Blue River Celebrates 2024 Accomplishments: Deals, Hires, Awards

January 29, 2025 – Blue River Financial Group announces 19 total transactions in 2024, including one of the largest buy-side deals in the history of the firm. The company closed deals across various sectors such as distribution, business services, technology, health & wellness, environmental. Blue River also launched over 38 engagements in sectors such as industrial automation, software & technology, manufacturing, business services, education, and food & beverage.

Sara Clevenger, Blue River Partner and Buy-Side Practice Leader, stated, “2024 proved to be a year of both challenge and opportunity across the M&A landscape. While economic and geopolitical headwinds led to compressed deal counts, the latter half of ‘24 showed a steady pick-up in buyer and seller activity. For Blue River, 2024 provided an opportunity to review and optimize its operating processes and push for innovative ways to drive more value for acquisitive clients and business owners alike.”

Sara continued, “The buyside team launched 17 new engagements in Q3 and Q4, illustrating acceleration by PE and strategic acquirers to drive meaningful success in ‘25 and beyond. With our investments in a growing team of talented professionals, technology enhancements and an unwavering drive to help our clients succeed, we are committed to an incredible year ahead.”

To support the company’s growth, Blue River added six new employees in 2024. The buy-side division welcomed Niall Garrahan and Lisa Koo. Matthew Feldman joined Blue River’s sell-side division and was soon promoted to lead it, later adding William Reasoner to the team as Investment Banking Analyst. Matthew Kanterman joined Blue River as Director of Research, with Martin Hession also joining the team as Research Analyst. The company also promoted Sara Clevenger to Partner and Fideh Brundirks to Vice President, Business Development. Evan Haigh was promoted to Director and Austin Rogers became an Associate, working with Blue River’s buyside team.

Bryan Berent, Managing Partner, stated “2024 was a pivotal year of growth and development for our firm. We welcomed several exceptional professionals to our team, enhancing our collective expertise and capabilities. Additionally, we conducted an in-depth evaluation of our processes, resulting in significant improvements in how we deliver value to our clients.”

Bryan also said, “Our commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology remains a core focus, with particular emphasis on the integration of AI to drive performance and success. This strategic combination of highly skilled professionals and a meticulously optimized technology stack has established a robust foundation for what promises to be an exceptional 2025.”

2024 was also a year of notable recognition for Blue River. M&A Source, the leading trade association for lower middle market transaction advisors, named Blue River Top Firm of the Year in the 10+ person firm category for the third year in a row, and awarded William Loftis, Blue River’s co-founder and Managing Partner, Diamond Club membership, for surpassing $100 million in transaction volume in a single year. Evan Haigh, NACVA Certified Valuation Analyst responsible for Blue River’s valuation division and leading sell-side engagements, has been recognized by ACG Detroit as 2023 Rising Star of the Year.

Additionally, the Alliance of Merger & Acquisition Advisors (AM&AA) conferred the Certified Merger & Acquisition Advisor (CM&AA) designation upon Stephanie Studt, Vice President.

William (Bill) Loftis, Managing Partner, stated, “Mergers and acquisitions (“M&A”) represent a specialized area of knowledge that touches multiple educational disciplines such as accounting, finance, psychology, law, and many others. With heartfelt concern for our clients, Blue River’s people dedicate themselves to acquiring, applying, and sharing knowledge. Closing deals is challenging, and our team is steadfast from beginning to end. Everyone in our organization participates in its success, and trust in one another ungirds everything we do.”

About Blue River

Blue River Financial Group is a middle market merger and acquisition advisory firm. We assist corporations, private equity groups and individuals in the sale and acquisition of businesses and have completed assignments in multiple business segments. With over 20 years of experience spanning across 50 global industries, Blue River provides a suite of services to middle market clients including corporate development, private equity support, valuations, and transaction consulting, placing a premium on relationship-centered transaction counsel and client focus.

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