Craig Checks In: Midyear M&A Report: What We're Seeing in 2026

Mike White: Why So Many Founders Still Undervalue Their Financials

Mike White, partner at CLA, joins Craig Castelli to discuss his entrepreneurial path from building and selling his own CPA firm to advising business owners through M&A. They cover quality of earnings, why clean financials matter before a sale, current deal activity, healthcare sectors drawing investor interest, Medicaid and reimbursement risk, and how business owners should think about timing, EBITDA, and whether selling is truly the right next step. See the full episode page and read the transcript here: https://caberhill.com/podcast/mike-white-why-so-many-founders-still-undervalue-their-financials Text us your feedback, ideas, or topics you’d like to see in an upcoming show. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2469135/fan_mail/new] Listen on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-close-m-a-podcast-with-caber-hill-advisors/id1819772999] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/10cSTQPKWgn9vMafyFH6zd?si=3a812ebaae164d05]. Watch on YouTube [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgqe8AMKYo1hd27D9tzXTcRkfTaA_WZyl&si=l8fBrMIX_AfYJ4RB]. Follow on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/caber-hill-advisors]. Connect with Caber Hill Advisors [https://caberhill.com/connect/].

Craig Checks In: Midyear M&A Report: What We're Seeing in 2026

In a special episode, Craig checks in to share a midyear update on lower middle market M&A activity in 2026. He breaks down mixed market signals, private equity’s continued focus on add-on acquisitions, and the sectors seeing strong investor interest, including healthcare, facility services, business services, and industrials. Craig also explains what business owners should focus on now if they are preparing for a sale in the next few years. See the full episode page and read the transcript here: https://caberhill.com/podcast/m-and-a-lower-middle-market-analysis-2026-midyear/ Text us your feedback, ideas, or topics you’d like to see in an upcoming show. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2469135/fan_mail/new] Listen on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-close-m-a-podcast-with-caber-hill-advisors/id1819772999] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/10cSTQPKWgn9vMafyFH6zd?si=3a812ebaae164d05]. Watch on YouTube [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgqe8AMKYo1hd27D9tzXTcRkfTaA_WZyl&si=l8fBrMIX_AfYJ4RB]. Follow on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/caber-hill-advisors]. Connect with Caber Hill Advisors [https://caberhill.com/connect/].

David C. Strosnider: Executive Compensation and Governance in M&A

In this episode of The Close, Craig Castelli speaks with David Strosnider, partner at McDonald Hopkins, about the “second deal” happening inside many M&A transactions: management team agreements. David explains what executives should understand about rollover equity, restrictive covenants, employment agreements, incentive plans and buyer dynamics. They also discuss how deal size can affect timing, why management teams should evaluate their own interests early, and how thoughtful negotiation can reveal important cultural signals before closing. See the full episode page and read the transcript here: https://caberhill.com/podcast/david-c-strosnider-executive-compensation-and-governance-in-ma Text us your feedback, ideas, or topics you’d like to see in an upcoming show. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2469135/fan_mail/new] Listen on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-close-m-a-podcast-with-caber-hill-advisors/id1819772999] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/10cSTQPKWgn9vMafyFH6zd?si=3a812ebaae164d05]. Watch on YouTube [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgqe8AMKYo1hd27D9tzXTcRkfTaA_WZyl&si=l8fBrMIX_AfYJ4RB]. Follow on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/caber-hill-advisors]. Connect with Caber Hill Advisors [https://caberhill.com/connect/].

David Nissen: Selling Your Baby: The Reality of Letting Go in M&A

In this episode of The Close, Craig Castelli speaks with Dave Nissen, partner at Cherry Bekaert and former CEO of PKF Mueller. Dave shares how PFK Mueller grew from a small Elgin, Illinois accounting firm into a larger regional player, the role vision and budgeting played in that growth, and how strategic acquisitions helped build talent and capabilities. He also reflects on PKF Mueller’s sale to Cherry Bekaert, navigating due diligence, adjusting after the transaction, and why relationships, referrals, and clear growth incentives matter in professional services. See the full episode page and read the transcript here: https://caberhill.com/podcast/david-nissen-cherry-bekaert/ Text us your feedback, ideas, or topics you’d like to see in an upcoming show. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2469135/fan_mail/new] Listen on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-close-m-a-podcast-with-caber-hill-advisors/id1819772999] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/10cSTQPKWgn9vMafyFH6zd?si=3a812ebaae164d05]. Watch on YouTube [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgqe8AMKYo1hd27D9tzXTcRkfTaA_WZyl&si=l8fBrMIX_AfYJ4RB]. Follow on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/caber-hill-advisors]. Connect with Caber Hill Advisors [https://caberhill.com/connect/].

William J. Ching: Why the Best Deals Happen When Lawyers and Bankers Actually Talk

Craig Castelli sits down with Billy Ching, chair of the private equity practice at Nelson Mullins, to break down what actually drives successful deals. They cover why communication between bankers and lawyers can make or break outcomes, how private equity has evolved for smaller businesses, and what founders should look for beyond valuation. The conversation also dives into today’s market dynamics, shifting deal structures, and where opportunities are emerging across sectors. See the full episode page and read the transcript here: https://caberhill.com/podcast/william-ching-nelson-mullins/  Text us your feedback, ideas, or topics you’d like to see in an upcoming show. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2469135/fan_mail/new] Listen on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-close-m-a-podcast-with-caber-hill-advisors/id1819772999] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/10cSTQPKWgn9vMafyFH6zd?si=3a812ebaae164d05]. Watch on YouTube [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgqe8AMKYo1hd27D9tzXTcRkfTaA_WZyl&si=l8fBrMIX_AfYJ4RB]. Follow on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/caber-hill-advisors]. Connect with Caber Hill Advisors [https://caberhill.com/connect/].