The Sterling Business Advisors Team
Gregory Isaacs
President and Founder
Gregory Isaacs brings a background as a marketing director for corporations large and small: ITT, in-house ad agencies, and arts non-profits. In those roles, he was involved in M&A activities. His bachelor degree is from the University of Miami (first two years at the University of Michigan) and his master’s degree from Indiana University. He is a Pulitzer nominated composer and classical music critic.
Telephone: 214-553-1166 extension 3362
John Lantto
Chief Financial Officer
John Lantto brings a financial background in the health care industry. He was a comptroller for a regional hospital system and Director of Finance for a division of Cigna. He holds a bachelor degree from Southern University. He is an exhibited photographer.
Telephone: 214-553-1166 extension 3361
Don Zelezny
Vice President, Sales and Marketing
Don Zelezny is a sales and marketing executive experienced in sales growth through improved company brand and market awareness. 35 year business owner of Accounting, ERP, and CRM systems companies. Business contacts include CPA firms, consulting groups and other who served their clients with expertise around their systems. Clients served included small and medium businesses in the services, distributions, and manufacturing sectors. Developed 1st Tuesday Connections; a monthly event that provides business information to senior executives – while connecting to their peers. Don has owned, in full or in part, Z Systems, Enterprise Resource Group, and MIS Group. He plays in a rock band.
Telephone: 972-499-4980
Johnny Zilliacus
Registered Intermediary
Johnny Zilliacus brings C-level experience with downstream oil & chemicals with Esso and Neste, heavy equipment (Caterpillar), plastic injection molding, and machinery assembly. He was the President of Nestle Polyester, Inc. and Plastics, Inc. His Bachelors degree is from Hanken School of Economics, Finland. He is a sailor and snow skier.
Telephone: 713-929-3279
Tom Sadler
Registered Intermediary
Tom Sadler has 35 years of sales and marketing experience in the business community. Tom spent 11 years as a Real Estate Broker in residential real estate and the homebuilding industry. He was also in the financial services industry for 10 years, where he worked primarily with business owners advising them on their financial and estate planning and business exit strategies. For the past 13 years, he has been the President and part owner of Executive Press a commercial printing company located in Richardson, Texas. His responsibilities included all financial matters and business development. Tom sold part of his share but still has an ownership position in the company. He is an avid golfer.
Telephone: 214-919-7282
Contact Sterling Business Advisors:
Feel free to contact us at any time, including if you are only seeking information. We will be happy to explain the process, outline the services we provide and discuss any current or future plans you may have.
Please feel reassured that Sterling Business Advisors and its affiliates are committed to respecting your privacy. We recognize the need for appropriate protection and management of any personally identifiable information you may share with us. Sterling Business Advisors will NEVER sell, rent, or trade your e-mail address or contact information to any party.
When you are ready to sell your company, who will you turn to?
Introduction
Sterling Business Advisors matches qualified buyers with qualified, engaged sellers. We represent single buyers under contract and introduce them to the interested seller. Our job is to keep the negotiations moving forward to a successful conclusion and close the sale without ever putting the business out on the open market.
Description of services: What Sterling Business Advisors Does
Sterling Business Advisors is a different selling option. We help guide a seller’s trusted team through the process of selling a business. Two differences are:
- The buyer pays all of our fees.
- There is no listing agreement or public listing.
- More completed transactions because buyers and sellers are matched before the selling process begins.
- Lower costs for the seller because all of our fees are paid by the buyer.
- A smoother transition because the sellers trusted advisors are managing the process.
The Process: for Sellers
As the representatives for buyers, we are many times approached by sellers. While the process is similar to that for buyers, there are some differences. For sellers we:
- Inform and educate the seller about the acquisition process.
- Execute a simple confidentiality agreement.
- Gather information on revenue, EBITDA, markets, business structure, and current situation to ensure the buyer’s interest.
- Match qualified sellers to buyers under contract.
- Introduce the seller to the buyer.
- Continue to monitor and guide the process without being directly involved in negotiations with either party.
- Facilitate the closing.
We are compensated with a finder’s fee paid by the buyer. The seller is not charged any fees by Sterling Business Advisors.
Do you know how you are going to help your clients with succession planning and exit strategy?
Introduction
Sterling Business Advisors helps CPAs, consultants and advisors to give clear options to their clients. We open doors and help facilitate succession planning, exit strategies and business closings. Our primary purpose is to introduce sellers to qualified buyers and then leave all the professional service work to the primary parties.
Description of services: What Sterling Business Advisors Does
Sterling Business Advisors is a different selling option. We help guide a seller’s trusted team through the process of selling a business. Two differences are:
- The buyer pays all of our fees
- There is no listing agreement or public listing
- More completed transactions because buyers and sellers are matched before the selling process begins.
- Lower costs for the seller because all of our fees are paid by the buyer.
- A smoother transition because the sellers trusted advisors are managing the process.
The Process: for Trusted Advisors
Our business is built around putting our qualified buyers in touch with interested sellers. As the trusted advisor to a business owner looking to sell or change business direction, you need guidance and direction that you can give to your client with confidence. We bring to you:
- Information and education about acquisition process.
- Simplified, understandable paperwork and documentation that will facilitate a smooth sale.
- Clear questions about revenue, EBITDA, markets, business structure, current situation that are not obtrusive (all professional services work associated with the acquisition is done by the trusted advisor).
- Qualified buyers under contract that are matched to your client’s business and marketplace.
- Monitoring and guidance through the process without being directly involved in negotiations with either party.
- A clear closing.
Sterling Business Advisors is a different selling option. We help guide a seller’s trusted team through the process of selling a business.
We are buy-side intermediaries. This means we approach the acquisition of a business completely differently than traditional business brokers. Instead of listing a business as if it were a piece of real estate on the open market, we engineer the sale by bringing a qualified buyer to the process.
We are the representatives for qualified corporate and private equity buyers. Our job is to match you with qualified companies that meet your selection criteria. We meet this by:
- Developing a target list specific to your criteria using proprietary systems
- Refine that list in consultation with your team.
- Get approval of the final list.
- Make contact with the targets.
- Complete a preliminary screening of interested sellers from the list.
- Inform and educate the business owner about the acquisition process.
- Introduce the buyer to the seller.
- Continue to monitor and guide the process without being directly involved in negotiations.
- Facilitate the closing.
We are compensated with a finder’s fee paid by the buyer.
Current Active Searches
Sterling Business Advisors, a Buy-Side Merger & Acquisition Intermediary company, represents corporate or private equity groups. We search for and find companies that fit the specific criteria of our clients. Other mid-market industries, wishing introduction to our clients, may also be considered for presentation.
Sterling only represents and accepts remuneration from buyers. Through Sterling, businesses can be introduced to qualified buyers and acquired without becoming a FOR SALE listing.
Everyone’s confidentiality is always protected. Sterling Business Advisors can offer finder's fees (to those who can accept them) for introductions that lead to a closed transaction or other business relationship.
Aircraft Repair Facility
$4M - $20M of EBITDA
Anywhere in the U.S., Southwest preferred
Aircraft Maintenance and Repair
Aircraft Instrument, landing gear, engine, mainframe repair.
Want current management to stay in place.
Branded Food
$2M - $4M of EBITDA
Anywhere in the U.S.
Regional Branded Food Items Produced In House Or Outsourced
Examples include Baked, Frozen, Dips, Sauces, Drinks, Bars, Snacks.
Owners may stay or exit.
Business to Business Products & Services
$1M - $6M of EBITDA
Dallas Texas Metro Area
Businesses with a high cost of entry preferred.
Logistics, Specialized Finance, Franchisors, Business Software, Gaming.
Existing ownership may stay in, or exit.
Commercial and Residential Roofers
$500K - $5M of EBITDA
Texas - North, West, and Central Preferred
Installation, Repair, and the ongoing Maintenance of Roofs.
This includes Flat, Clay, Metal, and Shingle.
Prefer existing management teams to join us.
Data / Collocation / Web Hosting Centers
$1.5M - $5M of EBITDA
Anywhere in US
Value Added Services and/or Proprietary Software Preferred
Cloud based Saas Applications, On-Line Retailing, Server Hosting, Colocation, Remote Backup, Web Hosting, IP Telephone Systems
Interested in opportunities in need of business management but would prefer technical management stay in.
Distressed / Troubled Businesses
$-1M - $10M of EBITDA
Anywhere in the U.S.
Underperforming with Losses, Revenue of 15M to 100M
Pharmaceuticals / Nutraceuticals, B to B Manufactured Durable Consumables, Specialty Food Packaging.
Flexibilty with Existing Management Teams, Working Owners May Stay or Leave.
Distributor of Specialty Fasteners
$500k - $6M of EBITDA
Anywhere in the U.S. - South, Midwest and East preferred
Strong track record preferred
Fasteners for aerospace, power generation, (gas turbines, wind).
Strong track record preferred, owner may stay or leave.
Light Manufacturing
$1.5M - $10M of EBITDA
Southwest Preferred, Elsewhere Considered
Non discresionary products.
Printing & packaging, furniture, cabinets, candy, food, and household consumer goods.
O.K. to stay or leave.
Management Buy Outs
$1.5M -$10M of EBITDA
Anywhere in US
Niche Manufacturing, Assembly, Distribution, Non-Cyclical Business Service B to B products: wood, plastics, metals, foods, beverage: Material handeling, Security Systems parts, Specialty Transportation
Owner exit where strong management team desires to purchase.
Repetitive Distributor / Manufacturer
$10K - $4M of EBITDA
DFW and Surrounding Area
Balance Sheet Issues O.K.
Food Products, Perishables, Inexpensive Consumables and most High Volume Low Cost Items.
Management Buy Out or Management Continuity Preferred, but Not Required.
Specialty Pharmacy
$2M - $4M of EBITDA
Anywhere in the U.S.
Pharmacies for specialized client bases.
Diabetics or HIV. Compound clients, Compounding pharmacies for veterinarian and human consumption.
Prefers Owners Stay On For Some Period of Time.
Sterling Business Advisors offers four workshops
free of charge to businesses and organizations
free of charge to businesses and organizations
HOW TO BUY A BUSINESS
HOW TO SELL YOUR BUSINESS
BUSINESS VALUATIONS
Who needs them and what are they?
Who needs them and what are they?
THE 
FACTOR
How to market your business
FACTOR
How to market your business