The McLean Group Advises Tidal Basin on Acquisition by Michael Baker International, a DC Capital Partners Company
McLean, Va. – August 2023 – Michael Baker International, a global leader in engineering, planning and consulting services, announced today that the firm has acquired Tidal Basin, a leading comprehensive emergency and disaster management consulting firm. Tidal Basin will continue to operate as a stand-alone entity and will complement Michael Baker’s efforts to support the nation’s recovery efforts and rebuild infrastructure to be safer and more resilient.
“We are excited to welcome Tidal Basin as a sister company to Michael Baker. This relationship is a tremendous opportunity for the two firms to work closely together to drive more value for a shared client base that encompasses more than 90 locations across the country,” said Thomas J. Campbell, Chairman of Michael Baker International and Founder and Managing Partner of DC Capital Partners. “Both firms bring added strength to the market with complementary resources and capabilities to take on larger resiliency projects while delivering the exceptional client service for which they are known.”
Tidal Basin’s partnership with Michael Baker will create tremendous opportunities for both firms to continue to grow and prosper. They will be able to capitalize on the natural synergies between the emergency and disaster management consulting expertise of Tidal Basin and the engineering, planning and consulting services of Michael Baker International.
-Paul Klick, The McLean Group
This new relationship pairs the depth and breadth of Michael Baker’s engineering and consulting expertise with Tidal Basin’s extensive experience and comprehensive suite of services relative to preparedness, mitigation, response, recovery and program management – which are increasingly important as public and private entities contend with volatile climate activity and man-made emergencies. Tidal Basin has served as a vital resource during times of crisis, including public health emergencies and other unforeseen events. Working more closely together will allow both firms to provide even stronger program and technical management expertise and resources to clients, including governments, businesses and communities.
Michael Baker and Tidal Basin have a history of working together on projects throughout the country, including planning projects targeting wildfires in California and infrastructure projects in Colorado and New York. The new relationship between the firms creates many avenues to leverage synergies and growth opportunities across Michael Baker’s five distinct verticals: Infrastructure, Design-Build Services, Federal Programs and Services, Consulting and Technology Solutions (CTS) and Sustainable and Resilient Solutions (SRS). Growth opportunities exist through the strong relationship both organizations have with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), while pursuing additional business across all Federal agencies. This includes expanding relationships with federal civilian agencies, state and local entities, departments of transportation nationwide as well as projects in the broadband services, light detection and ranging (LiDAR) and geographic information systems (GIS) sectors, among others.
Tidal Basin is led by founder and CEO Daniel A. Craig, a leader with extensive experience with FEMA and the disaster consulting and post-disaster recovery industries. He has advised the White House and more than a dozen governors and state administrations on recovery, housing, and long-term economic recovery strategies. Mr. Craig also served as a presidentially appointed Associate Administrator for FEMA’s Recovery Division where he was responsible for overseeing the federal government’s recovery efforts on all presidentially declared events including the Space Shuttle Columbia crash, the wildfires of 2003, and the hurricanes of 2004 and 2005. Mr. Craig is supported by a deep team of industry experts and experienced professionals including Amy K. Baker, Executive Vice President, Government Consulting; Melissa J. Gordon, Executive Vice President, Enterprise Solutions and Stephen T. Surace, President and Chief Financial Officer. Currently, the Tidal Basin team is leveraging its technology enabled solutions to expedite recovery efforts related to the tragic Maui wildfires.
The McLean Group acted as financial advisor and Davis Wright Tremaine LLP acted as legal advisor to Tidal Basin in connection with the transaction. Arnold & Porter, LLP acted as transaction counsel and White & Case, LLP acted as debt counsel to DC Capital.
About Michael Baker International
Michael Baker International is a leading provider of engineering and consulting services spanning five distinct Verticals: Infrastructure, Design-Build Services, Federal Programs and Services, Consulting and Technology Solutions (CTS) and Sustainable and Resilient Solutions (SRS). The firm’s Practices encompass all facets of infrastructure, including design and civil engineering for diverse bridge, highway, water, rail and transit and aviation projects, as well as planning, architecture, environmental and construction and program management. For more than 80 years, the company has been a trusted partner to clients, providing comprehensive services and solutions, delivering expertise and quality, and embracing emerging technologies and the latest innovations – like intelligent transportation, engineered models and public safety software as a service (SaaS).
The firm’s 3,900 employees across nearly 100 locations are committed to Making a Difference for clients and communities through a culture of innovation, collaboration and technological advancement while Reimagining Michael Baker to become a full-service engineering and consulting firm over the next five years.
About Tidal Basin Group
About DC Capital Partners
About The McLean Group
For over 30 years, The McLean Group has been providing investment banking and financial services offerings focused on the Defense, Government & Intelligence (DGI), Security, Critical Infrastructure, Maritime, Facility Services, Unmanned Systems, and Public Safety markets. Our 60+ professionals bring deep industry experience and relentless execution to every client engagement. We provide solutions that blend financial creativity with operational expertise. Whether we are providing transaction advisory, valuation opinions, or growth capital, our services are unmatched in these core markets. Learn more at www.McLeanLLC.com.
RECENT NEWS
Monthly Middle Market M&A Insider Report (August 2025)
The McLean Group’s August 2025 M&A Insider Report highlights a month of dynamic transaction activity across defense, government, technology, and infrastructure sectors. Notable deals include acquisitions in ISR software, EO/IR satellite payloads, offensive cyber, aerospace components, and laser systems — underscoring strong buyer demand for mission-critical technologies and advanced manufacturing. Valuation multiples remain robust, driven by continued interest from strategic and financial sponsors seeking growth in high-priority national security and infrastructure markets. This report provides executives with a clear view of how current deal flow, sector dynamics, and valuation trends are shaping opportunities for both acquirers and sellers. […]
McLean advised South Central Water Company in its transaction with H2O America
The McLean Group advised South Central Water Company on the divestiture of its Cibolo Valley wastewater treatment plant and related assets to H2O America’s Texas Water Company. The transaction will expand TWC’s footprint in the Texas Hill Country by adding over 1,500 new wastewater connections, with more than 250 additional connections under contract. This acquisition strengthens TWC’s service area and provides customers with increased efficiency and enhanced customer experience solutions. […]
Sell-Side Financial Assessments: Preparing for a Smoother, Stronger M&A Process
In today’s competitive and fast moving M&A market, going to market without a fully developed financial narrative is a missed opportunity and often a costly one. For business owners looking to maximize value and minimize friction, proactive preparation is essential.
That’s where The McLean Group’s Sell Side Financial Assessment comes in. Designed to be more comprehensive and forward looking than a traditional Quality of Earnings (QoE) report, our assessment equips sellers and their advisors with the tools they need to […]