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WE'RE BUILDING OUR NEXT EXPERT FACULTY

Take a look at some of the industry leaders who shared their expertise at our most recent AEC M&A Summit while we finalize the lineup for our upcoming event.

An AEC Seller Tells All: What He Would Do the Same, Differently, and Never Again!

Mark St. Germain, President of St.Germain, an Aventia Company

Mark shares real-world insights from the seller’s side of the table, highlighting lessons learned about process, culture fit, and value creation. You hear from an AEC seller providing unbiased clarity of having lived through a transaction.

* Understand the seller’s perspective throughout the AEC M&A process, informed by firsthand experiences from firm leaders who have completed a transaction.

* Lessons learned around preparation and timing, including what sellers wish they had known before going to market.

* Recognize how culture fit and strategic alignment influence deal outcomes, beyond price and structure, from the seller’s point of view.

* Apply practical insights from experienced sellers to better prepare for, evaluate, and navigate their own ownership transition, or better understand how to improve the acquisition process as a buyer.





AEC Buyers Tell All: How They Are Opening Doors and Closing Deals

Paul VanDuyne, CEO, IMEG Corp.
Ira Starr, Managing Director, Long Point Capital
Casey Bello, M&A Manager, Terracon

A dynamic discussion with industry veterans as they share their insights on the forces shaping AEC mergers and acquisitions today. This session contrasts three successful approaches of firms from across the spectrum of growth strategies, highlighting the nuances of how success can be achieved via M&A.

* Current forces shaping AEC M&A activity, as seen through the lens of active strategic and financial buyers.

* How different buyer types open doors, source opportunities, and move deals forward, especially in a fast-moving and competitive market. These acquirers are continuously staying ahead of the curve.

* The varied paths to success in AEC M&A, as distinct growth strategies, capital structures, and integration approaches define winning outcomes.

* Practical insights from experienced buyers to refine their firm’s approach to sourcing, negotiating, and closing transactions. Potential sellers will learn what defines some of the most successful acquisition strategies in this space.


Taking the Leap: Tips & Tricks for Growth Through Acquisition

Noah Tolson, Principal and President, Array Architects
Justin Ramirez, Dir. of Strategic Growth, RTM-EC
Curt Peitzman, President, Horner & Shifrin

Growth through acquisition can be a transformative path for privately held AEC firms, but success starts with a clear strategy and disciplined execution. Hear from firm leaders who have navigated the process firsthand to share what it really takes to grow through M&A. From defining your growth objectives to identifying and evaluating potential partners, each panelist will reveal lessons learned, best practices, and common pitfalls to avoid. Whether you’re exploring your first acquisition or refining your playbook, get practical guidance on how to align vision, resources, and leadership to achieve successful, sustainable growth through acquisition.

* How experienced AEC leaders identify, evaluate, and select acquisition partners, drawing on real-world lessons from completed transactions.

* Common pitfalls and execution challenges in growth-through-acquisition strategies, and learn how successful firms avoid them.

* Practical insights from peer firm leaders to strengthen their firm’s readiness and approach to executing acquisitions successfully.

A Look Under the Hood: AEC Deal Risk Assessment and How To Do It Right

Donya Edler, VP, LJA Engineering
Dirk Applegate, CEO and Board Member, Aventia
Joe Viscuso, Senior VP and Director of Strategic Growth, Pennoni

Seasoned AEC industry buyers share real-world lessons on how to identify, measure, and manage the risks that can make or break a transaction. From key-person dependence and client concentration to post-close integration and cultural alignment, the panel offers practical insights on quantifying firm-specific risk, structuring deals to mitigate uncertainty, and protecting both value and people.

* Identify the most common sources of risk in AEC acquisitions, including key-person dependence, client concentration, cultural misalignment, and integration challenges.

* Understand how experienced AEC buyers assess and quantify firm-specific risk, moving beyond surface-level diligence to uncover value drivers and potential liabilities.

* Evaluate how deal structures and integration planning can be used to mitigate risk, protect people and culture, and preserve long-term value.

* Apply practical, real-world risk management insights from seasoned acquirers and advisors to strengthen their acquisition strategy.