Calder Capital is proud to announce that three of its advisors, Matthew Baas, Patrick Robey, and Sam Scharich, have been named winners in The M&A Advisor’s 16th Annual Emerging Leaders Awards. This prestigious national award recognizes high-performing M&A, financing, and turnaround professionals under the age of 40 who have demonstrated outstanding achievements in the industry and their communities.

All three advisors have made remarkable contributions to Calder Capital’s growth and reputation as a premier M&A advisory firm.

Sam Scharich, Buy-Side Director and M&A Advisor, has been a driving force behind the development and rapid expansion of Calder’s buy-side practice. Starting as a sophomore intern at the age of 19, Sam rose to hire, train, and lead a team of over 12 professionals who, alongside Calder’s team of 25+ M&A Advisors, help buyers achieve incredible success stories. Sam has built a buy-side program that has, over the last few years, contributed to over 25 closings with a combined deal value of over $177M. His introduction of a client-first guarantee helped make Calder’s Buy-Side Gold Service a finalist for Product/Service of the Year at the 23rd Annual M&A Awards. Sam contributes to the community through Michigan State University’s Financial Markets Institute, Home Repair Services, ResLife Church’s House of Hope, and Mel Trotter Ministries. Sam also served as the co-lead Sell-Side M&A Advisor on the sale of Ohio-based BCU Electric to Israel-based Meptagon Group, which was awarded Industrials Deal of the Year in the $10MM to $50MM category in the 16th Annual International M&A Awards.

Patrick Robey, M&A Advisor, has been instrumental in leading some of Calder’s most complex and high-value transactions since joining the firm in 2016. He played a key role in the following transactions:

• The $75M recapitalization and acquisition of Servpro of Saginaw, which was recognized as a finalist for M&A Deal of the Year ($75M-$100M) and Industrials Deal of the Year ($50M-$100M) at the 23rd Annual M&A Awards. 
• The confidential $160M sale of a multi-location agricultural equipment dealership, another landmark, first-of-its-kind transaction requiring OEM approval and complex second-generation structuring. 
• ADAC’s acquisition of EBW Electronics, a family-owned EMS company which was a result of a Calder Capital Buy-Side outreach campaign that resulted in over 30 qualified introductions.

Patrick was also recently recognized as the 2024 Dealmaker of the Year in the Advisor category by Crain’s Grand Rapids Business. Patrick is known for his strategic mindset, commitment to clients, and ability to structure complex deals. Outside of work, Patrick serves the community through volunteer initiatives at his church, ACG West Michigan, and his alma mater, Hope College. He lives in Holland, Michigan, with his wife, daughter, and three Australian Shepherds.

Matthew Baas, M&A Advisor and Co-Founder of Calder’s sister company, Small Business Deal Advisors (SBDA), has demonstrated vision and tenacity from the start of his career. Since 2016, he has executed successful transactions across manufacturing, distribution, and construction sectors while leading SBDA to complete 80+ deals for businesses under $3M in enterprise value. Over the years, Matt has helped numerous business owners achieve successful exits, offering strategic advice and support tailored to each company’s unique goals and challenges. He co-advised the ServPro of Saginaw transaction with Patrick. In addition to his M&A work, Matt is an Investor and Partner in a Michigan-based plumbing and HVAC company, Weinkauf Plumbing and Heating, and volunteers regularly in the Grand Rapids community, including with Home Repair Services and Ada Bible Church.

“This triple recognition is a testament to the caliber of talent and leadership we have at Calder Capital,” said Max Friar, Founder and Managing Partner. “Patrick, Matt, and Sam each bring a unique set of skills, values, and dedication to the firm. Their accomplishments reflect the high standard we set for ourselves and the industry. We are incredibly proud to see them recognized as Emerging Leaders by The M&A Advisor.”

The full list of 2025 Emerging Leaders Award winners is available on The M&A Advisor website.

About The M&A Advisor:
Founded in 1998, The M&A Advisor is the preeminent organization recognizing achievement, presenting thought leadership, and facilitating connections among the world’s leading mergers and acquisitions, financing, and turnaround professionals. For more information, visit www.maadvisor.com. About Calder Capital:
Founded in 2013, Calder Capital is a lower middle market investment bank providing mergers and acquisitions advisory services to business owners, entrepreneurs, family offices, and investors across the United States. Our dedicated team of professionals combines extensive industry experience, technological innovation, negotiation savvy, and key relationships to exhibit exceptional execution. Calder’s services include mergers and acquisitions advisory, private funds and capital markets advisory, and business valuations. To learn more, please visit https://www.caldergr.com.