Three finalists have been announced for the award recognizing the most significant mergers and acquisitions transactions that took place in Arizona in calendar year 2015.

The “Deal of the Year” is an award given by the Arizona Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) to recognize a company or private equity firm for their accomplishments regarding a merger, acquisition or capital market transaction.  The award will recognize a deal/transaction in the Arizona marketplace involving established businesses with between $10 million and $750 million of revenue that closed in calendar year 2015.

The three finalists for the award are:

—    Flowers Bakeries’ acquisition of Alpine Valley Bread Company in a $120 million transaction

—    Sierra Nevada’s acquisition of Kutta Technologies

—    Frontier Capital’s $30 million growth-equity investment in HealthiestYou

The Deal of the Year Award will be given out on May 10 at a dinner at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa. The ACG signature event begins with a networking session at 5 p.m. and culminates with the award presentation starting at 6:45 p.m.

“These deals are great examples of how mergers and acquisitions are having a positive effect on Arizona’s economy by making Arizona companies stronger,” said John Prenzno, Board President for ACG-Arizona. “We are pleased to be able to recognize these transactions for the contribution they have made to our industry and to the state’s economy.”

The award criteria are:

·       Deal-making that either created or demonstrates a real potential for substantial return on investment

·       Deal-making that evidences the unlocking of value and/or contribution to the strategic development of the business

·       Deal-making that produces a wider business impact, such as the development of new markets, products, services and/or technologies and the creation or retention of quality employment opportunities in Arizona

·       Deal-making that reflects a high level of professional expertise in the design of the transaction and tested creativity and deal-making skills in completing the transaction

·       At least one company involved in the transaction must be headquartered or have a majority of its operations in Arizona

Tickets for the May 10 event are available for $135 for ACG members and $155 for ACG non-members if purchased by midnight on May 3, and $155 for members and $175 for non-members after May 3. Tickets may be purchased by visiting www.acg.org/arizona or calling 602-448-3981 or e-mailing acgarizona@acg.org

Founded in 1954, the Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) is a global association for professionals involved in corporate growth, corporate development, and mergers and acquisitions. Today ACG stands at more than 14,000 members from corporations, private equity, finance, and professional service firms representing Fortune 500, Fortune 1000, FTSE 100, and mid-market companies in 56 chapters in North America, Europe, and Asia. The Arizona chapter of ACG includes representatives from corporate investment and private equity groups, financiers, venture capitalists and supporting consultant services. For more information, visit www.acg.org/arizona.