2024 Northeast Ohio Smart Business Dealmakers Rising Stars

Behind the Curtain

How some of Northeast Ohio’s top firms cultivate Rising Stars in M&A

Attracting, developing and retaining young talent is a key to business success. And in the often-hypercompetitive M&A space, it’s critical. So, in this issue, we debut our Smart Business Dealmakers Rising Stars program to recognize up-and-coming dealmaking professionals engaged in a wide range of

M&A activities. As part of that, we wanted to understand how some of Northeast Ohio’s top firms think about talent acquisition and development, and take a peek behind the curtain to learn just how they execute.

For example, CHAMP Titles attracts young professionals largely through those the company trusts and knows well. Shane Bigelow, CEO, says this

network of professional service providers helps identify the best talent and promising young professionals who are driven by successfully overcoming challenges. In this way CHAMP Titles cultivates a unique employee DNA, one Bigelow says sets CHAMP apart.

“We seek out individuals who rise to the challenge of a fast-growing company and quickly place them in leadership positions to drive that growth during their time at CHAMP,” he says. “This approach not only fuels their motivation but also helps us maintain low attrition rates and high employee satisfaction.”

Edgewater Capital Partners attracts young professionals by fostering a culture that emphasizes growth, impact and innovation.
“We seek out individuals eager to challenge the status quo and provide them with an environment where their voices are heard and valued,” says Bob Girton, a partner at Edgewater.

The firm’s hiring process involves a coalition of team members but is never led by a partner. This approach, he says, fosters a deep sense of loyalty and shared responsibility, ensuring that everyone feels accountable for their teammates’ success.

“We consistently hear that our culture, camaraderie and the expectation that everyone has an impact creates a powerful sense of ownership in our work and shared success,” Girton says.

They also invest heavily in team-building activities, such as third-party organizational development, lunch-n-learns and social events. And by fostering an environment that supports work-life balance, young professionals are able to maintain a quality work-life balance that minimizes tradeoffs between work commitments and family responsibilities.

Tucker Ellis Partners Jayne Juvan and Brian O’Neill say that the firm’s Summer Associate Mentorship Program is the main avenue that they utilize to attract young professionals. The program gives law students the opportunity to work closely with experienced Tucker Ellis attorneys, enabling participants to experience a wide range of legal work and presenting a true sense of the firm’s day-to-day practice.

A guiding hand

And when it comes to development, tools such as Tucker Ellis’ Junior Attorneys Corps (JAC) and Business Law Institute help nurture and retain their young M&A talent.

JAC offers a holistic law firm experience that provides individual mentorship to orient young talent and provide opportunities for professional growth. At the end of the program, each JAC attorney is assigned to a department and practice group based on the interests and strengths they discover and develop through it.

The Tucker Ellis Business Law Institute is a mentoring and training program that consists of presentations, panel discussions, negotiations and roundtable conversations focused on the transactional areas of law. It provides training, topic-specific mentoring and best practices education to help them thrive.

Further, young talent plays meaningful roles on transactions by overseeing and executing due diligence projects, drafting agreements and negotiating transactions. They are often on the front lines of deals leading transactions and taking a primary role in negotiations. Tucker Ellis also makes it a priority to look for opportunities to publicly recognize their younger attorneys, including nominating them for deserved awards and rewarding them in numerous ways for their team accomplishments to ensure that they know how much their contributions are valued and

appreciated.

M7 Holdings’ President Courtney Eaton says, as the family investment office of the Manna family, M7’s team members benefit from direct access to

senior leadership, hold key operational positions within the businesses and receive personalized mentorship. Additionally, their collaboration with legal experts at Brennan Manna & Diamond, and real estate professionals at Signet, enriches their M&A capabilities and provides unique opportunities for professional growth.

Similarly, Bigelow says every talented young executive they hire is paired with a senior executive partner, offering them immediate opportunities to engage in much of the senior partner’s work.

“By challenging our younger talent and placing them in this dynamic environment, they learn quickly and gain a seat at the table much sooner than they might at other organizations,” Bigelow says.

Edgewater offers a range of opportunities that allow young professionals to work on impactful topics where their perspectives are valued.

“From the start, they are involved in meaningful aspects of deal-making, gaining exposure across sourcing, execution and portfolio management,” Girton says. “This hands-on experience, combined with mentorship from seasoned professionals, helps accelerate their growth and confidence.”

There’s an emphasis on a culture of continuous learning and development, providing both formal and informal feedback to support team members. Formal feedback is often delivered monthly, with structured reviews that help guide their progress. Informal feedback is provided continuously, creating an environment where team members feel supported and know where they stand.

Leadership development is another key area of focus. Girton says the firm offers opportunities to participate in strategic decision-making and cross-functional projects, allowing young professionals to broaden their skills and perspective. Additionally, they prioritize creating a positive culture that encourages collaboration, personal growth and the pursuit of excellence.

Fostering a sense of belonging

Eaton says M7’s approach to retention is deeply rooted in entrepreneurial values.

“Our team members are not only given co-investment opportunities but also take on operational roles within our businesses, allowing them to see the direct impact of their work on investment returns,” she says. “This comprehensive involvement — from due diligence to acquisition and then operations — sets M7 apart in retaining and nurturing young talent within the M&A space.”

Girton says culture, a key aspect of retention and growth of young talent, is central at the firm. More than colleagues, he says they’re a team. That’s facilitated in part by the lunchroom, in which they gather every day for meals and games, being the centerpiece of the office. That shared time fosters collaboration, camaraderie and a sense of belonging that strengthens the team.

Inclusion and celebrating the whole person are also fundamental to their culture.

“We want every team member to bring their authentic self to work and find their way to be highly effective and impactful in their roles,” he says. “By fostering an environment where diverse perspectives are valued, we create space for innovation and personal growth. Our collaborative culture, paired with a unique hiring process that builds loyalty and shared responsibility, ensures that everyone feels responsible for each other’s success.”

The pages that follow highlight the product of the thoughtfulness and effort these companies and others like them put into bolstering their M&A talent. These up-and-coming dealmakers signal a bright future for the region, and beyond. ●

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2024 Smart Business Dealmakers Rising Stars

 

• Evaluated over $3 billion in net lease assets, thoroughly underwrote, presented over $800 million in active deals to investment committee.
• Engages with international institutional clients, ensuring all underwriting, due diligence met highest standards.
• Manages tracking of due diligence items throughout deal process, ensuring internal team meets timelines.
• Manages complex processes with attention to detail.

 

 

 

• Advises private equity firms, public, private companies, real estate sponsors in connection with structuring, negotiating complex business transactions.
• Deals in domestic, international mergers and acquisitions, business formations, joint ventures, leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations.
• Counsel to venture capital funds, emerging growth companies.
• Deals range from a few million dollars to $6.8 billion, including manufacturing, industrial, software, technology and health care.

 

 

 

• Oversees M&A process, including deal sourcing, preparation, marketing, negotiation, due diligence and closing.
• Clients’ primary point of contact, providing strategic advice throughout transactions.
• Manages, mentors, trains associates and analysts, ensuring high-quality material creation and a collaborative work environment.
• Produces financial models, valuation analyses, other industry-specific analyses; leads negotiations to maximize value and optimize fit for clients.

 

 

 

• Consummate professional, highly organized, hard-charging, empathetic and knowledgeable.
• Boutique investment bank delivering extraordinary results for middle-market companies; provides suite of services that bridge gap between buyer and seller.
• Works to tailor each transaction to needs and goals of clients across multiple industries.
• Assists clients with capital raising to support growth initiatives and consummate transactions.

 

 

 

 

• Experienced executive whose responsibilities include M&A.
• Skilled in target sourcing, relationship development, due diligence, founder/owner negotiations.
• Spent time in logistics software development, transitioned to health care services operations.
• Leads ESO as COO, responsible for a suite of industry-leading software products supporting 911, fire departments, EMS, governmental agencies and hospitals globally.

 

 

 

• Leads Edgewater’s business development function.
• Previously responsible for originating investment opportunities in industrial, business services sectors.
• Previously served as counsel, business development lead at a startup financing platform that connected other startup companies with early-stage investors.
• Takes care of people, empowers leaders, protects communities by ensuring companies have leading environmental, health and safety practices.

 

 

 

• Taken the lead for investments and development.
• Actively seeks new investments with high-integrity, proven winners.
• Responsible for all interactions of sourcing, administration, funding and evaluation.
• Responsible for allocation of capital relative to concentration, diversification.
• Privately held company with specific focus in real estate development and private equity investment.

 

 

 

• Transaction adviser who exemplifies dedication and expertise; serves clients globally, focusing on private equity groups, family offices through mergers and acquisitions.
• De-escalates complex situations, promotes methodical thinking, fostering effective problem-solving, builds trust with clients and peers.
• Unique perspective on transactions, allowing him to offer valuable insights and innovative solutions.
• Translates complex financial data into actionable insights.

 

 

 

• Experience across all aspects of deal execution process, including pipeline generation, valuation analysis, managing internal and external diligence teams, purchase agreement review through post-close integration.
• Works closely with private equity investors, C-suite executives, businesses, functional group leaders, external advisers, acquisition target owners and teams.
• Led development of internal process tools and documents to continually improve pipeline generation and acquisition processes.

 

 

 

 

• Played key role in two equity financing deals; led process of vetting potential investors, preparing best-in-class data rooms.
• Navigated multiple due diligence processes with investors, bankers, other stakeholders.
• Excels at developing sophisticated models, presentations to explain complex topics to potential investor groups.
• Collaborated with accountants, lawyers to develop audited financials, enhance contract uniformity across all parts of company.

 

 

 

 

• Plays a critical role in the formation and communication of Eaton strategy across the company, for the board.
• Works closely with business leaders on M&A pipeline development, has led teams in multiple acquisitions.
• Closed a Malaysia-based joint venture with SIA Engineering Co. Ltd.
• Team builder, agile learner, empathetic leader and valued member.

 

 

 

 

 

• Leads investments, key member of Edgewater Capital Partners board.
• Supports Edgewater’s investment team, operating partners and management teams as they seek to deploy capital, enhance portfolio companies through investment.
• Responsible for deal execution, portfolio management and sourcing.
• Previously worked in the mergers and acquisitions group of KeyBanc Capital Markets.

 

 

 

 

• Works with high-net-worth individuals and their families to advise with wealth planning focused on tax, estate and investment management.
• Chartered Financial Analyst focused on investment implementation, providing financial analysis and consultation for clients and prospective clients.
• Works with business owners post-sale as they move toward their next endeavor or retirement.

 

 

 

 

 

• Involved in the development of major aviation clients.
• Makes acquisitions in aviation insurance space; serves key strategic roles including director of business development, head of TFG Aviation.
• Excels in developing strategies, implementing procedures to best serve clients.
• Serves as adviser to the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest in Chicago.

 

 

 

 

• Counseled businesses on sophisticated corporate transactions, both buy-side and sell-side.
• Assisted healthy clients and those in distress.
• Taken lead on deals of various sizes working directly with clients, their advisers and opposing counsel to achieve desired outcomes.
• Instrumental in the Women’s Initiative, which provides programming, business development opportunities for female clients and key spheres of influence.

 

 

 

• Focuses practice on representation of private equity firms and their portfolio companies, emerging growth companies, established public companies, other clients in U.S. and cross-border transactions.
• Experience in mergers and acquisitions, equity and debt financings, other strategic transactions in manufacturing, clean energy, professional services, consumer packaged goods.
• Advises clients on corporate governance, general business law matters.

 

 

 

 

• Consults with private equity firms in regard to human capital management, succession planning, talent management.
• Helps identify executive leaders post-acquisition during transition.
• Experience with merger integration from a talent and organizational development perspective, executive search working with manufacturing businesses.
• Lead generation, business development, customer account management focused on matching impactful executives with customers.

 

 

 

• Founded Distribution Ventures with a clear vision — to create a platform that strategically acquires companies under $1 million in EBITDA within the distribution and home services sectors.
• Targets businesses that share the same customer profile, allowing for growth, operational efficiencies.
• Acquired three companies, each contributing to a diverse yet complementary portfolio.

 

 

 

 

• Seasoned private equity, debt investor.
• Led investments across stages in companies, including B&L Transport (Millersburg), Schilling Inc. (Gallion), E-Pak (Wooster), Kitty Poo Club (Wooster), Docket (Cleveland), Cleveland Rocks (Cleveland), Surgere (Uniontown).
• Ohio portfolio manager for Advantage Capital, which has invested more than $4.1 billion in small to mid-market businesses nationwide.
• Exits include Cleveland Rocks, sale of Global Cooling to Biolife Sciences.

 

 

 

• Grasps complicated legal deal concepts.
• Associate in Taft’s Business Group, focusing on mergers and acquisitions, private equity, venture capital transactions.
• Collaborates with businesses of all sizes on corporate organization, governance, general corporate matters.
• Serves as member of Pro Bono Committee, which helps connect Taft attorneys with pro bono work in local communities.

 

 

 

 

 

• Career financial entrepreneur
• Sold his company and began investing in alternative debt deals at Babylon
• Has facilitated, arranged and invested into 197 deals totaling $43M in deal volume
• Licensed CPA and attorney.
• Helping originate deals, underwriting files internally, and sourcing offers
• helped many NEO businesses raise debt capital

 

 

 

 

• Specializes in support, leadership of client financial accounting processes.
• Played significant role in Prime Woodcraft transaction and subsequent integration through Morningside, has since led numerous post-closing integration efforts.
• Stepped into distressed portfolio companies to improve financial reporting processes and management visibility.
• Highly thought of by clients for ability to execute within tight project timelines and a professional manner.

 

 

 

 

 

• Co-founded Bloom Wealth Partners, which focuses on real estate funds and syndications with a concentration on value-add multifamily real estate.
• Collaborates with individual, institutional investors to improve tenant and community well-being while generating wealth through a vertically integrated investment approach.
• Has institutional real estate investment experience; firms of $2 million to $2 billion in assets under management.

 

 

 

 

• Led one of the most dynamic growth stories in the area with Sgt Clean Car Wash.
• Built name recognition, attracting investment capital from a well-respected private equity firm.
• Committed to employees and their communities.
• Uses the acronym CARES — candor, adaptability, respect, engagement, stewardship — to represent the values of his business; Inc 5,000 fastest growing private company winner.

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Primarily responsible for assisting investment team at Edgewater Capital Partners, operating partners and management teams in evaluating, underwriting, monitoring new and existing investment opportunities.
• Previously an investment banking analyst at KeyBanc Capital Markets in a Syndicated and Leveraged Finance group.
• Helped structure and underwrite debt capital to middle-market companies across many industries.

 

 

 

 

 

• Provides comprehensive financial and wealth management services.
• Demonstrates exceptional expertise in exit planning for business owners, guiding them through the complex process of maximizing value of businesses, ensuring a smooth transition.
• Advises midsized manufacturing company owners on exit planning, resulting in 30 percent increase in sale value of business.
• Excels in wealth planning, having developed personalized strategies for high-net-worth individuals.

 

 

 

• Manages investment banking engagements, clients, deal processes, buyers and investors, investment banking staff.
• Led deal for small box manufacturer resulting in significant exit multiple for the client.
• Manages clients, deal processes, buyers, investors, investment banking staff.
• Supports the development of offering memorandums, financial analysis, models, industry research and proposals.

 

 

 

 

 

• Heads M&A strategy, leveraging experience to drive growth and innovation.
• Closed five deals, has four under term sheet.
• Ensures the long-term vision of URA is supported by the investment strategy to bring on the right firms, people, capabilities.
• Vice president of Strategy and M&A, TravelCenters of America; led network growth initiatives, managed mergers and acquisitions as publicly traded entity.

 

 

 

 

 

• Advises buyers, sellers on all aspects of mergers and acquisitions, venture capital, private placements.
• Advises clients on corporate formation, organization, governance-related issues.
• Guides buyers, sellers through every stage of M&A process, from initial letter of intent, due diligence, to structuring transactions, negotiating complex transaction documents.
• Secures financings, driving business development initiatives critical to success of transactions.

 

 

 

 

• Specializes in business valuation, litigation advisory services, financial reporting, complex damages analysis, modeling, strategic planning, succession/estate planning.
• Instrumental in advisory practice, working with business owners to position companies for sale, increasing value.
• Collaborates with clients on buy and sell side to determine valuations for business transactions.
• Assists in preparation of valuations of intangible assets, equity-based compensation for financial statement audit purposes.

 

 

 

 

• Acquired ePac manufacturing facility in Solon, Sokol Foods, Martin Pallet in Massillon.
• Transitioned from operating to leading from the board level as he focus on acquisitions.
• Private equity investing, management of manufacturing operations, corporate development in food industry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Instrumental in execution of noteworthy M&A transactions.
• Assisted in execution of sale of environmental services consulting business to private equity firm, sale of manufacturer of high-value industrial equipment and conveyor systems to private equity firm.
• Played key role in sale of independent RIA firm to private equity-backed RIA firm.
• Closed several transactions as lead counsel.

 

 

 

 

• Instrumental in development of nearly $1 billion worth of commercial property.
• Previously president of RMS Investing Corp, commercial real estate company owned by Ratner family office.
• Key partner on redevelopment of Van Aken District, mixed-use project serving as community hub for eastside Cleveland suburbs.
• Worked on projects across the country.

 

 

 

 

• President of Spark Hotels, principal Spark GHC, one of the fastest-growing minority-owned investors focused on the Midwest.
• Brokered some of most significant deals in the city, including recent acquisitions of Courtyard Cleveland Beachwood Hotel, Medical Mutual HQ in downtown Cleveland, which they plan to develop for mixed-use.
• Bright, genuine, kindhearted business leader.

 

 

 

 

 

• Combination of technical expertise, strategic vision, leadership acumen.
• Robust analytical framework, multidisciplinary approach to problem-solving.
• Impactful roles on various boards underscores dedication to excellence in mergers and acquisitions.
• CW Industrial Partners’ mission is to partner with, invest in, build up lower middle-market businesses alongside skilled entrepreneurs, families, executives.

 

 

 

 

• Instrumental in running deal processes for the past two years.
• Handles everything from lead generation, pipeline management, capital raises, due diligence, closing and all necessary activities beyond close.
• Helped source, close over eight deals since joining the team.
• Oversees buildout, tracking of acquisition pipeline; refines Schill’s acquisition strategy for prospect identification, due diligence, integration and post-closing performance benchmarking.

 

 

 

 

• Seasoned CFO, M&A professional.
• At OnShift, instrumental in raising $72 million in venture capital, private equity financing, $35 million in debt; led efforts to acquire Avesta, license technology from a third party to fill out product stack.
• Due diligence completed in three weeks, allowing close of exit transaction in under 60 days from start to finish.

 

 

 

 

• Plays pivotal role in every stage of dealmaking process.
• Completed eight portfolio investments, deployed $219 million in capital.
• Actively involved with Backyard Products, Caro Nut Co., Hirsch Solutions, LION, Unix Packaging.
• Uncanny ability to find a solution when one isn’t immediately apparent; excels in establishing productive relationships with company executives, going above and beyond.

 

 

 

 

• Leads all facets of M&A process, including pitching, valuation, buyer and target screening, drafting information memoranda, client and buyer communication, performing due diligence, reviewing legal documents, facilitating successful closings.
• Excels at understanding the intrinsic value of enterprises, assessing potential synergistic impacts on different buyers, and identifying the core needs of selling shareholders.
• Earns trust of clients.

 

 

 

• Facilitated integration of 29 acquisitions.
• Leadership resulted in $200 million in synergized EBITDA, consistently overachieving synergized targets with an average of 105 percent.
• Integrated over 750 employees through acquisitions, maintaining an average employee satisfaction rating of 95 percent.
• Demonstrates exceptional performance, depth of operational, sales knowledge, overall dedication to clients.

 

 

 

 

• Directly involved in sourcing, executing, closing buy-side and sell-side M&A transactions.
• Active on ACG Women in Transactions group.
• Offers trusted merger and acquisition advisory services to private equity firms, sponsor-backed companies, middle market businesses.
• Specializes in middle-market transactions, offering comprehensive buy-side and sell-side M&A advisory services for deals ranging from $10 million to $250 million.

 

 

 

• Helps Cleveland Clinic Foundation with target identification, strategy.
• Involved with corporate development of the organization; helps establish JVs, partnerships, other relationships, with a strong focus on artificial intelligence.
• Driving strategic partnerships, transactions across the enterprise, with a focus on tech/AI innovations in health care.
• Tackles complex organizational challenges across diverse industries.

 

 

 

 

 

• High-energy, practical, smart, diligent, thoughtful and engaging; handles every aspect of transaction from letter of intent through closing.
• Manages diligence process; leads deal-team and relevant specialists; drafts and negotiates definitive agreements.
• Adds meaningful value as trusted adviser in engagement with clients, dealing with opposing counsel; high level of sophistication, knowledge of M&A transactions.
• Fosters deep network of business owners, executives, professionals.

 

 

 

• Instrumental in deal-making process for Strategic Value Bank Partners.
• Led several large transactions in legal, regulatory compliance, investor relations.
• Worked on recent launch of firm’s fifth fund, Strategic Value Bank Partners’ recent investment in recapitalization of First Foundation Bank.

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Leads Oswald’s M&A new business and buy-side due diligence teams; advises on transactions for financial, strategic acquirers
• Performs employee benefits, property & casualty insurance, retirement plans, life insurance due diligence on ~100 transactions per year
• Creates post-closing plans, integration strategies
• Helped develop M&A roadmap for private equity investors to increase visibility

 

 

 

 

• Instrumental in driving growth, success
• Deep understanding of data, combined with a strategic approach to marketing and business development to streamline M&A processes.
• Proficiency in CRM, KPI development and account processes, enhancing firm’s ability to identify, cultivate and close deals.
• Effectively manages complex projects, with strong communication and interpersonal skills, fostering collaboration and trust among internal, external stakeholders.

 

 

 

 

• Works with senior leadership at private equity firms to measure engagement of portfolio companies’ employees.
• Shares insights into practices that create, support strong workforces.
• Allows leadership to make changes, drive initiatives that help achieve, retain a highly productive, competent, motivated workforce, allowing PE firms to understand if their portfolio companies are committed to, involved with and satisfied with their work and organization.

 

 

 

 

 

• M&A professional with significant experience in investment banking and private equity, with more than 10 buy- and sell-side transactions.
• Guides family businesses, entrepreneurial owners to exceptional outcomes in M&A processes.
• Serves leadership role in M&A sell-side advisory engagements within the business services sector, provides day-to-day project management, including materials development, buyer outreach and deal negotiations.