Newport LLC

Newport LLC is proud to sponsor the 2026 Access to Capital Event on Tuesday, September 22, at Innovation Park in Libertyville, IL. Join business owners, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders for an afternoon of expert panels, networking, and conversations about navigating today’s business and financing landscape. Whether you’re planning for growth, exploring capital options, or looking to make valuable connections, this event is a great opportunity to learn and engage. Register today: https://lnkd.in/exe-d2pD #AccessToCapital #BusinessOwners #Entrepreneurship #MiddleMarket #BusinessGrowth #MergersAndAcquisitions #NewportLLC

Newport is pleased to announce that Hardwoods, a flagship brand of ADENTRA Group (ADEN:TSE), has acquired Mount Storm Forest Products, a Newport client. Founded 43 years ago, Mount Storm is a leading hardwood lumber supplier serving the Northern California market. Newport Transaction Advisors served as the exclusive financial advisor to Mount Storm on the transaction. “Kevin Poole, Frederick Fink, and John Terrando were tremendous partners in achieving a successful outcome for Mount Storm Forest Products. Kevin provided valuable strategic counsel over the course of a couple of years as I prepared for a transition, and when it was time to sell, Fred and John steered us through the process seamlessly. I’m confident our clients and team are in good hands with our new Adentra relationship." - Ed Mikowski, Founder and President of Mount Storm Forest Products Congratulations to everyone involved in this successful transaction! #NewportTransactionAdvisors #BuildingProducts #MergersAndAcquisitions #ClientSuccess #BusinessGrowth

For many middle-market business owners, their company is their biggest asset—but how much thought goes into governing it? As a business grows, the decisions get bigger, the stakes get higher, and relying on the same approach that worked early on may no longer be enough. In her latest insight, Newport Partner Susan Kearney explores three approaches to governance for privately held companies. The right answer isn’t determined by revenue or company size. It depends on where the business is going, what the owner is trying to accomplish, and what perspectives are missing from the room. As Susan puts it, good governance is ultimately about taking care of your most important asset. Read Susan’s full article to explore which approach may be right for your business: https://lnkd.in/eQSCKcYu #NewportLLC #BusinessGrowth #BusinessGovernance #MiddleMarket #BusinessOwners #Leadership

Newport LLC is proud to sponsor the 2026 Access to Capital Event on Tuesday, September 22 at Innovation Park in Libertyville, IL. Join us for an afternoon of insightful panels, networking, and conversations around the opportunities and challenges facing business owners and entrepreneurs today. Whether you’re exploring growth opportunities, evaluating financing options, or simply looking to expand your network, this is an event you won’t want to miss. Register today: https://bit.ly/3TeJmBr #AccessToCapital #BusinessOwners #Entrepreneurship #MiddleMarket #BusinessGrowth #MergersAndAcquisitions #NewportLLC

You don't need to know how AI models are built. You need to know what they can do for your business. That's the difference between owners who are experimenting with AI right now, and owners who are still waiting for someone to explain it to them. In his second post in this series, Newport partner A.J. Wilson breaks down generative AI for family-owned businesses in the $10–50M range. Which function would AI help most in your business — sales, marketing, finance, or ops? Read the full blog to learn more: https://lnkd.in/eRDKn_3u #GenerativeAI #FamilyBusiness #BusinessLeadership #AI

For business owners, the hardest stage of growth is often the one between success and scale. Florida State University’s Capital Market Readiness Executive Education Program is a focused two-day deep dive into growth, private equity, and the decisions that shape what comes next. Newport LLC Chairman Doug Tatum is part of the faculty team leading the program. 📅 September 28–29, 2026 📍 Tysons Corner, Virginia If accelerating growth, preparing for an exit, or pursuing M&A is on your horizon, this program offers practical, detailed guidance on the critical issues founders of emerging growth companies face when transitioning from success to scale. Interested in learning more? Reach out to Edward Farley for details. #BusinessGrowth #GrowthStrategy #PrivateEquity #MergersAndAcquisitions #MAndA #ExitPlanning #Entrepreneurship #MiddleMarket #CapitalMarkets #BusinessOwners #NewportLLC

We’re proud to sponsor the 2026 Access to Capital: Start-Up, Scaling, and Selling event, bringing together business owners, entrepreneurs, trusted advisors, and industry professionals for an afternoon of meaningful conversation, connection, and practical insights on accessing capital at every stage of the business journey. Our Newport Midwest Partners will be there and look forward to connecting with business owners and fellow industry leaders. 📅 Tuesday, September 22, 2026 | Noon–6:00 p.m. 📍 Innovation Park, 1950 Innovation Rd., Libertyville, IL 🎟️ Get your ticket today: https://lnkd.in/eFxzcakx #AccessToCapital #BusinessOwners #Entrepreneurship #MiddleMarket #BusinessGrowth #MergersAndAcquisitions #NewportLLC

Newport partner Mary Beth Borgwing, MBA brought together 18 local business and community leaders yesterday for a luncheon in Vero focused on AI. Thank you to George Pillari for a talk that was spot on, drawing from his book No Adult Left Behind. A few takeaways that stuck with us: 🔹 The ethical questions are bigger than the technical ones. The harder problems aren't about what AI can do — they're about what we should let it do. 🔹 Learn the vocabulary now — human-in-the-loop, human-on-the-loop, and human-out-of-the-loop. These terms are here to stay. 🔹 Skills erosion is the hidden cost of automation. Pilots who only hand-fly a plane for a few minutes per flight risk forgetting how in a real crisis. The same tradeoff shows up everywhere automation takes the wheel. 🔹 If employers use AI to screen resumes, job seekers need to use AI too. As George put it — you have to win the battle of the bots. Proud to see Mary Beth leading conversations like this, and great to see firms like Catalina Ventures Group LLC helping drive the local tech conversation forward. George's audiobook is here: 👉 https://lnkd.in/ew8qzuDp Great seeing everyone there: Chris Elbring Clayton Conway Heyward House Ben Folger Bennett H. H. Biever, Esquire Elizabeth Bartow james vitter, kevin barry, john pollack #CatalinaVentures #AnvilSecure #Lowndeslawfirm #HelpMeSee #runningfoxpartners #grandharborgolfandtennis #catalinaaircraft #vitterengineering 🤖📖

Business Owners: Join Us! 🚀 Our Newport Midwest partners are proud to sponsor and attend the 2026 Access to Capital Event, and we'd love to see you there. Whether you're launching, scaling, or preparing to sell, access to capital shapes every stage of the journey. This event brings together business owners and industry leaders for real conversations about how to navigate that path. 📅 Tuesday, September 22, 2026 | Noon - 6:00 p.m. 📍 Innovation Park, 1950 Innovation Rd., Libertyville, IL Tickets: https://lnkd.in/eFxzcakx We hope to see you there and to connect over great conversation and even better ideas. #AccessToCapital #NewportMidwest #BusinessOwners #Entrepreneurship #Scaling Heather H. Bennett CDI.D

“The bigger the dream, the more important the team.” Taking over a family business means honoring its legacy while having the courage to change what no longer works. In the latest episode of Newport’s Growth + Exit podcast, Heather H. Bennett speaks with Jeff Aplin, CEO of Aplin, about completing a decade-long succession and transforming the family business for scalable growth. Jeff discusses rebuilding company culture, creating recurring revenue, choosing a capital partner, pursuing acquisitions, and assembling the right leadership team. Listen now: https://lnkd.in/eW5xr3ns #FamilyBusiness #BusinessSuccession #Leadership #GrowthStrategy #GrowthAndExit