"Feds, eds and meds," are Maryland's big three industries, according to ACG Maryland chapter president Eileen Levitt. Federal government, education and medicine are some of the biggest industries in Maryland, with the state bordering the District of Columbia, and acting as the birthplace for tutoring center Sylvan Learning and Johns Hopkins University, known for its medical school. Other companies, such as T. Rowe Price and Legg Mason, also call Baltimore home.

The manufacturing industry still has a presence in the area, as Zentech Manufacturing Inc., a circuit board maker, is headquartered there, but manufacturing isn't as big in the city as it used to be, Levitt says.

A lot of the ACG Maryland's chapter makeup comes from service providers and private equity groups, according to Levitt.

The chapter is made up of about 23 percent capital providers, 18 percent corporate, 42 percent advisers and 10 percent intermediaries, according to Levitt. Many of the corporate members come from the government, education or medical industries, Levitt says.

Members flood ACG Maryland's Deal of the Year Gala events, Levitt says. The event, which is an annual awards ceremony, held in November, highlights deal activity. A company can be nominated to win in one of three categories: manufacturing and distribution; technology and biotech; and services and other. The event's attendance ranges from 225 to 275 people, according to Levitt.

Matt Turpin, Zentech's chief executive, spoke to the chapter about NewSpring's private equity investment in the company as part of ACG Maryland's CEO Strategy Series.

More than 300 people came to ACG Maryland's first Deal Forum Conference in 2012. The conference is similar to a Capital Connections event.

Members attend meetings in downtown Baltimore at the Center Club in the business district, a location easy for members to get to regardless of where they are located, Levitt says. The chapter hosts panels and cocktail hours with chief executives, who highlight a recent transaction for the group in a more intimate setting than the deal forum events.

 


Fact File:

 

ACG.org/Maryland

Year Founded: 1983

Number of Members: 150

Annual Dues: $320

Approval Required for Membership: No

President: Eileen Levitt, president, the HR Team Inc.

ACG Maryland pulls its members from the main industries in the state - the federal government, education companies and medical companies. The chapter organizes several events per year where its members can meet and learn about an acquisition from a chief executive.