World leaders in business broker industry honored with the IBBA Member Excellence Awards

(INDEPENDENCE, OHIO) Twenty-nine business brokers from around the world were recognized for their excellence with awards from the International Business Broker Association (IBBA). The awards were presented at the 2nd Annual Member Excellence Awards Gala during the IBBA’s annual conference in Dallas on May 6.

Awards were given in the following seven categories: IBBA Outstanding Producer, IBBA Top Global Producer, IBBA Chairman’s Circle, IBBA Deal Maker, IBBA Deal Maker of the Year, IBBA Closing of the Year and IBBA Advocate of the Year.

“It’s important to recognize those individuals who are worldwide leaders in the business broker industry and who display the high standards of skill and excellence that the IBBA promotes,” said Lou Vescio, IBBA Board Chair. “The IBBA Marketing Committee, which reviewed the applicant’s entries, had a difficult time selecting winners because of the high caliber of many of our IBBA members.” 


This year’s honorees by category include:


IBBA Outstanding Producer Award: Given to those individuals who closed one or more business deals totaling at least $1 million in total purchase price during the 2016 calendar year. The IBBA is pleased to congratulate:

Sean Brelsford: Melbourne, Florida

William DeCanio: Miami, Florida

Steve Fylypchuk: Calgary, Alberta

Ken Wither: Calgary, Alberta

Leon Niemann: Lakewood, Colorado

Marcie Woolworth: Loveland, Colorado

Adam Bradshaw: New Bedford, Massachusetts

Diana Miles: Charlotte, North Carolina

Ian Houghton: Vancouver, British Columbia

Hal Janke: Carlsbad, California

Faraaz Ali: McLean, Virginia

Michelle Dunn: Carrollton, Texas

Peter Picciano: Wellington, Florida


IBBA Chairman’s Circle Award: Given to those individuals who closed one or more business deals amounting to $3 million and above in total purchase price during the 2016 calendar year. The IBBA is pleased to congratulate:

Russell Cohen: Davie, Florida

Steven Zimmerman: San Rafael, California

Tom Milana: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Pino Bacinello: Vancouver, British Columbia

Randy Bring: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Pablo Langesfeld: Miami, Florida

Nanda Nandkishore: Los Gatos, California

Matt Coletta: Calabasas, California

Scott Perry: Carrollton, Texas

Albert Fialkovich: Denver, Colorado

Aldrin Raphael Fernandes: Mississauga, Ontario

David Xie: Vancouver, British Columbia

Jason Tuzinkewich: Green Bay, Wisconsin

Emmet Apolinario: Columbus, Ohio

Ismael Wrixen: Boston, Massachusetts

Don Pippin: Lafayette, Louisiana


IBBA Deal Maker Award: Given to those individuals who sold at least 10 qualified businesses during the 2016 calendar year. The IBBA is pleased to congratulate:

Russell Cohen: Davie, Florida

Steven Zimmerman: San Rafael, California

Tom Milana: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Peter Picciano: Wellington, Florida

Randy Bring: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Pablo Langesfeld: Miami, Florida

Albert Fialkovich: Denver, Colorado

Aldrin Raphael Fernandes: Mississauga, Ontario

Emmet Apolinario: Columbus, Ohio

Scott Perry: Carrollton, Texas

Ismael Wrixen: Boston, Massachusetts

Don Pippin: Lafayette, Louisiana


IBBA Top Global Producer Award: Given to the individual who has the highest total purchase price from all of his/her deals combined in the 2016 calendar year. The IBBA is pleased to congratulate:

Ismael Wrixen: Boston, Massachusetts


IBBA Deal Maker of the Year Award: Given to the individual who sold the greatest number of qualified businesses in the 2016 calendar year. The IBBA is pleased to congratulate:

Ismael Wrixen: Boston, Massachusetts


IBBA Closing of the Year Award: Given to the applicant who closed the single largest business deal in the 2016 calendar year. The IBBA is pleased to congratulate:

Jason Tuzinkewich: Green Bay, Wisconsin


IBBA Advocate of the Year Award: Given to the one industry professional who has gone above and beyond to not only help the IBBA continue to be successful and grow as an organization, but also help individual members grow and continue to be successful as well. The IBBA is pleased to congratulate:

Ron West: Wilmington, North Carolina

Lori Mize: Tampa, Florida


About the International Business Brokers Association

The IBBA provides business brokers with education, conferences, professional designations and networking opportunities. As an exclusive education opportunity, it offers coursework and seminars required to obtain its prestigious Certified Business Intermediary (CBI) certification.

The IBBA also strives to create professional relationships with successful business transaction advisors to increase the value of the IBBA to its members and to be a leader in the exchange of business referrals. Membership in the IBBA includes these excellent networking opportunities, as well as a complete package of other benefits and services. Formed in 1983, the IBBA has members around the world. For more information about the IBBA, visit the website at www.ibba.org


Media Contacts:

Cole Buergi
Leonard & Finco Public Relations, Inc.
920-965-7750 ext.168
[email protected]


2016 winners of IBBA Outstanding Producer Award

winners of 2016 IBBA Chairman’s Circle Award

Jason Tuzinkewich 2016 IBBA Closing of the Year Award

winners of 2016 IBBA Deal Maker Award

Ismael Wrixen 2016 IBBA Deal Maker of the Year Award

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