Timothy Bullard, CEO: VR Has Sold More Businesses in the World Than Anyone.® Close to 100,000 successful business transfers since 1979. Our un-compromised commitment to our clients' confidentiality, an extensive network of offices and the most technologically advanced assessment/marketing methods available today provide our clients with a level of success unequaled in the business transfer industry. VR has over 35 years of hands-on experience as small business owners and professional service providers developing leading edge concepts in Mergers & Acquisitions, Evaluating (Appraising), Enhancing (Improving), Entering (Buying) and Exiting (Selling) small to mid-sized businesses. Our depth of knowledge and experience coupled with the highly developed proprietary tools employed within VR, provides an additional level of support as client advocates, ensuring our clients possess the all-important tools essential to reaping their highest financial rewards whether buying or selling a business. Tim can be contacted at timb@vrbizlakes.com.
Nicole White: Nicole comes to us from Direct Supply where she developed and implemented direct marketing and sales support programs to drive inbound calls and orders. She designs and directs the marketing programs including corporate contract compliance, web standardization, marketing communications with our diverse global client base. She is further responsible for website integration and keyword click programs. Nicole is an honors graduate of Marquette University, with a major in marketing. Nicole can be contacted at
nicole@vrbizlakes.com.
Larry Heck: Larry has over 26 years of ownership in different businesses. Larry relates very well with entrepreneurs and business owners while working closely with clients to guide them through each step of their buying or selling process. Larry's business owner experience in personally running and then selling his businesses gives him special insight and understanding of clients' needs which ensures a smooth, successful, and timely transaction. As founder and President of a business for 12 years in the sports/golf services industry and co-owner and Vice President of a business in the food industry for 15 years prior to that, he has built a commitment to client-oriented service and high standards of professionalism, honesty, and integrity. As Vice President of Client Services, Larry utilizes creativity and out-of-the-box solutions along with the proven VR systems to deliver needs to clients engaged in industries such as banking, manufacturing, retailing, services, sports, investments, and more. Larry can be contacted at LarryH@vrbizlakes.com.
Michael Szmanda brings extensive experience in sales, marketing, finance and real estate. Born and raised in Southeastern Wisconsin, he has enjoyed success with small local firms as well as Fortune 500 companies. Michael has been consistently recognized as a top performer by national and international companies such as Sprint, National City Bank, and Merrill Lynch. His vast and diverse experience, sales & marketing skills, positive attitude and work ethic makes him an asset to both VR Business Brokers as an organization and most importantly, to his clients. Michael can be contacted at michael@vrbizlakes.com.
Joe Braier: Joe Braier is a true marketing guru. With a master's degree in business marketing from Marquette University and extensive experience as a marketing consultant for companies in the financial and real estate industries, Joe can successfully sell businesses and attract the appropriately targeted buyer. His personal involvement in owning a real estate business provides a true understanding of how to assist others in buying and selling businesses. Joe has tremendous organizational skills and acts quickly with precision during intense situations, which ensures a smooth experience for his clientele, leading to a successful closing. Joe's comprehensive understanding of running a business, unique marketing tactics, and high energy allow him to deliver successful results for his clients. Joe can be contacted at joe@vrbizlakes.com.
Tree Peterson: Theresa, who goes by Tree, comes from an IT/Web Company where she worked with clients to provide monthly reporting on search engine optimization and statistical reporting. She also performed periodic maintenance on the websites including file uploads and site changes and/or additions. Her past experience also includes search engine optimization and marketing on the sites as well as administrative support in the office. Tree's role at VR makes use of her past internet experience as well as her attention to detail and multi-tasking skills. Tree can be contacted at tree@vrbizlakes.com.
Andrew Schmelzer: Andy brings over 20 years of marketing, branding and sales experience both nationally and internationally to the VR team. With an MBA from Edgewood College, experience negotiating intellectual property and licensing coupled with his depth of business management experience, Andy is a great asset to our team. Andy's extensive marketing and management consulting experience drive his success in business sales, and mergers & acquisitions. Andrew can be contacted at andy@vrbizlakes.com.
Destiny Wallen: Destiny comes as a licensed support Agent and Client Services Coordinator. She has extensive experience in restaurant management including employee relations, inventory management, product quality control, and customer service. With a Bachelor's in Business Management from Maranatha Baptist University, Destiny brings great customer service and organizational skills to the VR Business Broker team in an effort to support the success of the business transactions. Destiny can be reached via email at destiny@vrbizlakes.com.
Sheila Firari: Sheila brings 30 years+ of experience as a well-connected entrepreneur and Real Estate Broker in the local area. Her personal involvement in start-up companies, managing, and buying and selling businesses, provides the expertise necessary to think "outside the box" to get the deal done. Sheila's strong skills in real estate development, as well as sales and marketing, bring the knowledge necessary to provide clients with the edge in today's business environment. Clients will have the trust and confidence in Sheila to work in their best interest to help reach their goal of buying or selling a business. Sheila can be reached via email sheila@vrbizlakes.com.
Spencer Thomason: Spent 9 years in industry in the communications, data
networking engineering and OEM sales. Owned my own business for over 35 years
and during that period bought and sold several related businesses before
selling the company in 2008. Spent some time as a consultant before starting a
sales organization again for 6 years. After consulting for private small
businesses decided to enter the business brokerage business with VR. Spencer Thomason can be reached via email spencer@vrbizlakes.com.
Steve Aubrey: Steve’s business experience is remarkable in both its depth
and diversity. His professional career has spanned over 30 years
across many businesses and industries in energy, wood, paper, automotive,
electronics, recycling, and transportation. Before joining Lakes Business
Group, Steve was an Executive VP for nearly a decade at a $120MM revenue
corporation and brings with him a wealth of business relationships and deal
making expertise. Steve’s experience as a corporate VP, business owner,
and practiced negotiator are some of his exceptional attributes that can be
leveraged in maximizing the value of your business. Steve is an
University of WI -Stout alumni and currently resides in beautiful Central
Wisconsin. Steve Aubrey can be reached via email steve@vrbizlakes.com.
Scott Gray: is an accountant and former real estate agent with a propensity for helping business owners simplify numbers and processes to achieve results. An approach that positively influences his role as a business broker with VR. Scott leverages a service-focused approach and creative problem-solving to create a seamless experience for buyers and sellers; from uncovering the right opportunities to vendor management to effective start-to-finish execution. Scott
can be reached via email Scott@vrbizlakes.com.
James Wendorff: James is an
experienced finance and operations professional with over twenty years of
experience in the areas of accounting, finance, business strategy development,
start-ups, and business turnarounds. James has a triple major in
accounting, marketing, and business administration as well as an MBA in
finance. His business and educational experience put him in a unique
place to envision the needs of his clients and bring that to life in several
ways – from budgeting to forecasting, marketing to operations. James
experience provides valuable insight into the process and complexities of the
negotiations required to successfully complete a business transaction; focusing
on the client’s value drivers which is the key to maximizing the owners cash
from the sale of their business. James can be
contacted at james@vrbizlakes.com.
Steve Dykstra: brings a wealth of
experience in business consulting, sales, technology, finance and real estate.
As a former lender, he has developed tremendous talent in assisting hundreds of
buyers and sellers guide their transactions to a successful closing while
avoiding unnecessary hurdles and complications. Steve has been consistently
recognized as a top performer and has won several state and regional sales
awards while working with small/medium sized businesses and fortune 500
companies alike. As a former business owner he relates well to owners and
entrepreneurs and his comprehensive understanding of running a business, high
energy, honesty and integrity, combined with VR proven Systems. allow him to
deliver successful results for his clients. Steve can be reached at sdykstra@vrbizlakes.com.