ACG Kentucky board expands with MiddleGround Capital and Truist Bank executive appointments

LOUISVILLE (August 10) -- ACG Kentucky's board leadership has two new faces -- John Thurman and David Allston -- who bring vast private equity and commercial banking perspectives to the chapter.

Thurman joins the ACG Kentucky board with a unique blend of banking, business development, finance, insurance, public accounting, and family business experience. As Truist Market President for Greater Louisville, he is responsible for growing and managing commercial clients in the market.  He graduated from Bellarmine University,  began his career with PriceWaterhouseCoopers, then moved into financial and later business development roles with Aegon Insurance, He completed his MBA at U of L, and has worked in commercial banking with a number of large and mid-sized institutions.

"I have participated in the events and activities of this fine organization for years and I am delighted join the board and add my support in shaping the future of ACG Kentucky," Thurman said.

Also joining the board as a director is David Allston, a Vice President on MiddleGround Capital's Business Development team and based in its Lexington Office. David formerly worked at Harbour Group in St. Louis, where he most recently was Director of Business Development. David graduated from Furman University with a BA in English and later received his JA, MBA and LLM from Washington University in St. Louis.

David jokes that he knew MiddleGround was the right culture fit for him because the company, in true Kentucky fashion, celebrates each deal closing with a bourbon toast. 

Thurman's company, Truist Financial Corporation, is a purpose-driven financial services company committed to inspiring and building better lives and communities. Truist has leading market share in many high-growth markets in the country, and offers a wide range of services including retail, small business and commercial banking; asset management; capital markets; commercial real estate; corporate and institutional banking; insurance; mortgage; payments; specialized lending; and wealth management.

MiddleGround Capital is a private equity firm that invests in B2B companies in the industrial and specialty distribution sectors in the lower middle market in North America. The company is differentiated as true operators who have experience working in and managing businesses that range from the lower middle market to Fortune 500 companies, making control equity investments in businesses that can benefit from  hands-on operational expertise, and as a partner with management teams to execute a customized value creation program that drives equity value back to investors as well as management.

In addition to Thurman and Allston, the ACG Kentucky board roster includes:

• Matt Berrian, Director, FORVIS | ACG Kentucky President
• Brad Smith, managing partner, MCM CPAs and Advisors | Treasurer
• Bill Strench, Member, Frost Brown Todd | Secretary
• Dave Beckett, Aon (Membership Chair)
• Ken Berryman, Managing Partner, Weller Equity Partners
• Dan Fisher, Member, Dentons Bingham Greenebaum 
• Vernon Foster, Executive Director: MBA Programs, Career Management, & Public Relations, University of Louisville College of Business 
• Darrin McCauley, Corporate Relationship Manager, Senior Vice President, Old National Bank
• Matt Saltzman, CEO, Louisville Tile
• John Sweeney, Managing Director, Slane Hill Capital
• Jack White, Partner, Todd Asset Management
• Administrator: Terry McWilliams, President, Mozaic Investor Relations, Inc.

Next events:

• August 29 | Golf Outing | U of L Golf Club, Simpsonville - foursomes and individual spots still available. Registration and information: https:// form.123formbuilder.com/ 6178340/form
• September 22 | Vince Tyra, VP M&A, Houchens Industries and former AD, University of Louisville. 11:20 a.m., Baird Conference Center. (Registration site to be available soon.)

For additional information: Terry McWilliams, 502-410-2113 or acgkentucky@gmail.com

(Above photo, from Left: John Thurman, Truist, and David Allston, MiddleGround Capital).