Built by Operators
Paul began his career trading foreign exchange at Merrill Lynch before moving to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, where he oversaw the hedge fund portfolio for one of the nation's largest philanthropic endowments. After meeting his business partner Stephen, the two set out on an entrepreneurial path, acquiring Blue Wrench in 2022 as the foundation for a growing platform of exceptional auto repair businesses.
Today, Paul focuses on operations, strategy, and business development across the platform. He's passionate about identifying top-quality shops and carrying forward the legacy that owners have spent decades building, preserving what makes each business great while investing in its future.
Paul holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California and an MBA from Columbia Business School. Outside of work, you'll find him in the mountains — whether that's mountain biking, trail running, or hiking.
Stephen began his career in M&A and corporate finance, with roles at General Electric, Caesars Entertainment, and Radiology Partners, where he honed his expertise in acquisitions, capital allocation, and building lasting value across complex organizations.
After meeting his business partner Paul, the two set out on an entrepreneurial path, acquiring Blue Wrench in 2022 as the foundation for a growing platform of exceptional auto repair businesses. Today, Stephen and Paul work closely across operations, strategy, and business development, each bringing leverage to the other's efforts.
What draws him to the automotive industry, above all, is the people: the customers, the employees, and the owners who've spent decades building something they're proud of. His operating philosophy is a simple one — the best shops are led by the people who built them, and Emerald Auto's job is to give those operators the resources to grow.
Stephen holds a bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Outside of work, he's married to his wife, Jen, and recently welcomed their son, Stephen. When he's not with family, you'll find him watching sports, traveling internationally, or in the gym.
