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CLEARWATER, FL
1101 S. Belcher Rd. #B
Largo, FL 33771
Phone: (954) 565-1555
Fax: (954) 565-6855
Email This Office
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VR Business Sales|Mergers and Acquisitions
CLEARWATER, FL
Meet Our Team
VR Business Sales Serving theTampa Bay Area
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Larry F. Lawson II: Larry F. Lawson II Chief Executive Officer/Senior Partner of VR Business Sales in Tampa, Clearwater, and St. Petersburg utilizes his knowledge and expertise concerning Valued Representation, Mergers & Acquisitions, and Business Sales to deliver premier service and proven results to Business Buyers and Sellers. For over the past decade Lawson has facilitated over 100 transactions, engaging small to mid-sized businesses ranging from 1 million to 50 million in acquisition price. Lawson works with clients in need of “Valued Representation” and intelligent integrated solutions. Since acquiring his first VR firm in 1999, owners and investors internationally, and throughout the southeast U.S. and Florida have sought his expert council. Lawson has received worldwide accolades for VR Marketing Tools, Transaction Management and Technology advances. He has earned prestige and recognition in the industry receiving Worldwide Awards for his many Acquisition and Divestiture successes. The Southeastern U.S. based firm established in 1979 accompanied by Lawson’s stringent attention to detail and best practices have served as a powerful catalyst for superior performance, which culminated in consistently ranking in the top VR Firms Worldwide. Over his eleven year tenure as Chief Executive Officer/Senior Partner, VR Business Sales located in Tampa, Clearwater, and St. Petersburg has ranked in the top ten VR Firms for over the past eleven years. During the last five years Lawson has received worldwide awards for his personal Business Sales and Services consisting of companies in Manufacturing, Distribution, Services, National and International multi-unit Franchise and Franchisors. |
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William Jay: Bill Business Intermediary/Partner of VR Business Sales is originally from the Washington DC area and has received degrees from Emory University in Atlanta and the University of Maryland. At these Universities he studied Business and Economics. He then spent 14 very successful years in telecommunications in sales and business development, with the final 10 years with Nortel, Inc. Bill was responsible for creating multi-million dollar sales directly or through distribution channels to commercial and federal agencies domestically and internationally for systems up to 20,000 lines. Bill continued to perform as a top sales person and as an example led the efforts in putting together solutions which won a multi-year international contract known as DOSTEC for $150 million. Bill has skills in developing opportunities, accounts, managing, training, marketing, and distribution channels to bring proposals and solutions to the end users. Throughout his early years in communication Bill has been very successful in introducing new product lines. He has received numerous awards including a Top Producer for the federal systems division while at Nortel. In 1995, through the help of VR Business Sales of Tampa, Bill purchased and operated a full service marina (Shell Point Marina) in the Tampa Bay area. After quadrupling the marinas value, Bill once again went to VR Business Brokers and sold the marina in 2005. Bill has gained tremendous experience working and growing an environmentally sensitive and multi faceted business which was also heavily monitored by government agencies. Bill then received his Real Estate and Mortgage Brokerage license and has purchased and sold in excess of $23 million in residential and income producing properties. Bill has served as a consultant to firms such as Comdex International on many projects and creating joint ventures. Bill is the managing director of Coquina Beach Resort, owns Eagle Nest Botel, and has served on numerous Board of Director’s, mainly in the hospitality industry. He is delighted to be working with VR Business Sales and applying his skills to helping others recognize the value of owning or selling their business. Bill has two bright kids who are both college bound. |
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George C. Ladino: After earning a B.S. from Babson College and a M.S. from the University of Rhode Island, George started his professional career in Boston with Arthur Andersen & Co. He obtained his CPA in Massachusetts. In the corporate world George worked for a number of high technology firms in the Boston area and then progressed to work with major firms in the financial services arena. He was SVP for a division of Fidelity Investments, CFO for an international division of Citibank and the Managing Director COO for an international division of Barclays PLC, while living in London. Since moving to Florida with his wife, George has owned a small manufacturing business in the construction industry. George is a highly valued VR business intermediary with in- depth senior business experience in financial services, manufacturing and small business ownership. Georges experience coupled with his dedication and commitment to excellence are invaluable for clients who want to receive the highest quality advice and outstanding optimum service and results |
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Ray Olesen: Raised in suburban Philadelphia, graduated from Villanova, BSME and University of Hartford, MBA, Ray began a long career in business and project development with several major engineering & construction firms serving the electric utility and independent power industry beginning in the Northeastern U.S., with numerous assignments in Asia developing power projects. Transferring to Florida in 1980, Ray and his wife Harriet have been married for more than 20 years and live in Gulfport. He is a member of Pasadena Yacht & Country Club and is an experienced boater. His extensive business background and education, integrity, honest dealing practices and years of experience as a Professional Business Intermediary with the VR network will lead to success in assisting you in selling or buying a business. |
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Joseph N. Perlman Esq. Joseph N. Perlman is originally from Toledo, Ohio where he attended Ohio State University and received a Bachelors of Science Degree in Business Administration as a Finance Major. After receiving his undergrad degree Joseph continued his education and was accepted at the University Of Toledo School Of Law where he received his Jurist Doctorate Degree. After passing the Ohio State Bar he began his career as an attorney with Topper Jaffe and Jacobs Attorney at Law in Toledo Ohio. While there he was involved in all aspects of law, including personal Injury, litigation, criminal law, bankruptcy, family law, contracts, and leases. Joseph then moved to Largo, Florida where he opened his own practice involved in business law, including preparation of contracts, leases, purchase agreements, closing documents, operating Title Company, real estate law, and all aspects relating thereto, and acting as closing agent for various professional business intermediaries. He has 40 years of transactional business experience and has strategically worked with clients through the process of business acquisition and divestiture of privately held companies. Joseph is an active member of the Florida Bar Association. |
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Steve Thalji: Steve and his family moved to the Tampa Bay Area from Chicago in 1986. With 15 years of successful retail management experience behind him, he became an owner-operator of several highly successful convenience stores and café’s. Being a business owner has been his passion for the past 20 years. Areas of specialization include the restaurant and food service industry, gas stations and convenience stores, liquor stores, and other small to medium sized service and retail businesses. His extensive business background, integrity, quick response to customer needs, and honest dealing practices combined with his personal business experience as both a buyer and seller lead clients through a seamless transaction and transition when buying or selling a business. |
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Claudia Thalji: Claudia has been a business owner and entrepreneur who brings to VR more than 25 years of business experience. Prior to joining the VR team, Claudia had a very successful career in retail management in Chicago, and when she and her husband Steve moved to Florida in 1986, she opened and operated several successful Café’s in the Tampa Bay area. Under her leadership, these businesses consistently grew in revenues and profits. Claudia built a dedicated customer base which resulted in the profitable divestiture of these businesses. In addition to her well-honed business skills, Claudia’s integrity, excellent customer service and a quick response to customer needs, focus on detail and an in-depth understanding of the essential workings of businesses provide both buyers and sellers with the confidence that transactions will go smoothly and transitions will be seamless. Areas of specialization include the Restaurant and Food Service industry as well as small to medium sized service and retail businesses. |
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Tom Tolrud: Tom Tolrud comes from the mid-west starting his career with a mechanical engineering background. After moving to Florida in 1970 he became a business man and entrepreneur an changed his career path to marketing which resulted in employment with Photo Corporation of America. It was at Photo Corporation of America that he jointly developed a group of franchise photography studios located in major retail centers throughout Florida. Tom became part owner and Operational Vice President of Photo Corporation of America including direct accountability for six regional offices located throughout the North Eastern United States. Sales revenues grew within a seven year period from $2,250,000 to over $48,000,000 per year in gross sales. With the doubling of corporate sales for five successive years resulted in PCA International going public with a public offering in 1979. From 1981 to present Tom has owned and operated several profitable businesses in Florida, one being the largest Coca-Cola syrup and CO-2 gas distributorship in Central Florida commanding 80 percent of the market. Tom was also involved in the start-up of a Bottle Closure Company. He was owner/operator of a Wholesale Jewelry business, and assembled a Real Estate/Restaurant partnership iw the CSX Railroad. Tom was also a Commercial Broker representing investors for Retail Shopping Centers, Multi-family Apartments, Projects, and Lands for Development. Tom is a confident decision maker, has excellent negotiation and communication skills. Through combining his expertise and knowledge VR clients are able to achieve successful conclusions when selling or buying businesses. |
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Jenifer Garcia: Jenifer is originally from Louisville, KY. After Graduating from high school she moved to Florida. Where she married and began her career. Jenifer worked for Sonic Courier from 1990 – 1998 as a Customer Service Representative. She left Sonic Courier to join Fastsigns with Larry Lawson II. At Fastsigns she worked as the Customer Service Manager. After Fastsigns Jenifer attended St. Pete College in Tarpon Springs and received her Accounting Certificate. In 2004 she joined Personnel Leasing as Customer Service Representative. One year later in 2005 Jenifer returned working with Larry as the Office Manager at VR Business Sales in Clearwater Fla. Jenifer is the first voice you will here when calling VR Business Sales. She assists with packaging the listings, entering the listings for the website on the VR MLS system. She also assists with mailings, and helping the associates, organizing and keeping track of vital information for the firm. Jenifer has been married for 19 years and has two very active daughters. She is very active in the community through volunteer positions at Tarpon Springs High School, where her youngest daughter attends. She serves as the Booster President for Tarpon Springs High School Show Choir, after her oldest daughter’s graduation and departure from the Show Choir. She is involved with the High School Cheerleaders, whom her youngest daughter belongs, and is in the Veterinarian Academy at the school. She remains a valued team member at VR Business Sales in Clearwater. |
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Sadie Lawrence: Sadie is from Largo Florida. She has successfully completed courses at St. Petersburg Junior College in Visual Basic Programming (VB 6.0), August 2000, Introduction to Computer Programming, August 1999, and courses in Accounting and Psychology January thru August 1997. She started her career as an Administrative Secretary/Bookkeeper with The Mills Group in Largo than joined Aude, Shand & Williams, AIA in Clearwater. Over the years she has utilized her accounting courses as a full charge bookkeeper for Account Temps, and McVey Creative, Group, in St. Petersburg. She currently provides Contract Bookkeeping and Computer Services to various clients and became a full charge Bookkeeper for Joseph N. Perlman Esq. for his law practice. In 2009 she is joining VR Business Sales Clearwater/St. Petersburg with Pearlman. She enjoys learning new computer software and computer graphics programs including website design, Photoshop, flash, dream weaver, and enjoys putting together PowerPoint presentations. Sadie uses all of her knowledge and skills to enhance VR Business Sales in Clearwater/St. Petersburg. |
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Cerisa Grunau: Cerisa is originally a native Californian, moved to Florida in October 2008 with her husband. Cerisa attended two years at Cal Poly University in Pomona, CA. majoring in business and accounting. Cerisa started a career in banking with Bank of America, after banking she received her California Real Estate License hired by Tarbell Realtors. Married with two children she became involved with PTA and various volunteer positions for her children’s activities over the years. In 2002 her and her husband opened a VR Business Brokers office in Brea California. Cerisa learned all aspects of the business brokerage field Cerisa moved to Florida with her husband in 2008. After moving to Florida she joined VR Business Sales in Tampa, Clearwater and St. Petersburg as Website Development and PR/Marketing Coordinator. |
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