The Association for Corporate Growth Houston recognized two of Gray Reed’s M&A deals in two categories, one as a finalist and one as the Deal of the Year for its category. The awards celebrate Houston’s middle-market deal community and honor the companies, deals and dealmakers who drive middle-market growth.

Gray Reed client matters that were recognized were: 

CONSUMER & OTHER SERVICES DEAL OF THE YEAR 
The Acquisition of Buffalo Bayou Brewing Company by BBBC Holdings, Inc. 

Gray Reed served as the buyer’s counsel for BBBC Holdings, Inc., a portfolio company of WPM Capital Partners, LLC (“WPM”), in its acquisition of Buffalo Bayou Brewing Company (“Buff Brew”). WPM acquired Buff Brew, one of Houston's most well-known craft breweries, via a reverse triangular merger in which an indirect subsidiary of WPM merged with and into Buff Brew, leaving Buff Brew as an indirect subsidiary of WPM.

Gray Reed’s deal team was helmed by corporate partner Brock Niezgoda and tax partner Austin Carlson. Brock serves as Gray Reed's Corporate/ Mergers & Acquisitions Practice Group Leader. Brock is a corporate and transactional lawyer with a broad practice designed to handle the diverse needs of mid-size companies, family-owned businesses, publicly traded corporations, private equity firms and startups. Austin’s practice focuses on complex tax planning for domestic and international transactions, real estate fund and joint venture tax and corporate representation, and tax counsel on mergers and acquisitions.

RENEWABLES & SUSTAINABILITY FINALIST 
The Acquisition of Midwest Energy, Inc. by Retail Consulting Project Co. 3, LLC, a portfolio company of Gexa Energy, LP

Gray Reed served as the buyer’s counsel for Retail Consulting Project Co. 3, LLC, an affiliate of Gexa Energy, LP (“Gexa”), in its acquisition of broker Midwest Energy Inc. (“Midwest”). Midwests specializes in negotiating green energy contracts for businesses and governmental agencies so the acquisition allows Gexa to further increase its business in renewable energy sources.

Gray Reed’s deal team was led by mergers and acquisitions partner Wes Dorman and assisted by associate Savannah Warner. Wes has more than twenty-five years of experience and guides clients from all over the world to successful outcomes in a broad range of commercial transactions, with an emphasis on complex mergers and acquisitions for both buyers and sellers. Savannah focuses her legal practice on mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance and other transactional matters. 

About the Association of Corporate Growth Houston Deal of the Year Awards

Winners were selected by an independent panel of esteemed judges and top business leaders. The nomination criteria included details such as transaction value range, industry focus and type of transaction as well as anecdotal commentary on what makes the deal unique. Judges evaluated deals based on the parties’ submissions as well as the overall story, economic and strategic impact, stakeholder value and professional expertise.
Founded in 1954, the Association for Corporate Growth has chapters worldwide representing 14,500 members. ACG serves 90,000 investors, owners, executives, lenders and advisers to growing middle-market companies. ACG’s mission is to drive middle-market growth. To learn more, visit www.acg.org/houston.

ABOUT GRAY REED

A full-service Texas law firm with offices in Dallas and Houston, Gray Reed provides legal services to companies ranging from start-up to Fortune 500 as well as high net worth individuals. Gray Reed attorneys assist clients with a myriad of legal issues including commercial litigation, corporate transactions, oil and gas, tax planning and litigation, real estate, construction, healthcare, trusts and estates, employment law, family law, intellectual property and bankruptcy. For more information, visit www.grayreed.com.