Kava Equity Partners is the direct Private Equity investment group of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe Growth Fund

The Southern Ute Indian Tribe Growth Fund, the business arm of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, announced today the strategic acquisition of The Berg Group by Kava Equity Partners.

Founded in 1967 as Berg Drywall, The Berg Group has grown from a respected commercial drywall contractor into a nationally recognized specialty contractor and provider of integrated construction solutions. Berg delivers complex interior and exterior building systems with certainty, speed, and safety by integrating preconstruction expertise, advanced construction technologies, and off-site manufacturing solutions. Berg combines design-assist and building information modeling with prefabrication, modular systems, and industrialized construction to help clients reduce risk, control costs, and shorten schedules. Their nationwide footprint, traveling workforce, and deep specialization in high-performance environments—such as advanced manufacturing, data centers, cleanrooms, and mission-critical facilities—enable them to execute consistently at scale.

Kava Equity Partners’ acquisition of The Berg Group expands Kava’s portfolio into integrated, industrialized construction solutions. Berg’s safety-first, team-based culture is consistent with Kava’s management approach. Berg will retain the existing management team and continue to provide the same high-quality services to customers enhanced by the additional resources and capabilities of Kava and the Southern Ute Indian Tribe Growth Fund.

“This partnership reflects our commitment to investing in companies that honor the values of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe while delivering strong long-term economic opportunity. Berg’s culture of integrity, safety, and continuous improvement make them an ideal fit for Kava and the Growth Fund,” said James Dudley, Managing Director of Kava Equity Partners.

“Kava’s acquisition of Berg marks a powerful next chapter for the company, our team, and the clients we serve. Their long-term partnership mindset positions Berg to scale with discipline, pursue new opportunities nationwide, and create lasting value for our team and trusted partners,” stated Jack Szmanda, CEO of The Berg Group.

“By bringing Berg into the Kava portfolio, we are investing in a company at the forefront of industrialized construction, prefabrication, and technology-enabled building solutions while upholding the cultural values that guide the Tribe’s long-term investment philosophy,” said Shane Seibel, Executive Director of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe Growth Fund.

KeyBank Native American Financial Services supported the transaction as Sole Lender for the senior secured credit facilities used to capitalize the transaction and support go-forward operations. Holland & Hart LLP and Maynes, Bradford, Shipps & Sheftel, LLP provided legal counsel to Kava Equity Partners. Hennepin Partners served as financial advisor and Best & Flanagan LLP provided legal counsel to The Berg Group.

About Southern Ute Indian Tribe Growth Fund

Established as part of the Tribe’s modern economic strategy in the late 1990s, the Southern Ute Growth Fund was formed in 2000 and is headquartered on the Southern Ute Indian Reservation in Southwestern Colorado. The Growth Fund manages the business investments of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe.

The Growth Fund holds the Tribe’s operating businesses and investment entities engaged in on- and off-reservation oil and gas exploration, production and gathering, carbon-neutral energy infrastructure and innovation, commercial and multifamily real estate, private equity fund of funds, and direct private equity investments. For more information, please visit: Southern Ute Indian Tribe Growth Fund

About Kava Equity Partners

Kava Equity Partners is the direct private equity investment group of the Southern Ute Growth Fund. Based in Colorado, Kava Equity Partners invests long-term, patient capital in visionary management teams of lower middle market businesses seeking to build enduring value. Kava’s ideal partners see strategic and business value in partnering with the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and are aligned with the Southern Ute values of economic empowerment, environmental stewardship, and community development. For more information, please visit: Kava Equity Partners

About The Berg Group

Founded in 1967 as Berg Drywall, The Berg Group has been a respected leader in commercial drywall for nearly 60 years. Berg is a diverse, experienced, and high-performance specialty contractor that maintains a family business ethos, focusing on sustainable profitability and growth. Berg’s strong internal culture and values promote organizational health and leadership development, benefiting employees as well. The company is headquartered in Minnesota, with additional offices in Austin, Naples, and Nashville. For more information, please visit: The Berg Group

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260224335523/en/

Kava Equity Partners’ acquisition of The Berg Group expands Kava’s portfolio into integrated, industrialized construction solutions.