After a grueling vetting process in which the editorial staff of M&A Magazine pored over 2007's top deals, the winners emerged, showcasing a blend of creativity, foresight and hustle.

Middle-Market Deal of the Year
TPG Capital's acquisition of Midwest Air Group

Lower Middle-Market Deal of the Year
Acquisition of Topps by Madison Dearborn and Tornante Co.

Small-Cap Deal of the Year
Riverside Co.'s acquisition of Anitox

Cross-Border Deal of the Year
Lazard's sale of MCT Corp.

Technology Deal of the Year
Elevation Partners' sale of VG Holding

Consumer Deal of the Year
Sterling Investment Partners' acquisition of Fairway Markets

Energy Deal of the Year
First Reserve Corp.'s sale of Ohmstede

Industrial Deal of the Year
Castle Harlan's sale and DLJ's acquisition of RathGibson

Media Deal of the Year
The sale of Mediabistro

M&A Road Warrior Award
Michael Gibbons of Brown Gibbons Lang & Co.