PONTE VEDRA, FL, April 23, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Stephen R. Murray has been included in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Mr. Murray currently serves as the president and founder of GrowFast in Jacksonville, Florida, a role he has held since 2025. In this capacity, he leads the organization's efforts to redefine succession planning and valuation in the middle market, with a particular emphasis on mergers and acquisitions and private equity. His work centers on developing valuation-grade succession models that integrate artificial intelligence into workforce planning, ensuring companies are equipped to maximize value during transitions.

Positioning himself at the forefront of AI-driven workforce strategy, Mr. Murray has emerged as a notable voice in redefining how organizations approach succession and value creation. His contributions have been recognized with a cover feature in Manage HR magazine and an interview with the Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) podcast. He is currently pursuing patents for his methodologies, reinforcing his commitment to innovation in a rapidly evolving business landscape.

Prior to founding GrowFast, Mr. Murray was a human capital exit planner at GrowFast Human Capital from 2024 to 2026. In this role, he guided organizations through the complexities of workforce transitions during business sales and acquisitions, focusing on aligning human capital strategies with evolving AI-driven processes. He also served as a human resources adviser at GrowFast HR Solutions from 2023 to 2024, where he provided strategic counsel on talent management and organizational design.

From 2022 to 2023, Mr. Murray was the vice president of people for North America at Ocado Group plc, a British robotics company. There, he established the North American human resources department in approximately six months and played a key role in launching new sites and integrating advanced robotics and AI technologies into operations. His tenure coincided with multiple acquisitions, deepening his expertise in M&A environments.

Between 2013 and 2022, Mr. Murray held the position of senior human resources director at KONE in Ponte Vedra, Florida. He oversaw human resources operations across half of the United States for this Finnish vertical transportation company, supporting high-rise construction projects reliant on advanced technology. His leadership earned him recognition for engagement and organizational alignment.

Prior to his tenure at KONE, Mr. Murray was the regional human resources director at The Coca-Cola Company in the Greater Los Angeles Area from 2008 to 2013. He led a significant turnaround in employee engagement outcomes, moving survey scores from the mid-60s to the low 90s over three years, achieving world-class status within the company. This period also saw the decertification of approximately 120 to 150 employees from union representation following several organizing campaigns. His efforts were recognized with an award for most improved employee engagement in a world-class category.

Earlier, Mr. Murray served as human resources director at Pepsi Bottling Group, PepsiCo in Los Angeles from 2005 to 2008. He managed operations across the Southwest United States and played a pivotal role in labor relations and organizational strategy.

Mr. Murray's career began at International Paper, where he worked as a labor and employee relations specialist in Memphis from 1997 to 2002 before becoming a human resources leader in Kaukauna, Wisconsin, from 2002 to 2005. A defining moment came when he successfully negotiated a critical contract extension with a resistant union during an acquisition by KKR, ensuring the deal's completion and earning recognition for high-performing labor relations outcomes.

Mr. Murray's academic background includes a master's degree in human resources and labor relations from the School of Human Resources and Labor Relations at Michigan State University in 1997; a master's degree in sociology and law from the University of Florida in 1996; and a bachelor's degree in sociology from Furman University in 1994. His initial interest in sociology and law was driven by aspirations toward labor law before his focus shifted more fully to labor relations and human resources.

Beyond his formal degrees, Mr. Murray holds the Certified Exit Planning Advisor credential from the Exit Planning Institute, which supports his expertise in guiding organizations through complex transitions involving both people and financial performance. He is also an active member of ACG and the Exit Planning Institute.

Throughout his career, Mr. Murray has been recognized for his ability to balance exceptional financial performance with genuine attention to employees' well-being, a philosophy influenced by his grandfather's leadership at Cedar Point amusement park. He has managed large-scale workforce reductions while maintaining respect for individuals affected by such changes.

Born in Atlanta, Mr. Murray credits his upbringing, and particularly his family's athletic legacy, for shaping his values around teamwork and discipline. He won a Georgia state championship during his senior year of high school football; his father played quarterback at the University of Michigan in the late 1950s.

Outside of work, Mr. Murray participates in 100 Men Who Care Jacksonville and supports the Organization for Handicapped Children. He is also active in the Jeep community through off-roading since acquiring his Jeep in 2012, and enjoys spending time at the beach.

Mr. Murray remains focused on expanding GrowFast Advisory into a broader advisory platform supported by an extensive network of advisors across disciplines such as AI, wealth management and M&A strategy. He continues to prioritize helping companies execute deals efficiently while scaling value creation capabilities amid rapid technological change. With an emphasis on "people first," he leverages AI tools, including an advanced virtual assistant, to streamline operations as he positions GrowFast Advisory for continued growth both nationally and internationally.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. The suite of Marquis® publications, including Who's Who in America® and Who's Who in the World®, remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the globe. Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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