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Property Tax Consulting Firm Ryan Acquires Biggest Competitor

Plus: Former Richards Group leaders form new agency; DFW recognized as second-fastest growing tech hub in America; and MoneyGram to go private in $1.8 billion deal.
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Brint Ryan
Courtesy of UNT

Dallas-based tax company Ryan has acquired the nation’s second-largest property tax consulting firm, Marvin F. Poer and Co. Ryan will onboard Poer’s 186 employees in 12 locations. Poer Chairman and CEO David Poer called the deal “an easy decision.”

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Ryan

“The synergies between Ryan and Poer are numerous,” Ryan Chairman and CEO G. Brint Ryan told D CEO. “Between our focus on client service, industry-leading results, and offering a best-in-class workplace, Ryan and Poer are a perfect fit. Our expanded property tax team now has additional resources, covering even more taxing jurisdictions than before to better serve our clients.”

Ryan has logged more than 30 years of uninterrupted revenue growth—even amidst the pandemic—and Brint Ryan believes the latest acquisition will help continue the trend. “By combining the first and second largest property tax consulting groups in the country, we cement our position as the go-to property tax firm,” Ryan said.

Moving forward, Ryan is most excited about the digitization of the company’s services and the prospect of closing more deals. “Ryan is always on the lookout for acquisition targets,” he said.

Former Richards Group Leaders Form New PR Agency

New public relations agency Genuine Article has launched, created by three former leaders at The Richards Group. It currently serves 16 clients, including ASTREA Development, Discount Tire, Envision, RoboTire, The Salvation Army, Scottish Rite for Children, Shavelogic, Universal Engineering Sciences, Envy Gaming, Apricus Realty Capital, and Mark Cuban’s Cost Plus Drug Company.

Co-founders Stacie Barnett, Elizabeth Clayton, and Greg Miller banded to form the agency that is “focusing on authentic expression, meaningful dialogue, and mutually beneficial conversation.” All formerly held principal roles at Uptown-based The Richards Group.

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“Now, more than ever, there is a role for honest and open communications to help foster productive and healthy conversation in society,” Co-Founder and Principal Greg Miller told D CEO. “At the end of the day, people still trust people, and our role as conversationalists is to help brands and movements find their voice in talking with—not simply at—their audiences. We’re excited to add new talent to our team, collaborate with a growing list of agency and expert partners, and do some truly meaningful work.”

The agency has staff in Dallas, Austin, and Phoenix.

DFW Named the Second-Fastest Growing Tech Hub in America

According to a recent report by the Dallas Regional Chamber, the Dallas-Fort Worth region added the second most high-technology jobs in America from 2016 to 2021.

A significant driving factor has been the amount of tech startups staking claim in DFW. By the end of Q3 2021, more than $1.65 billion in early stage venture capital deals had been inked in North Texas. Headlined by LTK, Island, o9 Solutions, Shiftsmart, and more, the DFW startup community has made a name for itself nationwide. In addition, large tech players who call DFW home—such as Amazon, McKesson, Charles Schwab, Raytheon, Accenture, and more—are adding jobs every week.

“Texas is among the most business-friendly states, which has provided us an opportunity to invest in our talent and run quickly,” LTK Co-founder and President Amber Venz Box told D CEO. “Fortune 500 brands love to call DFW home and it’s not just good for them, it’s exciting for their talent. It has been exciting to see our city grow as a technology destination and finally be recognized as a city that can attract world-class talent.”

Dallas-based MoneyGram To Go Private in $1.8 Billion Deal

Chicago-based private equity firm Madison Dearborn will acquire wire transfer company MoneyGram for $1.8 billion, taking the Dallas-based company private. The offer from Madison Dearborn is entirely cash-based, valuing MoneyGram at $11 per share—more than its stock closing price on Feb. 14 at $8.95.

“We are excited to enter into this transaction with MDP, which will deliver immediate and compelling value to shareholders and enable us to accelerate the advancement of our digital growth strategy,” MoneyGram chairman and CEO Alex Holmes said.

MoneyGram, which serves 150 million customers, received competing bids from Siris Capital Group and Advent International, according to Reuters. Atop the priorities for Madison Dearborn is to refinance MoneyGram’s $800 million in net debt.

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Ben Swanger

Ben Swanger

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Ben Swanger is the managing editor for D CEO, the business title for D Magazine. Ben manages the Dallas 500, monthly…
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