AEC M&A Summit
February 26-28, 2025
Atlantis Resort, Paradise Island, Bahamas
Join leading AEC mergers & acquisitions experts and firm buyers and sellers for two powerful days of valuation, deal structure, and creative success networking.
Welcome to the architecture and engineering industry’s leading mergers & acquisitions innovation conference. AEC M&A Summit brings together firm principals and executives, capitalization experts, investors, and financial analysts for solutions-based workshops, panels, and networking sessions guaranteed to reframe your growth strategy for 2025 and beyond.
Your registration guarantees:
- The latest data on AEC valuations and transactions
- Insider-stories on the latest deal structures
- Face-to-face conversations with key dealmakers, investors, strategic buyers and Private Equity investors
- An eye-opening look at the future of acquisition financing
- Proven solutions to your biggest M&A challenges
- Diverse perspectives from buyers, sellers, and wide range of experts
- Emerging and creative models for success
- And so much more!
This event shows you how to harness the energy, potential, and opportunity of growth through merger and acquisition for architecture and engineering firms.
Speakers include some of the top experts in M&A for the AEC industry, including:
Attendee Testimonials
“I attended the past PSMJ M&A conferences and plan on attending again. The conference is a great way to interact with both buyers and sellers to exchange best practices on the state of M&A’s in the architectural and engineering sector.” - Joseph Viscuso, PE, PLS, ENV SP, Senior Vice President and Director of Strategic Growth, Pennoni
“I attended the event for networking purposes, not educational purposes. However, I found the quality of the presentations was so strong, I attended every one of them. A great overall conference with many takeaways!” - Ira Starr, Partner, Long Point Capital
“One of the best conferences I have ever attended; very relevant & up to the minute information and advice.” - Angela O'Byrne, FAIA, NCARB LEED AP, Owner and President, Perez, APC
AEC M&A Summit is where growth-focused executives from architecture and engineering firms will gather to:
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Make smarter mergers and acquisitions decisions: Learn how the most successful M&A deals in the AEC space came together, what your peer executives wish they had done differently, and how to overcome deal delays and roadblocks.
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Get direct access to diverse AEC M&A perspectives and challenges through expert-led presentations and engaging panel discussions.
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Dig into the latest data on AEC merger and acquisition transactions and uncover trends, overcome challenges, and leverage opportunities.
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Network with like-minded peers and experts, visionaries, and other AEC professionals just like you!
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Get answers to your specific questions in a complimentary and confidential one-on-one consultation with a PSMJ senior M&A advisor.
Over two eye-opening days, you learn new ways to identify, assess, plan, and execute AEC mergers and acquisitions that advance your objectives while limiting the substantial risks that come with every decision. You'll swap ideas and war stories with CEOs, principals, firm owners, private equity and capitalization partners, investors, and transaction consultants. And you'll move beyond buzzwords and hype to share what’s driving the BEST deals right now, and how you can benefit!
Click on speaker for biographical information
David Andros
Dave is a results-oriented leader with a proven track record of building high-performing teams and driving operational excellence across sectors. As Chief Operating Officer at AE Works, Dave oversees all firm operations, client satisfaction, and growth initiatives, ensuring exceptional service delivery. He played a pivotal role in leading and integrating a recent acquisition, positioning AE Works as Pittsburgh’s largest architecture firm and expanding the firm’s reach and service capabilities.
With extensive experience managing global business operations and as a former consultant with McKinsey & Company, Dave brings valuable expertise in creating organizational value. His leadership has been instrumental in driving AE Works’ recent growth, including being named among Architectural Record’s Top 300 firms for three consecutive years. A West Point graduate and former U.S. Army infantry officer, Dave earned his MBA from Cornell University, bringing both discipline and strategic insight to his role.
Todd Buchholz
Renowned economist, White House advisor, and best-selling author Todd Buchholz connects the dots between Wall Street, Main Street, and financial capitals throughout the world. An internationally known consultant on global markets and winner of Harvard’s annual teaching prize, Buchholz advises the world’s leading companies and "lights up economics with a wickedly sparkling wit." We get to tap into Todd's frontline experience as White House director of economic policy and managing director of the Tiger investment fund to get a better sense of where opportunities lie in the near term.
- Discover how demographics, technology, and globalization are reshaping the economy and our future
- Pinpoint the signs of stock market rallies, and the warning signs of slumps
- Identify the political pressures on trade, debt, and interest rates from the U.S. to the E.U. to China
Austin Carlson
As a business lawyer and CPA, Austin Carlson brings unique skills and perspectives to every area of his practice, which includes corporate and tax counsel on M&A deals, complex corporate and tax planning for domestic and international transactions, and foreign account and income disclosure and penalty abatement issues including the Streamlined Filing Compliance Procedures and Delinquent International Information Return Submission Procedures. He helps companies and individuals structure corporations, LLCs, partnerships and nonprofit entities achieve their transactional tax and corporate planning goals, and successfully resolve tax controversies with the IRS and state taxing authorities.
Many clients also rely on Austin as their outside general counsel. He advises small to mid-size companies on the entire range of problems and opportunities that impact their businesses, everything from day-to-day transactions and governance matters to dispute resolution, intellectual property protection and strategic planning.
Michael Cherock
Michael Cherock is an accomplished entrepreneur and executive who has transformed AE Works from a startup into a top-ranked building design and consulting firm. With a visionary approach, Michael has led AE Works through multiple acquisitions, strategically expanding the firm’s capabilities to better serve clients across sectors. Under Michael's vision, AE Works successfully completed a key acquisition that positioned the firm as the largest architecture firm in Pittsburgh, expanding its capabilities to better serve clients across multiple sectors. To date, AE Works has delivered over $2 billion in building projects for leading businesses, research institutions, healthcare systems, and government agencies.
Michael combines his expertise in architectural engineering with a passion for integrating cutting-edge technology and creative problem-solving. He holds a Master’s in Management from Harvard University and a Master’s in Architectural Engineering from Penn State, along with technical credentials as a qualified nuclear power plant operator through the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program.
Tim Corbett
Tim Corbett has extensive experience developing and implementing risk and performance management programs for design and construction professionals. He implemented model programs for numerous organizations including international firms Bechtel and EG&G where he obtained a Department of Energy (DOE) Top Secret Security Clearance.
Tim held Vice President positions with industry leading insurance carriers with responsibilities for Underwriting, Risk Management, and Claims Analysis.
Tim is a member of ACEC, AIA, the United States Green Building Counsel (USGBC) and the Enterprise Risk Management Academy (ERMA) and sits on their educational advisory board. As a member of a number of national committees, Tim is regularly called upon as a speaker at regional, national, international forums.
Taylor Dolan
Taylor is an experienced business and corporate attorney that advises design firms in a wide range of mergers and acquisitions and internal ownership transitions. Taylor listens to the client’s goals and guides each transaction from term sheet to closing to ensure both business and personal goals are met. She has hands-on experience in structuring, negotiating, and documenting transactions and advising clients through the integration process.
Taylor also advises design professionals throughout complex contract drafting and negotiation of both traditional and alternative project delivery agreements. She understands the unique risks and coverage concerns design firms face in design-build and other alternative project delivery arrangements and uses contract negotiation strategies to limit potential exposure. Taylor realizes that design professionals would rather avoid costly litigation and that the best way to do so is through risk allocation and forward-thinking contract drafting. Taylor also guides clients through employment disputes, and, more generally, through the regulatory strategies associated with a multi-state practice.
Donya Edler
Trevor Garfield
Ronald G. Kaminski is SVP of Utility Performance Solutions at Quanta Services. Prior to his role at Quanta, Ron founded HBK Engineering LLC in 1998 with the commitment to make HBK the utility industry’s recognized premier engineering resource. In July of 2020, HBK was acquired by Quanta Services (NYSE: PWR), a Fortune 200 company with more than $20 Billion in revenue and 50,000 plus employees worldwide. Quanta is a leading specialized contracting services company, delivering comprehensive infrastructure solutions for the electric power, energy, and communications industries, including design, installation, repair, and maintenance. Now, as a subsidiary of Quanta, HBK is aiming to become the top professional service provider in the electric power, energy, and communications industries. Following the Quanta Services acquisition HBK quickly surpassed the 500-employee mark, bringing expanded capabilities throughout all its markets.
Brian Kirkpatrick
Frank Mangin, PE
As Operations President – Design & Consulting for the Haskell Company (Jacksonville, FL), Frank is a member of the Executive Leadership Team and therefore responsible for the overall performance of the enterprise. With over 35 years in the industry, Frank is typically involved in all aspects of design and design management on larger, more complex projects, including those for Fortune 500 companies.
Prior to joining Haskell in 2002, Frank worked in the Washington, DC area (where he was born and raised) as a mechanical engineer designing heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems for a variety of building types including educational, residential, commercial office, industrial, manufacturing, aviation, healthcare, life sciences, religious, and government facilities.
David Laugtug
David has been a manager in CLA's Transaction Services and Private Equity group since 2012 when he joined the firm. He has provided services to privately-held clients in the manufacturing, distribution, retail, and technology industries which includes companies with domestic and international operations. He heads up the team's practice in Florida. David focuses on transaction due diligence and has been an integral part of multiple merger and acquisition projects for clients throughout the country.
Bjorn Morisbak
Executive Vice President, Corporate Development
Stantec
As the executive vice president of corporate development, Bjorn oversees all aspects of strategic sourcing, execution and integration of acquisitions for Stantec. Having completed over 100 acquisitions spanning all sizes, services, and geographies, he is passionate about constantly making Stantec better to the benefit of clients, employees and shareholders and making the world a better place in the process.
Kenny Nickens
Kaltroco is a private investment company established in 1994 to acquire, support and develop high-quality businesses. Family-owned and controlled by its independent board and managing directors, it is headquartered in Jersey, Channel Islands, with operating teams in St Helier, San Francisco, Nashville, Zurich and Cape Town. Kaltroco holds a portfolio of 33 companies with operations across some 20 countries spanning North America, Europe, Africa and Asia.
Bill O'Brien
Bill and his team work with business owners and their trusted advisors on transition and succession planning strategies. Of special note is Bill's experience in employee stock ownership plans(ESOPs) and strategies for shareholders electing section 1042. Bill has been working with private business owner clients since the mid 1990s.
Becky Rehorn
With a career spanning over three decades, Becky Rehorn has established herself as a distinguished professional in communications and marketing. As the director of communication at Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson since March 2022, she has been responsible for maintaining the company’s brand image and managing communications with the press. Ms. Rehorn’s expertise in organizational leadership and communication has been pivotal in her role, where she ensures that the firm’s messaging aligns with its strategic goals and values.
Before being named as the firm’s director, Ms. Rehorn was the chief marketing officer when it was still known as Vaughn & Melton Consulting Engineers from 2017 to 2022. In this role, she led marketing strategies significantly contributing to the organization’s growth and success. Her tenure also included serving as the regional marketing director between 2015 and 2017, where she honed her skills in team building and strategic planning.
Michael (Mick) Renshaw
Mick is the Founder and CEO of Trilon, a people-first firm that brings together North America's best infrastructure consulting firms to deliver smarter solutions and better communities. Now in its third year, Trilon is one of the fastest growing infrastructure consulting firms in north America, with some 5,100 staff across 170 offices in 37 states. Trilon is backed by Alpine Investors a values-driven private equity firm with a mission to build enduring companies by working with, learning from and developing exceptional people. Mick was the Chief Growth Officer at AECOM, the worlds’ largest integrated design and construction firm with annual revenue of US$20 billion and a workforce of 56,000. He was responsible for the Americas business lines of Transportation, Water, Energy, Environment, Buildings and Federal comprising 18,000 people in 7 countries.
Norm Scherr
Norm is responsible for sourcing, evaluating, executing and managing investments made by Providus. Over his career, he has completed transactions with a combined value in excess of $500 million including over 20 transactions with architecture, engineering and construction services firms. Prior to joining Providus, Norm was a principal at Long Point Capital, a middle-market private equity firm focused on partnering with founder, family, and management-owned companies. He began his career at Harris Williams & Co., a boutique investment banking firm that provides financial advisory services to middle-market companies.
Carl Shaw
Carl Shaw leads LJA Engineering’s Business Solutions team, overseeing essential functions including accounting, human resources, facilities, marketing, and legal support. As General Counsel, he manages the company’s legal affairs and serves as a trusted advisor to LJA’s leadership.
With more than 25 years of domestic and international transaction experience, Carl specializes in commercial transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, capital raising, corporate governance, and strategic corporate matters. His diverse background spans both law and finance, having structured and directed numerous private equity placements across the engineering, real estate, energy, telecom, and utilities sectors. Since joining LJA nearly a decade ago, Carl has successfully led over 30 mergers and acquisitions.
Amy Squitieri
Amy Squitieri is Mead & Hunt’s Chief Operations Officer (COO) and President. In this role, Amy helps lead the firm into the future, working to help groups meet financial and production goals and execute business plans effectively. With a strong focus on identifying, retaining, and attracting talent and acquisitions, Amy keeps culture front and center by building and maintaining relationships across the company to facilitate collaboration and cross-selling across markets. She works to develop staff, especially through PMO and technical training. Amy’s strong industry relationships and clear vision for succession planning and strategic planning will serve the firm well as it continues to diversify and grow into new markets.
Ira Starr
Managing Director, Long Point Capital
Ira co-founded Long Point Capital in 1998 after serving as a general partner of MLGA, an M&A advisory firm and private equity firm. Long Point Capital is a leading private equity firm in the architecture, engineering, and construction space. Ira served as a general partner of funds with private equity investments of over $600 million and has advised on transactions with total values of over $5 billion. Prior to MLGA, Ira served as an investment banker at Merrill Lynch, and as a strategy consultant with Booz, Allen & Hamilton. Ira is a recognized expert and frequent speaker on private equity investments in ESOP, building products, and engineering transactions. Ira earned a BSE in Engineering from Princeton University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. Ira works in LPC's New York, New York office
Kristi Tahmasiyan
Director of Mergers & Acquisitions, Principal. Terracon Consultants
Kristi Tahmasiyan is Director of M&A at Terracon, guiding the strategic development and execution of the M&A program. Over the past 15 years, she has helped integrate more than 60 companies into the firm and is a frequent industry presenter.