MONROE – Yonah Group, led by U.S. Army veterans Michael Maniaci and Miles Kirwin, has acquired Pella Windows & Doors distributorship serving Connecticut and parts of New York.
The acquisition marks a transition for longtime owner-operator Desmond Rea, who spent decades growing Pella CT-NY into a leading Pella distributorship. No price for the acquisition was disclosed.
“After many years of building this business with an incredible team, it was important to find the right successors — people with integrity, grit, and a long-term vision,” said Rea. “From the moment I met Michael and Miles, I knew they were the right fit to lead Pella CT-NY into its next chapter.”
Maniaci and Kirwin met in 2014 as students at the U.S. Army Ranger School. After leading soldiers in complex environments, both went on to build careers in the private sector. Maniaci was a building products investment banker at Credit Suisse and Raymond James and Kirwin was a management consultant at Deloitte and chief of staff at a tech startup. Kirwin also continues to serve in the New York Army National Guard.
They are part of a growing cohort of veterans using the “search fund” model to acquire and operate established businesses with long-term potential. Kirwin grew up between Westchester and Litchfield Counties, and Maniaci is a West Point graduate.
“We’ve spent our careers leading teams in high-stress environments. Now we’re channeling that experience into building a customer-first, locally-owned business,” Kirwin said.
Pella CT-NY serves homeowners, builders and architects across Connecticut and New York’s Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess Counties with high-quality window and door solutions.
“This is more than a business—it’s a platform to create great jobs, serve the community, and deliver industry leading products from the top window and door brand in the U.S.,” Maniaci said. “We’re investing in talent, technology, and training to make Pella CT-NY the top choice in the market.”
The CT-NY branch will continue to operate independently as an exclusive distributor, supported by Pella’s national resources and product innovation.
Whiteford, Taylor, & Preston LLP acted as legal counsel to Yonah Group. Braunstein Turkish LLP acted as legal counsel to DHD Windows and Doors, and Brad Dostal of Benchmark Business Group acted as M&A advisor.
Yonah Group, named after Mount Yonah from the Mountain Phase of U.S. Army Ranger School, is an entrepreneurial partnership between Maniaci and Kirwin formed for the purpose of acquiring and operating an exceptional business.
