O’Keefe, a transactional financial advisory firm, has been recognized for two transactions by The M&A Advisor and turnaround community.

• “Turnaround Award (under $100MM)” for the successful turnaround of an injection molding and glass encapsulation manufacturing company. O’Keefe was able to secure price increases, develop a turnaround strategy and revise the capital structure to support the plan and prevent the Company from liquidation which saved not only a 20+ year business, but numerous jobs.

• “Restructuring Community Impact Award” for their efforts at Finlandia University. A University started for Finnish immigrants, who came to Michigan for copper mining jobs, by a mission pastor of the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Church, J.K. Nikander to preserve Finnish culture and train Lutheran ministers. Starting as Suomi College in 1896, Finlandia was the oldest, private University in the upper peninsula. O’Keefe was hired as the receiver due to a long history of financial mismanagement. The collapse of the University in early 2023 left faculty and staff without jobs, students in search of alternative institutions, and unpaid salaries and benefits. O’Keefe’s creative solutions allowed the University’s faculty and staff who deferred salary over the summer months to get paid before the Christmas holiday. O’Keefe’s efforts included working with administration for a teach-out plan allowing qualified students to be awarded degrees and a smooth transition for transferring students. The University was liquidated over a six-month period involving dispositions of dorms, classrooms, library, athletic facilities, and personal property. Many of the staff found employment with a nearby university. The Finnish American Cultural Center with many cultural artifacts belonging to the university was preserved in a sale to the Finlandia Foundation National. This sale was very important to the local community.

“Our team continues to resolve seemingly impossible challenges. I am proud of our professionals’ can-do, tireless efforts which result in successes that positively impact businesses, communities, families, and legacies,” said Pat O’Keefe, Founder and CEO of O’Keefe.

The M&A Advisor is pleased to announce the winners of the 19th Annual Turnaround Awards in each of the categories of Restructuring of the Year, Transaction of the Year, Refinancing of the Year, Sector Deal of the Year, Firm of the Year, Turnaround Product/Service of the Year and Professional of the Year. The awards will be presented at a Black-Tie Awards Gala on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at The Ben Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida.

“The business landscape over the past several years has been incredibly volatile and challenging. The winners of our 19th Annual Turnaround Awards have been meticulously chosen by a distinguished panel of their peers. These outstanding firms and individuals have truly demonstrated excellence in the field of distressed investing and restructuring,” said Roger Aguinaldo, Founder and CEO of The M&A Advisor. “Heartfelt congratulations to all the winners for your incredible achievements in such a competitive industry!”

For a detailed list of the Award Winners for the 19th Annual Turnaround Awards, please CLICK HERE.