September General Meeting
Join us for our September General Meeting!
When: Tuesday, September 23rd, 10am-12pm
Where: Georgia Association of Realtors, 6065 Barfield Road NE,
Sandy Springs, GA 30328
No registration required.
10:00-10:10am – Networking, with light breakfast sponsored by Ryan Pendleton with SouthState Bank
10:10-11:30 – Meeting followed by a Business Brokers and Affiliates Panel Discussion.
11:30-12:00 – Q&A & Networking
About our Panel:
Dave Chambless is the president of Abraxas Business Services. Abraxas works with owners of businesses (generally with revenues of $5- to $30-million) in selling their businesses; it also helps strategic buyers acquire businesses of wide-ranging sizes. Abraxas focuses on businesses in the manufacturing, logistics, technology, and services industries. Dave is also the current President of GABB’s Board of Directors.
Gene Wright is a business broker at Northstar Advisory Group. As a founder and investor in multiple businesses over the years, he understands the emotional and many times intense business owners experience. From raising growth capital to accelerate growth or finding the right buyer to assist an owner sell or merge their business, his network of investors, bankers, and professional services providers deliver best in class results. Gene is also the current Vice President of GABB’s Board of Directors.
Matt Wochele CBI (Certified Business Intermediary) founded Preferred Business Brokers, Inc., in 1996 after a successful 17-year career as an investment banker. He is a life member of the Georgia Association of Business Brokers Million Dollar Club, Phoenix Award recipient and a member of the International Business Brokers Association. Under Mr. Wochele’s leadership, Preferred has represented over 350 hundreds private business owners in the sale of their businesses. As the managing broker he has had the opportunity to guide and train a number of successful agents in the brokerage field. Having the experience in both public business sales and the private sector has been rewarding for our firm and to our clients. This dual experience has positioned Preferred to handle both the smaller main street business purchases as well as middle market acquisitions.
Michael Ramatowski has been a business broker since 1992. Clients include general brokerage and candidates for merger by acquisition from manufacturing, distribution, and service businesses. He is a member of GABB, which he has served as President, Director and Secretary. 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. Michael 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 presently serves on three boards of directors where he provides marketing and organizational growth expertise.
Chris Fonzie is one of GABB’s affiliate members. He is the founder and principal of LOGIC. He is a graduate of the University of Florida and the UF School of Law. He has performed environmental assessments and provided consulting services in more than 20 states during the past 31 years. He is regarded for his sage leadership, fine singing voice, and disdain of cats.
Steve Levinson is a founding partner of Levinson & Stidham, LLC. He received his B.S. in Political Science in 1983 from the University of Miami and SUNY Brockport. Steve earned his law degree from Georgia State University in 1989. With over 35 years of consistent practice experience, Steve confidently handles matters in the areas of business law, business sales and acquisitions, business/contract disputes, construction disputes and alternate dispute resolutions.
Thomas Rockwood will join us as the panel moderator. He is currently Senior Vice President, SBA Lending at SouthState Bank in Atlanta, GA. He is a results driven, commercial banking executive with experience in both conventional and government guaranteed financing solutions helping businesses thrive, grow & expand. Thomas is an experienced cash-flow lender that offer a variety of SBA/USDA and conventional financing solutions throughout the country. Thomas also serves as Affiliate Chair for the Georgia Association of Business Brokers and is one of GABB’s Platinum Sponsors.
Thank you to our sponsor, Ryan Pendleton with SouthState Bank