Merit Investment Bank & Company, a leading boutique investment bank, is celebrating Chairman Joseph Durnford’s acceptance of the 2022 Leadership award and induction into the M&A Hall of Fame at the 21st Annual M&A Advisor Awards.

On Tuesday, Nov. 15th, Joseph Durnford, chairman and senior managing director at Merit Investment Bank & Company, received the M&A Advisors 2022 Industry Leadership Award and was inducted into the organization’s Hall of Fame.

The M&A Advisor is the preeminent organization recognizing professional excellence in completing complex and industry significant mergers and acquisitions. The M&A Advisor strives to honor the best deals and dealmakers while advancing thought leadership with respect to how the best deals get done.

In his acceptance speech, Durnford stated, “The best part of being a dealmaker has been the honor and privilege of serving creative entrepreneurs and business builders, helping them along their journeys.”

Jeff Sasakura, managing director at Merit Investment Bank & Company, received mentorship from Durnford. Sasakura introduced Durnford for the award and expressed, “He has played a pivotal role in not only my personal development as an investment banker but in our firm’s development into an award-winning boutique. I cannot think of anyone more suited to receive this award, and I’m happy to see him recognized broadly for his achievements as a banker and industry leader.”

Durnford concluded his speech by acknowledging the clients and colleagues he has worked with, saying, “A very important thank you goes out to the hundreds of deal professionals, colleagues, and clients who have trusted me for over the past 30 years.”

The event also saw Merit Investment Bank & Company recognized for completing the Materials Deal of the Year for advising the recapitalization of International Greenhouse (aka GreenhouseMegaStore.com) with BFG Supply, a portfolio company of Pamplona Capital Management.

About Merit Investment Bank:

Merit Investment Bank is a leading boutique investment bank focused on serving middle-market founders and family-owned companies. Merit Investment Bank executes sell-side M&A, buy-side M&A, and capital advisory services with specific emphasis on consumer, infrastructure, manufacturing, and technology sectors. In addition, Merit Investment Bank offers other investment banking services such as debt and equity capital raises, restructuring advisory services, business valuations, and project financing through its subsidiary, Merit Investment Bank Securities, member FINRA / SIPC, a full-service broker-dealer licensed in 50 states.