Chuck Mullen & Jeff Brooks of Apple Growth Partners

Akron-based accounting and business advisory firm Apple Growth Partners is set to merge with Fargo, N.D.-based Eide Bailly. AGP — which through a strategic effort by Chairman Chuck Mullen grew to become the 18th-largest accounting firm in Ohio —will see its 24 partners and 125 staffers join Eide Bailly's 3,800-person team. Chuck and tax principal Jeff Brooks talk about the deal and all that's led to it — from both joining AGP after its acquisition of Brott Mardis back in 2008, to how their recent conversation about ChatGPT ultimately sparked the firm's sale.