YOUR PARTNERS
Experience you can trust.
People you can relate to.
At Flathead Partners, you won’t find polished jargon or Ivy League egos. You’ll find two business partners who’ve walked in your shoes — practical, experienced, and deeply committed to helping you navigate this next chapter with confidence and care. Between us, we’ve built, managed, and sold multiple successful companies over the past 40 years. We know firsthand what it means to pour decades into a family business.
MANAGING PARTNER
Troy Gabriel
A lifelong entrepreneur, Troy learned the fundamentals of business from his father and grandfather, both successful entrepreneurs who instilled in him a deep understanding of hard work, resourcefulness, and strategic thinking. Over his 37-year career, Troy has built and led companies across equipment rental, manufacturing, banking, and commercial real estate—earning a reputation as a hands-on operator and a disciplined strategist.
Troy has served as COO of several organizations, including both family-owned businesses and a publicly traded equipment rental company. During that time, he helped lead the acquisition and integration of dozens of smaller equipment rental businesses nationwide, contributing to the company’s growth to more than $750 million in revenue. Throughout his career, Troy has been a key participant in raising over $1 billion in equity and debt capital to fuel growth and transformation.
In 2008, Troy co-founded Franklin Equipment LLC, starting with a single location generating $6 million in revenue. As CEO, he guided Franklin’s expansion to 20 stores across seven states throughout the Midwest and South, growing annual revenue to $125 million. In 2021, Franklin was acquired by United Rentals, marking a successful exit and further validating Troy’s ability to scale and position companies for long-term success.
Beyond his corporate leadership, Troy is also a real estate investor and farmer—bringing a grounded, multifaceted perspective to his work. His operational discipline, entrepreneurial mindset, and ability to connect strategy with execution make him a trusted advisor to Flathead Partners’ clients, helping them navigate complex transitions and unlock sustained value.
Troy earned his bachelor’s degree in Business from Capital University in Columbus, Ohio.
MANAGING PARTNER
Jon Usher
Jon brings deep expertise in finance, M&A, and operational growth to Flathead Partners and its clients. After graduating Summa Cum Laude from Butler University with degrees in Economics and Accounting, he began his career at Arthur Andersen, followed by his first public-company CFO role.
In 1997, Jon joined Troy at the newly formed NationsRent, where over the next four years the two led an ambitious expansion—completing 60 acquisitions nationwide, taking the company public, raising more than $1.5 billion in equity and debt capital, and scaling revenue from $20 million to $750 million.
Since then, Jon and Troy have continued to collaborate across multiple ventures, including Franklin Equipment, while Jon also built a successful financial consulting practice of his own. In 2021, following the sale of Franklin Equipment, they came together again to form Flathead Partners.
Jon brings a sharp analytical perspective and a steady, organized approach to every engagement. He understands the unique challenges of family-owned businesses, private equity, and capital markets alike—and draws on a proven track record of successful transactions to help clients navigate growth, transition, and long-term value creation.
Let’s talk about what’s next.
Every business is different. Whether you’re planning for years ahead or looking to sell today, we always start by listening to your story and understanding your goals.