Getting Your Family Business Ready For Succession

Millie Baumbusch, Michael Blake, Don Bravaldo, John Monahon, Robert Port

The things you need to be prepared for when your family business is ready for succession are discussed on this episode of “Wealth Matters“.

Michael Blake/Arpeggio Advisors

Mike Blake is the founder of Arpeggio Advisors, a boutique business appraisal and corporate strategy advisory firm in Atlanta. Mike’s background has included work in venture capital, investment banking, and public accounting. For the first eight years of his career, Mike worked in venture capital and investment banking in the U.S. and abroad. Mike started his career running an entrepreneurship program for the US Agency for International Development (USAID) to assist privatizing companies in Belarus, Russia and Ukraine. He also worked for 2 years for Global Partner Ventures, a venture fund that invested in technologies related to the design, production or delivery of weapons of mass destruction in the former Soviet Union, and converted them to civilian applications and market-driven businesses. Since arriving in Atlanta in 2003, Mike has been applying his venture capital and technology venture knowledge in the local ecosystem. Mike co-founded StartupLounge, a nonprofit that helped emerging technology companies in Georgia raise over $10 million through education and networking events. In addition, Mike serves as an educator for entrepreneurs and a competition coach, having helped 7 teams win over $300,000 in cash and $2 million in professional services, as well as helping one team secure funding through ABC’s Shark Tank. In 2005, Mike entered the business appraisal profession full-time, working most recently for Habif, Arogeti & Wynne, LLP (the largest independent public accounting firm headquartered in Atlanta). Mike led HA&W’s effort to become the first appraisal practice in Georgia to earn the International Society of Business Analysts’ Gold Seal of Trust, the only peer review recognition for observing best practices in the business appraisal profession in the United States. Mike has particular expertise in the appraisal of firms in the fields of professional services, information technology, aerospace, and alternative energy. In addition, he has developed specific expertise in the appraisal of emerging technology firms, intellectual property, and intangible assets. Mike is an active educator. He is a Special Instructor of Business Valuation in the Georgia Tech/Emory University TI:GER (Technology Innovation: Generating Economic Results) program. In addition, he is regularly invited to provide instruction on entrepreneurship, corporate finance, and business valuation to graduate level classes at the Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, Kennesaw State University, the University of South Carolina, Georgia State University, and the University of Georgia. Furthermore, he regularly provides continuing professional education for his peers in the business valuation profession. Mike earned a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and French (Cum Laude) from Franklin & Marshall College, from which he graduated Phi Beta Kappa. In addition, he holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Georgetown University. Mike is also a member of the Leadership Atlanta Class of 2014. Mike’s additional professional and community-service passions include supporting entrepreneurship through education and nonprofit board involvement, raising awareness of and funding to combat Lou Gehrig’s Disease, promoting alternative energy development through market forces, advocating for de-stigmatizing mental illness and disorders, and expanding the inclusiveness of the Atlanta high technology community. Mike was recognized in 2009 by the Atlanta Business Chronicle for being one of the top 40 Executives Under 40 in the Atlanta area.
Mike speaks Russian, French, and Ukrainian, lives near Atlanta with his wife and two sons, and plays keyboards and vocals for Kickin’ Off the Coverz, a working classic rock cover band.

Don Bravaldo/Bravaldo Capital Advisors

Don founded Bravaldo Capital Advisors in 2006 to provide full-service investment banking to middle market clients, a segment underserved by larger advisory firms. As managing partner, Don has led BCA through successful transactions across a wide variety of industries. Prior to founding Bravaldo Capital Advisors, Don led the middle market group at a Southeastern business brokerage and oversaw all North American mergers and acquisition activity for Hanger Orthopedic Group, Inc., a large, publicly traded, consolidator of orthopedic and prosthetic service businesses. In these roles, Don administered all phases of the mergers and acquisition process, including identifying potential sell side opportunities, packaging businesses for sale, performing business valuations, extending and negotiating offers, conducting due diligence investigations, and managing the formal closing process. Earlier in his career as an auditor with Bennett Thrasher & Co., P.C. and Arthur Andersen LLP, Don coordinated financial reporting engagements and provided business consulting services to clients throughout the Southeast in industries including construction, service, manufacturing, and healthcare. Don is a member of the Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He graduated Cum Laude with a BS in Accounting from Auburn University. Don is active in his church and enjoys golf, fishing and the outdoors.

John Monahon/Trusted Counsel

John serves as legal counsel to startups and growth companies on corporate and transactional matters. His practice focuses on the full life cycle of businesses, including entity organization, shareholder agreements, licensing agreements, securities offerings, employment agreements, intellectual property registrations and business succession planning. John’s clients include companies in a broad array of industries including technology, consulting, healthcare, media, and food and beverage. John received his B.A., cum laude, in finance and management and a joint J.D./I.M.B.A. from the University of South Carolina. During his studies, John worked in the international joint venture finance division of one of the largest law firms in Asia. His business and legal background gives him a unique perspective that enables him to assist clients in making well-informed legal decisions that achieve their strategic business goals. John is married to his wife Soo, and has 3 young children. He enjoys spending time with his family, watching college football and playing tennis.

ABOUT GASLOWITZ FRANKEL, LLC:

Gaslowitz Frankel is an experienced trial practice firm specializing in all aspects of complex fiduciary litigation throughout Georgia and the Southeast. With a focus on representing individuals, companies, banks, and fiduciaries in dispute involving wills, estates, trusts, guardianships, businesses, and securities law, their experienced and highly qualified litigation attorneys have tremendous credentials and a proven history of success.