Ryan Gable on Sourcing Proprietary Deals and Long-Term Private Equity Success

Ryan Gable, Managing Partner, BW Forsyth Partners

Ryan discusses how his team uses a hybrid private equity model backed by Barry-Wehmiller to execute people-first, long-term acquisitions. With over 55 deals and zero exits, Forsyth has developed a sourcing and integration playbook that challenges traditional PE norms, focusing instead on trust, cultural alignment, and multi-decade value creation. Ryan breaks down how to build relationships that convert to proprietary deal flow, structure rollover equity with flexibility, and align seller incentives for lasting outcomes.

‍

Things you will learn:

How to source proprietary deals by building trust with founders and prioritizing cultural fit
Why Forsyth avoids traditional PE norms like over-leveraging and fixed exit timelines
How they structure flexible equity rollovers and provide liquidity without needing to sell

‍

Ryan Gable

Ryan Gable is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of BW Forsyth Partners, where he’s led more than 55 acquisitions and built seven platform companies with permanent capital backing from Barry-Wehmiller. Before founding Forsyth, he worked in investment banking and private equity at Bank of America and Ridgemont Equity Partners. Ryan’s leadership emphasizes trust-based relationships, people-centric strategy, and long-term value creation.