M&A Advisor Podcast

In an era defined by rapid policy shifts and shifting consumer behavior, uncertainty has become the only constant in the restructuring world. In this episode, industry veterans Lisa Donahue and J. Gregory Milmoe join Richard Goldman to dissect the distress signals emerging in the electric vehicle, renewable energy, and oil and gas sectors.  

From the impact of AI on professional services to the "genius tax" on high-tech talent, discover how leaders are evolving post-COVID to build more flexible, resilient organizations. Learn how to identify the "how" over the "what" to deliver real value in a complex economic environment. Watch now and stay ahead of the curve at MAAdvisor.com. 

#MAAdvisor #Restructuring #EconomicOutlook #DistressedDebt 

Show Notes 

• [00:02:00] Defining uncertainty as the primary theme of the 2026 restructuring market 

• [00:03:00] Analyzing 26 electric vehicle bankruptcies in 24 months 

• [00:05:00] The case for nuclear energy as a stable base load for clean power  

• [00:07:00] Oil and gas distress: Lower commodity pricing and capital intensity  

• [00:09:00] Predicting sector distress vs. long-term energy infrastructure needs  

• [00:12:00] AI and professional services: Moving from the "what" to the "how."  

• [00:15:00] Post-COVID leadership: The rise of sophisticated, nimble management 

• [00:17:00] Workforce fallout: Immigration reform’s impact on construction and hospitality  

• [00:18:00] The "Genius Tax" and its potential drag on high-tech growth 

• [00:20:00] Breaking educational barriers: Hiring for performance over degrees 

• [00:22:00] Consumer sentiment: Watching the Michigan CPI and the "closed purse" effect 

• [00:24:00] Legal limits: How Supreme Court rulings have clipped the wings of bankruptcy courts. 

• [00:26:00] 2026 Outlook: Retail favorites, oil/gas combinations, and infrastructure consolidation. 
   

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A dealmaker’s most valuable asset is not their technology, but the depth of their strategic network. In this episode with Jonathan Adelson, industry veteran David Deutsch shares a masterclass on the "old school" principles of relationship building, mentorship, and career longevity. From starting at Lehman Brothers to founding a premier boutique firm, Deutsch breaks down how to manage a 30,000-contact CRM and why "playing in traffic" is the secret to attracting high-value opportunities. Founders and ambitious investment bankers will discover the "bet on yourself" mindset required to move from employee to MD and secure lasting influence in the market. Watch now to sharpen your edge at MAAdvisor.com.  

#MAAdvisor #NetworkingStrategy #InvestmentBanking 

Show Notes 

• [00:01:00] The importance of relationship building and mentorship in M&A. 

• [00:02:00] David Deutsch’s 40-year career journey through illustrious Wall Street firms. 

• [00:03:00] Learning "where the bond comes from" via corporate finance transition. 

• [00:05:00] Mentorship lessons from the "Greed and Glory" era of Wall Street. 

• [00:07:00] Why effective business development must begin 10 years before the meeting. 

• [00:08:00] Transitioning from two physical Rolodexes to a 30,000-name digital CRM. 

• Entrepreneurial strategy: Why Managing Directors should always bet on themselves. 

• Training the next generation through 68 interns and strategic mentorship. 

• Playing in traffic: How to attract accidental M&A opportunities and growth. 

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Watch masterclass strategies and exclusive interviews on our official channel. https://www.youtube.com/user/Maadvisor 

Founders, PE operators, and advisors face a reality where deal multiples have reset and lenders have tightened selectivity. In this episode, Jonathan Kelemen of The Beekman Group shares strategies for lower middle market private equity and healthcare services acquisitions. With $1.2 billion in AUM, Kelemen reveals how professional investors filter deal flow and manage portfolio cost pressures. Master collaborative post-close playbooks and use earn outs to bridge valuation gaps for a successful exit. Watch now to sharpen your edge and visit MAAdvisor.com for more. 

#MAAdvisor #LowerMiddleMarket #PEInvesting 

Show Notes 

• [00:04:00] Managing $1.2B in services sectors  

• [00:05:00] $40M checks for roll-up strategies  

• [00:06:00] Distribution-focused fundraising environment  

• [00:08:00] Multiples returning to historical norms  

• [00:09:00] Prioritizing organic over inorganic growth  

• [00:10:00] Commercial vs. direct lending trade-offs  

• [00:11:00] Pushing buyers for premium assets  

• [00:12:00] Avoiding drag on "B assets"  

• [00:14:00] Selective deal flow filtering strategies  

• [00:16:00] Essential management rollover alignment  

• [00:17:00] Validating cash flow via QofE  

• [00:18:00] Mitigating portfolio health insurance costs  

• [00:20:00] Defining post-close growth playbooks  

• [00:21:00] Bridging gaps with earn out structures 
   

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Connect with our global community of dealmaking professionals. https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-m&a-advisor 

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Watch master class strategies and exclusive interviews on our official channel. https://www.youtube.com/user/Maadvisor 

Most founders under $10M EBITDA assume no one is looking at their deals—and leave institutional money on the table. In this episode, Andrew Nussbaum reveals how Golden Circle Advisors brings private equity, strategics, private credit, and SBIC capital into sub-$5M EBITDA situations. Learn how to escape broker-level processes, access non-dilutive and minority equity options, and run a true end-to-end, white-glove sale. Discover how to turn an “overlooked” company into a competitive auction with multiple premium bids. Watch now and sharpen your lower middle market edge at MAAdvisor.com. 

Joe Mantone, U.S. Financial Institutions, News Desk Manager, Americas, S&P Global Market Intelligence

Andrew Nussbaum, Managing Director, Golden Circle Advisor

#MAAdvisor #LowerMiddleMarketPE #FounderExits 

Show Notes 

• [00:01:00] Serving lower middle market companies up to $10M EBITDA 

• [00:03:00] Scaling institutional banking for underserved sub-$7M owners 

• [00:04:00] $1M EBITDA millwork deal attracts Bain-backed buyer 

• [00:06:00] Networking via national attorney and financial advisor road shows 

• [00:07:00] Competing against business brokers with institutional-grade materials 

• [00:08:00] Accessing non-dilutive capital and SBIC funds for founders 

• [00:10:00] Value of a "white glove" end-to-end deal experience 

• [00:11:00] Selling local sourdough companies to large global strategics 

• [00:13:00] 10-day sprint to gather real-time buyer feedback  

• [00:14:00] Why macro trends invalidate two-year-old valuation comps  

• [00:15:00] Anonymous buyer discussions to protect owner privacy  

• [00:17:00] Land grab: Private equity and independent sponsor velocity 

• [00:18:00] Why lower middle market M&A resists broader slowdowns 

• [00:20:00] Rust Belt leadership: "Already PE-backed" mindset and quality  

• [00:21:00] Falling interest rates as a catalyst for owner sentiment 
   

Subscribe to your definitive daily source for premium transaction news. https://maadvisor.com 

Connect with our global community of dealmaking professionals. https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-m&a-advisor 

Follow the latest trends and stories from the industry’s influential figures. 

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Watch master class strategies and exclusive interviews on our official channel. https://www.youtube.com/user/Maadvisor

Before attempting to navigate the complexities of international dealmaking, many investors were deterred by shifting regulatory landscapes and political instability; however, after applying the cross-border frameworks shared by Euan Rellie and Shawn Whiteside, they can now identify hidden opportunities in emerging corridors like Southeast Asia and India while protecting deal value through proactive cultural integration. 

Euan Rellie (Co-Founder of BDA Partners) and Shawn Whiteside (Founder of OneZero Solutions) dive into the "macro to micro" realities of cross-border M&A. Despite political volatility, the US remains a premier destination for sophisticated foreign capital. They discuss the decline of Chinese deal flow in the West, the surge of aggressive Japanese and Indian bidders, and why the "EBITDA trap" destroys deal value when culture is ignored. 

What You’ll Learn: 

• Why the US lower-middle market is increasingly targeted by sophisticated Asian bidders. 

• The shift from China to the Japan and India corridors. 

• How to "carve up risk and responsibilities" before the deal to avoid post-close chaos. 

• The danger of acquirers disrupting the "secret sauce" of a target company's culture. 

Connect with the Experts: 

• Euan Rellie: Co-Founder, BDA Partners 

• Shawn Whiteside: Founder, OneZero Solutions 

Main Takeaways: 

• US Resilience: Despite "hair-raising" politics, foreign bidders are undeterred because the US remains the global bellwether for technology and service innovation. 

• Global Corridor Shifts: While Chinese investment in the US and Europe faces high friction, Japanese and Indian bidders have the capital and flexibility to move faster than they did a decade ago. 

• Culture Over Cash Flow: Acquirers often fail because they understand the financial statements but don't grasp the culture that built the success, leading to disruption instead of growth. 

Timestamps: 

• [00:01:30] – The macro landscape: Political and regulatory shifts in a dynamic world. 

• [00:03:00] – The "Tenacity" of the USA: Why foreign bidders still want exposure to American businesses.  

• [00:05:00] – The Role of China: Why Chinese bidders are pivoting to global expansion outside the US and Europe.  

• [00:05:30] – The Rise of Japan & India: A new era of aggressive, flexible international buyers.  

• [00:15:30] – Avoiding Post-Close Chaos: Dividing risk and responsibilities before the deal. 

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Founder and family-owned business owners often struggle to navigate the complex "Silver Tsunami" transition without leaving millions on the table. In this episode, Dena Jallbert of Align explores why private equity is aggressively targeting the lower middle market with buy-and-build strategies.  

Learn to fix messy financials and address restrictive assignment clauses before they kill your deal. Transform your "hair-filled" business into a premium asset that attracts institutional-grade multiples. Watch now to master transaction readiness and visit MAAdvisor.com for more. 

Dena Jallbert, Founder and CEO, Align Business Advisory Services - alignba.com

Richard Lorenzen, CEO, Fifth Avenue Brands - fifthavenuebrands.com

#MAAdvisor #LowerMiddleMarket #BuyAndBuild 

Show Notes 

• [00:01:00] Focus on $2M–$20M EBITDA founder-owned businesses 

• [00:02:00] Three factors driving PE firms down market 

• [00:03:00] Silver Tsunami: Boomers owning 67% of small businesses 

• [00:04:00] Buy-and-build strategies vs. single large-cap acquisitions 

• [00:05:00] Red-hot demand for "essential" service-based trade businesses 

• [00:06:00] Quality gap: Messy financials and succession hurdles 

• [00:08:00] Strategic education to bridge unrealistic valuation gaps 

• [00:10:00] Consolidation trends in home services and cyber security 

• [00:12:00] Navigating supply chain and tariff risks in manufacturing 

• [00:14:00] Transaction readiness: Fixing "proverbial hair" before exit 

• [00:16:00] 2026 outlook: The "Year of the Bull" for dealmaking 
   

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Stop wasting years in Chapter 11 litigation! Learn directly from Jay Goffman, the inventor of the pre-pack, how to save distressed companies quickly and cost-effectively. In this episode with Derek Hunter, Jay reveals the mindset shift from "warrior" lawyer to creative business problem-solver. Don't let your firm be left behind—master this mindset and accelerate your deal-making craft today. 

• [0:02:00] Meet Jay Goffman, the pioneer and inventor of the pre-pack restructuring 

• [0:03:00] The unplanned journey: How a neurochemistry major stumbled into bankruptcy law 

• [0:05:00] The key to success: Hard work, a creative streak, and the value of mentors. 

• [0:06:00] Hiring for restructuring: Why a team-first, all-in mentality beats high grades alone. 

• [0:08:00] The pre-pack origin story: Solving a multinational, multi-tier bond problem. 

• [0:10:00] Thinking differently: The switch from multi-year litigation to a business transaction mindset. 

• [0:11:00] The Midnight Memo: Jay writes the first-ever proposal for a pre-packaged plan. 

• [0:14:00] The first pre-pack: Succeeding with Mex Telex despite objections and no examples. 

• [0:15:00] The difference: Comparing the "warrior" versus the "business deal" restructuring approach. 

• [0:16:00] Liability Management: It's not new, but it needs to truly fix the problem 

• [0:18:00] The Pre-Pack Mindset: A technique to fix any problem quickly and cost-effectively 

• [0:19:00] The evolution: Why it's possible for operational, international, and even mass tort cases. 

• [0:21:00] Global restructuring: Using US law firm retainers to leverage foreign cases. 

• [0:23:00] Parting Advice: Be passionate, find mentors, and show genuine care for clients. 

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From tinkering with lawnmowers in a suburban garage to steering global financial giants through crisis and innovation—Eric Aboaf’s journey is a masterclass in leadership, resilience, and the power of data-driven transformation.In this episode of the M&A Advisor Podcast, Roger Aguinaldo, Founder and CEO of The M&A Advisor sits down with Eric Aboaf, CFO of S&P Global, for a riveting conversation that spans engineering roots, Wall Street resilience, and the future of financial intelligence. Discover how Eric’s passion for “fixing things” evolved from go-karts in a Westchester garage to steering billion-dollar institutions through crisis and transformation.What you'll hear in this episode:• How engineering shaped Eric’s approach to business strategy• Behind-the-scenes insights from Citigroup during the financial crisis• The evolving role of CFOs in the age of AI and data• S&P Global’s vision for growth, innovation, and M&A strategy• Advice for emerging leaders in finance and dealmakingSeasoned dealmaker or rising star? This episode is your front-row seat to bold insights, sharp wit, and game-changing inspiration from one of the most dynamic financial minds in M&A.Tune in now to hear how curiosity, grit, and data-driven leadership can shape a career—and an industry.Attention M&A Professionals and Dealmakers! The M&A Advisor warmly invites you to join our industry experts and thought leaders at the 2025 Leadership in Dealmaking Summit on September 15th & 16th at the heart of vibrant New York, City. Hurry and register now! Click here:https://events.maadvisor.com/2025LeadershipInDealmakingSummitandhttps://events.maadvisor.com/2025FutureofDealmakingSummitDo you want to know more about The M&A Advisor? Please visit us at https://maadvisor.comLove our podcasts? Subscribe to our M&A Advisor Podcast in Spotify, Apple Podcast, and YouTube.Finally, subscribe to our email newsletter by clicking the link:https://maadvisor.com/maalerts/subscribeTill next time, stay tuned and happy dealing!

Uncertainty is over—and the phones are ringing off the hook. Welcome back to the fireside chat between Dena Jalbert, CEO and Founder at Align Business Advisory Services and Jon Moore, Partner at PKF O’Connor Davies, LLP. Originally recorded live on November 20th at the 2024 Future of Dealmaking Summit in New York City. The podcast episode features the session entitled “Looking Beyond the Elections: Setting Your Clients Up for Success.” We’ve adapted this conversation into a podcast, highlighting insights that remain highly relevant and enduring for professionals across M&A, restructuring, and corporate finance. In this episode, John Moore sits down with Jana Jalbert to explore why founder- and family-owned businesses are suddenly at the center of a dealmaking rush. From election aftershocks to service-sector roll-ups, discover how business owners are preparing for 2025 and beyond, what investors’ “bags of money” really mean, and why rushing into the wrong deal can feel like a prison sentence. Packed with candid stories, practical frameworks, and a few surprising metaphors (Cheesecake Factory menus, anyone?), this conversation is a must-listen for dealmakers, family business leaders, and advisors looking to navigate the tidal wave of capital and opportunity ahead. Don’t just watch the rush—get ahead of it. Tune in now to hear how family business owners and advisors can seize new opportunities and turn transition into lasting value. Attention M&A Professionals and Dealmakers! The M&A Advisor warmly invites you to join our industry experts and thought leaders at the 2025 Leadership in Dealmaking Summit on September 15th & 16th at the heart of vibrant New York, City. Hurry and register now! Click here:Do you want to know more about The M&A Advisor? Please visit us at https://maadvisor.comLove our podcasts? Subscribe to our M&A Advisor Podcast in Spotify, Apple Podcast, and YouTube. Finally, subscribe to our email newsletter by clicking the link- https://maadvisor.com/maalerts/subscribe Till next time, stay tuned and happy dealing!

What happens when U.S. private equity playbooks collide with family-run firms in Brazil—or carve-out integrations stretch across Germany, Romania, and the Czech Republic?Welcome back to the fireside chat between Ammar Misto, Senior Vice President and Head of Business Development at Atar Capital, and Ricardo Lacerda, Founder and CEO of BR Partners; formerly Head of LATAM for Citi; CEO Brazil for Goldman Sachs. Originally recorded live on March 25th at the 2025 Distressed Investing Summit in Palm Beach, Florida, this episode features the session “The Cultural Power of a Cross-Border Transaction Experience.” This conversation is now adapted for podcast, we believe the key takeaways from their discussion are both relevant and timeless for discerning professionals in M&A, private equity, and investment banking. In this insightful episode, Ammar Misto and Ricardo Lacerda dive deep into the untold truths of cross-border M&A—from bureaucratic landmines and currency chaos to vacation delays that derail deals. Hear real stories of cultural missteps, leadership pivots, and the art of earning trust across continents.Whether you're buying across borders or preparing for global expansion, this episode is your crash course in international dealmaking.Tune in now to learn why understanding culture may be your best due diligence.Attention M&A Professionals and Dealmakers! The M&A Advisor warmly invites you to join our industry experts and thought leaders at the 2025 Leadership in Dealmaking Summit on September 15th & 16th at the heart of vibrant New York, City. Hurry and register now! Click here:https://events.maadvisor.com/2025LeadershipInDealmakingSummitDo you want to know more about The M&A Advisor? Please visit us at https://maadvisor.comLove our podcasts? Subscribe to our M&A Advisor Podcast in Spotify, Apple Podcast, and YouTube.Finally, subscribe to our email newsletter by clicking the link- https://maadvisor.com/maalerts/subscribeTill next time, stay tuned and happy dealing!