Summary
Calder Capital is thrilled to announce that Jakob Simonds, Sell-Side M&A Advisor, has been named a winner of The M&A Advisor’s 17th Annual Emerging Leaders Awards. This national recognition honors top-performing M&A, financing, and turnaround professionals under the age of 40 who have made notable contributions to the industry and their communities.
Jakob’s Recognition
Jakob Simonds joined Calder Capital in 2021 as an intern and, within nine months, advanced to Senior Analyst, where he led and managed the firm’s Sell-Side M&A Advisory analyst team. In that capacity, Jakob oversaw financial modeling, valuation development, confidential information memorandum (CIM) creation, and due diligence preparation for multiple live transactions. In 2023, Jakob was promoted to be an M&A Associate, and in 2024, he transitioned to be an M&A Advisor, where he leads negotiations, buyer vetting, and diligencem management. In 2024, he also relocated to Nashville to launch Calder Capital’s Tennessee office.
Jakob has advised on the sales of Hartland Auto Wash, Assembly Masters, a Steel Products Supplier, and he has advised the acquisitions of Door Service of St. Louis, MO, Mosquito Joe of South Central Pennsylvania, and a residential services company for a strategic buyer. Additionally, he has worked on notable transactions including B&L Bolt, Nordic Products, Johnston Contracting, Harlo Products, Hi-Tec, Courtesy Driving School, Capital Stoneworks, and American Gear and Tool Tech.
Jakob supplemented his colleagues in the multi-national sale of BCU Electric, a leading electrical project design and services firm based in Ashland, Ohio to Meptagon Group, a global industrial engineering and construction firm, headquartered in Netanya, Israel. The transaction won Industrials Deal of the Year ($10MM-$50MM) at the 16th Annual International M&A Advisor Awards and Cross-Border Deal of the Year (Under $100MM) at the 24th Annual M&A Advisor Awards.
“As our industry continues to evolve, the next generation of leaders is redefining what excellence looks like in dealmaking and corporate finance,” said Roger Aguinaldo, Founder and CEO of The M&A Advisor. “The 2026 Emerging Leaders Award recipients demonstrate exceptional vision, resilience, and leadership. They are not only driving successful transactions — they are helping shape the future of our global business community.”
“Within four years of entering the M&A industry, Jakob has gone from intern to analyst, and then from associate to an M&A advisor in a different state. Jakob’s professional accomplishments, entrepreneurial mindset, and strong financial acumen are nothing short of impressive,” said Max Friar, Founder and Managing Partner of Calder Capital. “Jakob has the full trust of the Calder Capital leadership team, as he represents our firm to Tennessee business owners. His initiative has always been impressive, and I undoubtedly believe that his role and impact within the lower middle market will continue to grow as time continues to pass us by. Congrats, Jakob, on this meaningful honor!”
Jakob currently serves as a mentor through Grand Valley State University’s Seidman College of Business, guiding students one-on-one as they pursue careers in finance and investment banking. Conversely, Jakob is a mentee in Nashville’s The Oak Project, where he challenges himself to grow personally, professionally, relationally, and spiritually.
Currently, Jakob serves on the Young Professionals Committee for ACG Tennessee, contributing to programming and engagement efforts that support the next generation of dealmakers. In his free time, Jakob assists with food drives and church-related service initiatives and volunteers at a local Nashville animal shelter. This year, Jakob applied to join the Phoenix Club of Nashville, an organization dedicated to supporting underserved youth in Middle Tennessee while fostering networking opportunities within the broader business community. In the past, he has volunteered alongside his Calder Capital colleagues with Home Repair Services of Kent County, building accessibility ramps for vulnerable homeowners.
The full list of 2026 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 global leader in connecting, recognizing, and informing professionals in M&A, restructuring, and corporate finance. Now in its 28th year, they provide world-class content, events, and honors programs that empower dealmakers at every stage of their journey. Learn more at www.MAAdvisor.com.
About Calder Capital
Founded in 2013, Calder Capital is a cross-industry mergers and acquisitions advisory firm with offices across the United States. Calder provides valuation, sell-side, and buy-side services. We are nationally recognized for excellence in advising $1-100M enterprise value transactions in manufacturing, construction, distribution, and business services. Calder serves business owners, entrepreneurs, family offices, financial buyers, and investors. Learn more at www.CalderGR.com.
Notice: Calder Capital, LLC is not affiliated with any similarly named organizations or entities. To verify communications from our firm, visit our website or contact [email protected].