M&A Next Symposium
San Antonio, TX | September 8-9
M&A Symposium
Want to dive into the “next” practices in the world of M&A?
This highly interactive event is designed to provide M&A education and practical application through interactive roundtable discussions, thought leadership from expert panelists, and focused networking to connect leaders from across the country. You will end the day better informed about the opportunities for M&A as a growth strategy.
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M&A Next Symposium
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M&A Next 2025 Speakers
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About Brad Wilson, CMA, MBA
Brad’s 30+ year career spent working with architecture and engineering (AE) firms includes his most recent role as Partner with TWO CPAs & Consultants, Inc., as well as being a Consultant with PSMJ Resources for 17 years. Additionally, after serving as an outsourced CFO and controller for numerous firms, Brad has deep firsthand knowledge of how to develop and execute successful finance and accounting practices in the AE industry.
Highly skilled at translating accounting terms and best practices into a language his AE clients can easily understand and act on, Brad has a strong track record for helping firms improve profitability, transition ownership, and successfully execute mergers and acquisitions. With enthusiasm and passion, Brad approaches each client relationship holistically, with a focus on understanding overall operations, personal lifestyle goals, and the firm’s future view.
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About Brian T. Kirkpatrick
Brian Kirkpatrick is an Operating Executive Partner with Palm Beach Capital, supporting PBC across the AEC & Infrastructure sectors. He currently serves on the boards of PBC portfolio companies Pape-Dawson Engineers and United Design Group - MBI Companies. Collectively, the partners at Palm Beach Capital have grown several large engineering consulting practices across the United States, including Pape-Dawson Engineers, Earth systems, MBI Companies, and Universal Engineering Sciences (UES), the fastest growing engineering firm in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. We’ve partnered with >40 Engineering and Architecture firms over the past 5-years and are some of the most recognized acquirers in this industry. We bring decades of experience, a broad range of services, and key relationships across the country, creating a powerful advantage for our teams.
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About Chad Clinehens
Chad Clinehens is the president and CEO of Zweig Group. Passionate about the business side of design and technical service firms, Chad has built a career on leading them through growth and change. He has worked with AEC firms throughout the U.S. on a variety of needs – strategic business planning, turnarounds, partner separations, organizational restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, marketing and sales, growth campaigns, and more.
As a registered professional engineer, Chad brings an in-depth knowledge of what makes professional service firms and the people who work for them unique. Working in the industry for more than 20 years, he has been involved in many aspects of the business including design, project management, department management, regional office management, and directional leadership. He holds a MBA and BS in Civil Engineering from the University of Arkansas and is a registered professional engineer in several states.
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About Ernesto Aguilar, PE
Ernesto is a visionary leader and seasoned Professional Engineer with 30+ years of experience encompassing all aspects of operations, management, business development and project delivery for engineering and consulting.
As CEO, Ernesto is focused on building an employee-centric culture, leading Ardurra’s organic and acquisitive growth strategy, and ensuring the quality of our projects. He brings best practices and lessons learned from serving at the helm of some of the fastest growing firms in the country, compounded by his experience managing private, public and private equity portfolio companies within the AE industry.
Ernesto leads the sourcing, valuation and merging of acquired companies, with an emphasis on integration as the key to building a unified firm. His passion and primary goal is continuing to grow a profitable company that provides exciting opportunities for our employees and impeccable service to our clients.
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About Gene Dawson, Jr., PE
Gene is President of San Antonio-based Pape-Dawson Engineers. In this position, he provides technical management and leadership to the firm’s management team and its employees. From a staff of two 50 years ago, Pape-Dawson now employs more than 450 professionals and has grown into one of the largest and most respected engineering firms in Texas. Gene’s commitment to the engineering profession has been recognized with many accolades including Texas Society of Professional Engineers, Bexar Chapter, Young Engineer of the Year (1991) and the Engineer of the Year (1999); National Association of Homebuilders Member Award and American Society of Landscape Architect Environmental Stewardship Award (2002); Real Estate Council of Texas Philip M. Barshop Founder’s Award (1999).
He serves the profession with memberships in ASCE; NSPE; TSPE, Bexar Chapter, State Director; Professional Engineers in Private Practice; Greater San Antonio Builders Association; and Associated General Contractors of Texas.
Gene’s service to San Antonio is seen in such organizations as: “The Dawson Family” induction into the San Antonio Business Hall of Fame by Junior Achievement; various committees for the City of San Antonio; Real Estate Council of San Antonio; Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce; North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce; UTSA Road Runner Foundation Board; Cancer Therapy and Research Center; Bandera First Bank; San Antonio Christian Schools; Bank of San Antonio Board of Directors; Alamo Bowl, Chairman and Board member; Real Estate Council of Texas; Bexar Land Trust, Inc.; San Antonio Water System; Frost National Bank; Northeast YMCA of San Antonio.
Throughout the impressive growth of Pape-Dawson, the firm continues to serve its clients with integrity, competence, hard work and quality service. Gene also serves his alma mater with the same principles. His university service includes President’s Leadership Council, President’s Circle, President Legacy Council, Lifetime Member of the Javelina Alumni Association. He is a member of the Legacy Society, which recognizes university philanthropists. In recognition of Gene’s Javelina Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni induction, Pape-Dawson, Sam Dawson and Gene made a gift to create the Pape-Dawson Engineers, Inc./Eugene H. Dawson, Jr., P.E. Endowed Engineering Scholarship. Additionally, Gene has established the Eugene H. Dawson, Jr. Endowment for Excellence in Civil Engineering. This gift was matched with Arrington funds to create the Eugene H. Dawson, Jr. Endowed Professorship in Civil Engineering. Currently, Gene is leading the most significant endeavors ever undertaken at the university by serving as the National Campaign Chair of “With You. Without Limits”, the university’s ambitious $100 million comprehensive campaign
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About Jeff Adams, CMAA, CPA
With over a decade of experience in the AEC industry, Jeff Adams is a seasoned M&A advisor who helps firms achieve their strategic growth objectives. As Director of SN’s Merger and Acquisitions practice area and Certified M&A Advisor, he leads the M&A team, partnering with architecture, engineering, and construction firms on both the buyer and seller sides to strategically position them for greater future success. Jeff has successfully advised numerous M&A transactions, ensuring smooth and successful transitions for his clients. He also hosts the popular AEC Unscripted: M&A Edition podcast, where he shares insights and best practices with AEC leaders, including executives from ENR Top 500 firms.
During his career, Jeff has gained extensive experience overseeing strategy and operations related to accounting, financial planning, and analysis. Before joining SN, he held an executive leadership role at an engineering firm, where he played a pivotal part in leading his firm through a successful acquisition process.
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About Kate Allen, PE, MBA
Kate’s 25 years of experience in the Architecture and Engineering industry includes leadership roles as a Consultant, Principal-in-Charge, and National Engineering Director. Her primary focus is on helping clients with transition strategies including ownership transition and mergers and acquisitions. Kate applies a “lead with people” approach as she partners with firms to successfully anticipate and prepare for their future.
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About KP Reddy
KP is the visionary Founder and CEO of Shadow Ventures, a powerhouse in technology and innovation in the built environment. Renowned for his expertise, he authored the definitive guide to Building Information Modeling—“BIM for Building Owners and Developers”, What you know about Startups is wrong.”, and his latest book that is helping companies leverage AI to increase their enterprise value, “Creating the Intangible Enterprise: The Critical Skills Required to Thrive in an AI-Driven World”.
With a remarkable track record, KP has founded and successfully exited three technology companies, achieving IPOs on NASDAQ, NYSE, and through private ventures. He has led Enterprise Transformation at Gehry Technologies, and served as General Manager of ATDC at Georgia Tech, one of the nation’s oldest and most respected technology incubators. KP is not just a leader—he’s a game changer, driving the future of our industry with unwavering confidence and strategic insight. He has become the most influential leader of his generation in driving change in some of the oldest industries in the world.
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About Kristi Weierbach, Ph.D., SPHR, SHRM-SCP
Kristi focuses her extensive expertise on helping clients design a workforce that is not only prepared for the future, but one that leverages disruption to thrive and succeed. Weaving together a unique blend of anticipatory tools and insights with practical solutions, Kristi provides clients with an organizational architecture that empowers them for the NextGen.
Applying deep workforce knowledge, Kristi helps companies overcome challenges by providing strategic direction, implementing and improving policies and procedures, and skillfully turning human capital management into a competitive advantage.
Kristi is an active blogger and frequent presenter on workforce related topics.
Kristi Weierbach, Ph.D., SPHR, SHRM-SCP
Managing Director, Workforce Advisory
About The Speaker
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About Mitchell L. Fortner, PE
Since January 2016, Mitch has served as KSA’s president. He joined KSA in 1984 after graduating, with honors, from Texas A&M University with a BS in civil engineering. Mitch has over 30 years of experience designing engineering solutions for a wide range of airport, municipal, industrial and development clients. He is proud to continue the tradition of thoughtful and positive leadership fostered by previous presidents, Toby Kindle and Joncie Young. Mitch is dedicated to improving KSA’s ability to provide quality consulting services to the clients in each service group.
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About Peter Grupp
Described by his clients as outstanding, effective, and efficient, Peter Grupp engages in a diverse legal practice representing clients in complex corporate transactions. Peter enjoys guiding his clients through multi-faceted business transactions, using his experience to anticipate and protect against hurdles and pitfalls, and navigate his clients to a successful closing.
Peter focuses his corporate practice in mergers and acquisitions, primarily in the professional services industries. As part of Lawson & Weitzen’s transaction team, Peter has helped close over 100 acquisitions, serving as the lead transaction attorney for many of them. Recently, Peter has helped close multiple private equity recapitalizations of prominent engineering firms throughout the country.
Peter represents clients spanning a number of industries, including: Architecture, Professional Engineering, Land Surveying, Geology and Environmental Consulting, Tech, and Alcoholic Beverage Supply/Wholesale.
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About Phil Keil
Phil brings a wealth of strategic expertise to GHC, poised to steer the firm towards ambitious growth and expansion targets. Formerly a Principal, Shareholder, and Director of Strategy at Zweig Group, Phil has a proven track record in developing and implementing strategic initiatives. His experience as a frequent speaker on strategy and leadership underscores his dedication to knowledge sharing and industry advancement. Phil is a strong advocate for the transformative power of strategy, collaboration, and ambition in driving industry progress.
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About Rob Hughes
Rob Hughes is a senior vice president and equity partner with Ames & Gough. He is responsible for providing service to clients and developing new relationships in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and New York. Rob is the founder of our Philadelphia office.
Rob joined Ames & Gough in 2007. Previously, he was an executive vice president with Thomas J. Sharpe & Associates, a regional insurance brokerage located in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, where he specialized in professional liability insurance, risk management, and loss-prevention services for architects and engineers. Prior to that, he was with XL Insurance for more than 10 years in a variety of capacities, including his last position as senior counsel and vice president.
Rob received his law degree, cum laude, from the Widener University School of Law and his undergraduate degree from Lafayette College.
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About Tracey Eaves
Tracey Eaves will lead a Valuation Deep Dive breakout session at Zweig Group’s M&A Next Symposium next month. Over the last 20 years, Tracey has completed valuations ranging from small businesses to multi-million dollar operating companies to holding companies with a variety of assets.
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About Will Swearingen
Will leads Zweig Group’s research team and ownership transition consulting group. He received his BS in Biology from the University of North Carolina at Asheville and his MBA from the University of Arkansas with a focus on entrepreneurship.
During that time, Will developed financial models and aided in the fundraising for a startup that has raised over 20 million dollars in capital.
Will has worked closely with management teams across the US to develop ownership transition plans, ranging from simple one-to-one transactions to complex projects that require a great deal of modeling and stakeholder education. Will analyzes and reports on the data AEC managers need to run successful firms. From developing benchmarking tools to compensation programs for transition planning, Will builds resources for decision makers.
Prior to joining Zweig Group, Will provided navigation and telemetry services for oil exploration projects, conducting data analysis for the integration of GPS and seismic readouts. Will comes from a long line of architects and has a passion for the industry that is unmatched.
Monday, September 8, 2025
Monday, September 8, 2025
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3:00pm
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M&A Next Check-In Opens
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4:30pm
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Welcome Cocktail Reception - A San Antonio Growth Story
A journey through a legacy firm, a partnership, and the strategic M&A decisions that changed the game. Sponsored by Ames & Gough |
Tuesday, September 9, 2025
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7:30am
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Breakfast
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8:30am
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Welcome & State of M&A in AEC: Valuation, Multiples, and What's Next
Presented by Zweig Group and Stambaugh Ness |
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9:00am
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Opening Keynote - The 3F's of AEC M&A: Fit, Future, and Financials
with Ernesto Aguilar |
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9:30am
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Panel Discussion: Beyond the Numbers
Managing the hearts and minds during an M&A transaction - Perspectives from a buyer and seller |
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10:00am
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Networking Break
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10:15am
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Hot M&A Topic Roundtables
Examples include but are not limited to: Valuation Dynamics M&A Insurance Complexities Building a Resilient Culture while Acquiring Demystifying Private Equity M&A Transaction Taxes: Structure Matters First Time Buyer Preparing for M&A Exit Unknowns |
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11:45pm
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KP Reddy Luncheon and Keynote
The emerging role of innovation and AI in M&A transactions and firm integration with KP Reddy |
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1:00pm
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Focus Session One
A: Deep dive into valuation trends and other important industry benchmarks B: Building your buy/sell dream team - who you need internal and externally to maximize success |
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2:00pm
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Networking break
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2:15pm
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Focus Session Two
A: Minimizing risk and maximizing clarity: A crash course in M&A legal terms and deal structures |
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3:15pm
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Networking break
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3:30pm
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Focus Session Three
A: Strategic Risk: Safeguarding Growth and Success B: Integration strategies and tactics that make life better for everyone on both sides of a transaction |
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4:30pm
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Networking break
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5:00-7:00pm
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M&A Next Closing Reception + ElevateAEC Welcome Reception
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Thank you to our 2025 sponsors
