in accordance with the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct and applicable law, regulations, and professional standards. Under this structure, SNZweig Advisors LLC will provide comprehensive and complementary advisory, tax, technology, and consulting services, and Stambaugh Ness LLC, a licensed independent CPA firm, will provide audit and attest services. SNZweig Advisors LLC and its subsidiary entities are not licensed CPA firms.

Lazard Frères & Co. served as financial advisor and Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as legal counsel to Aphias. Citizens Capital Markets & Advisory served as financial advisor and Vedder Price P.C. served as legal counsel to Stambaugh Ness and Zweig Group. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

About SNZweig

SNZweig is the first national integrated advisory platform built exclusively for architecture, engineering, and construction firms. Combining highly complementary financial and accounting expertise, strategic, operational, and transactional advisory, technology solutions, and industry intelligence, SNZweig helps AEC leaders navigate complexity, accelerate growth, and create long-term value. Its mission is to Elevate the Industry^® by serving as a trusted partner to AEC clients, delivering clarity, confidence, and the freedom to focus on what matters most. Learn more at snzweig.com.

About Aphias Capital

Aphias Capital is an operationally and vertically focused private equity firm dedicated to helping lower middle market companies and their management teams prosper. As thematic investors focused on essential services and healthcare services, Aphias drives growth through sector insights, operational excellence with its One Team Alignment (“OTA”) approach, and strategic relationships. Aphias Capital is based in San Francisco. For more information, visit aphias.com.