Our Professionals
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: jyoung@sunbeltbayarea.net
Phone: 408-436-1900 x102
John Young, Agent, CBB®
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: john@sunbeltbayarea.net
Phone: (408) 436-1900 x106
Kevin-Quang Lam, M & A Specialist, Business Advisor
Kevin has held management level positions in several respected domestic and international electronics and distribution companies including: Siemens, Marubeni, Tyco Electronics, and Acumen. During this period, he traveled extensively to conduct domestic and international business by bringing solutions of capital equipment, software, materials and tools and manufacturing processes to his customers in various industries such as automotive, computer, consumer electronics, medical and health, telecommunication, and fiber optics. Kevin is a member of M&A Source (Merger & Acquisition Source) and CABB (California Business Brokers), and has a Bachelors of Science in Business Marketing with a minor in Economics.
Direct: (510) 579 - 7449 |
Joe Monte, Business Broker
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: jmonte@sunbeltbayarea.net
Office: 408-436-1900 x 106
Cell: 650-799-5787
Lynnae Howard, Agent
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: lhoward@sunbeltbayarea.net
Phone: 408-436-1900 x105
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.
Sunbelt of the Greater Bay Area
2025 Gateway Place, Suite 335 San Jose, CA 95110
Phone (408) 436-1900 Fax (408) 436-1996
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.