XPX Northern California
At XPX, collaboration isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the foundation of effective exit planning. In this member spotlight, we sat down with Brit Summerill, Partner at NOW CFO and an active member of XPX Northern California, to talk about complex transactions, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and what sets XPX apart from other professional networks.
Solving the Hard Problems
Brit has spent more than 13 years helping companies navigate high-stakes financial moments. As a Partner at NOW CFO, he works with organizations on everything from outsourced accounting to CFO-level strategy, with a particular focus on companies facing complex transactions.
His work often extends beyond preparation and into execution. “I’ll help them with some raises, I’ll help them do the accounting around all the mergers, get them ready if they’re looking to sell the company,” Brit shared.
When it comes to exits, Brit emphasized the importance of credible financials. “There’s no quicker way to lose money than to have your numbers not make sense and not be provable,” he said. “If you get in there and they start finding holes, they’ll take money off the table.”
His focus is on helping owners clearly articulate their story. “When we’re looking at the exit side, it’s getting in there, making sure the numbers make sense, making sure the owner can tell that story with confidence.”
Why Collaboration Matters in Exit Planning
For Brit, exit planning and M&A are never one-dimensional. He emphasized that focusing on only one area, such as finance, tax, or legal, can create blind spots that hurt outcomes. Each advisor brings a different lens to the same goal. “What overall goals need to be done and how that’s going to affect each of us is going to be a little bit different,” he said. “So we’re thinking of the whole picture, not just one avenue.”
This collaborative mindset is a major reason Brit values being part of XPX. He sees exit planning as a team effort, where advisors challenge each other and work together to serve business owners more effectively.
What Sets XPX Apart
Having participated in other professional groups, Brit has a clear perspective on what makes XPX stand out. “One of the problems that I see in a lot of groups is it gets watered down,” he said. “What I’ve seen with XPX is a little bit different.”
He pointed specifically to the Northern California chapter and its focus on education and substance. “Our Northern California chapter is a lot of getting in there and learning education and getting the other views of things that you need to know,” Brit shared.
For him, the quality of the community matters. “It’s super important because I really need to know that the people that I’m talking to or that I’m bringing in actually do the work and actually have a background in it,” he said. “And can help my clients.”
That emphasis on real experience is why Brit believes XPX offers something distinct. “I feel like that’s where XPX is a little bit different than some of the other programs out there.”
A Community Built on Experience
Beyond the content, Brit values the people. From Northern California to Chicago, he’s found XPX members to be engaged, thoughtful, and committed to raising the bar for exit planning professionals.
For advisors who believe in continuous learning, meaningful collaboration, and serving business owners at a higher level, Brit sees XPX as a powerful community, especially for those in Northern California looking to deepen their impact.
Outside the Office
Outside of work, Brit enjoys spending time with his family and exploring California. “Camping is something that we like to do, going to the beach, just hopping out and seeing California,” he said. “There’s a world out there—might as well get out on the weekends and see it.”
Interested in learning more about XPX Northern California or becoming a member?
XPX brings together experienced advisors across disciplines to help business owners plan for successful transitions—together.
