M&A Source gives Gold Club Award to two Texas brokers

M&A Source named Houston-area advisors Steve Merritt and Wayne Blease to its Gold Club Award for 2025, recognizing more than $15 million in combined deal volume in the lower middle market. The honor highlights the role of experienced intermediaries in complex buy-side and sell-side transactions.

Why it matters: - The Gold Club Award marks one of M&A Source’s top honors for lower middle-market deal makers. - Merritt and Blease were recognized for closing sell-side or buy-side transactions totaling more than $15 million in combined purchase price during 2025. - The award underscores demand for advisors who can manage complex, high-value mergers and acquisitions.

What happened: - M&A Source recognized Houston-area advisors Steve Merritt, MCBI, CM&AP, M&AMI, CPA, and Wayne Blease, CBI, CM&AP, with the Gold Club Award. - The award was part of the association’s annual Member Awards Program. - Both advisors work with Transworld Business Advisors of South & West Texas, New Mexico, and Wyoming. - The announcement was made June 30, 2026.

The details: - The Gold Club Award goes to elite deal makers who complete transactions above the $15 million combined purchase-price threshold in a calendar year. - The recognition is tied to performance in the prior calendar year, which in this case was 2025. - Jaclyn Ring, chair of the board of The M&A Source, said the award recipients exemplify the best of the profession. - Carmen Saad Hanna, senior vice president and COO of Transworld Business Advisors of South & West Texas, New Mexico, and Wyoming, said the deal total reflects financial acumen and a deep understanding of lower middle-market transactions. - More information is available at the company’s announcement, by email at infoswtx@tworld.com, or by phone at (281) 769-4277.

Between the lines: - The award signals that lower middle-market brokerage remains a relationship- and execution-driven business. - The recognition also gives Transworld Business Advisors a public proof point for its M&A capabilities in multiple states. - The M&A Source uses awards and professional designations to reinforce standards in a segment where transaction complexity can be high and deal teams are often small.

What's next: - Merritt and Blease are likely to continue advising buyers and sellers across the lower middle market. - Transworld Business Advisors will keep promoting its brokerage and franchise services through its regional and national platforms. - The M&A Source will continue its awards and education programs for lower middle-market intermediaries.

The bottom line: - The Gold Club Award puts two Texas M&A advisors in M&A Source’s top tier for 2025 performance, based on deal volume and transaction execution.