2026 Dealmakers of the Year Honorees
Amit Bhagat
Founder & CEO
Amitech Solutions
Amit Bhagat, Founder and CEO of Amitech Solutions, distinguishes himself as a 2026 Smart Business St. Louis Dealmaker of the Year honoree for his leadership in advancing healthcare technology through strategic growth and a successful exit. Since founding the company in 2006, Bhagat built Amitech into a trusted provider of data, analytics and automation solutions that reduce medical and administrative expenses while improving healthcare outcomes. In 2025, he guided the company through its acquisition by Naviant, backed by DNS Capital, marking a significant milestone in its evolution. Through vision and disciplined execution, Bhagat has created lasting value for clients, partners and the broader healthcare ecosystem.
Mike Birkel
President
Birkel Electric
Mike Birkel, President of Birkel Electric, stands out as a 2026 Smart Business St. Louis Dealmaker of the Year honoree for his leadership in guiding the company through a successful acquisition and continued growth. Birkel has built a strong reputation in delivering comprehensive electrical services across commercial, industrial and manufacturing sectors, with capabilities spanning engineering, design-build and advanced energy solutions. In 2024, he led the company through its acquisition by ASH & Co, positioning Birkel Electric for its next phase of expansion. His strategic vision and operational expertise have strengthened the company’s market presence and long-term value.
Austin Birner
CEO
Renewal by Andersen – The Birner Group
Austin Birner, CEO of Renewal by Andersen – The Birner Group, stands out as a 2026 Smart Business St. Louis Dealmaker of the Year honoree for his leadership in driving strategic growth and regional expansion. Under Birner’s direction, the organization has strengthened its position as a leading multi-state partner, delivering high-quality window and door replacement services across several markets. In 2025, he led the successful acquisition and expansion into Central Pennsylvania, further scaling the company’s footprint. Beyond growth, Birner has championed a culture centered on quality, accountability and community impact, exemplified through initiatives like Renewal Cares, reinforcing the company’s commitment to giving back.
Drew Dennison
Managing Director
Lightchain Capital
Drew Dennison, Managing Director at Lightchain Capital, is a 2026 Smart Business St. Louis Dealmaker of the Year honoree for his leadership in advancing transformative life sciences investments. Dennison played a key role in raising Wugen’s $115 million Series C and C-1 funding round supporting the pivotal trial of Wugen’s innovative cancer therapies. The investment will help bring to patients a promising treatment targeting aggressive forms of leukemia and lymphoma, addressing significant unmet medical needs. Through his work, Dennison continues to back breakthrough healthcare companies, leveraging strategic insight and capital to drive innovation, improve patient outcomes and create long-term value.
David Karandish
Co-Founder & CEO
Capacity
David Karandish, Co-Founder and CEO of Capacity, earns recognition as a 2026 Smart Business St. Louis Dealmaker of the Year for building and expanding a leading AI-powered workplace automation platform. Since launching the company in 2017, Karandish has driven significant growth through both capital raises and strategic acquisitions, helping Capacity secure over $145 million in funding, including its current Series E round. He led the integration of companies like Starmind, Textel, and YouCanBookMe to enhance capabilities in customer support automation and knowledge management. Through a combination of innovation and disciplined dealmaking, Karandish continues to position Capacity as a key player in the future of agentic work.
Steve O'Loughlin
President & COO
Lodging Hospitality Management
Steve O’Loughlin, President and COO of Lodging Hospitality Management, stands out as a 2026 Smart Business St. Louis Dealmaker of the Year honoree for his leadership in transforming one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. O’Loughlin played a central role in the extensive redevelopment of St. Louis Union Station, guiding the restoration of the historic property into a vibrant entertainment and hospitality destination. The project included the addition of the St. Louis Aquarium, the St. Louis Wheel and multiple dining and event concepts, redefining the site’s economic and cultural impact. Through vision and execution, O’Loughlin helped turn Union Station into a cornerstone of downtown revitalization.
Chris Parcell
EVP & CFO
Sunstar Insurance Group
Chris Parcell, EVP and CFO of Sunstar Insurance Group, distinguishes himself as a 2026 Smart Business St. Louis Dealmaker of the Year honoree for his leadership in executing a dynamic acquisition strategy within the insurance sector. Parcell has played a key role in Sunstar’s rapid expansion, helping guide the firm through more than 35 acquisitions across the Midwest and Southeast. These transactions have strengthened Sunstar’s position as one of the nation’s largest independent insurance agencies, with more than $1.5 billion in premiums placed. Through disciplined financial leadership and strategic deal execution, Parcell continues to support Sunstar’s growth while enhancing its ability to deliver tailored risk management and human capital solutions.
Michael Rubenstein
CEO
Wally's
Over the past 24 months, Wally’s has accelerated its growth as a premier travel center brand and the Home of the Great American Road Trip. Its first two locations have delivered consistent 20% annual growth over the past four years, with combined revenues expected to exceed $100 million in 2026. Building on that momentum, the company is expanding into new markets, with Store #3 in Whitestown, Indiana opening in June 2026 and Store #4 in Independence, Missouri underway. These next-generation locations, each approximately 54,000 square feet, reflect Wally’s continued investment in scale and experience, positioning the company for continued national growth.
Jeff Wolff
President & CEO
Steve Riek
CFO
Anchor Packaging
Jeff Wolff, President and CEO, and Steve Riek, CFO, of Anchor Packaging are 2026 Smart Business St. Louis Dealmakers of the Year honorees for their leadership in executing a landmark transaction in the packaging industry. Together, Wolff and Riek guided the company through its $1.35 billion acquisition by Georgia-Pacific, positioning Anchor as a key component of the acquirer’s growth strategy in the expanding food-to-go market. Their combined leadership strengthened Anchor’s position as a leading manufacturer of rigid food containers and film solutions. The transaction highlights their ability to drive value creation, scale operations and successfully navigate a complex, high-profile deal.
Isaac Zike
Managing Director
RiverVest Venture Partners
Isaac Zike, Managing Director at RiverVest Venture Partners, is a 2026 Smart Business St. Louis Dealmaker of the Year honoree for his role in advancing high-impact healthcare investments. Isaac was instrumental in RiverVest’s participation in a $115 million Series C and C-1 funding round supporting innovative cancer therapies. The investment will help advance a promising treatment for aggressive forms of leukemia and lymphoma, addressing critical unmet medical needs. Through his work, Isaac continues to support breakthrough life sciences companies, combining strategic capital with deep industry expertise to accelerate development and deliver meaningful outcomes for patients and investors alike.
Social Impact Investing
Jennifer Bardot
CEO & Founder
G.R.I.T. Community
Jennifer Bardot, CEO and Founder of G.R.I.T. Community, stands out as a 2026 Smart Business St. Louis Dealmakers Social Impact Investing honoree for her commitment to empowering entrepreneurs and strengthening the regional business ecosystem. Through G.R.I.T. and her “Elevate and Lead” platform, Bardot has created spaces where professionals connect, collaborate and generate meaningful opportunities. Her work is especially impactful in advancing women in business, fostering networks that support leadership development, knowledge-sharing and value creation.
A dynamic and emerging leader, Bardot brings a strategic and collaborative approach to every initiative, helping individuals and organizations grow while contributing to the broader economic vitality of St. Louis. She has written seven international best-selling anthologies and has five accredited courses to her credit through the University of California Standford university. Her dedication to building inclusive, sustainable ventures continues to drive both business success and community impact.