Ted Rieple is the managing partner and founder of 1stWEST Mergers & Acquisitions. The company currently maintains operations in the US, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Brazil, Argentina, and Chile. Having founded 1stWEST M&A in 2008, Ted’s experience includes the completion of over $1 billion in M&A transactions around the globe. Prior to 1stWEST M&A, Ted was president & CEO of Strategic Distribution Inc., and Diversey Chemicals North American operations. Ted graduated from St. Mary’s University and is a U.S. Army veteran who was assigned to the Staff Judge Advocate (JAG Corps).
2025
John D. Wagner is a managing director for 1stWest Mergers & Acquisitions, which has transacted $1.5 billion+ in deal values and has a specialty practice in the distribution and LBM sectors. John is also the M&A columnist for LBM Journal. He has served as a sell-side and buy-side advisor on dozens of M&A deals reaching back to 1999. John is the author of 24 books and 2,600+ articles that have appeared in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and many other outlets. His most-popular book is M&A Basics For People in a (BIG)Hurry!.