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Growth or Exit Strategy - Either Path Requires

Professional Guidance

Gilbert & Pardue Transaction Advisors (GaP) is a Houston-based boutique advisory firm serving lower middle and middle market business owners from coast to coast through representation for Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A).

GaP was established to provide owners of privately held businesses with the quality of M&A representation and value-enhancement services previously only available to upper middle and large businesses. We bring highly experienced executives, sophisticated financial and marketing products, proven-effective processes, and fully integrated expertise to every engagement. No other M&A firm serving the lower middle market provides the quality of representation and transactional expertise that we do.

What Sets GaP Apart?

We align the right resources to accomplish your objectives
M&A Expertise

Sophisticated, fully-integrated expertise and proven-effective processes

 No other M&A firm serving the lower middle and middle markets provides the quality of representation and transactional expertise
that we do.

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Unique Approach

Maximizing the value in your business


Discover the true value of your business with our proven approach. We align our interests with yours to maximize your business-exit goals from valuation to closing.

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Boutique Focus

Client Success Model


GaP's Client Success Model integrates expertise, a unique approach, and proven processes. Each engagement gets our A-team, but only if it meets our criteria.

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Awards and Accolades

Over the years, Gilbert & Pardue has been honored with numerous industry awards and accolades, reflecting our commitment to excellence.

We are deeply humbled by the recognition we have received for consistently prioritizing our clients' best interests. This acknowledgment reinforces our dedication to maintaining the highest standards of service.

At GaP, doing right by our clients is not just a practice; it is ingrained in our corporate DNA. We remain steadfast in our mission to exceed client expectations and deliver exceptional results.

What Others Are Saying
M&A Specialist Attorney

Our firm has had the pleasure of working with Gilbert & Pardue Business Advisors (GaP). GaP exhibits vast practical experience and a very good understanding of the market, regardless of industry. Their ability to walk the client through the process, both from a timing and pricing standpoint is invaluable.  Their firm is our go-to firm for middle market companies that want to be brokered to potential strategic and financial buyers.

At GaP, we are fanatical about maximizing your financial gain in a way that honors your legacy as the former business owner while protecting your confidentiality during the process and doing right by your employees, customers, and suppliers.

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GaP Latest News & Insights

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8 Tips for Owners Timing Retirement

As an experienced business owner, you have built a prosperous enterprise and are now contemplating transitioning into a retirement that doesn’t include the daily commitments of running a company.

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GaP Recognized on Axial's Top 25 Lower Middle Market Investment Banks League Tables

Gilbert & Pardue is thrilled to announce our ranking in Axial's recently published Top 25 Lower Middle Market Investment Banks.

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GaP Receives Business Excellence Award for Business Marketing & M&A Advisory of the Year 2023

Acquisition International has recognized GaP in this year’s Business Excellence Awards as Business Marketing & M&A Advisory of the year 2023 – USA

What Others Are Saying
Owner of privately-held business

I am the sole owner of a 14-year-old electrical construction company that is focused on the oil and gas industry. Before the Pandemic it was on a trajectory for growth which financially positioned it to survive during 2021 and 2022. In the spring of 2022, I recognized that I was mentally tired, discouraged, and feeling lonely at the top, which resulted in networking for a business coach & mentor. Shortly thereafter, I was introduced to Matt Gilbert. At our first meeting, Matt was a great listener who quickly grasped my feelings and began positively leading and encouraging me to steer the company out of surviving into thriving again. He is very astute and perceptive, with an admirable “street smartness” that is well received. In addition, he has a quiet confidence that bodes well for a leader. I enjoy working with him and can attest that he is playing a significant role in getting my company into a position much more robust and stable than before Covid 19.

What Others Are Saying
Seller Shares Their Positive GaP Experience

I just wanted to drop you guys a note to say thank you for all your help in the sale of my business. I know this sale was a different business and experience for you, which brought some new challenges, but you guys were able to grasp the generalities of our atypical business operations and close the transaction. On another note, you seemed to find the correct fit for the business as well. The buyers are great people, and I see them continuing with the business with great success.  We work well together, and the transition will be very smooth. So, again - THANK YOU for everything- this transaction would not have happened without all of your assistance and dedication.

What Others Are Saying
Executive Partner with a Private Equity Firm

Every month I review offering documents for dozens of lower middle market companies being marketed for sale by a wide range of intermediaries, including business brokers, financial advisors, and investment banks. When we are interested in further discussions, I contact the designated intermediary representative to arrange a discussion. I have been very surprised at the lack of responsiveness of some intermediaries (especially in Houston and the southern States). Even after multiple emails and voice messages, they take several days to respond or often never respond at all. Over time we learn which intermediaries are unresponsive and avoid pursuing the deals they are marketing, even when they otherwise appear to be a good fit. To their business owner clients, this means the companies they are marketing are missing out on interest from potential buyers with real conviction in pursuing a deal. We have found Gilbert & Pardue to be head and shoulders above their peers and would encourage any business owner who is thinking of selling their business to consider this very important intangible aspect regarding the integrity of the firm they choose to take them to market.

What Others Are Saying
Wealth Planner

In my business, our clients are expecting us to take a vested interest in their success. Our first introduction of GaP to a client met every expectation we had hoped for. GaP is a very transparent, focused, and capable organization which helps support business owners in the journey through transition. I believe it starts with their desire to see the client be successful. I look forward to a continued relationship with their organization.

What Others Are Saying
Client's CPA

Bret Pardue represented a very important client of mine as broker. My client not only received unparalleled brokerage service, but as a much welcomed bonus, they also gained invaluable information from Bret’s seasoned experience as past CEO and founder of a successful, larger business enterprise. When we first met with Bret, he listened to my client to determine if they were in the right mode and business cycle for acquisition. He asked poignant, detailed questions to assess my client’s needs. Once it was agreed it was indeed a good time to sell, Bret took the deal by its horns and walked us through the process seamlessly from start to finish. Bret’s due-diligence preparation guidance and shedding of light on potential risks that might loom ahead were on-point advice for multiple concerns my client had through this big transaction.

What Others Are Saying
Middle Market Business Owner

How is Matt Gilbert different? He doesn't have an MBA in business administration or finance. He doesn't come from one of the large local private equity firms. He has been a business operator, with his own 'skin' in the game, in several businesses that had improved earnings and sold. In my mind, he has a better chance of understanding me than anyone else I have met. In the process of deciding whether or not it was time to sell several years ago, I took about a month and went around to visit every Houston-based private equity firm and M&A lawyer I could get to meet with me. I had some quality visit time with almost all of them. Many of them stayed in touch. However, I have chosen Matt Gilbert to 'TRUST' finding me one last partner, so that my life's work doesn't just disappear.

What Others Are Saying
M&A Specialist Attorney

Our firm has had the pleasure of working with Gilbert & Pardue Business Advisors (GaP). GaP exhibits vast practical experience and a very good understanding of the market, regardless of industry. Their ability to walk the client through the process, both from a timing and pricing standpoint is invaluable.  Their firm is our go-to firm for middle market companies that want to be brokered to potential strategic and financial buyers.

What Others Are Saying
SBA Preferred Lender

Many business brokers will get a seller’s hopes up with unrealistic valuations or sales prices…and then they may charge a slew of fees for marketing, financial review, legal, etc. before getting any interest from buyers. In those cases, it is possible the business brokers make their money up front without regard to the seller’s prospects of selling the business. Because the price is not realistic, they may never get serious traction. This doesn’t happen with GaP. Another thing GaP does that I find unique is their cultivation of relationships with buyers (even if inactive) so that they may be able to privately sell a business without openly advertising it for sale. This can be incredibly valuable to a seller requiring utmost discretion. Most business brokers balk at the amount of work it takes to develop relationships with inactive buyers. GaP welcomes the opportunity.

What Others Are Saying
Concierge Business Banker

I cannot emphasize enough how impressed I have been with Matt Gilbert and the team associated with Gilbert & Pardue. I have been in banking for over 30 years and have had many opportunities to assess the trustworthiness and professionalism of clients and their businesses. Without doubt, after visiting with Matt Gilbert, I felt I could recommend and refer him to any of my clients who might have need of an advisory expert as relates to their business. He has proven that my impression was not only correct, but he has continued to prove that his years of experience have enabled him to create a network of people and businesses who rely on his ability to guide them in the right direction and to pull together the components they need to achieve their goals. Anyone who seeks counsel from Matt and his team are in good hands!

What Others Are Saying
Wealth Advisor

My clients are often nearing retirement age, with no suitable heir to their business and a desire to sell. What many don't understand is that business owners’ businesses are like their babies. They created and nurtured the entity from its infancy and simply want to ensure the business goes to someone that will take care of it like they did. Matt understands this well from his own personal experience of creating, owning, and selling businesses. As a financial advisor looking to provide my clients with a seamless and enjoyable retirement, Matt and his team have been instrumental in assisting my clients with their business transaction needs at a level of service that exceeds our expectations.

What Others Are Saying
Business Owner - Fractional CFO Client

As a new business owner, I was not familiar with what an M&A firm does. When I first learned of GaP and the M&A services they provide, I thought that they just assisted in selling and buying companies. However, after speaking with them, I quickly learned that they help companies with a variety of services to become more successful, whether they are ready to sell or not. A prime example of this is the fractional CFO services they provide. We really needed that financial leadership when it came to financial modeling and cash flow forecasting. This has enabled us to grow. GaP will guide you towards thinking about aspects of your business that you are unable to think about simply because you are too busy in the business itself.

What Others Are Saying
Middle-Market Construction Business Owner

“Wow!  He Nailed It” This was our first impression on working with Gilbert and Pardue as a Business Consultant.  After a few questions and answers, Matt Gilbert was able to pinpoint our weaknesses within minutes. His insight was invaluable!  I am looking forward to working with him in the future!

M&A
Selling Your Business

At GaP, we start with your end goals in mind. We work to understand your vision for the sale and tailor a campaign to meet it. When choosing the right advisor, ask yourself these questions:
Is the broker committed to achieving my goals or theirs?
Do they have an experienced, multi-disciplined team or just a few helpers?
Does my transaction size align with their definition of a great deal?

These variables all impact your results, and you deserve representation that aligns talent and compensation with your goals.

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a man closing a deal

M&A
Acquiring Businesses

Benefit from our founders' decades of experience as independent business owners buying and selling their own companies. We understand your perspective, making us a valuable partner for your acquisition needs. Talk to GaP for a unique advantage in the lower middle and middle market. Corporate M&A teams and investment bankers frequently face challenges in this niche due to their lack of firsthand experience as business owners.

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Valuation Services

We specialize in offering comprehensive business valuation services for privately held businesses in the lower middle and middle market. Understanding the true value of a business is the first step towards a successful sale or partnership by providing crucial insights and leverage in negotiations. Trust our expertise to maximize the value of your business sale.

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Advisory Board, Executive Coaching, & Consulting Services

GaP offers Advisory Board, Executive Coaching, and Consulting services. We provide our clients with experienced executives that have successfully exited businesses and have been in their shoes. We know where to look for unrealized or untapped value, and we know how to unlock that value potential in a way that allows our clients to realize substantially increased earnings and/or increased equity at sale.

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Mergers & Acquisitions
Selling Your Business

At GaP, we approach every sale with the end in mind. Understanding your vision for the sale and beyond is critical for structuring a campaign to meet your goals.

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Mergers & Acquisitions
Acquiring Businesses

Nothing beats personal experience! And in this case, what matters is our founders’ decades of experience as independent business owners.

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Fractional CFO Services

Achieving excellence in the core accounting and financial management functions of your business is imperative if you are to reach or exceed your financial goals.

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Advisory Board, Executive Coaching, & Consulting Services

At some point, you will exit your business. When you do, will your business command a sale price that allows you to enjoy the same or better lifestyle than you enjoy now all throughout your retirement years?

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Our Team

Experienced M&A professionals specializing in:
Operations, Accounting, Finance, Marketing, Strategy, and Engineering
as Founders, Owners, CEOs, CFOs, Presidents, Board Members, Directors, Managers, Controllers, and Analysts

Matt Gilbert

Founding Partner

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31+ years as Founder, Partner, President, CEO, & Shareholder

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Major shareholder in 2 businesses that were acquired by Fortune 500 companies

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Direct interaction with private equity as a seller and buyer

Bret Pardue

Founding Partner

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30+ years as Managing Partner, CEO, Founder, & Shareholder

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Highly-skilled negotiator and deal-team leader

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Specializes in revenue & profit growth, value creation, and Owner/CEO coaching

Emma Kirchhofer

Director of Transaction Support

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19+ years in strategy, operations, and marketing

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Experience in manufacturing, oil & gas upstream/downstream, and consulting

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M.B.A. with B.S. in Engineering

Meet Our Senior Leadership

Join hundreds of other business leaders and owners in the know. We regularly share lower middle and middle market insights and educational content aimed at helping business owners plan and navigate successful exits or partnerships.

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