The ESOP Association Professionals' Forum 2026 Matt Drake

The ESOP Association Professionals’ Forum 2026

Meet Matt Drake at The ESOP Association’s Professionals’ Forum in Charleston, SC, February 4-6, 2026. The ESOP Association’s Professionals’ Forum is an in-person event designed exclusively for senior professionals who provide technical, financial, and legal guidance to ESOP companies. We look forward to connecting with fellow ESOP professionals throughout the Forum.

The Forum is a unique opportunity for professionals to gather with their peers for a collaborative learning experience. And because the Forum is a meeting of professionals for professionals, you can take full advantage of our programming without the pressure of servicing or attending to client needs at our larger, national events. Visit the event page to learn more.

Meet Our Team

Picture of Matthew Drake | Partner

Matthew Drake | Partner

mdrake@baserockpartners.com
(312) 882-7649

From Blueprint to Buyout: Preparing Your Business for M&A

From Blueprint to Buyout: Preparing Your Business for M&A | Hosted by Mintz

Presentation Topic

Mintz hosts From Blueprint to Buyout: Preparing Your Business for M&A’. BaseRock Partners’ Dustin Bass will moderate the panel, with Luke Smith serving as a panelist alongside legal, tax, accounting, and surety professionals from Mamacos, Bysiewicz & Associates, LLC, Alliant Insurance Services, Inc., and Mintz.

The session will explore how construction and engineering company leaders can strengthen operational and financial readiness, address industry-specific transaction considerations, and avoid common challenges when planning for ownership transition.

About the Event

From Blueprint to Buyout: Preparing Your Business for M&A is hosted by Mintz and will take place on February 11, 2026, at the Sheraton Boston Needham Hotel in Needham, MA. Join fellow owners and executives from construction, engineering, and related companies for an interactive panel on preparing for and executing a successful M&A transaction.

Meet the Speakers

Picture of Dustin Bass | Partner

Dustin Bass | Partner

dbass@baserockpartners.com
(303) 681-1721

Picture of Luke Smith | Managing Director

Luke Smith | Managing Director

lsmith@baserockpartners.com
(720) 846-0004

CFMA Idaho 2025 BaseRock Partners

2025 Idaho Construction Financial Management & Accounting Conference

Presentation Topic

Dustin Bass and Scott Duncan of BaseRock Partners present ‘Construction Economic Outlook’ and ‘Ownership Succession in the Construction Industry’ at the Idaho Construction Financial Management & Accounting Conference on November 18. 

Their first session, ‘Construction Economic Outlook,’ will explore the macroeconomic forces shaping today’s construction environment and provide insight into what’s ahead for 2026 and beyond.

In their second session, ‘Ownership Succession in the Construction Industry,’ they’ll discuss key considerations for construction company owners evaluating transition options, including value drivers, current M&A trends, ESOP structures, and other internal equity transfer techniques.

About the Conference

BaseRock Partners is proud to participate in the 2025 Idaho Chapter Annual Accounting Conference, hosted by CFMA Idaho. This year’s event will be a half-day conference and feature a series of engaging presentations from subject matter experts and key stakeholders. Sessions will include strategic insights, data-driven discussions, and interactive Q&A opportunities.

Meet the Speakers

Picture of Dustin Bass | Partner

Dustin Bass | Partner

dbass@baserockpartners.com
(303) 681-1721

Picture of Scott Duncan | Partner

Scott Duncan | Partner

sduncan@baserockpartners.com
(720) 273-2781

AICPA 2025 BaseRock Partners Jim Owen

2025 AICPA Construction & Real Estate Conference

Presentation Topic

Jim Owen of BaseRock Partners and Anthony Ivener, CPA, CGMA of Ivener Management Group, co-present M&A: How to Prepare a Contractor for a Transaction at the 2025 AICPA Construction & Real Estate Conference on December 9. 

The session is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of how to prepare a contractor for sale. The presentation will start with a discussion of the pre-transaction process of getting a contractor ready for a transaction, including associated readiness considerations. They will provide a detailed overview of the mergers and acquisitions process and the role of the investment banker.

About the Conference

BaseRock Partners is proud to participate in the AICPA Construction & Real Estate Conference, dedicated to bridging the gap between two powerful industries so that you can better serve your firm and clients as a leader and adviser.

Meet the Speaker

Picture of Jim Owen | Managing Director

Jim Owen | Managing Director

jowen@baserockpartners.com
(312) 498-2242

Jim Owen, Managing Director at BaseRock Partners, will attend ACEC 2025 Fall Conference

American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) 2025 Fall Conference

About the Event

Jim Owen, Managing Director at BaseRock Partners, will attend the ACEC 2025 Fall Conference, Oct. 5-8, 2025 in San Diego, CA.

The conference features insights and practical strategies on issues facing today’s A/E firms, with sessions on talent pipeline solutions, cybersecurity, emerging technologies, and trends driving the next wave of transformation in AEC.

Learn more about the event

Meet the BaseRock Team

Picture of Jim Owen | Managing Director

Jim Owen | Managing Director

jowen@baserockpartners.com
(312) 498-2242

Rocky Mountain CFMA Conference 2025

Rocky Mountain CFMA Conference 2025

Presentation Topic

Matthew Drake from BaseRock Partners will co-present, ESOPs in the Construction Industry, on October 2, at the Rocky Mountain CFMA Conference 2025.

About the Session

In this session, Matthew Drake, along with Leah Turnbull of BMO Corporate Advisory, Brady Burleson of Fiore & Sons, Inc., and Bill Hughes of Wipfli, will explore the driving forces behind the growth of ESOPs in the construction industry

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how ESOPs can secure the legacy of your company while creating long-term value for employees. Click here to learn more about the conference.

Meet the Speaker

Picture of Matthew Drake | Partner

Matthew Drake | Partner

mdrake@baserockpartners.com
(312) 882-7649

CICPAC 2025

Presenting at 34th Annual CICPAC Conference

Presentation Topic

Dustin Bass and Jim Owen of BaseRock Partners present, Positioning Clients for a Successful Exit: How CPAs Can Help Drive Value at the 34th Annual CICPAC Conference on July 24. 

Succession planning is an increasingly critical issue within the Engineering and Construction industry.  CPAs have a unique perspective and relationship with their clients that can help improve succession outcomes. The intent of the session is to provide an investment bank’s perspective on how CPAs can add value to their clients as they contemplate succession and business continuity. The session will also seek perspective and insights from other attendees (legal, surety, insurance, lending) given their unique vantage points.  

About the Conference

BaseRock Partners is proud to participate in the 2025 CICPAC Annual Conference on July 23 – 25 at the InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile. Hosted by the CICPAC, this annual event brings together accounting, consulting, and advisory professionals dedicated to the construction industry.

The conference delivers high-value education across tax, assurance, and advisory services, with sessions focused on emerging issues such as M&A, ownership transition, ESOPs, industry benchmarking, and economic forecasts. We’re looking forward to presenting exclusive insights and networking with industry experts and peers.

Meet the Speakers

Picture of Dustin Bass | Partner

Dustin Bass | Partner

dbass@baserockpartners.com
(303) 681-1721

Picture of Matthew Drake | Partner

Matthew Drake | Partner

mdrake@baserockpartners.com
(312) 882-7649

Picture of Jim Owen | Managing Director

Jim Owen | Managing Director

jowen@baserockpartners.com
(312) 498-2242

M&A and ESOP Update for the Construction Industry

Presenting at the 2025 Lockton Construction ESOP Summit

Presentation Topic

Matthew Drake and Dustin Bass from BaseRock Partners present “M&A and ESOP Update for the Construction Industry” at the 2025 Lockton Construction ESOP Summit on June 19.

About the Event

The Lockton Construction ESOP Summit is an invite-only, two-day event for Chief Financial Officers of ESOP Construction firms. This event features two days of sharing, networking and learning. 

Meet the Speakers

Picture of Matthew Drake | Partner

Matthew Drake | Partner

mdrake@baserockpartners.com
(312) 882-7649

Picture of Dustin Bass | Partner

Dustin Bass | Partner

dbass@baserockpartners.com
(303) 681-1721

Attending 2025 Midwest Deal Summit & DeaLinx May 28-29, 2025 | Chicago, IL

2025 Midwest Deal Summit & DeaLinx

About the Event

Jim Owen, Managing Director at BaseRock Partners, will attend the 2025 Midwest Deal Summit on May 28-29 in Chicago, IL.

The summit includes briefings on the latest data, trends and best practices in the lower middle market, as well as updates on the challenges and opportunities on the legislative and regulatory horizons.

Learn more about the event

Meet the BaseRock Team

Picture of Jim Owen | Managing Director

Jim Owen | Managing Director

jowen@baserockpartners.com
(312) 498-2242

CFMA MA Tariffs, Taxes & Turbulence: 2025 Economic and Capital Markets Outlook baserock partners

CFMA Massachusetts – Tariffs, Taxes & Turbulence: 2025 Economic and Capital Markets Outlook

Presentation Topic

Dustin Bass, Scott Duncan, and Luke Smith of BaseRock Partners present, Tariffs, Taxes & Turbulence: 2025 Economic and Capital Markets Outlook on May 1, 2025 at CFMA Massachusetts.

About the Session

CFMA Massachusetts is pleased to host Dustin Bass, Scott Duncan, and Luke Smith of BaseRock Partners to present the economic and capital markets outlook for 2025. BaseRock will provide essential insights on how fiscal and monetary policies are affecting construction firms and why shifting demographic trends provide actionable growth opportunities. 

They’ll also share which select end-markets are more insulated from short-term economic fluctuations. Learn more about the event or to register.

Meet the Speakers

Picture of Dustin Bass | Partner

Dustin Bass | Partner

dbass@baserockpartners.com
(303) 681-1721

Picture of Scott Duncan | Partner

Scott Duncan | Partner

sduncan@baserockpartners.com
(720) 273-2781

Picture of Luke Smith | Managing Director

Luke Smith | Managing Director

lsmith@baserockpartners.com
(720) 846-0004