Colleague Spotlight: Stan Grabish, Director, Field Exam

Stan's path to his current role was built on years of hands-on experience. Having spent much of his career in commercial finance and restructuring, he made the transition into due diligence.

He explains that his work is about providing lenders with the critical due diligence necessary to make informed credit decisions. He is quick to clarify a common misconception about field exams: "It is not a 'check the box' exercise; it is a critical aspect of getting new deals done and identifying risks on existing ones."

In a market where lenders are increasingly creative with their deal structures, Stan notes that the Field Exam function must remain equally flexible. To stay at the forefront, he emphasizes the importance of continuous upskilling. He is a strong advocate for learning and mastering advanced Excel tools—such as Power Query and dynamic array formulas—which allow him to perform deep analysis faster.

"Being able to do the analysis faster allows more time to focus on the core matters and not just the 'doing,'" he explains. Currently, Stan is channeling his expertise into leadership as part of a committee developing a comprehensive training program for the team, aiming to elevate both the technical and non-technical aspects of due diligence.

He is committed to expanding the firm's capabilities. He sees a growing demand from clients for a "single source" for due diligence—encompassing both appraisals and field exams—and he is driven to help GA Group further cement its position as the primary provider for these integrated services.

When he isn't navigating complex financial models, Stan finds his balance through movement. He runs 20 to 25 miles a week and practices yoga several times a week. He credits these habits with helping him maintain the focus required for his professional responsibilities. "The running keeps me in shape, while the yoga helps keep me relatively injury-free and helps me relax," he shares.

Beyond physical health, he attributes much of his professional value to his deep background in restructuring, which allows him to bring a seasoned, holistic perspective to every project he leads.

We are proud to have a leader with such a curious and adaptable mindset on our team. Thank you, Stan!

Stan Grabish is a Director at GA Group and a veteran Finance Executive with deep expertise in secured finance, restructuring, and due diligence. Over his 20+ year career, he has partnered with private equity firms, investment banks, and corporate lenders to provide critical insights through collateral analysis, financial due diligence, and forensic accounting.

He is known for his ability to synthesize complex financial data into actionable strategies, a skill he frequently leverages to guide clients through challenging economic cycles. Stan holds an MBA from Emory University and has integrated his financial acumen with a forward-looking perspective on technology, supported by his studies in Artificial Intelligence at MIT Sloan.

Stan Grabish

Director, Field Exam

sgrabish@gagroup.com