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John Phillips

John Phillips is an M&A advisor and accomplished executive who brings a strong legacy of excellence to Walden. John leverages his broad experience as a business leader and decorated US Army Retired Colonel to build, turn around, stabilize, and drive growth and value for mid-sized companies and organizations.

Selling a Business Division: Strategic M&A Steps

Precision Divestiture: Strategic Steps for Selling a Business Division

Strategic growth often requires the courage to narrow your focus. A well-executed carveout represents a sign of immense strength and strategic clarity for firms in the $20M–$200M range. This process, which we often call “The Strategic Prune,” allows leadership to focus resources on the core mission while unlocking capital from a unit better suited for […]

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Why the Southeast Is One of the Strongest M&A Markets

Why the Southeast Is One of the Strongest M&A Markets

While national headlines focus on economic uncertainty, we see the Southeast as a powerful engine of American growth. The region’s massive manufacturing footprint, pro-business policies, and aggressive reinvestment are driving this momentum. It is not merely anecdotal; current data show Florida and South Carolina reaching 3.1% GDP growth, significantly outperforming the national average of 2.1%. […]

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The Strategic Advantage of a Sell-Side Quality of Earnings

Navigating the Strategic Advantage of a Sell-Side Quality of Earnings

Most business owners we work with at Walden M&A have spent decades turning a vision into a profitable reality. When the time comes to transition, they naturally want the purchase price to reflect every ounce of hard work. However, a significant gap often exists between how an owner views their financials and how a sophisticated […]

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The Love-Hate Relationship with M&A Earn-outs:

The Love-Hate Relationship with M&A Earn-outs: From the “Multiple Myth” to Strategic Optimization

We often see founders walk into the Walden M&A office with a single number in their heads. They have heard about a competitor selling for 10x EBITDA, and they expect the same “clean” exit—100% cash at closing, with no strings attached. While this was a common dream in years past, the 2026 M&A trends have […]

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