About

Tracey specializes in valuing and advising architecture and engineering firms through mergers, acquisitions, and ownership transitions across both U.S. and international markets. With 26 years of experience, she brings deep expertise in transaction advisory, valuation, and strategic transition planning tailored specifically to the A/E industry. Her work supports firms at critical inflection points, including external sales, internal ownership transitions, and long-term succession strategies.

She previously served as Managing Director of Transition Services at Zweig Group, where she spent 15 years leading M&A, valuation, and internal ownership transition engagements for a wide variety of A/E clients.  In the past 2 years, she has been involved with over $150 million in M&A transaction value.  In parallel, Ms. Eaves is the Founder and Principal of American Business Appraisers, where she has spent 26 years valuing privately held company interests for a wide range of purposes, including ESOPs, gift and estate tax planning, financing, estate settlements, marital dissolution, litigation support, and expert witness testimony.

Tracey earned a Bachelor of Science from Louisiana Tech University and an MBA from the University of Arkansas, Sam M. Walton College of Business. Ms. Eaves is a member of the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts, the NEBB Institute and the Alliance of Merger & Acquisition Advisors.

Ms. Eaves holds multiple professional credentials, including Certified Merger & Acquisition Advisor, Certified Valuation Analyst, Certified Business Appraiser, Business Certified Appraiser, and Certified Machinery and Equipment Appraiser.

She is an active thought leader and educator in the profession, previously serving as an Executive Roundtable Facilitator, M&A Next Conference Lead and Principals Academy presenter, as well as being a frequent publication contributor and webinar speaker.  She has also participated in various professional roles and committees within the valuation field since 2006, reflecting her long-standing commitment to advancing best practices in the industry.

Tracey Eaves
505-258-8821
teaves@horizonadvisorsgroup.com

Steve has spent 35 years in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry, building a career that spans executive leadership, financial management, and mergers and acquisitions. He has served as a Managing Principal, Chief Financial Officer, and Director, with a consistent focus on strategic growth, operational excellence, and acquisition-driven expansion. His experience uniquely blends hands-on firm leadership with advisory work, giving him a practical, owner’s perspective on complex business decisions.

Mr. McAdams has served as a Senior M&A Advisor with Zweig Group, following four years as an M&A Advisor at Blackcastle Partners. Prior to his advisory roles, he spent 30 years at RMF Engineering, where he was a Vice President and shareholder in a 250-employee firm generating $65 million in revenue. As CFO, he led four acquisitions and played a key role in opening 10 regional offices, helping guide the firm through significant growth and geographic expansion. In addition, he has served as a fractional CFO for four companies and has spent more than a decade training business leaders and project managers within the industry.

Mr. McAdams is a Certified Merger & Acquisition Advisor and received his business training from the Wharton School. A licensed Professional Engineer, he remains actively engaged in industry education and thought leadership as a presenter for the Quartz CFO Network, BAEC Financial Summit, and the International District Energy Association. He also serves as an Executive Roundtable Facilitator and a regular contributor to industry newsletters, bringing his deep operational, financial, and transactional experience to firm leaders across the AEC industry.

Steve McAdams
443-865-9168
LinkedIn
smcadams@horizonadvisorsgroup.com

Bill brings 41 years of leadership and mergers and acquisitions experience within the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. Throughout his career, he has played key roles as both a co-founder and senior executive, successfully guiding multiple firms through growth, acquisition, and integration. His background provides a rare combination of entrepreneurial insight and large-firm operational experience, allowing him to advise clients from both sides of a transaction.

Mr. Vaughan has recently served as a Senior M&A Advisor and previously, he held senior leadership roles at Waggoner Engineering, Inc., including Vice President, Executive Vice President, and Chief Operating Officer, where he served as the primary advisor to the CEO during the firm’s sale to Trilon Group. He also led the integration of firms acquired by Waggoner. Earlier in his career, he co-founded and co-led Applied Engineering & Science, LLC and Southeast Engineering & Consulting, LLC (later Strada), serving as negotiations lead in both transactions that resulted in successful acquisitions. He also spent 12 years at Malcolm Pirnie, Inc., where he served as Operations and Program Manager through its acquisition by Arcadis, and 15 years at ATC, Inc., later acquired by Roy F. Weston, Inc., in program management and client services leadership roles.

A licensed Professional Engineer, Mr. Vaughan’s experience spans firm founding, executive management, transaction negotiation, and post-acquisition integration. Having been directly involved in multiple firm sales—both as a seller and as an acquiring firm executive—he offers clients a deeply practical perspective on navigating complex M&A processes, managing change, and maximizing long-term value within the AEC industry.

Bill Vaughan
334-740-7671
wvaughan@horizonadvisorsgroup.com