Our debt had become unsustainable.

Our largest expansion had failed.

We were months, not years, from having nothing left to save.” He paused.

“Tonight, that is no longer true.

Because earlier today, an acquisition closed that retired our most dangerous debt and preserved every one of the eight hundred jobs in this room and the plants beyond it.”

A murmur moved through the crowd, surprise and the beginning of relief.

“Cardinal Systems,” Malcolm said, “has a new majority owner.