From Term Sheets to Closings: Navigating the Capital Landscape in Southeastern M&A
Presented By: First National Bank
Drawing on recent case studies, panelists will explore what worked, what didn’t, and what’s changing for dealmakers in 2025. The conversation will cover crucial topics such as how deals are currently being sourced amid competition from national firms in regional markets and the effective use of earnouts, seller notes, and equity rollovers to close the deal. You will leave with a clear understanding of the key trends shaping deal structuring for the next 12–18 months.
Moderator:
Senior Vice President-Manager of Business Banking
First National Bank
Brian Kestler is a highly experienced and respected banking professional with a career spanning over two decades, all rooted in the financial industry. Brian has collectively dedicated six years to FNB, where he currently serves as the Team Lead for a group of commercial lenders. Under his leadership, this team is responsible for serving businesses across Mecklenburg, York and Union counties, driving growth and fostering strong client partnerships.
Panelists:
Principal
Salem Investment Partners
Mr. Trotter has spent the last 12 years at Salem Investment Partner, a SBIC mezzanine credit fund that provides junior capital to lower middle market companies. Our investments include debt and minority equity in support of change of control transactions, acquisitions, growth capital and recapitalizations primarily serving the southeastern and mid-Atlantic regions of the US.
Managing Director & Head of Investment Banking
First National Bank
Craig Wolfanger is Managing Director and Head of Investment Banking at First National Bank. Previously, he founded Raptor Partners, an investment bank focused on mergers and acquisitions. Craig has completed over 400 global transactions exceeding $40 billion in value, at firms including Kidder Peabody and Alex. Brown & Sons. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Mid-Atlantic Securities Association and as an Allied Member of the New York Stock Exchange.
Managing Director
Anderson LeNeave & Co
Mr. Wright has been an entrepreneur and key executive at several public and privately held companies throughout his career. Prior to joining Anderson LeNeave Mr. Wright was President and CEO of Trinity Security, a company he formed to acquire fire and security products distributors and integrators, which was successfully built and sold to Diebold.
He was also the third employee of Lionbridge Technologies Incorporated where he was Sr. Vice President of Worldwide Sales and helped lead the company to a successful public offering on the NASDAQ. His focus is on helping family and closely held businesses who are looking to exit their business. Mr. Wright graduated from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio. and holds Series 79 and 63 securities licenses.