Derik Polay

I am an M&A advisor focused on representing owners of closely held and lower-middle-market businesses through the sale, acquisition, and transition process. I work primarily with founder-owned and family-owned companies, helping sellers prepare for market, position their business effectively, and navigate complex transactions with clarity and discipline. My background combines financial analysis, valuation, and deal execution with a strong emphasis on relationship management and realistic expectations. I am actively involved throughout the entire process, including initial valuation, exit planning, buyer outreach, negotiation, due diligence coordination, and closing. I place a high priority on protecting confidentiality, maintaining deal momentum, and aligning strategy with each client’s personal and financial goals. I regularly advise on transactions involving service, distribution, manufacturing, and specialty businesses, and I work closely with accountants, attorneys, lenders, and third-party valuation firms to ensure a coordinated and efficient process. Whether representing a seller or assisting a buyer, my approach is pragmatic, data-driven, and transparent. I am based in Nashville, Tennessee, and work with clients locally and nationwide. My goal is to help business owners achieve successful outcomes while minimizing disruption, reducing risk, and creating a clear path forward at a pivotal moment in their business journey.

Derik Polay has been a leading business broker and M&A advisor in Central Texas since 2015 at CGK. His transactional expertise is unmatched. In addition, he has over 10 years of experience in high finance with trading and analysis of global distressed markets and over 7 years of experience in upper management roles in various verticals of small and medium-sized businesses (SMB’s). Prior to his current role, Mr. Polay served as Managing Director of IFI Capital where he focused on distressed investments trading and other special situations. Prior to IFI, he was Senior Vice President at Fulcrum Capital and APS Capital where he was instrumental in building the business and was the top producer. Prior to beginning his career in high finance, Mr. Polay worked at SMB’s in leading management roles and on a consulting basis to increase productivity, quality, and bottom line enhancement throughout various verticals such manufacturing of tier one automotive products,telecommunications products and other technological applications. Mr. Polay is a graduate of DePaul University where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Finance.

Eric Lewis has over 17 years of experience in the financial industry. He has worked for a breadth of companies ranging from investment banks to proprietary trading firms. While spending the last 10 years in the energy business, he has built a physical commodities business and traded financial products. He has also created valuation models for physical assets, projects, and companies. His financial career has led him to work for Merrill Lynch, Goldman Sachs, Cargill, and TD Options, along with a few private financial firms. Eric is also the owner and founder of a digital marketing company. Eric holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Texas at Austin and an MBA in finance from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

As the premier mergers and acquisition advisors and business brokers, we carefully help sell local businesses. With many years of mergers & acquisitions experience, we will help sell your business with the highest level of professional standards, with an insight and a process that our competitors cannot match. We have sold businesses in every industry, while specializing in a few types of select companies. Our buyers include high-net worth individuals, strategic industry buyers, private equity, and venture capital firms from all over the world. We know what these particular buyers look for and the differences between them. Our process is very confidential and helps maximize value for your business sale. In addition to business brokerage and mergers and acquisitions advisory services, we partner with banking, tax, and legal experts, in order to protect your interests and help facilitate your business sale. Call us today and find out why we're different.

Jason Clendaniel has been in “business” since he was seven years old. Whether mowing lawns, delivering papers or shoveling snow, Jason learned business from the ground up. His professional career is multi-faceted and well-rounded. He has 20 years of experience in leadership; ten years as a Naval Officer and ten years leading his own businesses. He has over ten years of experience working with S&P 500 companies in Sales, Business Development, Mergers and Acquisitions. He also spent a year working with a Fortune 500 Company as an internal consultant and Industrial Engineer. He has a deep understanding of finance, operations, business development and business valuation. Jason holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics with Honors from the United States Naval Academy.