Executive Sounding Board Associates Inc. (ESBA) received three awards, including the most prestigious Turnaround Consulting Firm of the Year, at the 2012 M&A Advisor’s Turnaround Awards Gala.

In addition, the firm was selected as the recipient of the Refinancing Deal of the Year Award and the Consumer and Retail Products Deal of the Year ($50 million and under) Award for its role in the turnaround and restructuring of Classic Brands. The awards were presented at The Colony Hotel in Palm Beach, FL on January 31.

“We are honored to be selected as the turnaround consulting firm of the year, as well as recognized for our role in the successful Classic Brands transaction,” said Robert D. Katz, ESBA managing director. “These awards would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of our entire staff; of Mike Zippelli, the company’s president; of the other professionals in the case; and of Cole Taylor Bank.”

“The depth of our expertise, longevity in the market and favorable reputation enable us to serve a range of clients, from middle-market to Fortune 500 companies, both private and public,” said Martin I. Katz, ESBA founder and president.

For over 34 years, Executive Sounding Board Associates Inc., a turnaround and crisis management advisory firm, has worked with U.S. and international middle-market companies experiencing financial or operational challenges.