M&A Access Podcast

Learn how relationships, trust, and proactive networking drive successful deals. Discover the critical role of insurance in value creation and risk mitigation, from property casualty to cyber and employee benefits. This insightful conversation highlights best practices for navigating complex transactions and fostering long-term success.

Steve Monterroso joins M&A Access to discuss the evolving landscape of M&A. He shares his journey from a call center to CEO, emphasizing the importance of drive and curiosity. Monterroso highlights how AI is poised to transform deal-making and data rooms into intelligence hubs, empowering businesses of all sizes. He also stresses the critical need for proactive preparation and organized da...

Ryan Corcoran, Director of Business Development at Grassi shares his journey from marketing to scaling startups and his current role in transaction advisory. He discusses the importance of understanding the company lifecycle, effective networking, and crucial advice for young professionals entering private equity. Learn about the evolving M&A market and key traits for success in the industry.

Sean Mooney, CEO of BluWave, shares his entrepreneurial path, from PE partner to founder. He discusses the evolving private equity landscape and the inspiration behind Blue Wave's name. Mooney also highlights Blue Wave's commitment to excellence and employee growth, advocating for focused expertise. The conversation touches on democratizing PE knowledge through podcasts and offers advice for aspir...

On this episode of M&A Access , Gina Gallutia speaks with Joe Applebaum, CEO of Calm HR. Joe reflects on his entrepreneurial journey—from founding and exiting a company to the personal considerations behind major decisions. He also shares insights on building and communicating a strong value proposition, the importance of self-awareness for founders navigating M&A, and his current focus on...

Graham Bachman shares his unconventional path into M&A and private equity, drawing on his experience in private capital markets and the investment strategy behind Hidden River. In this episode, Graham breaks down why relationship-driven deal sourcing matters more than ever in the lower middle market, the realities of finding quality deals, and how structured capital continues to evolve. He als...

Maureen Berkner Boyt shares her insights on unleashing human potential at work, focusing on understanding human behavior in business integrations. She discusses her company, C2IQ, which measures human risks during organizational changes. Key topics include change resilience, human connection skills, and the balance between analytical thinking and emotional intelligence in leadership. The conversat...

Gina Gallutia and Matt Bain explore the impact of AI on mergers and acquisitions. Bain shares his transition from investment banking to founding Liquid, highlighting AI's potential to enhance efficiency in M&A. He discusses the industry's cautious approach due to security concerns and emphasizes the need for AI integration in workflows. While AI can't replace personal networks, it can improve...

Gina Gallutia and Albert Fialkovich explore Albert's business journey, from a family seafood venture to establishing a successful brokerage. He shares key insights on company culture, core values, and scaling strategies. Albert highlights the personal touch in mergers and acquisitions, industry challenges, and the changing landscape of business ownership for millennials. The discussion wraps up wi...

Graeme Frazier shares his journey in the M&A industry, highlighting his non-traditional path and the founding of PCR Partners. He discusses the innovative GF Data model, the importance of relationships, and the challenges in the lower middle market. Graeme provides insights on current market conditions, the value of quality businesses, and the critical role of mentorship, emphasizing trust and...

Robert Rough from Telos Capital Advisors shares his expertise in mergers and acquisitions. He discusses capital raising, the complexities of capital stacks, and the significance of understanding client goals. Robert highlights the various types of capital, challenges in securing funding, and the necessity of a detailed financial model. He also emphasizes relationship-building with capital provider...

Gilbert Cruz shares his journey in the M&A field, highlighting the importance of networking and personal connections. He discusses the evolving role of young professionals and the impact of AI on the industry. Gilbert provides advice for newcomers, emphasizing ethical competition and strategic thinking in deal-making. He concludes with insights on building relationships and the value of commun...

Darryl Mazow shares his journey from Switzerland to the U.S. and his experiences in corporate development and law. He highlights the importance of understanding clients' needs and the emotional aspects of M&A transactions. Darryl discusses the impact of tariffs on deals and the role of AI in legal work. He encourages young professionals to network and explore diverse opportunities in Houston's...

Mindy Passmore transitions from public accounting to becoming a fractional CFO and launching her own M&A firm. She highlights the need for business owners to be prepared for mergers and acquisitions, addressing both financial and emotional aspects. Mindy emphasizes understanding client needs, the impact of family in business transitions, and the cultural elements of acquisitions. Her commitmen...

Emily Ackerman shares her journey in the M&A space, highlighting the importance of community and relationships in business. She discusses the dynamics of M&A, the value of networking, and industry challenges. Gina Gallutia emphasizes personal connections, the role of local news, and the significance of emotional intelligence. The conversation wraps up with a light-hearted discussion on com...

Tommy Mixon shares his journey in the insurance industry, detailing experiences from Georgia to a key role at IMA Financial Group. He emphasizes the importance of relationships with private equity firms and understanding client needs. The role of insurance in mergers and acquisitions is discussed, along with current challenges in commercial auto insurance and the integration of AI tools. The conve...

Hear from middle market M&A executives with deep private equity and strategic transactional experience as they discuss market dynamics that bring us to where we stand currently in the M&A cycle, including data on closed deals. The discussion will include current market characteristics and statistics, including deal volume, valuation and leverage dynamics, as well as trends under way that w...

Learn how private equity firms utilize operating partners to create value during the life cycle of an investment, including sourcing, diligence, execution, and strategic oversight, to differentiate in a competitive market.

This podcast episode will provide an overview on the rise and growth trends within the independent sponsor community and the advantages and disadvantages these firms face when breaking away from traditional private equity models. Trends show that more and more LP investors consider allocating capital to independent sponsor deals that present higher yield potential without the management fees and p...

Failed deals represent costly sunk time—until they become valuable learning opportunities. This panel examines why processes collapse (valuation gaps, diligence surprises, structural issues) and how to reposition assets for successful relaunch. Deal veterans will share hard-won insights on retooling investment theses, rebuilding buyer momentum, and structuring around previous sticking points to ma...

In M&A, culture is rarely measured—and often blamed. This keynote cuts through the fluff to show why culture isn’t just part of the deal… it is the deal. Using the proven framework—Leaders Create Culture -> Culture Drives Behavior -> Behavior Delivers Results— you’ll learn how to lead through change, not in spite of it. You’ll also discover the Culture Calculator, a proprietary tool that...

In this episode of the M&A Access Show, host Lindsey Wendler moderates a dynamic panel featuring Ryan Broyle, Dean Peterson, Aaron Pinegar, and Gregory Wilder. Together, they explore how external factors—like tariffs and evolving tax codes—can significantly shape the outcome of mergers and acquisitions. The discussion moves beyond theory, offering tactical advice for advisors, investors, and b...

In this premier episode of the M&A Access Show , we dive deep into how artificial intelligence is shaping the mergers and acquisitions (M&A) landscape—far beyond the buzz of ChatGPT. Host John Cohan moderates a roundtable featuring M&A leaders including Jacob Andra, Bill McCalpin, Justin Nelson, George Sandmann, and Dr. Sean Saunders. Together, they explore how AI is revolutionizing so...