Los Angeles, CA – Objective, Investment Banking & Valuation (“Objective”) is proud to announce that five of our senior leaders have been nominated for Deal Maker of the Year 2025 by the Los Angeles Business Journal in their inaugural M&A Awards program. Channing Hamlet, Dan Shea, Trever Acers, Carl Miller, and Thomas Lin were each recognized for their expertise in guiding clients through complex M&A transactions and delivering exceptional outcomes in their industries of focus.
The Deal Maker of the Year awards honor professionals who play a pivotal role in shaping Los Angeles’ business community through strategic advisory, execution excellence, and long-term value creation. Each of our nominees exemplifies this standard bringing deep industry knowledge, steady leadership, and client-first focus to every engagement.
At Objective, we have witnessed firsthand the impact these leaders make. Their dedication and insights continue to create lasting value for our clients and the communities we serve.
We are honored to see five members of our team celebrated among Los Angeles’ top dealmakers and extend our congratulations to all of this year’s nominees.
Click here to read the full list of nominees and winners.
Meet The Honorees
Channing Hamlet
Industry Expertise: Business Services Practice, Life Sciences Practice
Channing is a Co-Founder and Managing Director of Objective, where he serves as a leader in the Business Services Practice and the Life Sciences Services & Tech Practice within the Investment Banking Group, and a leader of the Valuation Group. Channing has over 25 years of experience across strategic consulting, private equity, and M&A. In addition to his client work, Channing is regularly featured as an expert opinion in podcasts, industry conferences/events, and leading publications.
+ Listen In: Channing ft. on EventUp Podcast – How M&A is Transforming the Events Industry
+ Channing Named 2025 Banking & Finance Visionary – LA Times
Dan Shea
Industry Expertise: Manufacturing & Distribution Practice
Dan is a Managing Director at Objective where he leads the firm’s Manufacturing & Distribution practice. With over 30 years of experience in investment banking, Shea has become a trusted advisor in the industry, specializing in private and public company sales, corporate divestitures, mergers, acquisitions and capital raises. Dan is a consistent participant and voice in the LA business community.
+ Download: Aerospace & Defense Q1 2025 Industry Report
Trever Acers
Industry Expertise: Technology Practice, Consumer Practice
Trever is a Co-Founder and Managing Director of Objective. With over 20 years of experience in investment banking, acquisitions and strategic advisory, Acers has built a firm that consistently delivers exceptional M&A outcomes for business owners. He is a leader in the firm’s Technology and Consumer Practices. Trever is a frequent contributor of thought leadership for industry conferences/events, podcasts, M&A reports, and more including the LA Times and others.
+ Download: 2024 Technology Industry Report
+ Trever Featured in Fashion Mannuscript: Navigating the Future of Activewear & Athleisure M&A
Carl Miller
Industry Expertise: Consumer Practice
Carl is a Managing Director at Objective where he leads the Consumer practice within the Investment Banking Group. With over 15 years of extensive experience in investment banking and transaction advisory, Miller has built a robust portfolio of transactions advising clients on mergers, acquisitions, capital raises, restructurings, strategic advisory, fairness and solvency opinions, litigation support, and valuations.
+ Natural Products Expo West 2025 Conference Recap
+ Carl Named 2024 Beauty & Fashion Visionary – LA Times
Thomas Lin
Industry Expertise: Technology Practice
Thomas Lin is a Director at Objective where he leads the Technology practice within the Investment Banking Group. Thomas specializes in sell-side M&A advisory for founder-led, growth-stage SaaS and Technology businesses. With expertise in the LegalTech, GRC, Field Service Management, and PropTech sectors, Mr. Lin is skilled in guiding complex transactions for technology-driven companies.
+Private Equity Firms Acquiring Vertical SaaS Companies in PropTech & ConTech
+Thomas Named 2025 Leader of Influence – Los Angeles Business Journal
Celebrating Five Nominations for Los Angeles Business Journal Deal Maker of the Year 2025
We are especially proud to have such a strong showing this year, with five of our leaders nominated for Deal Maker of the Year. Their recognition underscores Objective’s deep bench of expertise and our ongoing commitment to delivering exceptional outcomes for clients. We invite you to also read our other announcements highlighting Objective’s nominations for Deal of the Year as part of this awards program.
About Objective, Investment Banking & Valuation
Objective, Investment Banking & Valuation (“Objective”) is a leading investment banking and valuation firm that services middle market companies within our industry practices: Business Services, Consumer, Healthcare Tech & Services, Life Sciences Services & Tech, Manufacturing & Distribution, and Technology. Within our industry practices we offer an investment banking group providing sell-side advisory, and a full-service valuation group providing tax compliance, financial reporting, transaction opinion, and strategic advisory services. Founded in 2006, Objective’s seasoned professionals have collectively executed over 500 M&A advisory engagements and thousands of business valuations throughout their careers. Our firm’s name embodies our core mission: to help business owners achieve their objectives. Learn more and find additional resources at objectiveibv.com.
Disclosures
The above testimonials may not be representative of the experience of other customers and is not a guarantee of future performance or success.
This news release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer, invitation or recommendation to buy, sell, subscribe for or issue any securities. While the information provided herein is believed to be accurate and reliable, Objective Capital Partners and BA Securities, LLC make no representations or warranties, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of such information. All information contained herein is preliminary, limited and subject to completion, correction or amendment. It should not be construed as investment, legal, or tax advice and may not be reproduced or distributed to any person. Securities and investment banking services are offered through BA Securities, LLC Member FINRA, SIPC. Principals of Objective Capital are Registered Representatives of BA Securities. Objective Capital Partners and BA Securities are separate and unaffiliated entities.
