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January 16, 2023 | S1
CORPORATE GROWTH & M&A PRESIDENT’S LETTER
CONTENTS
ACG Cleveland fuels dealmaking momentum L ast year, then-President Cheryl Strom titled her community letter “ACG Cleveland: moving beyond your expectations.” One year later, I can only marvel at the trajectory of this chapter and the opportunity that lies before us. This past year, the chapter celebrated its 40th anniversary, a remarkable milestone paved by literally thousands of transactions and relationships too extensive to measure. It is no surprise to this readership that Cleveland has a long history as a hotspot for M&A dealmaking. Our ACG members are at the center of that dealmaking community, supplying the knowledge, talent and energy behind this achievement. Membership is at an all-time high, with more than 570 members! The membership base remains the sole focus of the ACG Board and supporting committees. The Cleveland chapter not only delivers exceptional networking through
annual marquee events such as the 26th Annual Deal Makers Awards, Deal Source, the Summer Social at Shoreby Club, Balser the annual golf outing at Firestone and the ACG Cup, but also delivers highly valuable and innovative content year-round on a smaller, more personalized scale. These large-format, marquee events are the cornerstones of our offering, but there is so much more. Surely something will appeal to everyone. Programming, Women in Transactions (WIT), Young ACG (YACG) and Akron are all “networks within the network” that regularly feature topics and events yearround that are tailored for more individual interests. I have been an ACG member for more than 15 years. I now
have the honor and privilege of leading the chapter through this evolving landscape, with the intentions to continue to innovate in pursuit of a diverse and inclusive network.
Undoubtedly, we each have had an ACG interaction or two that stands out as remarkable. For me, it was standing before the guests at the 40th anniversary celebration, facing literally decades of ACG achievers. Reflecting on the membership’s accomplishments and considering the prospects of the future was a testament to the incredibly strong network of professionals who were integral to the successes of the past 40 years. Here’s to the next 40 years! Tricia L. Balser is managing director and head of Ohio Commercial Banking. Contact her at 216-456-2985 or tricia.balser@cibc.com.
Quality companies and thoughtful advisory reign during uncertainty ......... S2 Placing growth at the center of your business ............................................... S3 Valuation trends and expectations for 2023................................................... S4 Family office pitfalls ........................................................................................ S5 A proactive approach to selling your private company ................................. S6 Private equity shows resilience amid 2022 tumult ......................................... S7 Programmatic M&A key to sustainable and intentional growth .................... S8 Workforce and benefits considerations during due diligence ....................... S9 Advice to sellers: maximizing company value ahead of a sale....................... S10 Strategies to ensure a gratifying business sale .............................................. S11 Fasten your seatbelt in this M&A market ....................................................... S12 Sell your company, not your cybersecurity risks ............................................ S12 Eyeing carve-outs and costs through a risk management lens ...................... S13 5 questions every family-held succession plan should answer....................... S13 Private equity firms can craft a compelling ESG story ................................... S14 Want to sell your business? Here’s where to start ......................................... S15 Bringing an end to gamesmanship ................................................................. S17 Stalwart industries expected to outperform M&A market in 2023 ............... S17 ACG Annual Deal Maker Awards, Officers and Board of Directors, and Events .... S18
ABOUT ACG ACG is a global organization focused on driving middle-market growth. Its 15,000-plus members include professionals from private equity firms, corporations and lenders that invest in middlemarket companies, as well as experts from law, accounting, investment banking and other firms that provide advisory services. Learn more at www.acg.org. ACG Cleveland serves professionals in Northeast Ohio and has about 500 members. For more information, visit www.ACGcleveland.org.
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