GABB Class: Securing and Managing Listings, Aug. 17
Whether you’re new to the profession of buying and selling businesses, or have limited experience as a business broker, this Aug. 17 GABB class will teach you the best practices to secure and manage listings for businesses for sale.
Matt Wochele, CBI
Securing and Managing Business-for-Sale Listings (GREC#73352) will also help you when you’re selling someone else’s listing, review marketing strategies, cover ethical issues, help you analyze the financials of businesses for sale, and teach you how to guide a client through meetings with prospective buyers, negotiations, financing and closing. The class will be taught by GABB’s Vice President Matt Wochele, CBI, founder of Preferred Business Brokers, Inc. and a Life Member of the Georgia Association of Business Brokers’ Multi- Million Dollar Club.
This class is is part of the GABB’s Board-Certified Broker credential program. Students who successfully attend all three hours of the class and pass the test will be eligible for credit through the Georgia Real Estate Commission. The class will be held both in person and online via Zoom, although the instructor is urging students to attend the class in person.
To encourage students to attend the class in person, the GABB will over attendees several prizes including a one-year membership to the GABB and Starbucks giftcards. Only students who attend the class in person are eligible for these incentives.
The class (GREC #73352) will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the classroom of the Georgia Association of Realtors at 6065 Barfield Rd, Sandy Springs, GA 30328. Per GREC rules, students who arrive promptly and stay for the entire class are eligible to earn three hours of continuing education credit through the Georgia Real Estate Commission and the GABB’s Real Estate School, GREC #8074. Students who prefer to attend via Zoom must remain on camera; the link will be sent after you register.
The class fee is $49 for GABB members, $75 for non-members, and $225 to register for the BCB program and one class. Note that the BCB program is only open to GABB members. Contact GABB Executive Director Diane Loupe at diane.loupe@gabb.org or text her at 770-744-3639 for more information.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:
After attending Bucknell University and St Joe’s University Matt Wochele started his professional career as a stockbroker in NJ in 1978. In 1981 he was transferred to Atlanta to head up the firm’s investment banking business in their Atlanta, Jacksonville, and Houston offices. After 18 years working with public companies, Mr. Wochele started Preferred Business Brokers, Inc. in 1996. He has sold more than 300 main street and lower middle market businesses in the past 25 years. Mr. Wochele is a Certified Business Intermediary, a Life Member of the Georgia Association of Business Brokers’ Multi- Million Dollar Club, a GABB Phoenix Award recipient, a member of the International Business Brokers Association and is currently serving as Vice President of the Georgia Association of Business Brokers’ board.
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Non-Disclosure Agreements: GABB July 27
Stephen M. Levinson, Esq.
When buying a business, buyers usually must sign a non-disclosure agreement, or NDA, in order to review sensitive information about the business, including financial details, inventory, and legal matters. Legally,
Anyone who has not signed an NDA isn’t legally bound by it, attorney and GABB affiliate Stephen M. Levinson told the Georgia Association of Business Brokers on July 27.
To hear Steve’s presentation and the rest of the GABB meeting, click this link.
Here’s a PDF of Steve’s presentation: Levinson NDA presentation
Now in his 33rd year of consistent practice experience, Mr. Levinson handles matters in the areas of business law; business sales and acquisitions; business/contract disputes; construction disputes; and alternate dispute resolutions and has so-far closed approximately 1,500 business transactions. He has also previously lectured about business transactions before Georgia Agent/Broker Groups including lecturing before business brokers for state credit. Steve is also an experienced Mediator and Neutral since 2009 and the owner of Northside ADR.
Mr. Levinson received his B.S. in Political Science in 1983 from the University of Miami and SUNY Brockport and earned his law degree from Georgia State University in 1989. Steve was admitted to the Bar in February of 1989 and is admitted to practice in the U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit; the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia; the Georgia Supreme Court; the Georgia Court of Appeals; and the State Courts throughout Georgia.
Beyond his law practice, Steve is the founder, and for many years, host of a weekly Nar-Anon family-peer support group serving those who deal with the addiction issues of loved ones and is also the co-founder and host of the Annual Deane W. Evans Memorial Golf Tournament, raising money to award merit based college scholarships to deserving high school students and doing other charitable work in memory of Deane Evans.
Steve and his wife Alison (high school sweethearts) are 34-plus year residents of Cherokee County and now live in Holly Springs. They are the proud parents of two adult sons, Alex and Aaron. They are active in many charitable endeavors and are longtime supporters and promoters of the Cherokee County Secret Santa Program, Atlanta Harm Reduction, Atlanta Community Food Bank, The Fulton County Canine Cellmates Program, Caring Hands Community (Kingston, NY), The Zaban Couples Shelter, Georgia Overdose Prevention, Friends of the Forlorn and other worthy causes.
The GABB is Georgia’s largest and most respected association of professionals who help people buy and sell businesses and franchises. Our association includes business brokers, lenders, appraisers, attorneys, business consultants and others who help business owners and entrepreneurs in many ways. Please review our directory if you are seeking a business broker or other professional.
For more information about the GABB, contact GABB President Judy Mims at 404-918-3666 or judy@childcare.properties, or GABB Executive Director Diane Loupe at diane.loupe@gabb.org or text her at 770-744-3639.
GABB Member Jim Town Died July 16
Commencing in 1992 when Jim Town sold his last business and affiliated with Prime Business Investments, Inc., one of the oldest business brokerages in Georgia at that time, his practice evolved from intermediary services to a primary focus on finding value to maximize net sale proceeds. In early 2003, Jim moved to the Florida Panhandle and formed Business Evaluation & Appraisal, Inc., as a Florida corporation, while continuing as an associate broker with Prime Business Investments in Atlanta until late 2014. Additionally, he conducted commercial real estate transactions through Commercial Property Investments in Georgia and Florida, which Jim formed in 1992.
Jim had been a member of the International Business Brokers Association (www.ibba.org) since 1997 and became a Certified Business Intermediary (CBI) in mid-1998. He also qualified as an instructor for IBBA on several courses offered nationally, helped write three courses, and served on the Education Committee for 10 years focused primarily on the CBI testing and certification programs. In 2007, Jim’s service to the largest business intermediary organization in the world was recognized when he was appointed a “Fellow of the IBBA.” He was awarded the “Lifetime CBI” designation in 2014.
As a member of the Institute of Business Appraisers from 1996 to 2013, Jim completed the basic 8-day course and examinations, advanced courses and annual continuing education courses.
In addition to being the qualifying real estate broker for commercial real estate firms in Florida and Georgia, Jim also held a Florida Real Estate Instructor license and helped establish the pre-license sales and broker programs at the Florida Panhandle Technical College (Chipley, FL) in 2005.
He served in the U.S. Army and saw active duty as an Infantry officer in Europe and South Vietnam with assignments in Infantry
units and logistics. He was discharged as a Captain (1965 – 1968), and continued his career in the U.S. Army Reserve with
assignments in transportation units, logistics staff positions, brigade commander, and as chief of staff for a command of
about 12,000 soldiers and a budget of over $85 million per year. He retired as a Colonel (1965 – 1995).
He earned a B.A., in Marketing from Michigan State University in 1965; completed the Infantry Officer Basic Course and Airborne Schools, 1965; completed the Transportation Officer Advanced Course, 1974; studied at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, 1981; U.S. Army War College, 1986. He held a Commercial Pilot License with Instrument and Multi-engine Ratings.
Town was at the heart of several Washington County economic initiatives, notably assisting in the development and addition of Commercial Intent Overlays to the existing Future Land Use Maps to better prepare for economic development.
Town was also instrumental in the conception of the 79 Corridor Project, the collaborative effort by the City of Bonifay and Holmes and Washington counties to improve sewer and water services along Highway 79 and ignite opportunity to grow a commercial and industrial development corridor in the area. The project was the first of its kind in the state, earning it the 2019 Florida Economic Development Council Rural Economic Development Deal of the Year award.
Town served on several local boards over the years, including the Tri-County Airport Authority and Economic Development Commission. The Washington County Chamber of Commerce presented Town with the Ole Ellis Washington County Lifetime Community Leadership Award in 2018 as a nod to his decades of dedication to the county’s growth.
This week, friends and colleagues are remembering Town as one of the community’s most prolific economic development leaders.
“Jim Town was a remarkable man,” said Ted Everett, Washington County Economic Development Executive Director. “His love for Washington County was never in doubt. He worked tirelessly and for no personal gain to move our county forward.”
“One does not meet many people such as Jim Town in one’s life. He was an exceptional person, a tireless worker, and used his vast knowledge accumulated through his many years of the corporate world to help grow Washington County. He will be missed by many, and Washington County has lost a true friend and champion.”
Attorney Bob Hughes echoed that sentiment, adding that Town’s knowledge regarding the potential impacts of land use amendments was beyond compare.
“[Town] knew the County Comprehensive Plan with zoning as well as anyone,” said Hughes. He … went into the field and could tell you which parcels had improvements which matched the comp plan maps and which didn’t. He was an invaluable asset to county officials in the land planning, zoning, and comprehensive planning areas.”
“Besides all of that, he was truly a fine person and gentleman,” added Hughes. “He was a proud veteran of his U.S. Army service to his country; He is unquestionably someone who the region will miss. I will miss his expertise and his friendship.
GABB Class: Business Broker Models, July 13
Business brokers will learn how to set up their practice, identify and define their market, identify clients, conduct feasibility studies; recruit, supervise and train staff, and the ethics of different broker models, in this July 13 class presented by the Georgia Association of Business Brokers.
Business Broker Models will be offered both in person and via Zoom on July 13, and is part of the GABB’s Board-Certified Broker credential program. Students who successfully attend all three hours of the class and pass the test will be eligible for credit through the Georgia Real Estate Commission.
The class will be taught by former GABB president Michael Ramatowski, CBI, chief executive of RamBizGroup Business Solutions, a specialty M&A business brokerage firm. Mr. Ramatowski’s business brokerage profession began in 1992.
Michael Ramatowski, CBI
Mr. Ramatoswki’s clients include general brokerage and candidates for merger by acquisition from manufacturing, distribution, and service businesses. A longtime member of the GABB, he has owned and managed businesses that included a real estate master franchise, a property management networking company, and a service business. As COO of a banking conglomerate, he managed brokerage operations, title companies, home and service warranty programs, and a relocation company. Mr. Ramatowski has served on the board of directors of eleven different organizations with diverse specialties including real estate brokerage, mortgage companies, title insurance, banking, health care, and office supply operations. He served as an Electronic Specialist in the U.S. Navy Submarine Service. He attended Cleveland State University and Baldwin Wallace College. He has been awarded the Certified Business Intermediary professional designation by the International Business Brokers Association.
The class (GREC #73239) will be held from 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at the classroom of the Georgia Association of Realtors at 6065 Barfield Rd, Sandy Springs, GA 30328. Per GREC rules, students who arrive promptly and stay for the entire class are eligible to earn three hours of continuing education credit through the Georgia Real Estate Commission and the GABB’s Real Estate School, GREC #8074. Students who prefer to attend via Zoom must remain on camera; the link will be sent after you register.
The class will cover the sole proprietorship and enterprise business models of business brokering; market analysis; defining business buyer and seller clients; defining business types; and defining the overall market. Students will learn how to conduct a feasibility students of the financial health of a prospective business to be sold, including examining the income statement, as well as identifying areas where the prospective business could build wealth. In the final hour of the class, Mr. Rawatoswki will teach students how to conduct a feasibility study of the financial health of a prospective business to be sold, including examining the income statement, as well as identifying areas where the prospective business could build wealth.
The class fee is $49 for GABB members, $75 for non-members, and $225 to register for the BCB program and one class. Note that the BCB program is only open to GABB members. Contact GABB Executive Director Diane Loupe at diane.loupe@gabb.org or text her at 770-744-3639 for more information.
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GABB to Meet in Person June 29: Registration Required
After a year of virtual meetings, the Georgia Association of Business Brokers is thrilled to host an in-person meeting at 10 a.m. June 29.
However, due to capacity limits set by the venue, all attendees must register at the form below. We will give priority to GABB members for the in-person meeting, and we will stream the meeting via Zoom for those who may prefer that option. Please register at this link to attend the meeting via Zoom. NOTE, this does NOT register you for the in person meeting. The GAR says masks are voluntary in all areas of the building.
The sponsors of the June meeting will be GABB Affiliate Board representative Kim Eells and Susan Kite, both of whom are Senior Vice President and Small Business Administration (SBA) Business Development Officers for Georgia Primary Bank.
The primary focus of the meeting will be networking, but the GABB Board may discuss the results of the recent member survey and upcoming classes planned for the GABB’s Board-Certified Broker program.
The meeting will begin at 10 a.m. with coffee and light breakfast snacks, followed by a brief meeting and then more networking. Register at the link below. The meeting will be held in the classrooms at the Georgia Association of Realtors at 6065 Barfield Road, Sandy Springs, GA, 30328. The GAR headquarters building is a two-story building located in Sandy Springs near the intersection of Hammond Drive and Barfield Road.
The GABB is Georgia’s largest and most respected association of professionals who help in the purchase and sale of businesses and franchises. Our association includes business brokers, lenders, appraisers, attorneys, business consultants and others who help business owners and entrepreneurs in many ways. Please review our directory if you are seeking a business broker or other professional.
For more information about the GABB, contact GABB President Judy Mims at 404-918-3666 or judy@childcare.properties, or GABB Executive Director Diane Loupe at diane.loupe@gabb.org or text her at 770-744-3639.
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