Sell-Side Strategies to Maximize Value
Presented By: Ascent Advisory Partners / Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP
Selling a company isn’t just about the deal—it’s about mastering the art of preparation for both the company and the CEO or owner. Learn game-changing insights for maximizing valuation and streamlining the sales process from deal-minded executives, an M&A advisor, and a veteran M&A attorney that will help you better understand today's sell-side environment.
Moderator:
Managing Director
Ascent Advisory Partners
Gordon R. Watt is a Managing Director & Co-Founder, Ascent Advisory Partners. Gordon has over 30 years of M&A and investment banking experience. He has both middle-market and Wall Street experience, having advised clients ranging from small, founder-owned businesses to large, publicly traded companies. He was a Managing Director at SunTrust Robinson Humphrey (now Truist) responsible for the execution of both M&A and capital raising transactions. Prior roles included Managing Director in the investment banking group at The Robinson-Humphrey Company (a division of Citigroup). He started his career in the corporate and investment banking group at Chemical Bank (now JPMorgan) in New York City. In 2019, he co-founded Ascent Advisory Partners to provide M&A advisory services to family and founder-owned companies in the lower middle-market.
Panelists:
Partner
Nelson Mullins
Michael is co-head of the firm’s Mergers & Acquisitions Group and its Investment Management Group. He focuses on middle-market corporate transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and joint ventures. He also serves on the firm's Executive Committee, the governing body of seven partners who oversee firm standing committees, strategic initiatives, and firm operations.
Partner
Palmares Capital Partners
Mark Kessler is a partner at Palmares Capital which makes non-control investments in low to middle-market founder-owned businesses. Prior to joining Palmares, Mark was the Chief Strategy Officer at Trimble Transportation Mobility and General Manager at PeopleNet. Throughout his career, Mark's growth, partnership, and acquisition endeavors have resulted in over $1 billion in added revenue. Mark graduated with a BS and MBA from Auburn University where he was captain of the Auburn Tennis Team.
CEO, Retired
Chemlink Laboratories LLC
Paul Reid retired in 2023 after leading the effort to sell Chemlink Laboratories, a 30 year old Kennesaw GA based LLC. Paul was the CEO and Managing Partner. Chemlink was a 30-year-old company that combined an extensive portfolio of Patented Intellectual Property with modern manufacturing capabilities. Their products were targeted at the I&I and consumer retail markets. After a lengthy sale process, Chemlink was purchased by a large Fortune 300 company with a 100-year-old heritage in 2023.