Investing in the Future - Wood Creek Advisors Launches Its First Formal Internship Program

Relationships have always been at the center of our success as a firm. And as we continue to grow, we are making new investments in the business – this time in our team.

This summer, we launched Wood Creek Advisors' first formal internship program, bringing two ambitious sophomores – Josh Wang from Duke University and Daniel Sweeney from The Ohio State University - into the firm's day-to-day operations. While the program provides meaningful support to Wood Creek's client work, its larger purpose is helping cultivate the next generation of professionals in the M&A industry.

For Ned Weaver, the decision came at a pivotal moment in the firm's evolution.

“I had been thinking about making a full-time hire, but I realized I didn't even know exactly what type of person I was looking for,” Weaver said. “The internship program allows us to evaluate talent, understand personalities and long-term fit, and give talented young people an opportunity to learn the business from the ground up.” It was a much better fit for the business, our clients, and long-term growth.

Building More Than Technical Skills

Unlike many internship programs that relegate students to repetitive administrative tasks, Wood Creek's approach is intentionally immersive.

Each morning begins with discussions and educational sessions covering M&A fundamentals, industry dynamics, and current client projects. From there, the interns conduct independent research, identifying acquisition opportunities and helping support active engagements.

Currently, Josh and Daniel are assisting Wood Creek's work with clients in the food service and printing industries, researching acquisition targets and learning how strategic buyers use platform investments and tuck-in acquisitions to accelerate growth.

The work is real, and so are the expectations.

“We're not just teaching technical skills…” Weaver said “We're teaching professionalism, communication, and how to think critically. Those are the skills that matter most over the long run.” That philosophy was evident on day one.

Josh notes that they were required to show up on their first day wearing suits! This kind of expectation immediately signals a professional environment with real expectations. However, the program is far from rigid.

Rather than prescribing every step, Weaver provides direction while encouraging the interns to determine how best to accomplish their objectives.

When asked about his experience, Josh Wangs notes “I expected a lot of grunt work when I first started looking for internships. Instead, Ned gives us guidance and then lets us figure things out on our own, helping only when we get into a jam. I've learned so much more by having the freedom to solve problems in this way.”

A Two-Way Learning Experience

The internship program has already highlighted one of the advantages of bringing younger professionals into the business - fresh perspectives and new technology.

Both interns regularly use AI to identify acquisition targets and uncover opportunities that may have been overlooked using traditional methods.

“We now have technology that can automate so many simple tasks and help us search more efficiently,” Weaver said. “The interns are using AI in ways that add real value to what we're doing.”

Conversely, one of the program's most surprising lessons has been understanding AI's limitations. While it’s improved business efficiency and propelled Wood Creek Advisors forward by tapping into the technological proficiency inherent with a younger generation, it’s also surfaced some age-old realities. “The more I've used AI, the more I've realized it can't replace people in this business,” Josh said. “It can make us more efficient, but human judgment, relationship-building, and decision-making are still essential, and you can’t replace that with AI.”

That realization mirrors a broader lesson both interns have discovered about the M&A industry.

Before joining Wood Creek, they expected the work to revolve primarily around financial analysis and spreadsheets. Instead, they found that successful transactions depend heavily on trust, communication, and relationships.

“I was surprised by how relationship-based everything is,” Daniel noted. “The numbers matter, but ultimately people need to trust each other. A lot of the success comes from building those relationships.”

Learning What Can't Be Taught in a Classroom

For Josh, who began college studying statistics before developing an interest in finance and investing, the internship has reinforced the importance of industry knowledge.

“Finance isn't just finance,” he said. “To be successful, you need to understand your clients' industries and businesses. It's not just spreadsheets.”

Daniel, a biomedical engineering student who is exploring careers across healthcare, engineering, and finance, arrived with an interest in investing that was sparked by family conversations about markets and business. His biggest takeaway so far has been the importance of communication. “College classes teach technical concepts, but professional communication is something you really learn by doing,” he said. “Watching how Ned interacts with clients and business owners has been incredibly valuable.”

Both students hope to strengthen those communication skills throughout the summer, viewing them as critical differentiators in any career path they ultimately pursue.

Their experience has also challenged assumptions about what success looks like in dealmaking.

One lesson that stood out was learning that a $40 million transaction can require nearly the same amount of effort as a $5 million transaction. Another was understanding that failed deals can provide just as much value as successful ones.

“There are lessons in every process… Not every deal closes, but that doesn't mean the experience wasn't valuable,” noted Josh Wang.

Supporting the Next Generation

While the internship program serves as a talent pipeline for Wood Creek Advisors, Weaver sees a larger responsibility.

The M&A industry, like many professional fields, depends on experienced practitioners investing time in developing future leaders. Creating opportunities for students to gain meaningful exposure early in their careers is part of ensuring the industry's long-term health.

That commitment was evident before the internship even began. When Josh requested starting early during the spring semester, Weaver declined.

“He told me my education and college experience should come first,” Josh recalled. “That really stuck with me.”

For Weaver, the decision reflected a broader belief that professional success should complement personal development - not replace it. “Being a good person is more than half the battle in business. Technical skills are important, but people want to work with people they trust and enjoy being around,” Weaver noted.

Looking Ahead

As Wood Creek Advisors continues to grow, the internship program represents an important step toward the firm's future.

Weaver envisions eventually expanding the business with additional advisors and a broader client base, creating a more consistent stream of deal activity while maintaining the firm's relationship-driven culture. The internship program offers a practical way to identify future talent while helping students gain valuable experience.

Success, however, will not be measured solely by future hiring decisions.

“If you had asked me before the summer started, I probably would have measured success by the number of deals we closed,” Weaver said. “Now, I think success is seeing these guys leave feeling confident, professional, and prepared for whatever comes next. And honestly, I'm learning from them too.”

For Josh and Daniel, the summer offers a rare opportunity to see the full lifecycle of a transaction - from identifying opportunities and meeting business owners to observing the complex relationship-building that drives successful outcomes.

For Wood Creek Advisors, it is an investment in the future. And like any successful investment, the returns may extend well beyond this summer.