Middle Market Growth Conversations

youthesports_final by Middle Market Growth Magazine

Employee stock ownerships plans (ESOPs) are experiencing a surge in popularity due to tax policy, cultural benefits, and their flexibility as a corporate finance tool. Regina Carls, managing director at J.P. Morgan and the leader of its ESOPs advisory group, sits down with the podcast to dispel common myths about ESOPs, discuss their benefits, and give actionable advice to those considering an ESOP structure, whether they be middle-market companies or their sponsors. This episode is brought to you by GF Data, a provider of reliable, confidential data on private equity-sponsored M&A transactions in the $10 million–$500 million enterprise value range. GF Data's proprietary data is sourced directly from private equity groups and used by ESOP advisors, valuation firms, lenders, investors, and M&A advisors for benchmarking, valuation, and market analysis. Learn more at gfdata.com/ESOPs. The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market dealmakers and industry experts, subscribe on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

The aerospace and defense (A&D) sector has seen solid growth in recent years, lifted by a new age of space exploration, Trump-era defense spending, and a renewed consumer demand for travel, among other factors. Max Asterlin, partner with Fairmont Consulting Group, joins the podcast to dive into the risks, challenges, and opportunities developing in the A&D space and how investors and business leaders can respond. The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market dealmakers and industry experts, subscribe on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

From continuation vehicles to tariff impacts, from lending structures to interest rates, what are the biggest trends shaping M&A in the lower middle market? Chris Martin, partner with TPG Twin Brook Capital Partners, joins the podcast to talk about the latest developments, including the ascent of continuation vehicles and direct lending. This episode is brought to you by TPG Twin Brook Capital Partners, a leading direct lending finance company focused on providing cash-flow based financing solutions for the middle-market private equity community. The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market dealmakers and industry experts, subscribe on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

John Yeager, managing director of WhiteHorse Capital, and Corey Mason, principal with WhiteHorse Capital, sit down with Middle Market Growth Conversations to discuss the transportation and logistics (T&L) industry, including the current market environment, the potholes and risks in the space, and how to stand out among the competition. This episode is brought to you by WhiteHorse Capital, the direct lending arm of H.I.G. Capital. To learn more about WhiteHorse, visit whitehorse.com. The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market dealmakers and industry experts, subscribe on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Join Howard Wagner, managing director at Forvis Mazars, and Donald Rawe, partner specializing in private equity tax compliance, as they delve into the transformative tax provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill. They discuss the resurgence of 100% bonus depreciation and its implications for capex-heavy firms. The duo also explores the complexities of pass-through deductions, state taxes, and the expanded benefits of Section 1202. Their insights shine a light on the evolving landscape of tax regulations impacting private equity.

AI has been making significant inroads in PE, but the most common use cases are often based in deal sourcing or due diligence. However, new uses are emerging, including value creation for portfolio companies. Bruce Sinclair, managing partner of AI Operating Partners, joins the podcast to share how PE firms can use AI and digital twin technology to drive value in their portcos. The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market dealmakers and industry experts, subscribe on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

What changes does the One Big Beautiful Bill hold for middle-market businesses and the firms that invest in them? Michael Feuz, economist with ITR Economics, is back to talk through key provisions in the bill, what they mean for the middle market, and how businesses and investment firms should position themselves in response. The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market dealmakers and industry experts, subscribe on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

What will SEC enforcement look like in the Trump 2.0 era? Emilie Abate, managing director at Iron Road Partners, joins the podcast to share how policy is shifting, how oversight of secondaries, AI and management fees is shaping up, and more. The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market dealmakers and industry experts, subscribe on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Javier Casillas, managing director and global chief credit officer with WhiteHorse Capital, and Sachin Garg, principal with WhiteHorse Capital, join the Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast to talk about the environment for lending and private credit in the healthcare space and the biggest emerging risks and opportunities. This episode is brought to you by WhiteHorse Capital, the direct lending arm of H.I.G. Capital. To learn more about WhiteHorse, visit whitehorse.com. *** The Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To hear more interviews with middle-market influencers, subscribe to the Middle Market Growth Conversations podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Soundcloud.