William K. Lange, CBB, CBI, M&AMI
Managing Principal
Bill’s career spans more than 30 years, and includes senior management positions in private and public companies and business ownership. Prior to becoming a business intermediary, Bill spent a decade as the chief marketing and business development officer for San Diego-based Mail Boxes Etc., now The UPS Stores. At MBE, he played a key role in making the company the fastest growing franchise in history, assisting the company in its growth to more than 4,000 units worldwide. When MBE was sold in 1997, Bill became a business intermediary and joined with Ken Oppeltz and VR to create one of the nation’s most respected business brokerage and mergers and acquisitions firms. As a business intermediary, Bill has valued and/or sold hundreds of businesses ranging in size from $250,000 to $30 million. He serves on the board of the California Association of Business Brokers (CABB), is an active member of the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA), the Mergers & Acquisition Source (M&A Source) and is a Life Member of The Institute of Business Appraisers (IBA). He holds the industry’s top designations, including the Certified Business Broker, the Certified Business Intermediary and the Mergers & Acquisitions Master Intermediary. He is a frequent lecturer at industry events and has authored numerous papers for trade journals. A former military pilot, Bill received his Bachelor's degree from St. Lawrence University, Canton, New York, and lives with his wife Chrystie in Scripps Ranch, San Diego.
Kenneth
A. Oppeltz, CBB, CBI, M&AMI
Managing Principal
A native San Diegan, Ken has more than 25 years of business experience in both senior management and as the entrepreneurial founder of Fresh Choice, a chain of northern California casual dinning restaurants. At Fresh Choice, Ken played a key role in defining the concept, structuring growth and laying the groundwork for a successful Initial Public Offering (IPO). When Fresh Choice went public, Ken sold his interest and subsequently opened a new restaurant concept store. He sold that operation in 1993 and moved back to San Diego to begin his career as a business intermediary, first as an associate and shortly thereafter as the owner of the VR office located in San Diego. As an intermediary, Ken has worked with hundreds of sellers of southern California companies. Ken is an active member of the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA), the California Association of Business Brokers (CABB) and he is a Life Member of The Institute of Business Appraisers (IBA). He holds the Certified Business Broker (CBB), the Certified Business Intermediary (CBI) and the Mergers & Acquisitions Master Intermediary (M&AMI) designations. One of the most respected members of his chosen profession, Ken has served on the board of directors and as president of CABB, and he is a past president of the VR Business Brokers franchisee association. Ken earned his Bachelor's degree from the University of San Francisco and lives with his wife Allison and his daughters in 4S Ranch, San Diego.
Don DiSpaltro,
CBB, CBI
Principal
Don has over 20 years experience in management and business development positions in the healthcare industry. Working for one of the country’s largest medical/surgical products distribution companies, Don consistently led the company in sales. He was regional manager for corporate programs as well as a training manager for new recruits. In 1992, Don founded Unimed Supply and Specialty, serving the highly competitive Southern California medical supply marketplace. Unimed quickly grew revenues and profits, and established itself as a top competitor in its niche. In 2001 private investors purchased the company. After establishing a computer software firm and obtaining venture financing for its growth, Don moved on to start a career with the highly regarded VR Business Broker’s San Diego office. Since then, Don has worked with hundreds of companies, has been a consistent top producer and the recipient of national VR awards including #3 Associate Worldwide in 2006. But, most importantly, VR’s client satisfaction surveys rate Don at the highest levels attainable. Don is a dedicated professional committed to guiding his clients through the complex and demanding tasks associated with business transfers. He has earned both the Certified Business Broker designation, awarded by the California Business Brokers Association and the prestigious Certified Business Intermediary designation, awarded by the International Business Brokers Association.
Shari
M. Bayne, CBB, CBIShari Bayne brings a wealth of business brokerage and business experience to the task of representing VR clients. Before entering the field of business brokerage, Shari was a senior officer with ValuSoft (now MoneySoft), one of the first Merger & Acquisition software providers. Later she rose to the position of Vice President of Valusource, the country’s premier business valuation software company. In her various roles with ValuSource, most notably Shari oversaw the foundation and development of a majority of today’s most commonly used brokerage and M&A industry databases. Shari was also instrumental in creating the first CPE Accredited Business Valuation coursework for the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Prior to this, Shari worked as a Financial Analyst for Polaris Capital, an investment banking firm that managed 7 separate entities. She also worked for Comann, Howard and Flamen, a start-up Investment Banking firm with a $60mm fund and performed accounting and financial analysis for new acquisitions. Shari’s business management, appraisal, and technical experience give her the tools to not only solve difficult valuation and brokerage questions, but the means to draw buyers and sellers together in winning deals. Shari earned her B.A. from California State University, Chico. Her formal business appraisal background includes board certification in business appraisal in 1992 from the Real Estate Law Institute, located in Dallas, TX. She is an active member of the International Business Brokers Association, and has obtained her CBI (Certified Business Intermediary) certification through that organization. She is also an active member of the California Association of Business Brokers and has obtained her CBB (Certified Business Broker).
David A. Haug, CBBDave has over thirty-five years of business experience; thirteen years as an employee of a large multinational corporation where he achieved Vice President status; and, twenty-two years as a small business owner/entrepreneur. In 1985 he started a cash commodity brokerage and quickly grew the business to be the dominant broker of corn in the country. After consolidation in the grain business in the late 1990’s, he moved on and in 1998 became the first franchisee in the United States with Pirtek Hoses and Assemblies. Dave took the business from start-up to a successful sale in four years. As a Pirtek franchisee, Dave was awarded Franchisee of the Year award twice, Mentor of the Year three times and was elected to membership in Pirtek’s Hall of Fame in 2003. Dave is a member of the California Association of Business Brokers and the International Business Brokers Association and is a candidate for CBB and CBI certification. He has a degree in Economics from the University of Minnesota and a Psychology degree from Moorhead State University, and lives in Del Mar with his wife Mim.
George A. Merino, CBBHailing from Mexico City, George brings an extensive and impressive background to the task of working with sellers and purchasers of businesses. Prior to joining Vanguard Resource Group, he held positions as a sales manager and account executive in the real estate and mortgage industries, and also worked as a program manager and teacher in secondary education. Suffice it to say, he brings to his practice a dynamic blend of personal qualities, business experience and education. His involvement as a VR Associate spans all aspects of the acquisition and divestiture process including business valuations, contract negotiations, strategic exit-planning & multi-level marketing, coordinating due diligence, deal-making, and closing procedures within a variety of market segments including business & personal services, professional practices, wholesale distribution, manufacturing, general & food retail, franchises, and web-based businesses. George holds the prestigious designation of Certified Business Broker and is a member of the California Association of Business Brokers (CABB). He is also a candidate for the prestigious designation of Certified Business Intermediary (CBI) through the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA). When George is not engaging his seller and purchaser clients, he is actively counseling and assisting entrepreneurs and small business owners realize their business ownership dreams as a SCORE® counselor and volunteer. He is a longtime San Diego resident and a Cum Laude graduate at Alliant International University, San Diego.
Michael A. Oliva, CBBA native San Diegan, Mike graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas with a B.S. degree in Hospitality/Business Management. He worked in the hospitality industry for world- renowned hotel chains including the Four Seasons, Hyatt Hotels and Omni Hotels in sales and management capacities before making the transition to the business brokerage industry. Since joining VR Business Brokers, Mike has been on the “fast track” to becoming a top professional. His business brokerage background includes passing all of the prerequisite course work for obtaining the California Association of Business Broker’s Certified Business Broker designation. He has also completed course work with the International Business Brokers Association leading to designation as a Certified Business Intermediary. Mike has been involved in valuing nearly 100 businesses and has been an active participant in deals ranging in size from $100,000 to $3 million. Mike lives in Poway, CA.
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