Bernhard Capital-Backed Grace Hebert Curtis Acquires Bullock Tice Associates

Apr 06, 2023

Zweig Group – the leading research, publishing, and advisory services resource for firms in the AEC industry – represented Bullock Tice Associates in this transaction.

Grace Hebert Curtis, a leading architecture firm delivering innovative and functional projects for diverse market sectors, has acquired Bullock Tice Associates, a multi-generational, full-service architectural firm. 

For more than 60 years, BTA has provided a range of services – including pre-design, architecture, and sustainable design – for customers throughout the North Gulf Coast and Southeastern U.S. The company serves both private and public sector clients, delivering innovative and cost effective design solutions for federal government agencies such as the Department of Defense and the Environmental Protection Agency.

In September 2022, Bernhard Capital Partners, a services- and infrastructure-focused private equity management firm, launched a dedicated architecture, engineering, and construction platform in connection with an investment in GHC. Utilizing Bernhard Capital's proprietary Blueprint investment framework, the firm developed the AEC platform to partner with best-in-class businesses that are well positioned to meet the growing demand for modern, sustainable infrastructure across the country.

"BTA has a long legacy of delivering excellence for its clients with innovative design and a cost efficient, customer-centric approach, which has differentiated the business throughout the Southeastern U.S. for more than six decades," said Jerry Hebert, CEO of GHC. "We continue to see numerous long-term growth opportunities and macro tailwinds in this institutional sector, and I look forward to building on our momentum to date."

"As we continue to identify and partner with exceptional businesses to develop an industry-leading AEC platform, this strategic acquisition enables our platform to expand its footprint in the attractive Southeast region while diversifying into additional end-markets," said Jeff Koonce, partner at Bernhard Capital. "As we continue to build an unparalleled, full-service platform that supports clients across industries and geographies, BTA exemplifies the type of best-in-class partner we are looking to grow with as part of our AEC platform."

"GHC and Bernhard share our vision of delivering architecture with purpose for our clients," said John Tice, CEO at BTA. "We are excited to partner with a rapidly growing team and platform, and to leverage the deep relationships and expertise both Bernhard Capital and GHC have across the industry to enhance our capabilities and better serve our clients."

Zweig Group – the leading research, publishing, and advisory services resource for firms in the AEC industry – represented Bullock Tice Associates in this transaction. The deal team included Will Anderson, CM&AA, and Drake Hamilton, both advisors with Zweig Group's M&A team, and Justin Ramirez, director of M&A at Zweig Group.

About Zweig Group

Zweig Group, three times on the Inc. 500/5000 list, is the industry leader and premiere authority in AEC firm management and marketing, the go-to source for data and research, and the leading provider of customized learning and training. Zweig Group exists to help AEC firms succeed in a complicated and challenging marketplace through services that include: Mergers & Acquisitions, Strategic Planning, Valuation, Executive Search, Board of Director Services, Ownership Transition, Marketing & Branding, and Business Development Training. The firm has offices in Dallas and Fayetteville, Arkansas.