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Smart Business Dealmakers:
The Middle-Market M&A Podcast

2020 (Episodes 1-87) | 2021 (Episodes 88-137)
2022 (Episodes 138-199) | 2023 (Episodes (200-257) | 2024 (Episodes (258-283)

Ep. 289: Building the Future in Massachusetts
With Janak Joshi, Chief Digital Officer of Massachusetts,  and Steven Kelly, CEO of Timberline Construction

Kicking off this year’s Boston Smart Business Dealmakers Conference, we explore innovative strategies, regional growth and the transformative power of public-private collaboration in shaping the future of Massachusetts and the Boston region. In this panel, moderated by Smart Business Chief Content Officer Dustin Klein, Timberline Construction CEO Steven Kelly and Commonwealth of Massachusetts Chief Digital Officer Janak Joshi explore the dynamic landscape of economic development in the state.

Ep. 288: Missouri Economic Outlook
A Roundtable Discussion

Things seem to be looking up for the St. Louis economy. And with positive national economic trends expected to continue, the city seems poised to build on its momentum. At the 2025 St. Louis Smart Business Dealmakers Conference, Dustin Allison of Greater St. Louis Inc., Rhonda Hamm-Niebruegge of St. Louis Lambert International Airport and John Manetta of Bank of America joined Bank of America St. Louis President Marilyn Bush to analyze the economic indicators, infrastructure developments and investment strategies shaping the city’s future.

Ep. 287: Driving Company Value
A Roundtable Discussion

What really makes a company tick? And more importantly, what makes it worth more? At the 2025 Pittsburgh Smart Business Dealmakers Conference, a group of regional executives and investors dissected the art — and science — of creating serious company value. From scaling strategies that turn small wins into big exits to the nuanced dance of acquisitions and sales, panelists John Lewis and Christopher Brodman of Metz Lewis Brodman Must O’Keefe, Rob Carskadden of 3 Rivers Capital, George Pilafas of Continuim Equity Partners and Patrick Patterson of Level Agency pulled back the curtain on what drives growth in today’s deal-driven market.

Ep. 286: Self-Funding Insurance To Drive Value
With Mike Schroeder of Roundstone

Self-funding health insurance through a group medical captive can be a way for businesses of any size to better manage what is often their second greatest expense. And, according to Roundstone Founder and President Mike Schroeder, it may also be a way for business owners to increase the company’s value ahead of a sale. On this episode of the Smart Business Dealmakers Podcast, Schroeder talks about the self-funding model as well as its impact on an M&A transaction.

Ep. 285: The Business of Athletics
With University of Michigan's Warde Manuel

Warde Manuel, University of Michigan’s Donald R. Shepherd Director of Athletics, oversees an athletic department that sponsors 29 varsity teams with more than 950 student-athletes and around 400 staff members. To run it, the former collegiate athlete relies on more than just his 30 years of experience in athletic departments. Warde also leans on his MBA. In this episode of the Smart Business Dealmakers Podcast, Warde talks about hiring top talent, maintaining culture, funding in the age of NIL, and how much running an athletic department is like running a business.

Ep. 284: Navigating The Skies of Innovation
With Matt Liotta, co-founder of Volato

Dive into serial entrepreneur Matt Liotta’s experience navigating mergers, acquisitions and public offerings with multiple companies. Liotta, the co-founder of Volato, a fractional jet company he took public through a SPAC, chats with Tom Singh of Merrill Lynch about the strategic decisions behind scaling Volato, as well as the lesson’s he’s learned about structuring deals, adapting business models, and maintaining innovation in a competitive market.