2025-04 ACGKY Deal of the Year Awards

Meet the senior management team behind the deal and the professional advisors who contributed to the transaction.

This year’s honoree is Doug Washbish, president and CEO, Moog Louisville Warehouse. On April 17, you’ll gain front row insight into the transaction’s details and rationale.  You'll also hear from M&A professional Chris Johnson, Director, Baird Business Owner Solutions, as he recaps performance and explores the resilience of the Lower Middle Market..

Moog, a leading warehouse distributor of auto aftermarket parts in the Kentucky/Indiana region which  operated under the  Bumper to Bumper brand, was acquired in 2024 by Auto-Wares, a portfolio company of Kinderhook Industries. Through its 17 company stores, Moog provided automotive and truck parts, tools, paint, and body shop supplies for installers, dealerships, parts stores, and consumers 

The ACG team used these criteria in choosing the Deal of Year selection:

• Did the deal involve a Louisville-area principal office, headquarters or substantial operations located in the metro area?
• Did the transaction provide a successful exit for local founders or investors?
• Was local investment, finance and private equity involved?
• What were the comparative deal metrics? How did it change the business landscape?  What was the industry and marketplace impact (Deal size in dollars, number of employees, etc.) 

Past winning honorees include Vac2Go (2024), Churchill Downs Incorporated (2023), Stock Yards Bank and Appriss (2022), Family Allergy & Asthma and LouVino (2021), DDW (2020), 21c Museum Hotels (2019), Liquor Barn (2018), KFI Furniture (2017), and Angel's Envy (2016). ACG Kentucky has also recognized Rabbit Hole distillery, DDR, Almost Family, CIAgent, Kindred Healthcare and Trilogy Health Services, for M&A contributions.

UPCOMING ACG KENTUCKY EVENTS

Houchens | MAY 15

Employee-owned Houchens generates revenues exceeding $4B annually through a diversity of companies operating throughout several industry sectors.  In this presentation, Houchens executives reveal what drives this active M&A program.

Todd Earwood | Half Court Ventures | JUNE 5

The managing director of Half Court Ventures, a multi-stage investment fund with a portfolio of more than 100 companies, shares his background as an investor and operator with multiple exits.

ACG Golf | AUGUST 18

ACG Kentucky returns to the University of Louisville Golf Club for a scramble involving members, sponsors, executives and friends of ACG, for thrills and competition on the course while raising funds for a good cause.