Stambaugh Ness Advances Corporate Legacy for ACRO Development Services through IMEG Transaction
SN leverages deep AEC insight to unite a regional North Carolina firm with a national employee-owned platform.
Stambaugh Ness (SN), a leading M&A advisor for architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) firms nationwide, is pleased to announce its role as the exclusive financial and strategic M&A advisor to ACRO Development Services (ACRO) in its successful transaction with IMEG. The transaction officially closed in July 2026.
Aligning Technical Breadth and People-First Cultures for Future Growth
ACRO has built a standout reputation across the Carolinas by pairing high-quality civil engineering and land surveying with a deeply collaborative, relationship-driven approach. As a full-service development partner, the firm delivers an integrated range of capabilities, including precise property data verification, comprehensive site planning, and municipal approval management. This versatile expertise has allowed ACRO to function as a seamless extension of its clients’ project teams.
When looking toward the firm’s next era, identifying a partner that valued this technical depth while preserving their culture was paramount. By joining IMEG — a Top 5 U.S. Engineering Firm — ACRO secures its corporate legacy while gaining access to a vast, multidisciplinary network of over 50 offices. Crucially, because IMEG is a 100% employee-owned (ESOP) organization, the partnership unlocks valuable new career paths and professional growth opportunities for ACRO’s team members, ensuring long-term continuity for their regional clients.
How Stambaugh Ness Sourced and Guided the Transition
As the exclusive M&A Advisor to ACRO, SN’s Mergers & Acquisitions team provided comprehensive seller advisory services throughout the transaction. This multi-service approach integrated specialized financial, tax, and negotiation support to help to facilitate the deal, including:
- Deal Structuring & Negotiation
- Due Diligence & Closing Support
- Transaction Structuring
- Tax Advisory
- Financial Analysis
“ACRO and IMEG represent a strong strategic fit, combining technical expertise with a shared, people-first culture,” shared Jeff Adams, Director of Mergers & Acquisitions. “We’re proud to have supported ACRO through this process, and Brad Wilson’s leadership was instrumental in delivering an outcome that positions the firm for long-term growth within an employee-owned platform.”
“When a specialized firm transitions into an employee-owned environment, corporate culture becomes a direct engine for business growth,” said Brad Wilson, Director of Strategic Growth Advisory. “An ESOP platform provides a powerful mechanism to preserve a firm’s local legacy, and its success relies entirely on a foundation of organizational unity. We are proud to have supported ACRO through this process, delivering a structured outcome that positions the business to thrive within a national network.”
About Stambaugh Ness
Stambaugh Ness is a multi-discipline, professional services firm serving clients nationally with a singular focus on architecture, engineering, construction, and related industries. With Stambaugh Ness, clients have access to a wide array of services, including advisory, technology, accounting, and tax, that enable them to meet compliance requirements, avoid risk, thrive, and grow.
Explore our full list of services, and see how we can help your business, at www.stambaughness.com.