The M&A Advisor announced the winners of the Emerging Leaders Awards on Tuesday, June 26, 2018. The M&A Advisor, renowned globally for its recognition of leading M&A, financing and turnaround professionals, created this event to promote mentorship and professional development amongst the emerging business leaders. Luis Vinals was chosen from a pool of nominees by an independent judging panel of distinguished business leaders.

“The Annual M&A Advisor Emerging Leaders Awards was born as the 40 Under 40 Awards in the United States in 2010 to recognize and celebrate the achievements of young M&A, Financing and Turnaround professionals who had reached a significant level of success and made a notable contribution to their industry and community. With the expansion of the Emerging Leaders program to the United Kingdom, and Europe in 2016, the 2018 US award winners join a truly global network of outstanding young professionals,” said David Fergusson, President and Co-CEO of The M&A Advisor.

On Friday, September 14th, 2018 The M&A Advisor will host a black tie Awards Gala at the New York Athletic Club in Manhattan to introduce the Emerging Leaders Award Winners to the business community and celebrate their achievements. The Awards Gala is a feature of the 2018 Emerging Leaders Summit – an exclusive event pairing current and past Emerging Leaders winners together with their peers and industry stalwarts.

Luis Vinals is a Transaction Director at Benchmark International. He leads a team of analysts to help achieve Benchmark International’s clients’ goals of growing or exiting their businesses. Luis has experience in many different industries including, importing/exporting, specialty manufacturing, business services, etc. Luis’s experience in international trade and banking provides a unique perspective to the various transactions that he leads.

As we embark on the year 2018, it is important to acknowledge the advantages of engaging your business for sale. Mergers and acquisitions was strong in 2017 and is expected to continue full steam ahead moving into 2018. You can count on Benchmark International to stay on top of current trends to bring you the highest level of professionalism in the sale of your business.

Benchmark International has successfully facilitated the sale of Canaide, Inc. to Apprio Holdings, LLC.

Canaide, Inc., hereinafter referred to as Canaide, is a revenue cycle management firm located in Central Florida. They are a provider of outsourced, self-pay services to hospitals across the Southeastern United States. The acquirer, Apprio Holdings, is a provider of specialized technology solutions, particularly for the Health, Defense and Homeland Security markets. They are headquartered in Washington, D.C. and now have 11 total offices from coast to coast.

Art Seypura, owner of Canaide, stated, “Benchmark made the sales process timely and seamless. We went to market just a few short months ago and they quickly found a great cultural fit that would allow me to step away quickly from the helm while partaking in future growth under the guidance of Apprio.”

Benchmark International Director, Dara Shareef, stated, “We are really excited that we were able to successfully locate a buyer for Art Seypura and Canaide. Every facet of this process, from engagement to close, went smoothly thanks to the dedication and effort from both the sell-side and buy-side teams.”

Benchmark International has successfully negotiated the sale of Central Florida Solar, Inc. (“CFS”) to Wayfare Impact LLC (“Wayfare”).

Based in Altamonte Springs, Florida, CFS operates as a multi-service solar energy provider that designs, sells and installs solar energy systems for water heating, pool heating and solar electric power. The company primarily services the residential sector across the Orlando, Florida market. The company’s owner, Bill Park, has been designing and installing solar energy systems since 1984 and has completed the Florida Solar Energy Center’s photovoltaic system design program.

Since 2000, CFS has been committed to providing clean energy options that are both cost effective for the consumer and environmentally friendly. Since inception, the company has grown from a small family business to a profitable venture. The company’s technical knowledge, experienced staff, and professionalism not only ensure client retention, but foster additional growth opportunities within the industry.

Headquartered in Miami, Florida, Wayfare is a privately-owned investment firm with a focus on U.S. investments. Wayfare pursues a multitude of sectors and markets from an investment standpoint; however, the group primarily focuses on growth companies with clear potential to be not only profitable, but to have a positive impact on the environment. Today, Wayfare is further expanding its portfolio of socially responsible and environmentally conscious companies with the acquisition of CFS.

President and Founder of CFS, Bill Park, stated, “Benchmark International played an instrumental role in bringing my exit strategy to fruition. The team did an outstanding job of marketing my business toward motivated buyers, and even lined me up with first-rate legal counsel as the deal entered more mature stages. I would like to thank the Benchmark transaction team for the extraordinary effort in making this transaction a reality.”

Benchmark International’s Senior Associate, Trevor Talkie, added, “We have really enjoyed working with our client, Bill Park, and bringing to the table an acquirer with many of the same core values. Bill has built an excellent business over the years and this acquisition by Wayfare is a testament to the value CFS provides. I’d like to take this opportunity to wish both parties the best of luck moving forward.” Tyrus O’Neill, Director at Benchmark International, stated, “It was a pleasure to represent CFS in this transaction, and on behalf of Benchmark International, we are extremely pleased with the outcome. A win-win for the buyer and the seller is always an ideal end result.”

International M&A specialist, Benchmark International, has successfully facilitated the transaction between Carl Amber Brian Isaiah and Associates Co. (“CBAIA”) and Whalen Strategies, Inc. (“WSI”).

Headquartered in Fredericksburg, Virginia, CBAIA is a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) which was established in Partlow, Virginia in 2005 by Carl Lawson Sr. CBAIA’s main offerings include Logistics Management and Hardware Lifecycle Support with a primary focus on providing outstanding support to the Department of Defense. In 2005, CBAIA’s efforts were honored with the United States Marine Corps Systems Command (USMS MCSC) Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) Award and were highlighted for outstanding support services supporting the Marine Corp Logistics Command (Care of Supplies in Storage – Barstow, CA) in an official Marine Corp publication.

With over 30 years of experience in the defense contractor space, Kelly Whalen of WSI will be leading the CBAIA team as Chief Executive Officer. After spending his last 10 years in various executive positions in the life cycle logistics sector, Kelly will immediately take part in executing strategic initiatives to bolster CBAIA’s growth. The acquisition of CBAIA represents an excellent addition to WSI’s growing presence and further expands on its current footprint.

“Benchmark International played an instrumental role in marketing my family company, interviewing potential buyers, and properly cementing a deal that was beneficial to both parties, ultimately facilitating a successful acquisition,” said CBAIA’s Chief Operating Officer, Carl Lawson Jr. "From the beginning, the Benchmark team was diligent in identifying the perfect buyer for my business and brought multiple candidates to the table. Overall, WSI was the ideal fit from an acquirer standpoint and I’d like to extend a big thank you to Benchmark for the hard work and extraordinary effort that made this transaction a reality."

Trevor Talkie, Senior Associate at Benchmark International, added, “It was a pleasure working with the Lawson family from the early stages of our marketing process right through to the transaction closing. Given Carl Sr.’s vision for CBAIA and the strategic value that Kelly (WSI) brings to the table, we feel this deal was a win-win for both sides.” Director, Tyrus O’Neill, added, “Carl Sr. has built a tremendous business and we’re ecstatic to have brought his exit strategy goals to fruition. On behalf of Benchmark International, we wish both parties the very best moving forward.”

Benchmark International is taking full advantage of the strength in the M&A middle market. We are delighted to announce the closing of 10 deals in just 30 days; and, our clients are thrilled with the results.

Benchmark International has successfully negotiated the sale of Gasco Affiliates, LLC to Tech Air, a Connecticut-based distributor of industrial, medical, and specialty gases and related equipment and supplies. Tech Air is owned by CI Capital Partners and Tech Air management.

Benchmark International has successfully facilitated the transaction between Steven Feller P.E. PL and Yenni Capital.

International M&A specialist, Benchmark International, has successfully negotiated the sale of Sea Level Marine to the Rheinhold & Mahla Group (R&M).

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