Top Middle Market Companies in OC and IE Go Gold at 2026 ACG Awards Gala

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The ACG Awards raised the bar for business award shows last night as nearly 600 attendees celebrated the highest performing companies across Orange County and the Inland Empire. While only 10 of the 30 finalist companies that competed could capture top honors, every one of them underscored why the competition is considered the region’s gold standard for middle market business.

A panel of 11 independent judges, whose companies are all former winners of the event, evaluated the field. This year’s winners were (in order of presentation):

Reinventing - ADC Aerospace; Founders - Consolidated Contracting; Green/Sustainability - The Peggs Company; Start Up - Turion; Corporate Responsibility - Citizens Business Bank; Sustained Growth - Gem-Pack Berries; Spotlight - Karman Space & Defense; Innovation - Swift Engineering; Emerging Growth - H&S Transport; Global - Allied Universal^®.

Popular KFI AM-640 talk show host Tim Conway, Jr. emceed the event, energizing and entertaining the crowd with his wry humor before giving way to ACG Orange County presenters and sponsors to recognize the finalists. Winners shared their journeys with the audience, which was dominated by C-suite executives and professional advisors.

ACG Awards Co-chair Michael Lutfi congratulated the winners, including the many stakeholders who supported them in their climb. “These organizations rose to the top through their performance, culture, vision, and the meaningful connections to the communities they serve. Their success is also a reflection of the strength of the ACG ecosystem, on whose counsel they rely on for expert guidance and support.”

More than 100 companies were nominated this year, with less than a third reaching finalist status, said ACG Awards Co-chair Brandon Barrett. “To make the cut as a finalist is a significant achievement in and of itself. These businesses join a stellar list of companies that have gone on to become leaders and major employers throughout Orange County and the Inland Empire.”

For more information on the ACG Awards or other programs offered through ACG Orange County, contact Executive Director Richard Meyers at [e-mail].

About ACG Orange County

The Association for Corporate Growth - Orange County chapter is part of a global organization that includes more than 60 chapters involved in corporate growth, corporate development, and mergers and acquisitions. ACG's nearly 15,000 members include professionals from private equity firms, corporations and lenders that invest in middle-market companies, as well as law, accounting, investment banking, and other firms that provide advisory services.