William K. Lange, CBB, CBI, M&AMI
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
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
Senior Associate
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.
Dwight
D. Jones, CBB, CBI, SBA
Senior Associate
Dwight founded STAT Therapy, Inc with two offices in San Diego and Los Angeles. From 1985 to 1994 he served as the company’s President/CEO and grew the company from its start-up to revenues of $5 million. He sold the San Diego office to NASDAQ listed CareerStaff Unlimited, Houston, TX in 1994. Dwight later sold the company’s Los Angeles division to NYSE listed Sun Healthcare Group, Inc., Albuquerque, NM. Ready for a new set of challenges, Dwight entered the business brokerage industry. He owned and operated the San Diego franchise for Sunbelt Business Brokers before joining VR in 2000. Dwight is a highly regarded business intermediary, and holds the Certified Business Broker (CBB), Certified Business Intermediary (CBI) and Senior Business Analyst (SBA) industry designations. Dwight is an active member of the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA) and the California Association of Business brokers (CABB). He has established a track record of success, and has earned the honor of being named the #3 VR Associate and the #7 VR Associate nationwide in recent years.
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).
Jose
Carlos Bravo
Senior Associate
Jose Carlos is a business owner, entrepreneur and business intermediary who brings more than 20 years of experience to the task of structuring winning deals for the sellers and buyers of businesses. He is an experienced restaurant owner/operator, and founded his own chain of Mexican Restaurants in San Diego. Prior to his success in the food service business, Jose served as an Area Manager for ARCO AM/PM, where he was directly responsible for over 10 convenience stores and gas stations. Jose Carlos has been a successful business intermediary since 2001, and has been associated with VR since 2005. As a business intermediary, Jose Carlos has worked valued and/or sold more than 100 companies in a broad variety of industry segments including manufacturing, distribution, retail, and service. In addition to well-honed business skills, Jose Carlos brings a strong educational background to the task of transferring businesses. He has pursued Doctoral Studies in Public Administration at the University of La Verne, and holds an MBA from National University and a B.A. in Industrial Psychology from SDSU. He is fluent in Spanish, and well versed in trans-border business issues. He lives in San Diego with his wife and two children.
Jorge A. MerinoJorge brings an extensive and impressive background to the task of working with sellers and purchasers of businesses. Prior to joining VR Business Brokers, he held positions as a sales manager and account executive in the real estate and mortgage fields, and also worked as a program manager and a teacher in education. He brings to business brokerage a dynamic blend of personal qualities, business experience and education. Jorge is a member of the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA) and the California Association of Business Brokers (CABB). He is a candidate for both the Certified Business Intermediary and the Certified Business Broker designations, and has completed course work for both. Jorge is a Cum Laude graduate of Alliant International University, San Diego.
David A. HaugDave 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.
Michael A. OlivaA 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.
Sharon
WilleySharon has more than 20 years of experience in office support and management, and uses these well-honed skills to oversee the day-to-day activity critical to the functioning of our office. Her tasks include the management of our internal Intranet system, our extensive postings to world-wide Internet sites, the creation and analysis of key reports and daily interface with the many clients of our firm. During the more than two years she’s been with VR, Sharon has worked on over 200 deals, including staff discussions of value, the creation of business profiles and marketing materials, and the associated support tasks required. To further pave her way into a full-time position as a business broker, Sharon is completing the educational requirements for the Certified Business Broker (CBB) designation from the California Association of Business Brokers (CABB) and is an active participant in association workshops and events. She lives in Ramona with one son.
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