Aaron, Bell International features a staff of highly-experienced professionals dedicated to delivering exceptional expertise to their clients.

Ralph A. Bellizzi is the founder, President and Licensed Principal Broker of Aaron, Bell International.  He is a Senior Intermediary with a 38-year history of diverse business ownership, consulting and M&A experience.  His background includes business sales, mergers and acquisitions, strategic planning, management, reorganization and equity funding.  Mr. Bellizzi has owned and operated 18 privately-held companies and two public companies.  He facilitated four additional companies in completing Initial Public Offerings.  He has consulted and/or negotiated with hundreds of businesses.  They are comprised of a diverse spectrum ranging from start-up to Fortune 100.  He is currently a principal in two businesses and an acquisitions fund.  Mr. Bellizzi was one of eight members selected to serve on the International Business Brokers Association Ethics Committee that developed IBBA's code of ethics for its 1,200 members.  He is also a former Army Officer and Vietnam helicopter pilot.

Lindsay A. Gardner is a Managing Director and Vice President of Operations of Aaron, Bell International.  She is responsible for company operations, growth, and conducting merger and acquisition transactions.  Ms. Gardner has a track record of developing successful growth strategies in mid-sized firms and large corporate environments.  She has over 13 years experience in mergers, acquisitions, alliances, joint ventures, divestitures and integrations, having closed 24 domestic and international transactions creating more than $680 million of business value.  Transaction sizes range from $5 million to over $100 million.  She also has P&L and line operations experience.  Prior to joining ABI, Ms. Gardner provided M&A, strategic planning and integration expertise to GE, Honeywell, and Menasha Corporation.  Her geographic area of expertise is Asia, with particular emphasis on China, having lived there for seven years.  She also lived in Russia for three years.  Her operations and integration expertise are focused on manufacturing and distribution.  Ms. Gardner holds a BA in International Economics from the Elliott School of International Affairs of The George Washington University and an MBA from the University of Louisville.

Daniel M. Braiman is a Managing Director and CFO of Aaron, Bell International.  He is responsible for coordinating services between all team members and the client.  Mr. Braiman has 24 years of experience in corporate finance, business development, business valuations and commercial banking, including 9 years of experience in M&A.  Mr. Braiman's experience also includes audit and consulting on organizational structure, staff levels and business process improvement.  Mr. Braiman completed his undergraduate university education at Middlebury College in Vermont, earning a BA in Economics.  He also holds an MBA degree in Finance from the William E. Simon Graduate School of Business Administration in Rochester, NY.

Richard L. Winter is an independent affiliate of Aaron, Bell International. Mr. Winter has a 25-year history as a lead intermediary in mergers, acquisitions, and business sales. He has negotiated with or completed several hundred transactions ranging in value from under $1 million to over $45 million. Prior to his M&A industry experience he was a chief financial officer in three companies, managing budgets from $30 – $70 million. Mr. Winter's operating expertise encompasses management, finance, marketing, and two turnarounds. He personally acquired, expanded, and sold several companies; therefore, he understands both buy-side and sell-side issues from the owner's perspective. His broad-based knowledge and experience have enabled Mr. Winter to provide services as an expert witness in court for business valuation and other related issues. He has authored two business/financial books and provided M&A industry training for over 200 new and experienced intermediaries. He graduated with honors from the University of Illinois with a Degree in Accountancy and attended UCLA in post-graduate studies. He served as an Officer in the U.S. Navy with three tours of duty in Vietnam.

John Bicknell is an independent affiliate of Aaron, Bell International. Mr. Bicknell has over 30 years of diverse experience encompassing business sales and M&A industry as an intermediary, operations management, business development, human resources, and recruiting. His intermediary activities focus on confidential professional services for the transfer of privately-held companies. Mr. Bicknell has serviced companies ranging in size from small to Fortune 1000. He is an active member of the International Business Brokers Association and a United States Navy helicopter air crew veteran.

Emmett E. Duemke is a Managing Director of Aaron, Bell International.  Mr. Duemke is responsible for mid-market merger and acquisitions.   He specializes in retail, distribution and manufacturing industries, and has 38 years experience in all phases of the retail trade.  Mr. Duemke began his career with a Fortune 500 company.  He capped his 20-year retail career as a Regional Manager responsible for a ten-state region and 2,300 employees.   After retiring, he acquired a retail business and facilitated its growth by 500%, transforming a one-location facility into a regional retail chain.  Mr. Duemke completed his undergraduate degree in Business Administration at Texas Christian University located in Fort Worth, Texas.  He holds an MBA degree in Finance and Marketing from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.  Mr. Duemke is a former Officer of the United States Air Force.

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