Mastering the Art of M&A — Preparing Your Company for a "Clean" Deal

Gregory "Greg" Ramos has more than 25 years of experience helping companies large and small execute on their strategic vision through mergers and acquisitions, strategic business transactions, corporate reorganization and succession planning. Greg has closed more than 90 M&A transactions in that time, with an aggregate value exceeding $13 billion, and numerous private offerings aggregating hundreds of millions of dollars.

Adam Clapp is the Chief Financial Officer of Bron Tapes, a nationwide adhesive manufacturing and distribution business. Founded in 1977, Bron develops adhesive applications for customers who make products in the aerospace, satellite, commercial airline, manufacturing and construction industries. Adam has led the corporate finance team at Bron for 9 years and spearheaded the transition from founder owned business to private equity backed portfolio company.

Kelly is the former third generation owner and President of Birko Corporation founded by her Grandparents in 1953. Birko is a food safety company that manufactures chemistry and equipment solutions for the largest food processing companies in the world. Birko was recently sold to Diversey. Under the guidance and expertise of Class VI, the transaction was successful and beneficial for all parties.

Zack joined Class VI in 2008 and currently holds the position of Managing Director. Zack’s primary responsibilities include leading Class VI‘s investment banking division in executing and closing transactions involving the sale or financing of mid-market clients. Zack has worked with over 120 clients on transactions at Class VI and personally led over 45 transactions including majority and minority recapitalizations, leveraged and management buyouts, strategic acquisitions and capital formation transactions.

Mark Swanson is the former Chief Executive Officer of Birko, a supplier of integrated food safety chemistry, equipment and technology. Under his leadership, Birko helps food and beverage companies deliver safe, high-quality products, and protect their brands.

Mark has extensive experience in the protein industry, with earlier roles at Iowa Beef Processors, Con Agra Foods and Swift & Company. He is a former member of the NAMI board of directors, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, and BIFSCo. He’s also the current Immediate Past Chairman of the US Meat Export Federation.

He routinely presents on food safety topics to industry groups, government agencies and graduate degree programs including Colorado State University’s (CSU) College of Business and College of Agriculture Sciences.

Mark is a 2-time Titan 100 CEO (2021 & 2022) for Colorado which recognizes the top 100 CEO’s in Colorado each year, recognized as a Who’s Who in Colorado Agriculture in 2019, the Colorado State University Distinguished Alumni in Agricultural Sciences in 2019, Supplier of the Year to NAMI in 2017, and many other awards and recognitions during his tenure as CEO of Birko Corporation

Mark earned a Bachelor of Science in agriculture business and an executive MBA, both from Colorado State University.