Al Statz, CBA, CBI
Founder and President
Al founded Exit Strategies’ to help business owners exit right and receive the reward they deserve for their years of hard work and investment in building a successful businesses. Al thinks strategy and win-win, and he has a natural ability to anticipate the needs of parties in business deals. He combines M&A experience with creativity, attention to detail and unrelenting work ethic to get results for his clients. Al targets service, manufacturing and distribution companies. Al has over 20 years of experience in business operations, finance, sales, marketing, product development and strategic planning. Prior to founding Exit Strategies he was president of IDC, a $20M manufacturer of robotic devices for industrial automation. Al acquired an east coast company and assimilated it into IDC's operations. The firm was eventually sold to multi-national Danaher Corp (NYSE: DHR). Before that Al integrated business acquisitions, led sales & marketing teams, developed and launched products, formed successful strategic alliances and built worldwide distribution channels for early-stage and established companies.
Certifications:
- Certified Business Intermediary (CBI), International Business Brokers Association (IBBA)
- Certified Business Appraiser (CBA), Institute of Business Appraisers (IBA)
- California Broker License (ID#01338013)
Al has an MBA from Golden Gate University and a BS in Engineering from the University of Wisconsin—Madison. Al lives in Sonoma County with his wife and sons. He is active in Rotary International service projects. On his personal time, you’ll find Al cycling, sailing, cross country skiing, backpacking, or somewhere outdoors.
Bob Altieri, CBA, MBA
Bob has a solid background in business development and marketing management experience with firms in the Bay Area. After moving to Nevada City, CA in 1981, he founded Mountain Star Business Brokerage and participated in over 200 sales transactions of retail, manufacturing, and distribution businesses and professional practices. After selling the brokerage company, Bob was one of the founders and CEO of Leapfrog Software, Inc. In 2007 he sold the IP of the company's flagship product.
Bob was accredited by The Institute of Business Appraisers as a Certified Business Appraiser in 1992 and has extensive business appraisal experience. He received a BS in Electrical Engineering from Indiana Institute of Technology in 1966 and an MBA from California State University in 2000.
Don Ross
Don sells the full spectrum of main street businesses. Before joining Exit Strategies he was engaged as a contract CFO/Controller for 3 retail business entities, focusing on forensic accounting, cash management, budgeting, maximizing profitability and market strategy formulation. Don has owned and operated several retail businesses including farm and industrial equipment dealerships, a chain of retail stationery and gift stores, and a direct marketing catalog company. Don was a Regional Marketing and Sales Director of the legal publishing division of McGraw-Hill Company, and was a marketing consultant to the 1996 Atlanta Olympics Venue Management Group. Don graduated from Stanford University in 1971. Don has 3 children and 3 grandchildren. He lives in Sonoma County with his wife, Michele, and Standard French Poodle, Hank.
Jim Leonhard
Jim spent over 15 years in the telecommunications industry as a consultant and entrepreneur. He founded vorCOMM Communications, LLC, a consulting firm dedicated to managing and reducing worldwide IT expenses for multi-national clients. Previously, Jim founded OptiMisers, Inc, a highly successful domestic telecommunications cost management firm which he sold profitably after 9 years of operation. Prior to that, he was a Partner with Putnam, Hayes & Bartlett, Inc., an international consulting firm providing economic and business counsel to a variety of clients. Earlier in his career, Jim worked in manufacturing including five years with full P&L responsibility as Sr. VP and GM for a $20 million, 200 person division of International Paint. His past experience includes executive level positions in marketing, business development, general management, technical product development, and extensive involvement in international operations. Jim holds a BS in Engineering from The Johns Hopkins University and a Masters in Business Administration from the Harvard Business School. Jim and his wife live in the Sacramento area, and he is a competitive marathoner.
Steven C. Keeler
Steve has been brokering Bay Area businesses for ten years and has been providing business consulting and accounting services for more than 20 years. Steve specializes in selling restaurants, food service businesses, gas stations, markets, and automotive service businesses and dealerships. After serving in the U.S. Navy, Steve started a banking career with Crocker Anglo Bank. He later worked with Redwood National Bank, Sierra National Bank and Bank of the Orient. Steve's positions included loan officer, branch manager, area supervisor and comptroller, and he was involved with several bank start ups, mergers and acquisitions. Steve left banking to purchase Diller's Delicatessen in San Rafael, which he grew to 5 locations in Marin and San Francisco. Steve sold the chain in 1984. Another of Steve's entrepreneurial ventures was designing, starting and running an automotive service center, which he sold in 1998.
