About Us

Bringing the personal attention and sophisticated strategies of large-scale transactions to lower-middle market businesses.

Having grown up working in family businesses, we understand the passion and sense of identity that come from building your own enterprise. We founded Commonwealth because we noticed that small and medium-sized businesses were not receiving adequate support from M&A firms.
Drawing on our extensive backgrounds — Rick as a tax/M&A attorney and CPA supporting multi-million dollar acquisitions at PwC and suburban Philadelphia law firms, and Joe in multiple financial roles supporting mergers & acquisitions at Johnson & Johnson — we bring our expertise and advanced tactics to help business owners exit on the best possible terms. We are relentlessly dedicated to maximizing value for our clients.

Integrity

We understand that trust is earned and not given, and appreciate the responsibility of helping business owners achieve a successful exit. We are committed to providing transparency, honesty, and practical advice.

Quality

With Commonwealth, you gain a partner who cares as much about your business as you do, approaching every situation as if we are in our client’s shoes. We aggressively work to ensure you receive maximum value from your sale or purchase.

Efficiency

We leverage the latest technology at every step of the process to enable seamless, streamlined transactions. Our suite of technology applications ensure that resources are spent efficiently, increasing the probability of a successful closing.

"We highly recommend [Commonwealth] to business owners and executives looking to sell a business. They are driven, accommodating, professional, and committed to making this the best experience for their client. We were well represented and very satisfied with their work. In terms of character, commitment, and acuity, this team never wavered or let us down, answered every email, call, question of which we had many, and they held themselves fully accountable for their part in the process and beyond. They stand behind their word and their work. Both Rick and Joe are sharp, eager, reliable, and were fully committed to satisfying our expectations."

Our Team

Our team brings a unique combination of experience from analyzing, structuring, and executing merger & acquisition transactions at the Fortune 100 level to providing legal services to lower-middle market business owners.

Rick Calabrese, Esq., CPA, LL.M.

Co-Founder

Rick is a licensed attorney and certified public accountant (CPA) in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and also holds a Master of Laws in Taxation from Villanova University School of Law. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Accounting) from the University of Pittsburgh and began his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in Philadelphia before practicing law in the areas of tax, corporate-business and M&A at boutique suburban Philadelphia law firms.

Throughout his legal career, Rick advised small to mid-sized businesses on multi-million-dollar transactions, leveraging his combined legal, tax, CPA, and M&A background to guide clients through the entire process—from planning and structuring to negotiation and closing—often serving as their primary advisor. Having grown up the son of a small business owner, Rick has a strong personal appreciation for the emotional and practical considerations owners face when selling a company, allowing him to approach each engagement with empathy, perspective, and a deep respect for the legacy behind every business decision.

Rick currently lives in Chester County, Pennsylvania with his wife (Lindsey) and two children (Luca + Mila). Outside of work, he enjoys golf and passionately cheering on Philadelphia based sports teams, Villanova basketball, and Pitt Panthers football.

Joe Bergin

Co-Founder

Joe graduated from Penn State University (University Park) with Bachelor’s Degrees in Finance and Economics. Joe is also a Certified Management Accountant and worked at Johnson & Johnson for over a decade culminating in a series of roles spent analyzing, structuring, and executing M&A and venture capital transactions.

Joe’s experience spans strategic planning, complex financial modeling, and business valuation. He believes lower middle market business owners deserve the same level of sophistication and execution quality that Fortune 100 companies expect—regardless of deal size.

Born and raised in West Chester, PA, Joe is a lifelong Philadelphia and Penn State sports fan. Outside of work, he enjoys time with his wife (Ana) and daughters (Sophie & Bailey).

Joseph DiGiacomo

Senior Advisor & Managing Director

Joe brings more than 40 years of experience as an investment banker, certified public accountant, and corporate executive. Over the course of his career, Joe has advised clients on the sale and acquisition of businesses, on matters relating to private equity recapitalizations, management buyouts, ownership transitions, and other management consulting. His work spans numerous industries and transaction sizes, always focused on helping owners navigate the challenges of a major transaction.

Prior to joining Commonwealth M&A, Joe was the Founder of D5 Capital Advisors, a boutique lower middle market M&A advisory firm. He also held previous positions as the President and CFO of a $135 million multimodal transportation and logistics business, Corporate Development Director for Penske Truck Leasing and Penske Logistics, and as a Partner with a regional CPA firm.

Joe graduated from Bloomsburg University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Accounting. He is a member of the Alliance of Merger & Acquisition Advisors, the Association for Corporate Growth, and the American and Pennsylvania Institutes of Certified Public Accountants.

Joe and his wife Susan reside in Orefield, PA located in the Lehigh Valley.

Michael Dougherty

Associate

Michael is a graduate of West Chester University, where he received Bachelor of Science in both Finance and Economics, as well as a minor in Business Analytics. Prior to joining Commonwealth M&A, Michael was a Senior Associate within the Valuation Advisory Services group at Kroll (formerly known as Duff & Phelps) in Center City, Philadelphia providing a wide range of financial services to both public and private companies globally.

During his time at Kroll, Michael performed valuations in a variety of industries for corporate finance-related matters including business enterprise, equity securities, and intangible/tangible assets, in connection with mergers, acquisitions, and restructurings. In this capacity, Michael developed skills ranging from complex financial modeling to strategic planning.

Being local to Philadelphia, Michael is an avid fan of all Philly sports teams. In his free time, he enjoys traveling to new places, golfing, cycling, and spending time at the Jersey Shore in the summer.

Jennifer Powers

Director of Marketing Growth & Business Development

Jennifer brings more than 15 years of experience in marketing and growth strategy, having helped businesses across a range of industries build strong brands, generate qualified opportunities, and scale through thoughtful, relationship-driven approaches. Her work centers on aligning strategy, messaging, and partnerships to support long-term, sustainable growth.

Her role at Commonwealth is deeply personal. After witnessing her father and uncle successfully exit the HVAC company they built over decades, Jennifer saw firsthand what it means to dedicate a life’s work to a business and how critical it is that, when an owner is ready to move on, that company is transitioned with care and intention. That perspective shapes her approach to growth and her commitment to serving legacy-driven business owners.

Jennifer lives in the greater Philadelphia area and is a proud single mother to her son, Cash. She enjoys time with family, the Philadelphia Eagles & Phillies, summers at the Jersey Shore, supporting local businesses, and staying connected to the entrepreneurial community that shaped her upbringing.

Contact Us

If you’re looking to sell a company – or wondering if it is the right time to sell – we can help!
Reach out and start a conversation with us today.