Washington, DC (November 19, 2024) – Ascend Capital Group is proud to announce that it has been honored with the prestigious “Strategic Deal of the Year” at the 24th Annual M&A Advisor Awards, presented during the 2025 Future of Dealmaking Summit. The awards gala — a sold-out, black-tie event held November 18–19, 2025 at The New York Athletic Club — celebrates the industry’s most transformative deals, outstanding firms, and exceptional professionals from more than 1,000 nominations across the global dealmaking community.
The recognition highlights Ascend’s role in advising on the acquisition of MyGov by Tyler Technologies, a strategic transaction that demonstrates the firm’s deep expertise in GovTech and its ability to deliver exceptional outcomes for clients in complex, high-impact markets.
“Celebrating our wins — both the small milestones and, for many of us here, the truly significant achievements — is essential to building lasting success,” said Roger Aguinaldo, Founder and CEO of The M&A Advisor, at the awards ceremony. “The challenges, complexities, and unforeseen obstacles you navigate in every transaction are precisely what distinguishes your leadership.”
The award-winning transaction brought together MyGov, a leading provider of cloud-based community development and asset management solutions, and Tyler Technologies, a premier provider of integrated software and technology services for the public sector. Ascend’s strategic advisory and execution support were instrumental in ensuring continuity for MyGov’s customers while enabling Tyler to expand its government technology offerings and enhance efficiency for public agencies.
“Receiving the Strategic Deal of the Year award is a tremendous honor and a testament to the collaborative effort behind this transaction,” said D.J. Palmer, Managing Director at Ascend Capital Group. “This deal reflects Ascend’s commitment to delivering thoughtful, sector-focused advice while prioritizing the long-term success of our clients, their customers, and the communities they serve.”
Stephen Burnsworth, Founder of MyGov, added:
“Partnering with Ascend Capital Group was instrumental in guiding MyGov through this important transition. Their expertise and commitment ensured that we navigated the complexities of the sale with confidence and clarity. As we join forces with Tyler Technologies, I’m excited for the next chapter of growth and innovation, and I’m grateful for Ascend’s role in helping us reach this milestone.”
Representing Ascend at the awards ceremony were Zach Skolnekovich, Thien Tran, D.J. Palmer, Mike LoPresti, and Eric Parekh, who accepted the award on behalf of the firm.
This recognition reinforces Ascend Capital Group’s position as a trusted advisor in middle-market M&A. Known for its people-first approach, Ascend combines deep sector expertise with highly tailored solutions to help high-growth companies and institutional investors achieve outstanding results.
