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Date/Time:
April 24th, 2025 @12pm PST
Location: 2603 Main St. Penthouse, Irvine, CA 92614
and - Online
Quarter 1:
“Valuation & Readiness: Is Your Firm Built to Sell?”
Feb 20th, 2025
@12pm PST
Understand how A&E firms are valued and what it takes to be “exit-ready.”
Quarter 2:
“Scaling for Maximum Value: Growth Strategies Before Exit”
Apr 24th, 2025
@12pm PST
Explore organic and inorganic growth strategies that enhance value before an exit.
Quarter 3:
“The Deal Process: Navigating M&A from LOI to Close”
Sept 4th or 11th
Break down the M&A process for A&E firms and how to avoid common pitfalls.
Quarter 4:
“Life After the Deal: Transition, Legacy, and Wealth Management”
Nov 12th or 20th
Guide CEOs on what happens post-transaction, including integration, leadership transition, and wealth preservation.
HostS
Brian T. Franco
Brian T. Franco
is a distinguished M&A Advisory expert with over two decades of experience, consistently achieving one of the highest success rates in the industry. Known for his precision in deal structuring and unwavering commitment to fairness, Brian possesses a rare, intuitive ability to assess company compatibility, ensuring optimal alignment between buyers and sellers. His deep expertise in transaction structuring, strategic market positioning, and valuation has made him a trusted advisor to businesses of all sizes, from small enterprises to large corporations.
Michelle Generaux
Michelle Generaux specializes in representing small businesses, particularly design professional firms, with expertise in entity formation, contracts, ownership transitions, M&A, and business disputes. She also practices estate planning and trust administration. A University of Notre Dame (BA, 1993) and William Mitchell College of Law (JD, Cum Laude, 1996) graduate, she has practiced law since 1996, moving to California in 2001. Michelle serves on the board of the Notre Dame Club of Orange County and leads its ND2OC community service endowment.
Joe Belden
Joe Belden is CPA with over 38 years of experience in tax planning, business valuation, M&A, and strategic consulting. After founding and selling his own CPA firm, he directed small business services at Pannell Kerr Forster before establishing BHL & Co., LLP. He specializes in ownership transitions and consulting for architectural, engineering, and planning firms and is an Honorary Professional Affiliate of AIAOC.
Charles Mariano
Charles Mariano is a commercial/specialty banker with a focus on commercial and middle market clients. Many of his clients specialize in the AE and MEP Industry. Charles has been in banking over 21 years. He currently works for Customers Bank based in Irvine and specializes in SBA, Commercial/Industrial Credit Facilities, and a variety of real estate lending. Charles received his Economics Degree from UC Irvine. He serves on the Board of Musical Theatre West in Long Beach and is the Treasurer for Huntington Beach High School Academy for the Performing Arts Musical Theatre Program.
We were privileged to work with Brian Franco and the other team members at Meritage Partners in a recent merger / acquisition, and we were extremely pleased with the quality of service. Meritage worked tireless in their efforts to drive a transaction from initial review to close.
Raymond Swartz, tk1sc (Partner)
Their team expertly navigated us through every step of the M&A process, ensuring our interests were protected and our goals achieved. Their deep industry knowledge, combined with a proactive approach, made all the difference. We felt confident and supported throughout the entire journey.
Teresa Murphy, Howards & Sons
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