Our Professionals
Expand All Bios | Collapse All Bios
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
John
(JD) has over 30 years’ experience in real estate in a multitude of capacities.
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 pilot
commanding large transport aircraft and crews. 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. Simultaneously, he managed the development of the same projects
throughout the Country, negotiating contracts with 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 Campbell, 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
situations. Though not specializing, 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 service.
Email:
Phone: (408) 436-1900 x103
With over 25 years of business experience, Jim has an extraordinary background in both entrepreneurial and corporate environments. He has been a business owner; he was the founder of a successful research/software start-up; he served as president, in a turnaround situation, of a second stage company – successfully reorganizing it both financially and operationally, and securing a new round of funding; and he has restructured a major division of a multinational corporation. He has also worked with dozens of small and medium-sized companies as a business advisor.
Jim understands the many financial, operational, emotional and life-style issues facing the owners of small and medium-sized businesses. He is skilled and has direct experience in a wide range of business activities, from full P&L responsibility to budgeting, project management, succession and exit planning, employment issues and daily cash positions. He has also set up marketing programs, functioned directly in high-level sales and in sales support.
After earning a Master’s degree from UCLA, Jim’s early career focused on financial, market and sales planning for a major lending institution. Three years later, as Director of Analytical Services for a regional investment brokerage, he managed the valuation and marketing support processes for institutionally owned properties and portfolios. Jim has worked on the due diligence and structuring of acquisitions, joint ventures, operating partnerships and investments as an analyst, a corporate manager, an executive and as a business owner. More recently Jim served as a principal consultant with the Institute for Independent Business, an educational and advisory non-profit, helping numerous small and medium-sized businesses with planning, financing, marketing, restructuring and board and employee relations.
Over the years, Jim has built an exemplary record in management, business development and customer service; today, he continues to emphasize a team oriented attitude and to deliver high value results on schedule. He has written, negotiated, restructured and/or managed hundreds of contracts. His budgeting and finance skills are strong and he has worked as the primary business stakeholder on several legal teams and issues. He understands the importance of both problem solving and prevention.
With his diverse experience, his ability to listen and communicate, to help clarify and set goals, to build teams, manage projects and maintain a strict attention to detail, Jim is a tremendous resource for potential sellers and buyers alike.
Email:
Phone: (408) 436-1900 x106
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
Elyse
Phillips specializes in selling Northern California businesses with
revenues of up to $15M/year. She has represented clients in the
manufacturing, construction, consulting, and retail industries.
She brings 15+ years of high-tech and consumer marketing experience to
her customers’ transactions. An entrepreneur and self-proclaimed
“start-up junkie,” Elyse loves working in Silicon Valley (the smartest
people and the best weather!) and considers herself a Bay Area native
since transplanting from Chicago in 1985.
High tech: Elyse joined First Virtual Corporation when they were a
60-person start-up, took them through an IPO, then ran their corporate
marketing and investor relations programs for another two years as a
publicly-held company. Her experience at other venture-backed companies
includes BeVocal (funded by Mayfield) and BusLogic (sold to Mylex then
IBM).
Consumer: Making a move from high-tech to the beauty industry, Elyse
founded Manicure Beach to meet the needs of the underserved
middle-market beauty consumer. Her experience as President of the
corporation included business planning and launch, building a customer
base of 5,000 consumers in two years, and creating a line of Manicure
Beach-labeled beauty products.
After selling her business through Joan Young at Sunbelt Business
Advisors in Campbell, Elyse joined Joan’s team to help other
entrepreneurs successfully sell their businesses.
Email:
Phone: (408) 436-1900 x105
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
Amy
Cole is a highly accomplished sales and marketing professional bringing
her clients nearly 20 years of progressive business experience in both
the corporate and entrepreneurial arenas. Her background includes the
ownership of her own business consulting firm, as well as senior
management positions with leading Bay Area technology companies
Macromedia, Intraware and Frame Technology (now Adobe Systems).
With a diverse range of industry experience including manufacturing,
distribution, retail, advertising, design and services, Ms. Cole offers
proficiency that streamlines the business transaction process. Combining
her knowledge and passion for deal making with her love of
entrepreneurship, she professionally executes the sale and acquisition
of small to medium sized businesses from packaging to closing.
While holding Vice Presidential roles in several companies, Ms. Cole
demonstrated her ability to successfully bring hundreds of products to
market, strategically position companies for growth and negotiate high
volume sales deals. As a consultant, her assignments included packaging
and preparing companies for sale as well as mergers & acquisitions
analysis. Clients appreciate her strategic approach, innovative ideas,
communication skills, integrity and results-oriented actions.
Ms. Cole holds the following degrees and accreditations:
MBA, Santa Clara University, CA
Masters Studies, Psychology, Antioch University, MDR, CA
BA, Business & Communications, Concordia College, MN
Licensed California Real Estate Agent
Member, International Business Brokers Association (IBBA)
Member, California Association of Business Brokers (CABB)
Member, Network of Women Business Brokers & Intermediaries (NWBBI)
Founding President & Current Officer, Hawks Education Fund, (non-profit
organization)
A Bay Area resident for over 15 years, Ms. Cole lives in the
Danville/San Ramon area with her husband Chris and their 3 young boys.
For leisure, she enjoys spending quality time with her family, travel,
yoga, golf, outdoor activities, reading, and community volunteer work.
Email:
Phone: 925-600-0414 / 925-890-6012
Donn Reinin has extensive experience in process design, operations management, marketing, sales, and business strategy development.
Until March of 2005, Donn was the President and owner of a multi–million dollar remodeling company. He oversaw the purchase and sale of the company twice, before he bought it from an investor group. Under his leadership the company grew rapidly and secured a spot on the Qualified Remodeler Magazine “Top 500” list.
Donn ultimately sold the company in early 2005 in order to pursue new opportunities. Donn determined that his fascination with the business of “business” and the transactional process, drew him back to embark on a career as a consultant and business intermediary. After working with a “boutique” Mergers & Acquisitions firm for a few years, Donn decided to join Sunbelt Business Advisors and become a part of the team to help expand the Pleasanton office.
Donn brings 27 years of wide ranging business experience to his clients. He has managed large sales and marketing divisions of a public company and helped to prepare it for successful acquisition by a large competitor. He also has been involved as a principle in multiple successful start-ups where he was relied on for his knowledge in operations, sales, finance, business development, and sales management. He excels in contract negotiations, presentations, and financial analyses, which help his clients evaluate business opportunities with confidence.
When not busy facilitating deals, Donn enjoys world travel, tennis, and spending time with his wife and three children.
Credentials:
Member of California Association of Business Brokers
Member of Business Forum International
B.S. Marketing San Francisco State University
Currently holds three California State Contractors Licenses – B1, C17, C61/D12
California Licensed Real Estate Agent
Email:
Office: 925-600-0414
Cell: 925-766-5787
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: