Making the Best Match: Selecting the Buyer that Maximizes Current & Forward Value
Presented By: Gridiron Capital / Sullivan & Worcester LLP
Explore key considerations in selecting the best buyer, discover hidden attributes that boost your company’s appeal, and consider the importance of tight alignment on future growth planning as your company transitions to new ownership. As a business owner, you only sell your company once, but buy-side professionals engage in these transactions over and over again. Hear about the process from the perspective of the buyer so that you can understand what they see, when they see you.
Moderator:
Managing Director, Business Development
Gridiron Capital
At Gridiron Capital, Sean focuses on developing new business partnerships, marketing, communicating with business owners, and managing investment sourcing and exit planning. Prior to joining Gridiron Capital, Sean served as vice president at BB&T Capital Markets in Richmond, Virginia. His responsibilities at BB&T included executing mergers and acquisitions advisory for middle-market businesses, as well as establishing and strengthening business development relationships with middle-market investors. Earlier in his career, Sean worked at Credit Suisse and Deutsche Bank.
Panelists:
Corporate Vice President, Strategy & Corporate Development
Diversified Communications
Oakley is the head of Strategy and Corporate Development for Diversified Communications, a privately held holding company headquartered in Portland, Maine. Diversified has a portfolio of operating companies with over 500 employees worldwide. Areas of focus include B2B media, such as trade shows, conferences, certification, and digital products, as well as investments in renewable energy and sustainable construction. Oakley oversees the acquisition of new operating entities as well as add-on acquisitions and investments. Prior to Diversified, he worked in corporate development at IDEXX Laboratories and at late-stage VC firm North Atlantic Capital. Oakley began his career in the Boston office of Ernst & Young.
Partner
Sullivan & Worcester LLP
Avi represents public and private companies, including real estate investment trusts (REITs), and financial institutions in mergers and acquisitions, equity and debt financings, corporate finance and joint ventures. He also represents public companies in securities law compliance, disclosure and periodic reporting, stock exchange listing and corporate organization and governance matters. Avi also has extensive experience assisting companies with internal reorganizations and restructurings.
Operating Partner
Gridiron Capital, LLC
Tracy Streckenbach is an Operating Partner at Gridiron Capital. In this role she engages with partnership companies from the beginning (in acquisition identification and diligence) and collaborates with these companies throughout their growth journey (organically and through M&A). Her role is to both accelerate growth and de-risk downside by partnering with management teams. Tracy currently serves as a Board Director for GSM Outdoors, Foundation Wellness, and Jacent Strategic Merchandising and leads the New Product & Service Development Center of Excellence for Gridiron. Previously, she has served as a CEO and COO in a diverse set of industries and as a consulting leader at EY and CR3.