What the M&A Source Executive Club Award Says About Who You Trust to Sell Your Business
In the field of mergers and acquisitions, credentials matter, but real-world results matter more. Every deal closed represents more than just a transfer of ownership. It’s the outcome of months of preparation, negotiation, and trust placed in the hands of an advisor. That’s why recognition from a professional association like M&A Source is so meaningful and why the Executive Club Award is more than just a line on a résumé.
In 2025, Nick Fares, founder of NEO Business Advisors, was named a recipient of the M&A Source Executive Club Award for his performance during the 2024 calendar year. This marks his second consecutive year earning the distinction, reinforcing his growing reputation as one of the Midwest’s leading M&A professionals.
What Is the Executive Club Award?
The M&A Source Executive Club Award is presented annually to M&A advisors who demonstrate outstanding performance in deal-making across the lower middle market. Recipients must meet specific criteria that reflect both the volume and quality of closed transactions over the prior year.
In 2024, just 27 advisors worldwide earned this award, and Nick Fares was the only recipient in the state of Ohio.
This distinction places Nick among a select group of professionals who are not only active in the market but consistently producing results at a high level. According to Kathlene Thiel, Chair of the M&A Source Board, the award represents “skill, prowess, and dedication,” traits that are essential for business owners navigating complex and often deeply personal transitions.
A Track Record of Consistency and Trust
Nick’s recognition for the second year in a row highlights the core qualities that NEO Business Advisors brings to every engagement: preparation, precision, and a client-first mindset.
Since founding the firm in 2019, Nick has focused exclusively on the lower middle market — a space often underserved by both large investment banks and smaller business brokers. His expertise lies in helping owners of manufacturing companies execute well-structured, confidential, and market-aligned business sales.
The Executive Club Award signals more than productivity; it’s a marker of sustained performance in a challenging market. In a year where economic uncertainty, rising interest rates, and shifting buyer behavior created headwinds for many deals, Nick’s ability to continue closing transactions speaks to both his process and his discipline.
What This Means for Business Owners
For business owners considering a sale, this recognition should serve as a point of confidence. Awards like this provide prospective sellers with an important data point: that the advisor they’re considering has not only done the work, but has done it well and repeatedly.
Business sales are rarely simple. They require a careful blend of industry knowledge, financial analysis, buyer qualification, negotiation, and confidentiality management. They also require empathy: understanding what’s at stake, not just financially, but personally, for the owner.
Nick Fares’ recognition from M&A Source helps validate that he understands both the technical side of the process and the human side. This is the combination that leads to successful outcomes and lasting relationships.
Learn More About NEO Business Advisors
NEO Business Advisors works exclusively with sellers of privately held companies in the Midwest and Great Lakes regions, focusing on manufacturing businesses with revenue between $2 million and $50 million. The firm helps owners prepare for sale, understand their valuation, and navigate a sale process designed to protect confidentiality and maximize value. In addition to sell-side advisory, the firm also provides buy-side brokerage services for qualified buyers seeking strategic acquisitions in the lower middle market.
To learn more about how NEO Business Advisors can support your exit or acquisition strategy, visit sumcapadvisors.com/ or reach out to schedule a confidential consultation.