Dillon Smith and Mills Whiting join as Analysts to support growing demand.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (October 7, 2026) — FourBridges Capital Advisors, a leading lower middle market investment banking firm that helps business owners sell their companies, announced today that it has added two Analysts to its Chattanooga team: Dillon Smith and Mills Whiting. The new hires come as FourBridges sees a sustained increase in deal activity, driven by a rebounding M&A market, and a growing number of referral relationships with national wealth management firms.

M&A activity in the lower middle market has picked up after slower years in 2023 and 2024. Axial reported that 3,523 deals came to market on its platform in the second quarter of 2026, the most for any quarter in its history. FourBridges closed six transactions in 2025 and has closed four so far in 2026. Four more are under letter of intent, which puts the firm on pace for eight closings this year. The firm has negotiated recent deals with a range of buyers, including strategic acquirers, private equity firms and private equity-backed strategics.

The escalation of deal activity can also be attributed to FourBridges’ inclusion in several top national wealth management referral networks. The growth follows FourBridges’ recognition earlier this year as one of Axial’s Top 25 Investment Banks of 2025, the third time the firm has made Axial’s list of top lower middle market investment banks.

“We’re seeing more activity than we have in several years, both from business owners themselves and from the wealth managers, attorneys and CPAs who refer them to us,” said Managing Director Andy Stockett. “For most owners, selling their company is the first and only time they’ll go through a process like this, and the buyer across the table may do it dozens of times a year. Adding Dillon and Mills means we can keep giving every client the education, patience and advocacy that a sale deserves.” 

Seller activity has been especially strong in essential services, including landscaping, tree care, HVAC/plumbing and electrical contracting. Activity has been steady in manufacturing, building products and distribution, while the continual growth of companies focused on rebuilding infrastructure is driving deal flow in underground utility, water, sewer and electrical work. This growth makes companies in these sectors particularly attractive to buyers.

Mills Whiting spent four years at Accenture before joining FourBridges. He advised clients in financial services, healthcare, technology and the public sector on cybersecurity strategy and technology risk. He previously completed an MBA Summer Associate role at Edward Jones. Whiting holds an MBA from the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, with honors, from North Carolina State University. His engineering background gives him a practical understanding of how manufacturing and industrial businesses operate. A McCallie School alumnus, Whiting now lives in Chattanooga with his wife.

“I’ve always been drawn to the businesses that keep the economy running, from manufacturers to the service companies building out our infrastructure,” said Whiting. “Coming back to Chattanooga to help the owners of those businesses through a sale, with a team that puts clients first, was an easy decision.”

Dillon Smith joins FourBridges after completing AT&T’s Finance Leadership Development Program, a selective two-year rotational program. There he supported FP&A and operational finance before moving into a corporate strategy role focused on joint venture analysis and emerging technology partnerships. During his MBA, he supported Merck Asset Management on operational strategy for a self-storage platform. Smith holds an M.B.A. from Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business and a B.B.A. in Finance and Entrepreneurship & Corporate Innovation, also from Baylor.

“FourBridges works with owners at one of the most important moments of their lives, and the team treats that responsibility seriously,” said Smith. “With deal activity growing the way it is, I’m excited to help business owners reach the outcomes they’ve spent years working toward.” 

Both hires embody the core values upon which FourBridges was built. At their heart, these values reflect a team that goes the extra mile for clients, guided by respect, preparation, teamwork and integrity.

That client-first culture is evident in how former clients describe their experience working with FourBridges. Tree Worx founder Hannes de Wet credited the firm with doing “all of the heavy lifting to close a deal that exceeded my expectations.” 

Southeast Lineman Training Center co-owner David Powell echoed the sentiment, saying, “We were impressed by the large number of parties that FourBridges brought to the table, and their expertise in leading us through a very complex and time-consuming process.”

Over nearly two decades, FourBridges has built a reputation throughout the Southeast and beyond for its ability to identify quality buyers, achieve the best value, ensure the right fit and close deals fast. The partners take pride in helping owners protect their employees and company culture. They also excel at helping owners navigate both the logistical and emotional challenges that come with selling a business.

About FourBridges Capital

FourBridges Capital is a leading lower middle market investment banking firm that specializes in industrial, commercial and residential services as well as manufacturing and consumer products. The Chattanooga, Tennessee-based firm represents business owners who are thinking about selling their company, making an acquisition, or refinancing. The senior partners draw on both expertise in investment banking and experience as C-level executives, having spent most of their careers serving the middle market. For more information, visit fourbridgescapital.com.