Smart Business Dealmakers: The Middle-Market M&A Podcast

A recent Federal Trade Commission rule aimed to prohibit employers from attempting to enter into non-competes with all workers. Though that rule might never take effect, state-level trends governing the use of non-competes leave plenty for businesses and dealmakers to navigate. Royer Cooper Cohen Braunfeld partners Matt Brinker and Alex Nassar break down the trends and offer advice on how M&A professionals can prepare and structure deals in the current environment.

With a presence in 36 cities and 20 states, zTrip has become the largest taxi fleet operator in the U.S. largely through acquisition-driven growth. With a remarkably refined deal strategy and new insights from a passed-over SPAC opportunity, the company is now competing with the country's most recognizable ridesharing companies. Founder and CEO Bill George talks about the genesis of the business, its acquisition process and the secret sauce that's helping the company continue on its extraordinary trajectory.

While we're still arguably in a period rife with challenges, there seems to be a more positive sentiment forming — not enough that everyone in the M&A environment is happy, but maybe enough to signal that the deal market is ready to turn the page. At the inaugural D.C. Capital Region Smart Business Dealmakers Conference, Debbie Ricci of Guidehouse, Don Bassell formerly of ARKO, Alex Shahidi of Riveron and Chris O'Geen of Wells Fargo, on a panel moderated by Riveron's Robert Berdanier, explore today's market conditions and what it all means for executives looking to get deals done.

In some ways, when looking out into the deal environment, it seems as if uncertainty will be the only certainty. With the instability a constant challenge, both buyers and sellers are trying to determine how best to prepare for the unexpected, which is all that can be expected. Brady Ware Advisory Group Practice Leader Jon DeMoss and Shareholder Eric Carter offer their take on the current market and how dealmakers can capitalize on opportunities despite the obstacles.

Why would anyone do business in Columbus? Well, if you ask the panel of experts who kicked off this year's Columbus Smart Business Dealmakers Conference, there's a lot of reasons. Industry leaders Dr. Linda Lehmkuhl of MedVet, Aaron Weir of CollisionRight, Kim Zavislak of KPMG, Katie Bishop of J.P. Morgan Private Bank and moderator Leslie Johnson of Ice Miller discuss the opportunities they see in Central Ohio and how they are attacking the challenges of expanding in a city on the rise.

The past few years have been dynamic for M&A. Rising interest rates, inflation and a host of other issues have brought uncertainty across numerous sectors. But still, deals are getting done. Kicking off the 2024 Philadelphia Smart Business Dealmakers Conference, Bank of America's Jim Dever and Fritz Franz, Archetype Solutions' Chetan Bagga, PeopleShare's Ryan Clark and SeventySix Capital's Chad Stender share their experiences operating in this market and discuss what it takes to get M&A deals done in today's environment.

Akron-based accounting and business advisory firm Apple Growth Partners is set to merge with Fargo, N.D.-based Eide Bailly. AGP — which through a strategic effort by Chairman Chuck Mullen grew to become the 18th-largest accounting firm in Ohio —will see its 24 partners and 125 staffers join Eide Bailly's 3,800-person team. Chuck and tax principal Jeff Brooks talk about the deal and all that's led to it — from both joining AGP after its acquisition of Brott Mardis back in 2008, to how their recent conversation about ChatGPT ultimately sparked the firm's sale.

There are unique challenges and opportunities to running a closely held or family-owned business and having an effective board. At the 2024 Pittsburgh Smart Business Dealmakers Conference, four entrepreneurs shared tips and insights on how to present effectively to boards, emphasizing the importance of storytelling, simplicity and prioritizing critical information. The panelists also emphasized the importance of diversity, strategic focus and proactive management in effective board governance. The participants were Joe Cardosi, Meredith Meyer Grelli, Jason Wolfe and moderator Patrick Colletti.

At this year's Cleveland Smart Business Dealmakers Conference, regional leaders David Gilbert from the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission and Destination Cleveland, Greg Harris from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Brian Zimmerman from the Cleveland Metroparks discuss how their innovative strategies have transformed Cleveland into a powerhouse for major sports events, scenic parks, and arts and culture. In this roundtable discussion led by First National Bank's Boyd Pethel, they highlight how their collaborative efforts drive economic growth and position the region as a must-visit destination for tourists, sports enthusiasts, and cultural aficionados alike.

The past few years have been volatile, with rising interest rates, inflation, and lots of uncertainty affecting the M&A market. At the New York Smart Business Dealmakers Conference, Bank of America's José Tavarez leads a conversation with Revel's Frank Reig, ChargeLab's Shaun Stewart and Bank of America's Shawn Hoyer on what dealmakers can expect for the remainder of 2024 and beyond.