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2023 Annual Networking and Awards Event
ACG Columbus is focused on growth for middle market M&A dealmakers and the business community In partnership with ACG Columbus
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ABOUT ACG
The Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) is an organization dedicated to supporting growth in the Central Ohio middle-market community by bringing business owners and M&A professionals together. “ACG fosters relationships through networking, building skills and knowledge through substantive programming and recognizing successes,” says Amy Fleenor, board member and chair of the Annual Networking and Awards Event.
LEADERSHIP
Photos by Katie Spinner, Expressions Photography
Pictured left to right: Andy Hays, Copper Run Capital; David Kukucka, PNC; Mary Auch, PNC; Brett Thornton, Porter Wright; Dennis Duchene, Taylor Corporation
Amy Fleenor, board member and chair of Pictured left to right: Renee Tyack, the Annual Networking and Awards Event United Capital Funding; Moniqua Spencer, Advantage Capital
ACG EVENT
THE 2023 ANNUAL Networking and Awards Event was held Oct. 19, 2023, at the Hilton Columbus at Easton. As the premier networking event of the year, recipients of the Deal of the Year and Innovation Aawards were recognized. These awards were given to outstanding companies and deal teams who have impacted the Central Ohio middle-market community in a positive, lucrative way. “The Annual Networking and Awards Event is a culmination of our year-round programming, where our members, sponsors and guests can gather to celebrate significant achievements in the community we serve,” Fleenor says. The three winners of 2023’s Annual Networking and Awards Event are: Palmer-Donavin (Deal of the Year award) for the acquisition of Diamond Hill Plywood; Crane Group (Private Equity Deal of the Year award) for their creation of Fairwood Brands; and ECO Plumbers, Electricians, and HVAC Technicians (Innovation award) for their ECO Plumbers University.
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President: Dennis Duchene, Taylor Corp. Immediate Past President: Andy Hays, Copper Run Capital, Inc. Finance/Treasurer/Secretary: Nick Lombardo, Schneider Downs & Co., Inc. Annual Event Chair: Amy Fleenor, First Commonwealth Bank Program Chair: Renee Tyack, United Capital Funding Diversity Chair: Laura Hult, Benesch Friedlander Coplan & Aronoff LLP Membership Chair: Meryl Weinstein, Highlights for Children, Inc. Sponsorship Chair: Brent Thomas, Fifth Third Bank Directors: Mike Abramo, Plante Moran; Joe Boeckman, BakerHostetler; Joe Borowski, GBQ Consulting; Melissa Diethelm, PNC Financial Services Group; Laura Fox, ParetoHealth; Nikki Glenn, ACG Columbus Chapter Executive; Neil Johnson, Lawrence, Evans & Co.; Renee Milyiori, J.P. Morgan Private Bank; David Petrill, RSM; Brett Thornton, Porter Wright Morris & Arthur, LLP; Eric Wygle, The Columbus Dispatch/Gannett; J. Michael McVey, Hylant Group; Curtis A. Loveland, Porter Wright Morris & Arthur, LLP; Bill R. Remias, Huntington National Bank; Thomas C. Washbush, Washbush Business Law, LLC Chapter Executive: Nikki Glenn For more information: Contact Nikki Glenn at acgcolumbus@acg.org, 740.739.7760; acg.org/columbus
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PRIVATE EQUITY DEAL OF THE YEAR AWARD
Crane Group
DEAL OF THE YEAR AWARD
Palmer-Donavin ROBYN POLLINA serves as the CEO of Palmer-Donavin, a construction material wholesale distributor for building material products, supplying a diversified range for products for both home new construction and remodeling. The company has facilities throughout the Midwest, as well as the Southeast. Palmer-Donavin is a 116-yearold company headquartered in Columbus that is 100 percent employee-owned through an Employee Stock Ownership (retirement) Plan. “We are committed to a growth strategy and a growth culture in our efforts to increase our company’s shared value, and therefore our employees’ retirement accounts,” Pollina says. “The [recent] acquisition of Diamond Hill Plywood in the Southeast provided tremendous growth opportunity, and we were very fortunate to be recognized by ACG.” Pollina explains employee-owned companies like Palmer-Donavin are “very involved” in the communities where their employees live and work. “Here, locally, we support Meals on Wheels and Modcon Living, for example,” Pollina says. Her team also supports United Way and the Salvation Army at all 13 of Palmer-Donavin’s locations. “This award recognizes both my and our executive team’s success in completing a deal that brought growth in value, development opportunities and job creation to both our new geography and to our home base here in Central Ohio.”
DAN CRANE is the Senior Vice President of the Crane Group, a family-owned company that passionately invests in business, people and good works in the community. “We’re excited about the potential we have to grow Fairwood Brands because not only will that success positively impact businesses and people, but will also allow us to do more good in Columbus and beyond,” says Crane. “At our core, we remain a team of entrepreneurs who, over 75 years, evolved our own business from a plastics manufacturer to an investment company. To be recognized by ACG for an investment that supports other entrepreneurs nationwide is really meaningful. This award is also a recognition of the talent, dedication and positive attitude that our incredible team brings to each deal.” Supporting the community is important to Crane Group. Crane says he is fortunate to have the opportunity to chair the United Way of Central Ohio Board of Directors, as well as serve on the Board of CelebrateOne. “These are wonderful organizations focused on bringing people and resources together for collective impact in our community.”
INNOVATION AWARD
Eco Plumbers AARON GAYNOR is the CEO of ECO Plumbers, Electricians, and HVAC Technicians. He won the Innovation Award at the ACG event. ECO began in 2007, operating as a home services company offering plumbing, heating and cooling, and electric services to its customers, with the goal of leaving each house in better shape than it was found. “We are truly honored to have received such recognition in our community,” Gaynor says of receiving the Innovation Award. “This recognition holds special significance for us as it comes from a distinctly different group of business professionals, diverging from our usual accolades centered solely on customer satisfaction. It was a remarkable opportunity to be acknowledged alongside such great businesses and leaders in Central Ohio. This award not only celebrates our achievements, but also represents the diverse facets of our team’s business excellence.” Gaynor explains his team at ECO Plumbers is committed to giving back to the industry through the establishment of Eco University, for which the company designed a curriculum specifically for individuals without any mechanical or trade experience. “In just six months, we teach [our employees] the fundamental skills needed to build a career in the trades,” Gaynor says. “I am proud to say that, to date, Eco U has graduated over 100 technicians, and we are now in the process of expanding the program’s curriculum to include additional trades.” ECO Plumbers has formed partnerships with numerous organizations, including the Mid-Ohio Food Collective and the Hilliard Food Pantry, especially during the food pantry’s recent fire. “We are also involved with Nationwide Children’s Hospital, a facility we’re fortunate to have here, and the Star House, which supports homeless youth. Beyond these partnerships, our focus has been on building relationships with the individuals we assist, offering support during their highs and lows.” Winter 2024 l ColumbusCEO
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12/19/2023 9:33:44 AM
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Thank you to our 2023 Premier Event Sponsors.
Thank you to our 2023 Annual Sponsors.
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