Heartwood Partners is honored to share that the firm has received two prestigious industry recognitions that underscore our strategic expertise and commitment to partnership-driven value creation across our target sectors.
We are proud to announce that Smart Business Dealmakers has named Heartwood Partners “Dealmaker of the Year” for our strategic investment in Bush Brothers Provision Company, a fifth-generation family-led premier meat purveyor serving high-end customers across Florida and the Caribbean. This recognition highlights our specialized approach to working with family-owned enterprises in the agriculture and food sectors, where we provide growth capital while preserving the values, legacy, and operational excellence that define these businesses. We congratulate our deal team—Edwin Tan, Robert Tucker, Andrea (Vandersall) Nelson, and John Newman—on this achievement, and we commend the Bush Brothers Provision Company management team for their continued vision and commitment to excellence.
Additionally, The M&A Advisor has recognized Heartwood Partners with the “Materials Deal of the Year” award for our successful exit of UW Solutions in their 16th Annual International M&A Awards. This distinction reflects our deep sector expertise in specialty chemicals and materials, as well as our ability to create meaningful value through our unique lower-leverage, partnership-oriented investment approach. We extend our congratulations to our deal team—Demetrios Dounis, Morgan Murray Skarzynski, and Drew Greene—for their exceptional execution and strategic leadership.
These awards exemplify the core principles that have guided Heartwood Partners since our founding in 1982: our commitment to growth, strength, and performance through a conservative capital structure that empowers management teams to thrive in any economic environment. Our approach combines strategic execution with deep sector knowledge across niche manufacturing, specialty chemicals, food, agriculture, and industrial services—sectors where family and management-held businesses often seek partners who understand their unique needs and long-term vision.
Both recognitions reflect our dedication to creating lasting partnerships with exceptional management teams while delivering meaningful outcomes for our investors. Our in-house Value Creation Specialists continue to provide subject-matter expertise that drives organic and acquisition-driven growth, supporting portfolio companies as they expand into new products, services, and end markets.
Learn more here about our investment approach and portfolio companies.
Please contact the following members of the investment team at Heartwood Partners with investment or add-on opportunities:
John Willert | Partner
jwillert@heartwoodpartners.com
John Newman | Managing Director