Association for Corporate Growth Minnesota (ACGMN)

ACG Minnesota is proud to announce its 2025 Board of Directors, ushering in a new era of leadership and strategic growth for the organization.   Stephen O'Hara of PNC Bank steps into the role of Board President, joined by a talented and dedicated team of returning and new board members.   ACG Minnesota is also pleased to welcome newly elected board members Christian Barnes (Ballard Spahr LLP), Erik Splett (Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.), Daniel Stolfa, JD, LLM, CFP®, AIF® (Centura Wealth Advisory), and Jennifer Zick (Authentic®). Their diverse expertise and industry knowledge will further strengthen the board’s ability to drive forward key initiatives and expand the organization’s reach.   As we look to the future, we extend our deepest gratitude to the outgoing board members who have completed their terms. Maggie Tatton (Ballard Spahr LLP) has led the board with distinction as President, alongside Lindsey Day (Lathrop GPM LLP), who served two terms as Secretary, and Ryan Alberg (Duco Capital), whose leadership as ACG Cup Chair has been invaluable. Their dedication and contributions have left an enduring impact on ACG Minnesota, and we look forward to their continued engagement at future events.   2025 ACG Minnesota Board of Directors: Stephen O'Hara – President (PNC Commercial, Corporate & Institutional Banking) Kyle Orwick – Treasurer (Eide Bailly LLP) Leah Berend, CPA – President Elect, Capital Connection (Marrin Investment Partners) Christian Barnes – Secretary (Ballard Spahr LLP) Amber Akemann – Programming (BDO) Rian Heaslip – Sponsorships (Versique Search & Consulting) Thea Otterstad – BOLD M&A Summit (USI Insurance Services) Will Roach – CEO Circle (Baker Tilly US) Tony Rubin – Membership (Rudin & Rubin Financial Group of Wells Fargo Advisors) Erik Splett – At Large (Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.) Daniel Stolfa, JD, LLM, CFP®, AIF® – At Large (Centura Wealth Advisory) Cameron Wood – Young Professionals/Rising Stars (Northborne Partners) Jennifer Zick – At Large (Authentic®) With this exceptional team at the helm, ACG Minnesota is poised for another year of innovation, growth, and meaningful connections. We are confident that 2025 will bring new opportunities to serve our members and the broader business community. Here's to a strong year ahead! #Leadership #StrategicGrowth #MiddleMarket #BusinessCommunity #Networking #BoardOfDirectors #ACGMinnesota #MergersAndAcquisitions #ProfessionalGrowth #NewLeadership #MinnesotaBusiness #CorporateLeadership #2025Vision

What a Year It’s Been at ACG Minnesota! As we close out 2024, we’re reflecting on the incredible growth and connections that our members and community have helped create. This year, we hosted over 30 events that brought together over 2,500 attendees, driven by the dedication of 10 committees and 60 volunteers. From fun activities like the Twins Game, Ales & Tails, and Sporting Clay Shooting, to signature events such as Capital Connection, the BOLD Awards, the State of the Economy, and ACG Cup – along with staples like our monthly luncheons, Women’s Leadership gatherings, and young professional events – attendance and engagement have grown remarkably. From insightful panels to dynamic networking, 2024 has been a year of collaboration and progress. But beyond the numbers, it’s the connections that have been made and the relationships that are strengthened that truly define success. We’re looking forward to an exciting 2025, with new programs designed to elevate and empower our community: 🌟 Rising Stars – Developing the next generation of leaders 👥 CEO Circle – A space for growth-oriented CEOs to collaborate 🚀 BOLD M&A Summit – Spotlighting middle-market mergers and acquisitions A heartfelt thank you to our sponsors who make this possible: Fredrikson & Byron, P.A., Ballard Spahr LLP, RSM US LLP, BDO, Bremer Bank, Old National Bank, Stinson LLP, Wintrust Financial Corporation, Bridgewater Bank, CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen), Evercore Wealth Management, Highland Bank, Oxbow Industries, LLC, PNC Commercial, Corporate & Institutional Banking, Wipfli Corporate Finance Advisors, LLC, Forte Real Estate Partners, LLC, Eide Bailly LLP, Growth Operators, Cozen O'Connor, Lathrop GPM LLP, Plante Moran, and EisnerAmper. We can’t wait to see what 2025 holds – Happy New Year to all! Hope to see you at our State of the Economy on Tuesday, January 21. #ACGMinnesota #BusinessGrowth #Networking

ACG Minnesota proudly announces the launch of its newest program, Rising Stars, designed to cultivate the next generation of leaders in corporate growth, corporate development, and mergers & acquisitions. In partnership with Dorsey & Whitney LLP, Eide Bailly LLP, Fredrikson & Byron, P.A., Northborne Partners, and Growth Operators, this program represents a significant step in ACG Minnesota’s commitment to nurturing early-career professionals.   The inaugural 2025 class of Rising Stars is composed of 21 outstanding individuals selected from a competitive pool of nominees. These professionals, representing a diverse array of disciplines within the M&A ecosystem, will participate in a robust series of professional development sessions aimed at enhancing their skills, expanding their networks, and driving future growth.   ACG Minnesota 2025 Rising Stars Class: Bailey DeMets – Norwest Equity Partners (NEP) Ben Ikeda – Brass Ring Capital, Inc. Chris Klotsche – Northbourne Partners Jack Cottrell, CPA – RSM US LLP James Inman – Wipfli Corporate Finance Advisors, LLC Jessica Swanson – Ballard Spahr LLP Joe Morris – Medallion Capital John Jorgensen – Dorsey & Whitney, LLP JT Paine, CFA – AlTi Tiedemann Global Kate Woodcock – BDO Lynn Astrup – Vermilion Group Nathan Gajewski – True North M&A Quinn Schoenfelder – Pioneer Management Consulting Robert Vaupel – Eide Bailly LLP Roxanne Thorelli – Fredrikson Seth Vogelsang, MBA – Bridgewater Bank Taylor Hansen – RSM US LLP Thomas Cravens – PNC Tom Hansen, CFA – Quazar Capital William Borwege – Norwest Equity Partners Zach Huston – Tonka Bay Equity Partners   “The Rising Stars program is another great example of ACG Minnesota’s mission to foster leadership and growth within the M&A community,” said Cameron Wood, Board Member and Chair of Young Professionals at ACG Minnesota. “We are thrilled to recognize this exceptional group of professionals and look forward to seeing how they shape the future of our industry.”   For more information on the Rising Stars program, visit https://lnkd.in/gcxntwx2.

It was wonderful to gather with so many of our members at the Holiday Social & Board Elections last tonight. The evening was a chance to celebrate the season and express our gratitude for the incredible individuals who make ACG Minnesota thrive. A special thank you to our outstanding board members: our new President Stephen O'Hara, as well as Leah Berend, CPA, Kyle Orwick, Rian Heaslip, Thea Otterstad, Tony Rubin, Amber Akemann, Will Roach and Cameron Wood. We’re also thrilled to welcome our newly elected board members: Christian Barnes, Erik Splett, Daniel Stolfa, JD, LLM, CFP®, AIF® and Jennifer Zick. Finally, a heartfelt thank you to the exceptional leaders who have completed their board terms. Your contributions have left a lasting impact, and while your leadership will be missed, we look forward to seeing you at future events: our outgoing and amazing president Maggie Tatton, our two term secretary Lindsey Day and our longtime leader of ACG Cup, Ryan Alberg. Thank you for serving on the board. Wishing everyone a joyful holiday season!

Registration is open for our State of the Economy Luncheon. Kick off 2025 with valuable insights into the economic landscape at ACG Minnesota's State of the Economy Luncheon on Tuesday, January 21, from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM at the Golden Valley Country Club. We’re honored to welcome Matthew W. Finn, CFA, Chief Economist at Old National Bank, as our keynote speaker. Matt will explore “An Economy in Transition,” diving into how demographic shifts and technological advancements—like the aging U.S. population, low birth rates, and the rise of AI—are reshaping the workforce and economy. He’ll also share his 2025–2026 outlook, including GDP projections, the path of Federal Reserve rate cuts and insights on the housing market and interest rates. With over 30 years of experience in trust and investment management, Matt brings deep expertise in economic trends, asset allocation, and portfolio strategies. A leader and mentor in his field, he has shaped the finance industry through decades of work with the CFA Institute, guiding Old National’s economic outlook, and speaking at conferences nationwide. 📅 Register today to secure your spot: https://cvent.me/QVx3xv We look forward to seeing you there! Thanks to J2 Risk Advisors for being our GVCC member host!

🎄LAST CALL: Celebrate the Season with Us! Join us for ACG Minnesota’s Members Only: Holiday Social this Wednesday, December 11, from 4:00 - 6:00 PM at the Minneapolis Club. This exclusive, complimentary event is a chance to connect with fellow members, celebrate the season, and honor the contributions of outgoing board members while welcoming new leadership. Enjoy heavy hors d'oeuvres, festive libations, and plenty of holiday cheer! ✨ While this event is free for members, registration is required. Click here to register: https://cvent.me/rXaZyQ. No walk-ups please. 🎁 Not an ACG Minnesota member yet? Join now to lock in 2024 membership rates. For more details, click here: https://lnkd.in/eupHEk7u We look forward to celebrating with you!

✨ Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Women’s Holiday Social! We had a sold-out event at a lovely venue, Studio 900. It was an evening filled with networking, holiday fun, and festive drinks to celebrate the season. Guests enjoyed hands-on mixology lessons, crafting (and tasting!) seasonal favorites like the Gingersnap Old Fashioned and Candy Cane Cosmopolitan—complete with kits to recreate the magic at home. 🍸🎄 Special thanks to CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen) for sponsoring our Women’s programming and to PNC Business Banking for hosting us in such a gorgeous space. Your support helps us create memorable experiences like these. Thank you as well to our amazing committee led by Jennifer Bernard Westphal (JB) of CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen), Michelle Wagner of RSM US LLP, Rachel Arneson O'Connor of Lathrop GPM LLP, Susie Shapiro, Nicole Behm-Koep of Quazar--and event assistance from Jessica Grove. We appreciate you all! As we head into the holiday season, we’re raising our glasses to the moments that bring us together. 🥂 Check out the photos below for highlights from the evening!

🚨 Nominations close tomorrow – Friday, December 6! 🚨 Don’t miss your chance to recognize an emerging leader at your firm for ACG Minnesota’s Rising Stars program. This initiative is designed for early-career M&A professionals with exceptional potential and a commitment to growth. ➡️ Program Details: https://lnkd.in/gcxntwx2 ➡️ Nominations Form: https://lnkd.in/gFEcU7K8 Thank you to Eide Bailly LLP, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, and Fredrikson & Byron, P.A. for supporting this program. Have questions? Reach out to Cameron Wood, Christian Rekow, DJ Charley, Jr., CPA, Eric Harrison, or Lindsey Mortinson, CPA. Interested in sponsorship? Only two spots remain! Contact Shelley Fischer at shelley@acgmn.org to learn more. #M&A #RisingStars #LeadershipDevelopment #EmergingLeaders #ACGMinnesota

ACG Minnesota thrives as a strong, growing network of middle-market M&A professionals, thanks to the dedication of our volunteers. This month, we’re highlighting our Sponsorship Committee—a vital part of our success. A big thank you to Stephen O'Hara of PNC Commercial, Corporate & Institutional Banking, Rian Heaslip of Versique Search & Consulting, and Jay Gould of Insperity for their hard work and commitment. This talented team ensures our sponsors gain exceptional value, helping them increase brand visibility, build connections, and tap into a network of top-tier professionals. Interested in becoming an ACG Minnesota sponsor? Reach out to learn more about the benefits, including complimentary memberships and unparalleled opportunities to connect. Thank you, Stephen, Rian, and Jay, for your dedication to ACG Minnesota!

ACG Minnesota is proud to launch Rising Stars, a program tailored for early-career M&A professionals who demonstrate exceptional potential and a commitment to growth. Nominations close this Friday, December 6. Do you know an emerging leader at your firm? Nominate them today. Click here for Rising Stars Program Details: https://lnkd.in/gcxntwx2 Click here for our Nominations Form: https://lnkd.in/gFEcU7K8 Special thanks to Eide Bailly LLP, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, and Fredrikson & Byron, P.A. for supporting this initiative. For questions, reach out to our dedicated committee members: Cameron Wood, Christian Rekow, DJ Charley, Jr., CPA, Eric Harrison, and Lindsey Mortinson, CPA. Interested in sponsorship? Only two spots remain! Contact Shelley Fischer at shelley@acgmn.org. #M&A #RisingStars #LeadershipDevelopment #EmergingLeaders #ACGMinnesota