At IBG/CK Business Consultants, Inc., we respect and value key business and professional relationships. Business owners looking to sell a business or to acquire are beneficiaries of our affiliations. We expand capabilities through well-established networks of contacts and resources, as we work in close cooperation with parties important to clients’ and customers’ best interests. We build and nurture affiliations to better serve.
Important professional affiliations come from decades of selling businesses or making acquisitions. They help our business owner clients today and are excellent places to give back to our communities. Affiliations provide links into business communities, corporate acquisitions professionals and trusted advisors. They help us maintain key contacts, create learning opportunities and provide valuable resources. Following is a sampling of affiliations, our current and previous roles and accomplishments:
M&A OWNERS ROUND TABLE GROUP
IBG/CK Business Consultants, Inc. markets its companies nationally and internationally. We have developed strategic relationships with a select group of professional M&A Advisors who provide a presence in nearly every market in North America.
Jim Afinowich, CBI, M&AMI
Founding Principal, Designated Broker
Fox & Fin Financial Group, L.C.
7333 E. Doubletree Ranch Road, Suite 200
Scottsdale, AZ 85258
www.foxfin.com
With more than 25 years of successful experience in selling businesses, Jim adds further depth to the leadership team. A Certified Business Intermediary, he too has achieved the highest level of accreditation in the industry. Jim has owned more than 15 businesses, which gives him first-hand experience in the manufacturing, marketing, publishing and international trade sectors. Jim is a member of the M&A Source, and a fellow and past President of the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA), the profession’s largest trade association. Jim also has provided expert-witness service in a variety of court cases relating to business transfers.
Ronald V. Chernak, CPA, CBI, M&AMI
President
The FBB Group, Ltd.
303 South Cascade Avenue
Suite 200
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
www.fbb.com
Prior to founding The FBB Group, Ltd. in 1982, Ron practiced law with a 175-member law firm in Chicago. He has a CPA Certificate (Illinois), is a licensed Colorado Real Estate Broker, is licensed to practice law in Colorado, and has a FINRA Series 79 license. Ron is also a Certified Business Intermediary (CBI) and a Merger & Acquisition Master Intermediary (M&AMI), the highest level of accreditation in the industry.
Ron has extensive experience in contract and lease negotiations, financial planning, and financing. He is very active in community activities, such as the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce (former Chairman of the Board), The Southern Colorado Economic Forum (Founding Sponsor), and the Rotary Club.
Ron has served as the Chairman and/or Director of the Board for numerous business brokerage committees and organizations, including Chairman of the International Business Brokerage Association (IBBA), a premier industry trade association and Chairman of the M&A Source, the country’s largest association of middle-market intermediaries.
John Johnson, MBA, CBI, M&AMI, Fellow of The M&A Source
Founder and Managing Partner
IBG Business, The Oil & Gas Advisor, & BluestemUSA
Corporate Place Building, Suite 125
Tulsa, OK 7413
IBGBusiness.com – OilGasAdvisor.com – BluestemUSA.com
John is a petroleum engineer, holds an MBA and the Mergers & Acquisition Master Intermediary certification. His early career included work at Fortune 100 companies where he was active in acquisitions, valuations, management, and strategy planning. He owned a start-up distribution business and grew it to nearly $15M in revenues before selling to a strategic acquirer.
John is a founder and managing partner of IBG Business, The Oil & Gas Advisor and BluestemUSA, complementary firms which work together to provide business owners with unsurpassed acquisition and divestiture services as M&A brokers and advisors. He has been a full-time M&A Broker & Advisor for three decades. John received numerous professional distinctions, such as the The M&A Source’s Darrell Fouts Award for visionary leadership and contributions, and the Tom West and Chairman’s Awards from IBBA. The US Small Business Administration awarded John as “Financial Services Advocate of the Year” for his state, and was a finalist as Tulsa’s Small Business Person of the Year. John served as IBBA’s President and Chair of The M&A Source.
Ron C. Johnson, CBI, M&AMI, CBB, Fellow of the IBBA
Fellow of the M&A Source
Chairman, Principal
ABI Business Sales, Mergers & Acquisitions
3160 Crow Canyon Place, Suite 145
San Ramon, CA 94583
www.abi-ma.com
Ron is the Chairman and Principal of ABI Business Sales, Mergers & Acquisitions, which was established in San Ramon, CA, in 1984. He has been the intermediary in over 100 transactions since entering the profession in 1991, and has managed hundreds of additional transactions for his associates. Graduating from Long Beach State University with a degree in mathematics, he was a founding principal of Onyx Associates (a “sister” M&A firm to ABI, now incorporated under the existing ABI banner).
Ron has served 12 years on the Board of Directors of the California Association of Business Brokers (CABB), and spent two terms as CABB’s President as well as Chairman of CABB’s Education Committee, Governmental Relations Committee and Nominating Committee. He has garnered professional recognition nationwide, and is a two-time recipient of the “CABB President’s Award”. Ron served as the 2007 Chairman of the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA), the world’s largest professional association of business brokers and M&A intermediaries, and has chaired the IBBA’s Affiliates Committee, Conference Planning Committee, Finance Committee and Nominating Committee; he is now serving his eighth year on the IBBA Board of Directors.
Ron teaches IBBA course 301 – Introduction to Mergers & Acquisitions, and is a frequent contributor to business brokerage professional journals, publications and websites. His leadership roles in the IBBA and the CABB have added extensively to his network of highly skilled dealmakers and private equity groups, continuously enhancing the array of new ideas for marketing and selling businesses.
Gary Papay, CBI, M&AMI, CMEA
Founder & Managing Partner
IBG Business, The Oil & Gas Advisor, & IBG/CK Business Consultants, Inc.
114 S. Railroad Street
Hughesville, PA 17737
www.ibgbusiness.com
Gary is a Professional Intermediary and Business Appraiser specializing in the sale and transfer of oil and gas related mid-market companies since 1976. Gary has attained the professional designations of Certified Business Intermediary (CBI), and Merger and Acquisition Master Intermediary (M&AMI) with the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA) and the M&A Source, the world’s largest international organization of experienced, dedicated Merger and Acquisition Intermediaries representing the middle market. Gary is also a Certified Machinery and Equipment Appraiser/Broker (CMEA) with the National Equipment & Business Brokers Institute (NEBB).
Gary is the recipient of several prestigious awards including Fellow of the IBBA and M&A Source, the IBBA Chairman’s Award, and the Tom West Award presented by the International Business Brokers Association in recognition of years of communicating and promoting the goals and ethics of the IBBA and the business brokering profession.
Gary is a published contributor for industry publications and has been a guest speaker at industry conferences throughout the country. Gary has been designated an Industry Expert in the oil & gas field by Business Brokerage Press.
A graduate of Albright College, Gary is an active member of the M&A Source www.masource.org serving as secretary of the Board and as Chair of the Credentialing Committee. Gary has served and/or is currently serving in leadership positions on a number of boards and organizations including the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA), IBBA, the Church of the Resurrection Planning and Finance Committees and the Wolf Twp. Planning Commission. Gary is married with 3 daughters and is an active Rotarian.
Rocco J. Pezza, CBI, Fellow of the IBBA
President
New England Brokerage Corporation
50 Exchange Terrace
Providence, RI 02903
www.nebc.com
There is a common thread among people who have had the opportunity to work with Rocco: that they want him to stick around even after the deal is done. Some say it is his uncanny ability to see around the corner and warn of a potential pitfall. Others say it is the tenacity he brings to everything he does, especially for his clients. And yet others claim it is the calm, sensible and reassuring way he will walk a buyer and seller through even the most difficult negotiations. For over 22 years, Rocco has led NEBC’s clients through the fulfilling, challenging and sometimes intensely personal acquisition and divestiture process. He is a credit to his profession, having received the highly coveted CBI designation and named a fellow of the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA). Rocco also sits on many industry boards and presents regularly to trade groups of all kinds. In addition, and perhaps key affirmation of his worth to the companies he has guided, he serves on the Board of Directors of several of those same companies. Rocco Pezza will bring intellectual integrity and a proven process approach to each opportunity-and will be successful in helping buyers and sellers realize their personal and professional objectives.
John Zayac, CBI, M&AMI
IBG Business Services, Inc.
10th Floor
6455 South Yosemite Street
Greenwood Village CO 80111
http://www.ibgbusiness.com
John R. Zayac founded IBG Business Services, Inc. in 1982 to provide the mid-market business seller with the same level of resources and sophisticated services traditionally reserved for firms valued over $100 million. Over the last fifteen years, Zayac has built IBG into the industry’s most comprehensive provider of valuation analysis, strategic planning, marketing, and transaction structuring services for mid-market business sellers. In addition to his responsibilities as founder and CEO of IBG, Zayac has owned and operated a variety of businesses, including a printing company, an automobile importing agency, and a chain of car washes. Zayac’s success as a business intermediary includes hundreds of completed transactions with a combined value exceeding $300 million.
Scott M. Bushkie, CBI, M&AMI
Cornerstone Business Services, Inc.
200 South Washington, Suite 205
Green Bay, WI 54301
www.cornerstone-business.com
Scott founded Cornerstone Business Services, Inc. in the economic tumult of 2001 and celebrated its 15-year anniversary in 2016. He didn’t survive some of the industry’s most trying years by chance. He did it by adhering to one simple philosophy: Honest conversations, superior results.
Today Cornerstone is one of the largest lower middle market firms in Wisconsin. Operating from offices in Wisconsin and Iowa, its associates have completed several hundred million in sales. The company fields worldwide interest in client opportunities and has led transactions with buyers and sellers based in Europe, Asia and Russia.
A thought-leader in the industry, Scott developed the Cornerstone process to offer investment banking M&A level services to the lower middle market. The result is a closing rate that’s more than double the national average.
Scott has authored numerous articles on M&A best practices, and his work is syndicated in regional publications. He is a sought-after expert on the Midwest M&A market and has been quoted in some of the nation’s most respected newspapers including the New York Times, the Chicago Tribune, and the Los Angeles Times. As a speaker, he has engaged audiences from national organizations to local trade groups and international delegations.
Scott’s diverse background includes entrepreneurial endeavors, management, finance, and marketing. He has operated small start-ups and worked with international corporations. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater. Scott and his wife Cassie live in Green Bay with their three children, Emily, Drew and Aubrey.
Professional Designations and Affiliations
- Certified Business Intermediary (CBI)
- Mergers & Acquisitions Master Intermediary (M&AMI)
- Founder and Past Chair of MBBI Wisconsin Chapter
- Member of the UW-Whitewater Entrepreneurship Advisory Board
- M&A Source Board of Directors
- Chairman of the Board of Directors for International Business Brokers Association (IBBA)
Awards
- Chairman’s Award for International Business Brokers Association (IBBA)
- MBBI Outstanding Leadership Award & Member of the Year
- Green Bay Young Professionals Network, Young Entrepreneur of the Year
- WI Small Business Administration, Emerging Small Business Person
Community Contributions
- American Cancer Society, annual golf outing, past-chair
- United Way of Brown County, Emerging Leaders Society,
- Co-founder, past-chair Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, Small Business Council, past-chair
Bryce DeGroot, M&AMI, CBI, CMEA
Compass Advisors
2020 Charlotte Street, Suite 1
Bozeman, MT 59718
www.compass-advisors.com
Bryce DeGroot has been President of Compass Advisors since 2004 where he leads the M&A process for privately held companies across the country.
Bryce served on the Board of Directors (2013-2015 term) of the M&A Source, an international association of more than 300 M&A professionals. He is a Merger & Acquisition Master Intermediary (M&AMI) as granted by the M&A Source. He also holds a Certified Business Intermediary (CBI) designation as granted by the IBBA. He is a Certified Machinery and Equipment Appraiser (CMEA) and he has held an active real estate license in Montana since 2005.
Bryce graduated with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from Heriot-Watt University. He has guest lectured at Montana State University and his writings have been published by numerous publications, including the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts (NACVA). Bryce is a third-generation merger and acquisition advisor.
ASSOCIATIONS & PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce
The Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce is in its 131st year working on behalf of businesses in Lycoming County.
You will find that the Chamber has much to offer businesses in our community. The organization not only provides general Chamber services, but we are also the agency for economic development in Lycoming County whereby we keep in close contact with our local, state and federal leaders informing them of what is of importance for businesses in our community.
Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants
The Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants exists to support its members in their professional endeavors and to promote the value and high standards of Texas CPAs.
Rotary
Rotary is about Service above Self. It is an organization of more than 1.2 million members comprised of business, professional and community leaders bound by a humanitarian spirit. Strong fellowship, meaningful community and international service projects characterize Rotary. Rotarians provide service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations and help build goodwill and peace in the world. Clubs are nonpolitical, nonreligious and open to all cultures, races and creeds.
Propane Gas Association of New England
The Propane Gas Association of New England is a trade association representing nearly 675 members whose companies sell propane or propane-related appliances and equipment in the six New England States. PGANE exists to serve the propane industry by promoting safety, education and public awareness of the uses of propane.
Petroleum Marketers Association of America
The Petroleum Marketers Association of America (PMAA) is a federation of 48 state and regional trade associations representing approximately 8,000 independent petroleum marketer businesses nationwide.
Pennsylvania Propane Gas Association
The Pennsylvania Propane Gas Association (PAPGA) is a member-focused trade association providing services that communicate, educate and promote the propane industry in Pennsylvania. PAPGA offers firms opportunities to learn through training and networking with peers, and to aid with legislative issues that contribute to operating a safe and successful industry. PAPGA focuses on education, networking and representing the commercial interests of Pennsylvania’s propane businesses to the government, while assisting members in remaining current on topics vital to the propane industry. The Pennsylvania Propane Gas Association is affiliated with the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) and the Propane Education and Research Council (PERC).
Pennsylvania Petroleum Association
The Pennsylvania Petroleum Association is a trade association representing independent petroleum marketer businesses at the wholesale and retail levels and firms supplying petroleum products, as well as other related services. Pennsylvania Petroleum Association provides invaluable services and represents the independent marketer’s commercial interests in Pennsylvania and nationally.
Pennsylvania Business Brokers Association
The Pennsylvania Business Brokers Association is an association of business brokers and merger and acquisition intermediaries whose goal is to promote the growth and professionalism of the business brokerage community within Pennsylvania and surrounding member states.
New York Propane Gas Association
The New York Propane Gas Association (NYPGA) is a member-focused trade organization providing services that communicate, educate and promote the propane industry in New York. The association offers opportunities to learn through training and networking with peers, and to aid with legislative issues that contribute to operating a safe and successful industry. Because the industry is highly regulated, the NYPGA focuses on education, networking and representing New York’s propane businesses’ interests to the government, while assisting members in remaining current on propane industry regulations. The New York Propane Gas Association is affiliated with the National Propane Gas Association.
New York Association of Convenience Stores
Founded in 1986, New York Association of Convenience Stores (NYACS) is a private, not-for-profit trade association dedicated to unifying, serving and representing the business owners and convenience store industry of New York State.
National Propane Gas Association
The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) is the national trade association representing the U.S. propane industry. Members are small businesses and large corporations engaged in retail marketing of propane gas and appliances; producers and wholesalers of propane equipment; manufacturers and distributors of propane gas appliances and equipment; fabricators of propane gas cylinders and tanks; and propane transporters. Membership is more than 3,200 companies in 50 states, 38 affiliated state or regional associations and 19 foreign countries.
National Equipment & Business Brokers Institute
Experienced and USPAP-compliant members of National Equipment & Business Brokers Institute are appraisers to prepare a qualified appraisal as required by the IRS, Council of Foundations and U.S. Small Business Administration’s SOP 50 10 (5) (F).
Manufacturer & Business Association
Founded in 1905, the Manufacturer & Business Association (MBA) is a not-for-profit employers’ association focused on helping businesses succeed. MBA partners with over 4,500 businesses in Pennsylvania, New York and Ohio, providing a host of membership benefits including: HR Planning and Consulting, Legal Services/Hotline Training/Development, Energy Management/Supply, Surveys, Employee Benefits, Computer Training.
M&A Source
The Oil & Gas Advisor’s principals served as founding members, board chairmen, directors, chairs of education and various leadership committees, are certified Master Merger & Acquisition Intermediaries and received the Darrell Fouts Award.
The M&A Source promotes professional development and members’ interests to better serve merger and acquisition clients’ needs and maximize public awareness of professional intermediary services available for middle market merger and corporate acquisition transactions.
The M&A Source was established in 1991 to address the professional issues of merger and acquisition advisors, intermediaries and related M&A professionals. It has grown to more than 250 advisors and intermediaries worldwide. The M&A Source goals are to advance members’ deal making opportunities, M&A practice standards and personal growth through forums for corporate acquisitions advisors and M&A intermediaries to exchange information and learn from one another.
Members’ professional activities include representing owners in completing the sale of their businesses or searching to acquire companies, divisions or product lines; as M&A advisors to clients on acquisitions, values, structures, strategies and methods for ownership transfers of middle market companies; in facilitating financing necessary to consummate the transaction; and preserving client confidentiality.
International Business Brokers Association, Inc.
The Oil & Gas Advisor principals served as president, directors, education and many other committee chairs, are Certified Business Intermediaries, and have been selected as fellows, for the President’s Award, Tom West Award, and as Life Members.
IBBA was formed in 1983 and grew to 1,950 members in the USA and around the world. International Business Brokers Association is the largest international association operating exclusively for people and firms engaged in business brokerage, and as advisors or intermediaries in mergers and acquisitions.
IBBA’s cooperative business brokers, advisors and intermediaries can be found worldwide in Canada, Mexico, Asia, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and the U. S. It offers education conferences and an “IBBA University” educational program for training specific to the business broker and merger and acquisitions profession serving corporate acquisitions and divestitures.
Institute of Certified Business Counselors
Service, integrity and fair play are the basic fundamentals of I-CBC members. They are known for candor in sharing knowledge and techniques. Members provide merger and acquisition advising and other services in disciplines united by focus on the continuing businesses by improved operations, profits or change of ownership. Members are business investment bankers, estate planners, accountants, attorneys, business appraisers and business consulting for business transactions and management.
Institute of Business Appraisers
The Institute of Business Appraisers (IBA) is the oldest professional society devoted solely to the appraisal of closely-held businesses. Established in 1978, the Institute is a pioneer in business appraisal education and professional accreditation.
Empire State Energy Association
Empire State Energy Association (ESEA) is a trade association representing 300 petroleum marketer businesses throughout New York. ESEA members are an important part of New York’s economy and they support the state’s businesses through storage and distribution of gasoline, diesel, aviation, heating and industrial fuels, generating over $4.5 billion annually in New York State.
Business Intermediary Education Foundation
Distinguished leaders in the business brokerage, intermediary and merger and acquisition profession created a foundation to advance and promote the business brokers’ profession. Each served as officer and director of the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA). They were mindful of the Association’s critical need to devote its resources into member programs, conferences and Certified Business Intermediary (CBI) and Merger and Acquisition Master Intermediary (M&AMI) programs. Thought, work and love of the business broker profession were primary in creating BIEF.
BIEF advances and promotes the business broker and M&A professions. It embraces business brokerage’s international aspects, is inclusive across the dealmakers’ spectrum, and outreaches to other business sale organizations. It promotes awareness and understanding among the public, business advisors, owners, business buyers and sellers, based on information, understanding, cooperation and education.
The business sale profession has come together in an all “industry coalition” working to remedy requirements burdening the industry inappropriately. This costly burden impacts owners selling businesses or making acquisitions, and business brokers and M&A brokers who advise them.
This campaign involves most of the business broker and M&A advisor professional associations nationally. It has produced supporting legislation in the U.S. House and Senate, which passed the House unanimously and is pending as a bill in the Senate.
Association for Corporate Growth
Association for Corporate Growth is a global organization with 56 chapters and over 14,500 members. Doing business is the heart of ACG experiences. Chapters across the globe bring dealmakers together to achieve their business and professional goals.
ACG is a trusted and respected resource for middle-market M&A dealmakers and business leaders who invest in growth and build firms. It offer face-to-face events, online tools, structured networking opportunities, member benefits and leading-edge market intelligence.
ACG brings together all segments of the growth community. Growing of business networks is essential. ACG delivers the right people, in the right way, right to members. ACG is the home for the middle-market M&A deal making professionals.
American Institute of CPAs
Founded in 1887, AICPA represents the CPA profession nationally regarding rule-making and standard-setting, and serves as an advocate before legislative bodies, public interest groups and other professional organizations. The AICPA develops audit standards for private companies and other services by CPAs; provides educational guidance materials to its members; develops and grades the Uniform CPA Examination; and monitors and enforces compliance with the profession’s technical and ethical standards.
The AICPA’s founding established accountancy as a profession distinguished by rigorous educational requirements, high professional standards, a strict code of professional ethics, a licensing status and a commitment to serving the public interest.
Alliance of Merger & Acquisition Advisors
This premiere international organization serves educational and resource needs of middle market M&A brokers and others. Formed to bring together CPAs, attorneys and other experienced corporate financial advisors, AM&AA’s professional services firms are highly recognized leaders in the industry who draw upon combined expertise to better serve middle market clients worldwide.
“Connecting Leading M&A Professionals To Build Relationships, Share Resources and Create Value”
AM&AA members represent business sellers and buyers of middle market businesses. Services are M&A seller representation, buyer representation, due diligence, accounting, financing, business valuation, tax plans, legal, strategic advisory and other M&A services.