Exploring the M&A Process from a Founder’s and CEO’s Perspective

Exploring the M&A Process from a Founder’s and CEO’s Perspective

For many founders, owners, and executive leaders, navigating a successful exit represents one of the most important and complex milestones in a company’s lifecycle. On March 11, ACG brings together two exceptional leaders whose careers offer deeply complementary perspectives on the sell-side journey, providing practical insight for business leaders thinking strategically about their own roadmap toward exit.

Paul Anthony Troiano
Paul Anthony Troiano | LinkedIn

Paul’s perspective comes from having founded, scaled, and exited multiple companies. Most notably, there was the digital music micro-licensing platform Rumblefish. At the time of the transaction, Rumblefish was issuing over 50,000 micro-licenses daily for YouTube monetization. Rumblefish was acquired by a private, equity-backed company called SESAC. Paul is still active in the business community and has founded several additional enterprises.

Doug Kitani
Doug Kitani | LinkedIn

Doug’s insights are a product of his experience as a CEO for companies backed by private equity firms. Having served as CEO of Erickson Incorporated, IAP Worldwide Services, and now Trillium Flow Technologies, Doug offers invaluable insight into how executive leadership, private equity dynamics, and operational rigor shape exit readiness and deal execution at scale.

Paul and Doug are both active in the Portland business community and are involved in the Young Presidents' Organization. 

The conversation will be moderated by investment banker Randy Moe of Meridian Capital. The discussion will focus on actionable lessons for founders, owners, and executives, including:

• Positioning a company for the market
• Avoiding common pitfalls
• Managing stakeholders throughout the process
• Defining success beyond the transaction itself

Rose Room at the Moda Center
4:00 – 4:30      Check-in | Networking
4:30 – 5:30      Panel
5:30 – 6:30      Beverages | Appetizers | Networking

Members (Portland) - No Cost
Members (Other Chapters) - $65
Non Members - $85

A 3% payment processing fee will be added to credit and debit card transactions. This fee covers non-refundable costs charged by our payment processor and does not represent surplus for ACG