ABOUT US

We are a group of like-minded servant leaders who facilitate all aspects of M&A transactions.

The M&A Forum was founded in Houston in June of 2008 based on a model developed by a Dallas, TX based business leadership group currently known as the Business Navigators.

Through monthly meetings and other programs, the organization brings together buyers and sellers of private enterprises along with investors, lenders and professional advisors that make business transactions happen. The principles upon which the M&A Forum was built and which continue to guide its mission and vision today are:

Sharing experiences, skills and relationships between and among the members in order to serve each other and build community without expecting anything in return.
Building bridges of trust by among the members through listening to each other first with the intent to understand rather than reply.

The M&A Forum was formally organized as a non-profit corporation in July of 2015 and designated as a 501(c)(6) tax exempt company in March of 2016.

OUR MISSION

The M&A Forum is building a community based on trusted relationships among acquisition-focused investors, lenders, brokers, professionals, and business owners of growing private enterprises, that results in enhanced value to all constituencies.

OUR VISION

The M&A Forum envisions a business environment that fosters transparency and trust among M&A community stakeholders, including business owners, business buyers, and service providers.

BOARD, OFFICERS & STAFF

FOUNDER, BOARD MEMBER & CHAIRMAN EMERITUS

COMPANY: CSB PARTNERS, LLC

Mike is a senior executive whose career in the energy and petrochemical industries spans 45 years. Currently, he is the principal of CSB Partners, LLC which assists with and participates in planning, structuring, financing, developing, and operating projects and enterprises focused on production, processing, transportation, and marketing of natural gas, oil and alternative energy resources. In 2012, Mike co-founded Discovery Energy Corp, a public oil exploration company, where he serves as president and COO through mid-2018. Previously, Mike had held numerous management and executive positions at Jefferies Energy Consulting and Enron, including president of Enron Americas. Mike earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Economics from Iowa State University.

FOUNDER & BOARD MEMBER

COMPANY: JOHNSON, DELUCA, KURISKY, & GOULD, P.C.

George is a 30-year corporate transactional attorney whose practice focuses on small to medium- sized, closely held, and emerging businesses, with operations both domestic and international. He is involved with all legal issues, from business formation to exit events, whether by merger, acquisition, divestiture, or takeout financing. Notable clients include auto dealerships and large oil and gas businesses. His transactional experience includes acquisition, disposition and succession events and strategies. It encompasses corporate securities, real estate, finance, work out and bankruptcy matters. Known as a creative problem solver with a “business first” approach, George has successfully defended his clients in hundreds of litigation, administrative and arbitration matters. George serves as a trusted advisor to his clients and valued resource to colleagues, clients and contacts in a wide array of business, legal and family matters. George is also an active leader in the community. He has, and continues to serve on numerous boards of nonprofits, chambers of commerce, civic groups, benevolent societies, community boards, and educational foundations. He is a frequent speaker and presenter on a wide range of business and local issues. He is a graduate of the University of Houston Law Center, the College of William & Mary, and Calvert Hall College High School.

CHAIRMAN & BOARD MEMBER

COMPANY: VINSON & VINSON

As Principal of Vinson & Vinson, Bob has thirty years’ experience in management, management consulting; business planning; information systems planning, design, construction, and implementation; and marketing and sales. He has worked with over 100 companies, with revenues of less than $1 million to more than $33 billion, to plan and implement effective business strategies and management and information solutions. He has worked with many business sectors including professional services; local and state government; residential construction, commercial and retail banking; wholesale and distribution; retail; discrete manufacturing, and oil and gas exploration and production. Bob has also taught graduate courses at Houston Baptist University and the University of St. Thomas and is a member of numerous academic and professional societies and organizations. Bob holds an MBA with honors from the Peter F Drucker Graduate School of Management and a Bachelor of Science in Economics with honors from Arizona State University.

BOARD MEMBER

COMPANY: ASSET MANAGEMENT ADVISORS

Ray is a Senior Private Wealth Advisor with Asset Management Advisors, A Houston-based SEC-Registered Investment Advisor, offering wealth management services to high net-worth individuals, business owners, families, trusts, and foundations. Ray has over twenty years of experience serving high net worth individuals and private company business owners in financial, investment and tax planning. Before entering the financial planning profession, Ray practiced as a CPA with Arthur Andersen, Price Waterhouse and several local CPA firms. Ray graduated magna cum laude from St. Mary’s University (San Antonio) with a B.B.A. in Accounting.

DEAL FLOW DIRECTOR

COMPANY: DGP CAPITAL

Jack Chang is a Managing Director at DGP Capital, a Houston-based middle market investment bank serving the industrial, business services and energy sectors. Prior to DGP Capital, Jack was a Director at GE’s Venture Capital group, and an Associate Director at UBS’ Global Energy Investment Banking team. He was also a member of Tyco International’s M&A team. Jack holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering, and a MBA from the University of Texas at Austin.

BOARD MEMBER & SECRETARY

COMPANY: FOCAL POINT COACHING

Austin is a certified business coach with the FocalPoint Coaching organization and serves as the Entrepreneur-in-Residence to the HCC Northeast campus. Austin’s practice is focused on the three drivers of profitable, sustainable and exponential growth – Strategic Direction and Execution, Customer Experience, and Team Dynamics. Prior to Focal Point, Austin was a successful business development executive with two of world’s largest professional services firms. Previously, Austin earned global recognition for turning around a $42 million business unit, consisting of over 300 client relationships and 1,700 employees by improving operating profit by 32% in less than 10 months. With the same company, a $1 billion revenue services firm, he created a Corporate Strategy function, engineering the creation of the differentiation and solutions strategy which realized a 26% premium at time of sale. Austin holds an undergraduate degree in accounting from Cal State Long Beach and an MBA from UCLA.