Our associates are seasoned professionals. Each is trained in business brokerage, has his/her Georgia Real Estate license and has extensive experience in a variety of business types and business finance, management, marketing and consulting fields. We have the knowledge, desire, and commitment to not only meet but exceed your expectations.
Stephen Fitzgerald: President of the VR Business Sales in Savannah, Steve has an extensive background in marketing, sales, management, operations, and acquisitions. Prior to opening the Savannah VR office, he was a Senior Vice President in The McGraw-Hill Companies’ Professional Publishing Group for 10 years. During his more than 25 years in the industry, he published over 3000 books and acquired eight companies or divisions. Steve is a licensed real estate salesperson in Georgia and South Carolina. From his acquisitions' experience exploring many small to medium-sized companies, he learned just how many different ways there are to accomplish a single business task. Steve can be reached via email at sfitzgerald@vrsavannah.com.
Leslie Fitzgerald: With nearly 30 years of experience, Leslie brings to VR Business Sales a broad background in all aspects of professional book publishing including product selection, development, production, marketing and promotion. For 13 years, she was responsible for direct marketing and promotion to professional markets via the Internet; negative-option bookclubs; and shingle-shot, catalog, and card-deck mailings. Prior to taking on marketing duties, she had experience as both a managing editor and director of acquisitions. She is a licensed real estate salesperson in Georgia. Leslie can be reached via email at lfitzgerald@vrsavannah.com.
Bill Patterson: Prior to joining VR in 2011, Bill ran a small aerospace manufacturing company located in Savannah, GA. He was intimately involved in the extensive initial acquisition process, the day-to-day and strategic operations of the business and then its ultimate sale. Among his other small business experiences was the position of plant manager of a consumer services business. Bill has extensive experience in manufacturing and business leadership roles (FMC Corporation and DuPont), including positions as Director of Manufacturing and Director of Chemical Purchasing. His business leadership roles span nine different manufacturing and business sites. Bill can be reached via email at bpatterson@vrsavannah.com.
Michael Shah: Prior to joining VR in 2011, Michael was a part of operations management for Monarch Hotels & Restaurants headquartered in Savannah, GA. The company specialized in development and management of properties across southeastern Georgia. A graduate of Georgia State University in 2006, Michael with a concentration in the fields of Finance and Urban Planning Studies.
Michael is a past member of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA), Asian American Hotels Owner Association (AAHOA), National Restaurant Association (NRA) and the Chamber of Commerce. Michael can be reached via email at mshah@vrsavannah.com.
Lorrency "Larry" O'Brien: Larry O'Brien brings over 28 years of management and technical consulting experience to the VR Business Sales Savannah team. He has provided research, procurement, and project administration services for engineering, environmental and construction-related projects. He has owned his own management consulting business, provide services in the areas of day-to-day operations; business development and marketing; and client, program, and project management. Larry has established and managed regional offices and performed interdisciplinary tasks on projects throughout the U.S and Puerto Rico.
Mr. O’Brien attended The Ohio State University where he studied mathematics and science at the College of Arts and Sciences. He graduated with a Bachelors Degree in geology with significant course work in cultural studies. Larry can be reached via email at lobrien@vrsavannah.com.
James Rody: James Rody brings to VR Business Sales over 40 years of business and sales experience. Having worked in and run his family music business for over 40 years, he is very experienced in sales, marketing, management and operations. He is a licensed Georgia Real Estate Salesman and has had extensive experience in property management and sales.
James is very involved in the Savannah and Low Country community. He has been President (twice) of the Savannah Kiwanis Club and served on numerous boards in the community.
James is a member and usher of the Isle of Hope United Methodist Church where he also sings in the men's choir and plays in the Hope Band praise group. He is a Master Mason at Thunderbolt Lodge of the Grand Lodge of Georgia and a 32' member in the Scottish Rite. James can be reached via email at jrody@vrsavannah.com.