Recognized Mergers and Acquisitions Leaders 2025

As EVP of M&A, Joe leads PRITCHETT's M&A integration practice which has consulted on acquisitions valued in total over $350 billion. He is the architect of PRITCHETT’s M&A integration methodology, an approach that has been used successfully by thousands of acquirers. Joe also conceived of and brought to market the Merger Integration Certification Workshop, the most successful M&A integration training program in the world. Plus, he created MergerIntegration.com which is now the most visited web site on M&A integration. MergerIntegration.com provides step-by step instruction on how to run integration projects and is populated with over 500 deliverables from PRITCHETT consulting engagements. Joe is the author of the books, Street Smart Moves for Selling your Business and What’s Next? He is also a licensed Certified Public Accountant.

Jui is the Managing Partner at Next Point, where she leads the firm’s operations and heads the Mergers & Acquisitions division. Specializing in strategic exits for the industrial, medical, and dental sectors, Jui guides business and medical practice owners through the complex process of planning and executing successful exits. She combines high-level strategy with practical execution to ensure a seamless transition for her clients. Her background includes a unique blend of corporate experience working with Fortune 100 companies in financial planning, joint venture management, and risk mitigation, as well as years of entrepreneurial experience. Jui leverages this expertise to advocate for her clients, ensuring they are informed and confident throughout every phase of the deal. Her experience as an entrepreneur gives her a deep understanding of the challenges her clients face, and she works diligently to represent their best interests, aligning strategies with their unique objectives. Jui’s passion lies in serving as a trusted partner to her clients, helping them make informed decisions and transition from their businesses with confidence. With nearly two decades of experience and hundreds of successful transactions, she is known for developing exit strategies that not only maximize value but also safeguard her clients’ long-term goals. She holds an MBA in Finance and is certified in Mergers & Acquisitions, as well as a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA).

Senior-level strategy/corporate development/ventures executive in the increasingly concentric media/advertising/tech industrial complex – with 30+ years of pioneering operational experience, investment returns and thought leadership in championing innovation across traditional, digital, and (especially) “emerging” media and marketing firms. Industry vertical areas of expertise: - "Emerging" media and technology: advanced/interactive advertising, media tech platforms, media distribution - especially in TV & video - Digital media operations (online, mobile, digital video, digital audio, digital OOH, social, etc.) - Traditional media operations (TV, radio, out-of-home, print, etc.)- Advertising (media buying, media ad sales, ad/media/digital agency structure/operations) - Consumer media behaviors (consumption, behaviors, trends, preferences, etc.) - Ad/marketing/tech innovation (startups, venture investment, etc.) - Corporate development in media/advertising industries (M&A, corporate ventures, etc.) - Nationally recognized thought leadership in all things "future of TV/media" & "advanced advertising" Functional areas of expertise in above industries/verticals: - Corporate strategy & development, including M&A and ventures - Marketing & PR/corporate communications - Business development - Advertising sales - Media industry analysis & thought leadership

I’m P. Blake Renda—an entrepreneur, investor, and co-CEO of Veedor Holdings LLC, based in Naples, FL, with a satellite office in Santa Monica, CA. Veedor Holdings LLC not only makes strategic investments but also owns and operates Dragon Horse Agency, Dragon Horse Publishing, and Moxie Creed. My professional journey began while I was interning at NBC Studios during my time at the University of Southern California, which led to a full-time position after graduation. I then transitioned into law and finance, which ultimately brought me to Wall Street in 1996. There, I was part of a small team in Palo Alto, CA, managing over $20 billion in technology-sector assets at J. & W. Seligman & Co. In 2000, I was recognized as one of Institutional Investor Magazine’s “Best of the Buy Side.” In 2006, I joined the New Dimensions Growth Team of American Express Asset Management in La Jolla, CA, as the T/M/T manager across six growth funds totaling over $40 billion in assets under management. I was also nominated for Institutional Investor Magazine's "Best of the Buy Side" in 2004. These experiences instilled in me the importance of rigorously vetting opportunities and leading with foresight—skills I have consistently applied to every entrepreneurial venture. From 2011 to 2015, I played a key role in transforming a boutique Florida skincare startup into a nationally recognized, multi-award-winning brand, culminating in its eventual public listing post my tenure. After exiting that company, I co-founded Veedor Holdings LLC with Julie Koester. Today, we own and operate Dragon Horse Agency, a multi-award-winning, bi-coastal agency known for providing comprehensive business strategy and marketing services to global clients. Additionally, we own Dragon Horse Publishing, an award-winning publishing company, and Moxie Creed, a wellness lifestyle e-commerce platform. Beyond the accolades, successes, challenges, and failures, I hold a deep belief in resilience, mentorship, and shared success. I’m a proud father, a former youth volleyball coach, and a passionate advocate of Ubuntu—"I am because we are." Whether scaling startups, navigating global markets, or building culture, I bring the same competitive spirit and collaborative ethos to every endeavor. Success is not just about accolades; it’s about legacy, community, and the courage to keep moving forward. As Winston Churchill said, “Success is not final; failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts.”

Max Avery, a dynamic business development executive at Digital Ascension Group, drives growth across industries with a sharp focus on market leadership. His deep knowledge of traditional and emerging financial markets, backed by certifications like Capital Markets & Securities Analyst (CMSA)® and FinTech Industry Professional (FTIP)™, informs his strategic approach. Since 2016, he has excelled in raising capital and structuring deals in private equity and real estate. Appointed to the District Export Council by Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross in 2018, and a member of the National Small Business Association’s Economic Development Committee, Avery shapes policies for business growth. Guided by a philosophy of excellence, he turns complex challenges into practical solutions, establishing himself as a trusted strategist committed to lasting impact.

Private-equity-trained fractional CFO & exit-prep firm for founder-led businesses. We convert to accrual, build MFRs and KPI dashboards, run forecasting, and package for diligence to lift EBITDA and multiples across trades, e-commerce, tech, and professional services. 35+ clients Serial Founder in Health Tech, Veterinary Medicine, Plumbing, CPGs, Consulting, SaaS. Scaled from 0-2MM, sold or stabilized.

Patrick Schultz brings a sharp analytical edge to real estate investing, shaped by his experience as a research analyst for Jim Cramer on CNBC’s Mad Money. His deep understanding of financial markets, asset valuation, and investment strategies allows him to identify undervalued properties and optimize yield across his real estate portfolio. Alongside his wife, Hilary Schultz—a licensed real estate agent in Texas and Florida— their small family owned portfolio of businesses operate across every stage of residential real estate. They acquire homes, execute strategic renovations in SFR properties, and selectively retain assets that align with their long-term investment strategy. For Patrick and Hilary, real estate isn’t just about buying and selling—it’s about crafting solutions for homeowners. Whether purchasing homes for cash, revitalizing physically distressed properties, or helping sellers move forward with confidence, they approach every transaction with a problem-solving mindset. Their goal? Delivering outsized returns for investors while creating a delightful real estate experience for Texas home sellers.​

2x Founder and former Investment banker. Spent 4 years in investment banking focusing on M&A for insurance carriers and brokers. Built and scaled an insurtech company called Coverdash and raised $15mn from Venture Capital firms Founded the fastest growing white glove commercial insurance agency focused on insuring growing businesses.

Patrick Schultz brings a sharp analytical edge to real estate investing, shaped by his experience as a research analyst for Jim Cramer on CNBC’s Mad Money. His deep understanding of financial markets, asset valuation, and investment strategies allows him to identify undervalued properties and optimize yield across his real estate portfolio. Alongside his wife, Hilary Schultz—a licensed real estate agent in Texas and Florida— their small family owned portfolio of businesses operate across every stage of residential real estate. They acquire homes, execute strategic renovations in SFR properties, and selectively retain assets that align with their long-term investment strategy. For Patrick and Hilary, real estate isn’t just about buying and selling—it’s about crafting solutions for homeowners. Whether purchasing homes for cash, revitalizing physically distressed properties, or helping sellers move forward with confidence, they approach every transaction with a problem-solving mindset. Their goal? Delivering outsized returns for investors while creating a delightful real estate experience for Texas home sellers.​

Patrick Schultz brings a sharp analytical edge to real estate investing, shaped by his experience as a research analyst for Jim Cramer on CNBC’s Mad Money. His deep understanding of financial markets, asset valuation, and investment strategies allows him to identify undervalued properties and optimize yield across his real estate portfolio. Alongside his wife, Hilary Schultz—a licensed real estate agent in Texas and Florida— their small family owned portfolio of businesses operate across every stage of residential real estate. They acquire homes, execute strategic renovations in SFR properties, and selectively retain assets that align with their long-term investment strategy. For Patrick and Hilary, real estate isn’t just about buying and selling—it’s about crafting solutions for homeowners. Whether purchasing homes for cash, revitalizing physically distressed properties, or helping sellers move forward with confidence, they approach every transaction with a problem-solving mindset. Their goal? Delivering outsized returns for investors while creating a delightful real estate experience for Texas home sellers.​

I’m a designer-turned-business leader who founded and scaled a digital agency from scratch in 2009. Over 15 years, I built a highly successful, people-focused web and mobile app development firm, growing it from nothing to $4M a year on 20%+ margins, culminating in a seven-figure exit, multiple industry awards, and a long list of grateful employees and clients. After that successful exit, I now help founders of creative firms do the same – build and grow profitable, sustainable businesses, and lead less stressful, more fulfilling lives. More info can be found at: jeffarchibald.ca

Ismael is Executive Chairman of FE International, a leading M&A advisory firm in the technology sector with over $46Bn in completed acquisitions. Wrixen’s previous background was in large-cap M&A investment banking, where he executed several high-profile public deals, namely in the technology sector.

Terrance drives growth and transformation at the intersection of startups, corporations, and high-net-worth individuals. He partners with family offices, corporate innovation groups, and athletes to build ventures, source investments, and scale initiatives that deliver long-term impact while maximizing strategic and legacy value.

Thomas Allen is Co-founder and CEO of Practice Real Estate Group, a leading healthcare-focused commercial real estate brokerage based in Austin, Texas. Since founding PRG in 2014, Thomas has guided hundreds of healthcare professionals through critical real estate decisions that set the foundation for their practice success. Thomas specializes in helping healthcare entrepreneurs navigate complex real estate decisions, from first-time practice owners opening their initial location to established practitioners expanding multi-location operations. His clients consistently describe him as a smart, creative, and trustworthy advisor who goes beyond finding space to create strategic real estate partnerships focused on long-term practice success. In 2016, Thomas expanded his expertise by launching Practice Transitions Group (PTG), providing comprehensive practice sales and transition services to healthcare professionals. This dual expertise in both real estate and practice transitions gives Thomas unique insights into the complete lifecycle of healthcare businesses. With over a decade of experience in healthcare real estate, Thomas has established PRG as a trusted partner for healthcare professionals across multiple states. His data-driven approach to location selection and commitment to understanding each client's unique vision has helped practices achieve above-average success rates in competitive markets.

I am an attorney, CPA, and software engineer helping entrepreneurs start, grow, manage, and exit their ventures. In addition to my law practice, I also teach Business Law to undergraduates at Florida Gulf Coast University. I have served in operations and finance with the world’s largest accounting firm, airline, and bank. I chose to pivot to pursue law as my next profession and am admitted to The Florida Bar and the State Bar of Texas. I completed my Juris Doctor on full tuition merit scholarship. While in law school, I served on the Law Review Editorial Board where my monograph—Transhumanism: Morality and Law at the Frontier of the Human Condition—was selected for publication. I passed the Florida Bar Examination in July 2022 and the Texas Bar Examination in February 2023. Following my J.D., I completed the Real Property Development LL.M. program at the University of Miami School of Law. I hold active CPA licensure in Florida and Texas and undergraduate and graduate degrees in accounting and taxation, respectively, from Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Before my career in law, I developed business intelligence and reporting on commercial banking clients in the Dallas and Chicago offices at JPMorgan across a variety of industry verticals—with a special emphasis on FIG and CRE clients. Previously, I supported capital investment decision-making and financial reporting for the commercial real estate, security, and legal divisions at American Airlines at their headquarters in Fort Worth. Prior to that, I founded Food on the Fly, a data mining and logistics startup leveraging mobile connectivity and transactional analytics to deliver premium meals in-terminal to transiting, time-constrained air travelers. My work on this venture continues. Before making the jump to the entrepreneurial realm, I began my career in the private equity and financial services tax compliance and consulting practice (“SALT-FS”) at PricewaterhouseCoopers in their Dallas office where I engineered solutions to more effectively serve VC/PE clients including Texas Pacific Group, Goldman Sachs, and others. I also hold the Certified Management Accountant, Certified Internal Auditor, Forensic Certified Public Accountant, Certified Information Systems Auditor, Certification in Risk Management Assurance, and Certified Fraud Examiner credentials. In my spare time, I explore the taxation and novel applications of virtual assets. I also serve as a mentor for university-age creators. I divide my time between sunny South Florida and Dallas, Texas.

I started my journey as an entrepreneur and operator, that entrepreneurial spirit remains at the heart of who I am today. Along the way, I discovered my true passion: helping businesses grow, transform, and achieve their big-picture goals. With expertise in M&A Advisory/Corporate Finance and Private Equity, I’ve had the privilege of working on both buy-side and sell-side deals.My foundation is built on a genuine interest and love for business and a solid understanding and passion for Corporate Finance which is complemented by hands-on experience in strategic advisory, negotiation, financial modelling, investment management and deal-making. Whether it’s closing a deal or brainstorming the next big move, I thrive on challenges and love connecting with like-minded professionals. Let’s connect!

I’m a hands-on tech engineer and entrepreneur focused on streamlining and simplifying real estate operations. As Founder & CEO of PropTechVision, I help clients connect the internal software tools they already use, automate repetitive work processes, and turn scattered data into clear, trusted insights. My style is practical. We map processes, integrate what’s there, add automation where it pays off, and show results within weeks. For the client, this means less busywork, faster reporting, and lower investment and legal risk.