M&A Science

Ron "Omani" Carson, Founder and Chairman at Carson Group | Founder of Omya

We sit down with Ron "Omani" Carson, founder of Carson Group, for a wide-ranging conversation about transformation—both professional and personal. From launching a financial services firm out of a college dorm room to building a national platform with over $30 billion in assets under management, Omani shares the gritty beginnings, his early lessons in love affair marketing and systemization, and why his first M&A deal nearly broke him.

But the real story unfolds around age 50, when Omani underwent a profound mindset shift—from fear and scarcity to love and abundance. This new lens on leadership reshaped Carson Group's culture, unlocked purpose-driven M&A, and set the stage for launching Omya, his newest venture focused on helping entrepreneurs align joy, legacy, and impact.

This episode is more than M&A—it's a masterclass in reinvention, authentic leadership, and building businesses that matter.

Things you will learn:

• How to scale a firm through systemization and "love affair" client marketing

• What went wrong in Carson Group's first M&A deal—and how they rebounded

• How trauma and personal evolution can drive professional reinvention

• What "conscious capitalism" looks like in a modern financial firm

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Only two weeks left to register! This half-day event brings together corporate development leaders and M&A experts to explore Buyer-Led M&A™, showing how you can take control of every stage of the deal. Register Now: DealRoom.net/Summit

________ Episode Chapters:

[00:01:00] Dorm room origins and cold-calling farmers in Nebraska

[00:07:00] Early success, burnout, and chasing money without fulfillment

[00:10:30] Love affair marketing, process systemization, and client growth

[00:18:00] Lessons from their first M&A deal: culture clash, team turnover, missed red flags

[00:23:30] Partner program and minority investments: a better M&A model

[00:27:00] Personal transformation at age 50 and the birth of "Omani"

[00:35:00] Embracing spirituality, mental wellness, and psychedelic therapy

[00:40:00] Impact investing, farming regeneration, and the trillion-dollar goal

[00:46:00] How Carson's culture shifted—and made M&A better

[00:51:00] 7-day water fasts, health optimization, and living life with intention

[00:55:00] The craziest M&A moment: the painful first acquisition

Andrew Bab, Partner & Co-Chair of the Healthcare Group at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP

In this episode of M&A Science, Andrew Bab joins Kison Patel live in New York to dive into the fast-changing legal landscape facing private equity deals in healthcare. From emerging state-level regulations and reverse CFIUS to FDA policy shifts and CVR litigation, Andrew offers a masterclass in legal diligence and deal structuring. They also explore how political scrutiny and increasing regulatory complexity are driving the need for more proactive, buyer-led approaches in healthcare M&A.

Things you will learn:

• How state-level regulation is changing the game for healthcare deals

• What private equity needs to know about DEI rollbacks and False Claims Act liability

• Impacts of recent Delaware case law and why some firms are leaving the state

• When to use CVRs in pharma M&A and the litigation risks they carry

• How new HSR rules and antitrust dynamics are shifting auction timelines

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This isn't just another webinar—it's an interactive experience designed to give you the tools and strategies to lead your M&A deals with confidence. This half-day event brings together corporate development leaders and M&A experts to explore Buyer-Led M&A™, showing how you can take control of every stage of the deal. Register Now: DealRoom.net/Summit

________

Episode Timestamps:

[00:01:30] Andrew's background and overview of Debevoise & Plimpton's healthcare practice

[00:03:00] Regulatory updates: DEI rollbacks, reverse CFIUS, foreign direct investment

[00:05:30] National security laws expanding into tech, steel, and social media

[00:06:00] Antitrust enforcement differences between Trump and Biden administrations

[00:09:00] Delaware case law: MFW, Molus, Crispo and corporate governance implications

[00:15:00] State-level regulation of healthcare deals (e.g., CA OHCA, MA law)

[00:18:30] FDA's AI guidance and post-Chevron court deference

[00:21:00] CVRs in pharma: structuring, litigation risk, and buyer incentives

[00:29:00] Put/call deal structures for PE–strategic healthcare partnerships

[00:32:30] HSR form overhaul and implications for auction vs. proprietary deals

[00:34:30] Increased scrutiny of PE under False Claims Act and integration risk

[00:44:00] Political scrutiny of PE in healthcare and rising public pressure

[00:47:00] "Craziest M&A moment" – Mercury in the House of Orion delays closing

Hugh MacArthur, Chairman of Global Private Equity Practice, Bain & Company

In this episode of M&A Science, Hugh MacArthur joins us to discuss the evolution of private equity over the last three decades—from the early days of deal-making and bespoke financing to today's hyper-competitive, tech-driven landscape.

Hugh shares how Bain's private equity practice scaled from an entrepreneurial idea to one-third of the firm's global business and dives into what differentiates top-performing firms. We explore sourcing strategies, value levers, post-acquisition success, and how PE firms are adapting to rising interest rates and new technologies like AI.

Things you will learn:

• How Bain & Company built and scaled its private equity practice from scratch

• The shift from margin improvement to growth-oriented value creation strategies

• How private equity firms are evolving sourcing and financing models

• The future of deal execution using AI and specialized data tools

  _______________

  What is the Buyer-Led M&A™ Virtual Summit

  This isn't just another webinar—it's an interactive experience designed to give you the tools and strategies to lead your M&A deals with confidence. This half-day event brings together corporate development leaders and M&A experts to explore Buyer-Led M&A™, showing how you can take control of every stage of the deal. Register Now: DealRoom.net/summit

  ________ This episode is sponsored by FirmRoom. The World's Most Intuitive Virtual Data Room With AI Contract Analysis No Per-Page Fees. No B.S. Just Smarter, Faster Deals.

  Get started with your free trial today! ________

Episode Chapters:

[00:01:30] – Hugh's background and the founding of Bain's PE practice

[00:03:00] – Evolution from buyouts to a broad private assets approach

[00:04:30] – Bain's entrepreneurial origins in private equity

[00:07:00] – Commercial due diligence: Bain's unique differentiator

[00:12:30] – Market valuation trends and EBITDA multiples over 30 years

[00:14:30] – Industry sector evolution: from industrials to tech and healthcare

[00:20:00] – The impact of software and growth on value creation

[00:22:30] – Changes in deal sourcing: proprietary to competitive

[00:24:30] – Rise of private credit and changes in deal structuring

[00:29:30] – Value creation strategies: growth vs. cost-cutting

[00:33:00] – Buy-and-build strategies and integration challenges

[00:55:00] – Role of AI and advanced analytics in deal execution

[01:00:00] – Growth of private markets and increased retail access

[01:04:00] – Common mistakes PE firms make during acquisitions

Ben Beller, Partner at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP

Ben Beller, Partner at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, joins the podcast to walk through how companies can strategically navigate bankruptcy and restructuring during M&A. Drawing from experience on major cases like FTX and Silicon Valley Bank, Ben shares practical insights into Chapter 11 processes, planning strategies, liability management transactions, and how buyers can successfully acquire distressed assets. A must-listen for corporate development professionals, acquirers, and M&A legal teams looking to build competency around distressed transactions.

Things you will learn:

• The differences between Chapter 7, 11, and 13 bankruptcies and when to use each

• How liability management transactions work and their growing role in restructuring

• What buyers need to know about acquiring businesses in bankruptcy

_______________

This isn't just another webinar—it's an interactive experience designed to give you the tools and strategies to lead your M&A deals with confidence. This half-day event brings together corporate development leaders and M&A experts to explore Buyer-Led M&A™, showing how you can take control of every stage of the deal. Register Now

________ This episode is sponsored by FirmRoom. The World's Most Intuitive Virtual Data Room With AI Contract Analysis No Per-Page Fees. No B.S. Just Smarter, Faster Deals.

Get started with your free trial today! ________

Episode Timestamps:

[00:04:00] Ben Beller's background and major bankruptcy cases (FTX, SVB, Mallinckrodt)

[00:07:30] Chapter 7 vs. Chapter 11 – key differences

[00:11:30] Signs companies should begin planning for bankruptcy

[00:14:00] Prepackaged vs. prearranged vs. freefall bankruptcies

[00:17:30] Importance of lender relationships and communication

[00:22:00] Role of private credit and debt trading in distressed situations

[00:28:00] Liability management transactions explained: dropdowns, up tiers, and more

[00:35:00] Trends in liability management and how they defer bankruptcy

[00:41:00] M&A in bankruptcy: How buyers can seize opportunities

[00:46:30] Understanding stalking horse bids and auction dynamics

[00:54:30] Common mistakes in buying businesses out of bankruptcy

[01:01:00] Bankruptcy reform trends and cost implications

Ashish Achlerkar, Founder and Chairman at NearU

Starting a business from scratch is challenging, but Ashish Achlerkar, Founder and Chairman of NearU, took a unique path—leveraging M&A as a tool for entrepreneurship. In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Ashish shares how he transitioned from investment banking to building a multi-state, multi-million-dollar business in the skilled trades industry.

Ashish's journey is a masterclass in leveraging M&A for business expansion, focusing on strategic acquisitions, cultural alignment, and operational efficiency to build a thriving company in an industry ripe for disruption.

Things you will learn:

• Entrepreneurship through acquisition – Why M&A is a tool, not an end goal

• How to evaluate industries for acquisition – Why the skilled trades industry was the perfect fit

• Building a scalable business post-acquisition – The importance of training and technology

• Working with private equity – How to find the right partner and maintain control

This isn't just another webinar—it's an interactive experience designed to give you the tools and strategies to lead your M&A deals with confidence. This half-day event brings together corporate development leaders and M&A experts to explore Buyer-Led M&A™, showing how you can take control of every stage of the deal. Register Now

Episode Timestamps:

• [00:01:30] Ashish's Journey from Banking to Entrepreneurship

• [00:02:30] Lessons Learned from the Entrepreneurial Journey

• [00:07:00] Defining Purpose and the 'Why' Behind Entrepreneurship

• [00:10:30] Making the Leap from Corporate to Startup Life

• [00:13:00] Selecting a Sector Through First Principles Thinking

• [00:18:00] Building the Investment Thesis for NearU

• [00:26:30] Executing the First Deal with a Bootstrap Approach

• [00:31:30] Sourcing Deals Through Relationships & Reputation

• [00:37:00] Challenges in Early and Scaling Phases

• [00:40:00] Working with Private Equity While Preserving Vision

• [00:48:00] Final Reflections: Transparency, Integrity & Doing the Right Thing

Michael Hoy, Executive Vice Chairman, Great Day Improvements

In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Michael Hoy, Executive Vice Chairman of Great Day Improvements, joins Kison Patel to discuss how a people-first approach drives M&A success. With 4,500 employees and $1.5 billion in revenue, Great Day Improvements has grown through strategic acquisitions while maintaining a strong culture. Michael shares insights on harmonizing financials post-acquisition, leveraging growth synergies instead of cost-cutting, and building trust to ensure smooth integrations.

Things you will learn:

• How to scale M&A by focusing on people instead of cost-cutting

• The importance of trust-building and transparency in integrations

• Why aligning financials and data early ensures a smoother transition

• How to foster a culture that drives sustainable growth

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Save your seat at the Buyer-Led M&A Masterclass to gain practical strategies to take control, reduce inefficiencies, and drive lasting value in your deals. https://hubs.ly/Q03bF7vS0

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Trailer Timestamps:

[02:00] Introduction to Michael Hoy and Great Day Improvements

[05:04] The value of a people-first M&A strategy

[07:09] Leveraging growth synergies instead of cost-cutting

[16:14] Building a strong referral-based growth model

[23:11] Aligning financials post-acquisition

[35:05] The decision-making philosophy

[42:30] Importance of trust and transparency in integrations

[50:45] Cultural challenges in M&A and lessons learned

Gwen Pope, Senior Managing Partner and Head of Platform Solutions Tiger Team M&A and Tracie Smith, Senior Partner and Head of GTM Solutions at Tiger Team M&A

Together, Gwen and Tracie dive into the complexities of serial acquisitions, discussing how large strategic acquirers can develop repeatable frameworks to streamline execution and maximize deal value.

From building a North Star strategy to decision-making frameworks, they cover what it takes to successfully integrate multiple acquisitions while maintaining strategic alignment. Whether you're leading M&A for a large enterprise or looking to optimize your acquisition playbook, this episode is packed with insights on structuring M&A functions, avoiding common integration pitfalls, and ensuring leadership alignment.

Things you will learn:

• How to structure an M&A function for repeatable success

• Why decision-making frameworks are crucial for integration

• The role of executive leadership alignment in deal execution

This episode is sponsored by DealRoom BI. Harness the power of real-time data to make data-driven decisions by building, visualizing, and sharing interactive M&A reports seamlessly. Visit DealRoom.net to learn more.

Episode Chapters

[00:00:00] – Introduction

[00:02:00] – The backgrounds of Gwen Pope and Tracie Smith

[00:05:30] – Common integration challenges for large serial acquirers

[00:08:30] – The importance of a repeatable M&A model

[00:14:00] – Why education is key for executive leadership teams

[00:18:30] – Overcoming integration fatigue and long-tail execution

[00:26:00] – Structuring an M&A function: centralized vs. decentralized models

[00:36:00] – How to establish a decision-making framework

[00:49:00] – Handling unexpected challenges and reducing reliance on leadership for decisions

[00:56:00] – Why a decision log is essential for integration success

[01:05:30] – Crazy M&A stories and key lessons learned

Mimi Wu, Partner at Sullivan & Cromwell

When a company is struggling financially, M&A can be a lifeline—but navigating distressed deals is a whole different game. In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Mimi Wu, Partner at Sullivan & Cromwell, breaks down how Chapter 11 bankruptcy, 363 sales, and creditor negotiations come into play when businesses are in distress.

Mimi has worked on some of the biggest restructuring cases, including FTX and Silicon Valley Bank, and she's here to explain how distressed M&A really works—without the legal jargon. Whether you're an investor, a corporate executive, or just curious about how companies handle financial trouble, this episode is packed with insights.

Things you will learn:

• What is Chapter 11? – How bankruptcy protects businesses and gives them time to reorganize

• The Power of a 363 Sale – Why buyers love these deals and how they can acquire assets "free and clear"

• Negotiating with Creditors – What happens when companies can't pay their debts, and the options they have

• Finding Deals in Bankruptcy – How investors and buyers can identify distressed M&A opportunities before they hit the auction stage

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This episode is sponsored by DealRoom AI. Forget spending hours reviewing diligence contracts. Automate the extraction and analysis of key information and create quick summary reports. Harness the power of Buyer-Led M&A with DealRooms proven framework. Visit DealRoom.net to learn more.

Trailer Timestamps:

• [00:03:01] – What is Distressed M&A? Key Differences from Traditional M&A

• [00:05:32] – Chapter 11 Bankruptcy: How It Works and When to Use It

• [00:06:30] – 363 Asset Sales: Selling a Business in Bankruptcy

• [00:09:11] – Why Companies File for Bankruptcy: Common Triggers

• [00:10:36] – The Automatic Stay: Protecting Companies During Bankruptcy

• [00:14:00] – Alternatives to Bankruptcy: Negotiating with Creditors & Raising Capital

• [00:18:30] – How the Bankruptcy Sale Process Works: Auctions & Market Checks

• [00:20:41] – Credit Bidding & How Creditors Influence the Sale

• [00:24:02] – The 363 Auction Process: How Bidding Works

• [00:26:39] – Stalking Horse Bids: What They Are & How They Work

• [00:29:30] – How Sale Proceeds Are Distributed Among Creditors

• [00:33:00] – Case Study: Carrier & Ketafenol Bankruptcy Sale

• [00:39:35] – Finding Distressed M&A Opportunities: Buyer Strategies

• [00:42:00] – The Craziest Thing Mimi in Distressed M&A

Kaj Rozga, Senior Antitrust Counsel at ABB

Antitrust scrutiny in M&A is at an all-time high, and companies must be prepared to navigate evolving regulatory challenges. Kaj Rozga, Senior Antitrust Counsel at ABB, brings a unique perspective, having worked both inside the FTC and in private practice, advising on antitrust strategy, compliance, and M&A transactions.

In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Kaj breaks down the latest antitrust trends, regulatory risks, and strategic approaches to managing antitrust concerns in M&A. He shares how dealmakers can proactively assess risk, structure deals to mitigate scrutiny, and use antitrust as a negotiation tool.

• Antitrust in M&A – What business leaders need to know

• How regulators evaluate mergers – Key triggers for scrutiny

• Industry rollups & market consolidation – Why private equity is under the microscope

• Navigating second requests & regulatory delays – How to prepare for costly reviews

• What not to do between sign and close

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This episode is sponsored by Buyer-Led M&A™. Take control of your deals._________________________________

Episode Timestamps:

00:02:30 - Guest Introduction: Kaj Rozga's Background & ABB Overview 00:07:00 - Antitrust Trends: Government Levers & Key Enforcement Themes 00:13:00 - Substantive Antitrust Challenges: Vertical Competition, Industry Roll-ups & Expanded Deal Horizon 00:21:00 - Government Positioning & Impact on Deals 00:30:00 - Mandatory Filings & Second Requests 00:38:00 - Best Practices for Document Control & Risk Mitigation in M&A 00:48:00 - Gun-Jumping & Pre-Closing Coordination: Managing Compliance Risks 00:54:00 - Structuring Deals to Avoid Antitrust Concerns 01:02:00 - Using Antitrust Considerations in Negotiation

John Cerasuolo, CEO of Leap Partners Creating a successful roll-up strategy requires a unique combination of industry expertise, strategic planning, and leadership. John Cerasuolo, CEO of Leap Partners, has mastered the art of acquiring and integrating businesses in the home services industry, including HVAC, plumbing, and electrical services. With 19 acquisitions in less than three years, Leap Partners is rapidly expanding across the Southeast with a people-first approach.

In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, John shares how to build a roll-up machine from scratch. He discusses selecting the right industry, pitching to investors, sourcing and executing deals, and the critical role of leadership and culture in scaling a business. John also explains how to foster strong relationships with business owners and private equity partners, along with key lessons learned from executing high-volume M&A.

Things You'll Learn:

• How to build a roll-up strategy from scratch

• Understand how to pitch to investors and raise capital without an initial deal in place

• Gain insights into sourcing and executing deals with a people-first approach

• Discover the importance of rapid integration and operational efficiency

• Hear how to build strong relationships with business owners and private equity partners

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This episode is sponsored by DealRoom BI. Harness the power of real-time data to make data-driven decisions by building, visualizing, and sharing interactive M&A reports seamlessly. Visit DealRoom.net to learn more._________________________________

Episode Timestamps:

• [00:00:00] Introduction & The Importance of M&A Reporting Automation
• [00:02:00] Guest Introduction: John Cerasuolo's Background & Key Lessons from the Navy
• [00:07:00] The Role of Private Equity in Roll-ups
• [00:10:30] Building a Roll-up Machine: Step-by-Step Guide
• [00:13:45] Sourcing Deals & Choosing the Right Industry
• [00:21:20] Securing the Right Investment Partner & Negotiating Terms
• [00:30:30] First Deal & Launching Leap Partners
• [00:33:00] Building a Strong Pitch to Business Owners & Characteristics of Leadership
• [00:40:00] Integration Strategy & Operational Efficiency
• [00:45:00] Partnership with Business Owners & Culture Building Post-Close
• [00:48:30] Craziest Thing Seen in M&A & Final Thoughts