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September 8, 2023
Cleveland Deal Activity: Navigating M&A deal structures in a tightened debt market
By Andrew J. Chalhoub
As interest rates and borrowing costs move in parallel, buyers are faced with the challenge of navigating increasing costs of debt to finance acquisitions, especially in deals where the seller has
June 9, 2023
Superstar CEO Roundtable Kicks Off Cleveland Conference
Kicking off the 2023 Cleveland Smart Business Dealmakers Conference were several of the region’s top executives talking with moderator Jeff Bechtel, President - Cleveland Region, First National Bank,
May 26, 2023
Recognizing The 2023 Dealmakers of the Year Award Winners
Hundreds of millions of dollars have been channeled to the 2023 Smart Business Dealmakers Dealmaker of the Year Awards honorees. But raising funds is not all this year's class of entrepreneurs have
May 26, 2023
The Inaugural Cleveland Dealmakers Hall of Fame Class Sets The Stage
Welcome the inaugural class for the Cleveland Dealmakers Hall of Fame! This group of dealmakers has made an often-groundbreaking impact on their organizations, industries and the Northeast Ohio region
April 14, 2023
Deal Pulse: Best of times, worst of times
The domestic M&A market is in a state of great disparity. Valuations from buyers receded to pre-pandemic levels while sellers continue to expect the lofty valuations seen in the latter portion of 2020
March 31, 2023
The Importance Of Knowledgeable CFOs In Deals
TalentLaunch's Matt Lyon and Resilience Capital Partners' Bassem Mansour on post-acquisition integration and how the CFO role plays a part in making sure the deal pays off.
March 10, 2023
Cleveland Deal Pulse: The Role of the Rollover
MelCap Partners David Shibley looks at trends and deals in the Northeast Ohio M&A market over the month of February.
March 3, 2023
The Three-Phase Set Up of Society Brands' Success
Society Brands CEO Michael Sirpilla on financing business growth.
January 6, 2023
Rocco DiLillo On His M&A Legacy
Rocco DiLillo on the many businesses he's built, bought and sold, and offers advice to entrepreneurs looking to experience similar successes.
October 28, 2022
Despite Two Retirements, Ralph Della Ratta Is Still Going
Kirtland Capital Partners' Ralph Della Ratta on what he's learned from his four decades in M&A, his keys to success and how that experience will be brought to bear in his newest role.
October 23, 2020
Chris Adams on how the pandemic, presidential election are affecting M&A
Park Place Technologies Chris Adams offers his sense of what’s likely to be on the minds of dealmakers through the balance of a year plagued by uncertainty.
April 23, 2020
KJK’s Jon J. Pinney: The Deal Market Will Recover, But Big Changes Are Likely
The COVID-19 pandemic is bringing to life doomsday scenarios that even seasoned dealmakers like Jon J. Pinney dismissed as the stuff of Hollywood.
March 4, 2020
Randy Markey: Integrity, Character Matter More Than Just About Anything in Dealmaking
Randy Markey's No. 1 tip for an effective investment strategy: Make sure it's an opportunity you can explain to your grandmother.
February 12, 2020
Marcum’s Gregory J. Skoda: Before You Sell, Examine The Deal From Every Angle
When Gregory J. Skoda finalized a deal for Skoda Minotti to become part of New York-based Marcum LLP, it was part of a growth strategy, not a path to exit the business he launched in 2001.
February 4, 2020
Hylant’s Kim Riley: Dealmaking Provides Opportunity To Those Willing To Put In The Work
Relationship-building is a big part of Kim Riley’s M&A strategy at Hylant Cleveland.
January 28, 2020
Dealmaking Is A Way Of Life For Ken Ganley, Bob Serpentini
Bob Serpentini and Ken Ganley are always ready to make a deal, and their recent acquisition of three Pat O’Brien Chevrolet dealerships is a perfect example of the duo’s go-big-or-go-home mentality.
January 23, 2020
Victory Capital’s David C. Brown: Each Day Is A New Challenge, A New Opportunity To Make A Deal
If you’re not buying, and you’re not selling, you’re thinking about it and evaluating potential opportunities, says Victory Capital’s David C. Brown.
January 16, 2020
John Ziss Jr.: Are You Ready To Make A Deal?
Dealmaking readiness is an important part of M&A strategy, says Kurtz Bros. Inc.'s John Ziss Jr.
December 26, 2019
Cleveland 2019 Dealmaking Year In Review
With 2019 just about over, we’re taking a look back at some of what we learned this year.
December 17, 2019
Everstream’s Brett Lindsey: Don’t Be Afraid To Uncover Your Own Deal Opportunities
When you develop an effective M&A strategy to inform your decisions, you minimize the risk of making crucial mistakes. Everstream’s Brett Lindsey explains.
December 4, 2019
Blue Olive’s Ed Weinfurtner: Focus On The Opportunity In Dealmaking And You’ll Find Success
Blue Olive Partners’ Ed Weinfurtner is always driven to find the next challenge. His attitude helps him turn tough situations into great opportunities.
October 30, 2019
Staffing Solutions’ SueAnn Naso: When Buying A Business, Take The Time To Do It Right
SueAnn Naso and Carmella Calta are good friends. But they still had to follow the proper steps when Calta sold her business, Staffing Solutions, to Naso.
October 17, 2019
Acquisitions Drive Opportunity As MAI Nears $7B
Acquisitions have MAI Capital poised to top $7 billion in assets under management, says Rick Buoncore, with more deals and more growth to come.
October 10, 2019
Jeremy Flack: Dealmaking Isn’t Supposed To Be Painless
You'll never get a deal done if you’re unwilling to compromise at the negotiating table, says Flack Global Metals CEO Jeremy Flack.
September 19, 2019
Foundation’s David Wood On Management Transitions
Foundation Investment Partners founder David Wood talks about his approach to minimizing trouble when making acquisitions.
September 10, 2019
How MCM Capital Looks At Acquisitions
Senior Managing Partner Mark Mansour takes us inside his approach for evaluating investment opportunities at MCM Capital.
September 5, 2019
Warren Anderson: Early McDonald's Deal Built Distribution Powerhouse
Warren Anderson admits his approach to dealmaking is less refined than that of many entrepreneurs. “I'm kind of like a cowboy,” the founder of The Anderson-DuBose Co. says.
August 28, 2019
Winding River Consulting's Gary Shamis
Gary Shamis, who has spent a lifetime in business making deals and growing companies, talks about his skills as a deal negotiator and lessons he’s learned as an investor.
August 8, 2019
How Andrew Lefkowitz Ferments Deals
Andy Lefkowitz is an experienced dealmaker, having two major exits from one business. He also knows what he doesn’t know. That's his formula for success at his latest business, Locus Fermentation Solutions.
August 7, 2019
Dominic DiPuccio: Keep Your Eyes On The Prize
Deal attorney Dominic DiPuccio talks about prioritizing what's important and what's not when buying or selling a company.
