Our Professionals
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Joan Young, Broker,
CBI®, CBB®
Joan
Young has been assisting buyers and sellers in small businesses since 1980.
Her diverse business experience ranges from manufacturing and distribution
to retail, publishing, advertising, placement services, direct sales, and
business and franchise consulting.
Committed to strong work ethics, Joan focuses on integrity and professionalism.
Her goal is to achieve the desired results for both sellers and buyers.
“Win-Win” best describes Joan’s approach to all of her transactions.
In 1980, Joan co-founded a national franchise company and owned two franchises
herself. She has been VP for three national franchise companies, and in
1990 started FRANNET of the Bay Area, Inc. (FRANNET is the largest franchise
consulting group in North America). Joan has had the distinction of owning
one of the top FRANNET offices, and was named “Franchise Consultant of the
Year” four times since she began.
While working with one of the top Mergers and Acquisition specialists in
the Bay Area, Joan learned business brokerage. Seeing business brokerage
as a natural expansion to her successful franchise consulting practice,
In 2000, Joan acquired SUNBELT BUSINESS ADVISORS, Greater Bay Area, which
is part of the largest business brokerage franchise in the U.S. Sunbelt
has over 300 offices throughout the U.S. and 25 offices within California.
Joan is a member of the California Association of Business Brokers (CABB)
and served on their board of directors. She also belongs to the International
Business Brokers Association (IBBA) wherein she has been awarded the prestigious
and coveted Certified Business Intermediary (CBI®) designation. For the
past two years, Joan has been serving on the President’s Advisory Council
for Sunbelt Business Advisors Network and owns three Sunbelt territories
within the Greater Bay Area. Joan is a member of the Silicon Valley SCORE
Chapter, for whom she offers free consulting services.
When she is not working, Joan and her husband John enjoy hiking, biking,
travel, and spending time with their grandchildren. Other fulfilling aspects
of Joan’s life are serving as a board member for Relevant Outreach and being
a core leader in Community Bible Study (CBS).
email:
Phone: 408-436-1900 x102
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John (JD) has over 30 years’ experience in real estate and business. He is a graduate and licensed architect (inactive) and
maintains a license as a general contractor in California. In 1972, he was an Air Force command pilot. After the Air Force,
John began a career in real estate development and has owned or operated several construction companies over the years.
In the 1980s, he received his real estate agent’s license in Texas and in 1989 was licensed in California.
While in real estate development, John was responsible for packaging and securing over $150 million in loans for projects
from $15 million to over $30 million. A proven negotiator, he managed the development of those projects throughout the US,
negotiating contracts with contractors, suppliers, venders, and subcontractors. He has been instrumental in dealing with
building departments and city councils to design, organize, and build both commercial and residential projects.
Over the years, John has owned and operated a health-related professional company and two construction companies,
involved in commercial tenant improvements and residential building and remodeling. While doing so, he has become intimately
familiar with the financial needs and structures of businesses for growth and profitability. Since 1990, John has been involved
in FRANNET, one of the largest franchise consulting firms. Since 2000, he has taken his years of business experience to become
co-owner and Vice-President of Sunbelt Business Brokers, in San Jose, California, successfully working with buyers and sellers to
structure the sales of numerous businesses. John is a proven deal maker and intermediary, bringing buyers and sellers together
in win-win solutions. John has dealt successfully in numerous industries, quickly coming to understand the underlying business
model and the needs of all parties involved. He has dealt with companies ranging in size form $100,000 to $2,000,000 in industries
such as manufacturing, automotive, construction, and business services.
email:
Phone: (408) 436-1900 x103
Mr.
Nielsen brings to Sunbelt a comprehensive business background of over 25
years. As an entrepreneur, he started and operated a mid-market
communications company that was successfully merged with a regional
competitor. He understands the buying and selling of businesses from the
owner's perspective and the intricacies of a successful exit strategy.
His understanding of the M&A process and the marketplace, combined with
experience on both sides of the table have provided him with the unique
ability to understand the complexities, opportunities and pressures
involved with each aspect of a business sale transaction.
Mr. Nielsen has evaluated hundreds of companies and business
opportunities. He has the insight and knowledge to assist business
owners in determining the most appropriate and profitable time to exit
their businesses.
In addition to experience as a business owner and facilitating numerous
business sales and acquisitions, Mr. Nielsen has a background in real
estate development and property management. Mr. Nielsen is a licensed
California business broker, a member of the International Business
Brokers Association (IBBA) and the California Association of Business
Brokers (CABB).
Mr. Nielsen is a San Francisco Bay Area native and currently resides
with his family in Morgan Hill, California.
Email:
Phone: (408) 436-1900 x110
Kevin-Quang
Lam, a licensed business broker, utilizes his wealth of diverse business
experience in both corporate and small business to assist in the
business transaction seamlessly for both sellers and buyers. He is a
member of the California Association of Business Brokers (CABB), and he
has a Bachelors of Science degree in Business Marketing with a minor in
Economics. Let Kevin-Quang assist you in achieving your goal of selling
or buying a business.
With 16 years of business experience in electronics assembly,
manufacturing, and testing; inspection; contracted manufacturing
services, and the semiconductor industry, Kevin-Quang Lam is a sales,
marketinf,
In addition, Kevin-Quang has been a co-owner of family businesses
including restaurant, mini grocery store, dry cleaning, and vending
machine services for over 15 years. He has bought and sold numerous
businesses enabling him to put himself in the positions of both the
seller and buyer. Also, he has prior experience as a California real
estate agent and loan consultant assisting both sellers and buyers to
achieve their goals in the real estate and mortgage market.
He speaks and writes fluent Vietnamese and is involved with various
activities in the Vietnamese community. During his free time with the
family, Kevin-Quang enjoys traveling, shopping, and working out at the
gym.
Email:
Phone: (408) 436-1900 x109
Christopher Balthasar, Business Broker
Christopher Balthasar received his B.A. in Philosophy from Haverford College in 1987. He worked in film and television production
in Hollywood for several years, before receiving his law degree from Loyola Law School in 1995. As a lawyer he worked in business
and toxic tort litigation, and once wrote a court medical brief that helped establish causation in a case known as Anderson vs. PG&E,
later made into a motion picture called "Erin Brokovich". He also has experience writing patents.
In 1998 Chris and his wife, Grace, launched Nirvana Candle Company
(www.nirvanacandles.com) out of a garage, and grew it to over $1 million in annual sales in just over two years. The experience of
running and growing a small manufacturing operation with up to 20 employees – along with his legal expertise – provided the perfect
background for Chris’ current work as a business broker, first with Business Sales Consultants, and now with Sunbelt Business Advisors.
Chris is a member of the California State Bar Association and the California Association of Business Brokers (C.A.B.B.),
and holds a broker’s license from the California Department of Real Estate. His favorite pastime is training and competing in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu,
and he has won gold and silver medals in the U.S. Open, bronze in the American Cup, and has even competed in the World Championships. He is a
dual citizen of the U.S. and Switzerland, and happily married with two precious children.
Email:
Phone: 408-436-1900 / 831-246-0296
Joe Monte, a San Francisco native, brings over 35 years of business experience to Sunbelt. He is uniquely qualified as a business broker. Since 1973 he has owned and operated several small businesses including The Santa Clara Swim School and Car Color Express, an automotive paint and supply store. During the last 17 years he has provided financing to many small business owners. He is a licensed California Real Estate Broker operating: Joseph Monte, Business and Commercial Financing. Mr. Monte operates Rush Funding LLC, a commercial loan investment group, founded in 2004, which has never taken a loss or write-off on a loan. The investors have profited even during this depressed economy, due to Joe’s diligence, good instincts and ability to assess businesses.
Joe has financed a variety of unique businesses including, a flea market, a live theater and a billboard company, that were unable to obtain financing on their own. Mr. Monte understands the complexity of small business and is able to bring out the hidden values overlooked by most.
Joe Monte can provide business owners advice on how to execute the best exit strategy and package and effectively market the business. His finance background will assist in evaluating, screening and qualifying potential buyers as well as expediting there loan process.
Email:
Office: 408-436-1900
Cell: 650-799-5787
Lynnae Howard, Agent/Franchise Consultant
Lynnae Howard is a highly motivated and energetic business broker and franchise consultant with Sunbelt of the Bay Area.
With a diverse range of industry experience including retail sales and management, human resources, business services,
marketing and business development she has significant expertise in food and beverage procurement, personnel management and performance assessment.
Lynnae is a focused individual who is committed to providing a signature experience for her clients, maintaining exceptional
client relationships. By combining her business ownership experience with her love of entrepreneurship, she is able to bring
an enthusiasm and streamlined focus into each deal.
Before coming to Sunbelt Lynnae started and ran a highly successful restaurant and corporate catering business. As a former restaurant owner it is her philosophy that everything a person needs to learn to be a success, can be learned by working in the food and beverage industry. A self proclaimed food and wine junkie, Lynnae enjoys living so close to San Francisco and takes advantage of the proximity every chance she gets.
After the sale of her restaurant Lynnae earned her real estate license and began working as a residential agent for Coldwell Banker in her neighborhood of Willow Glen. As an experienced entrepreneur, in both the restaurant and real estate industries, Lynnae can understand the attraction of independence and control business ownership. She is particularly skilled at listening to her clients goals and then building a business profile that they can use as a roadmap to a success.
Since moving to the Silicon Valley almost 10 years ago from Southern California she now considers herself a native of Northern California. Currently Lynnae lives in the Willow Glen area of San Jose with her two adorable dogs, Emmitt and Roux. For leisure, she enjoys wine tasting, fencing, yoga and riding horses.
Email:
Phone: 408-436-1900 x114
Patrick Crabb joined the Sunbelt team in January 2005 as executive assistant to the president and broker Joan Young. He also fills the positions of office manager and IT specialist.
As Ms. Young’s assistant, Patrick works with her clients, both sellers and buyers, ensuring that the buying and selling process runs smoothly from beginning to end. He strives to maintain Sunbelt’s core values in all of his dealings with clients and brings his many years of education and experience to bear in his various duties.
Mr. Crabb holds a Bachelors degree from Western Oregon University and has over 20 years experience as an administrative assistant.
Email: