IBBAinsights: Fall 2026
IN THIS ISSUE: “The Next Chapter,” Letter from the 2026 IBBA Chair. Plus, The Integrated Deal Platform, The Listing That Should Never Have Been Listed, Putting AI to Work in Your Brokerage, and more!
MAY 31, 2017 – INDEPENDENCE, OH – Fifty business brokers from around the world have been granted the Certified Business Intermediary (CBI) certification from the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA). The CBI, which represents the gold standard in the business brokerage industry, was awarded to 50 individuals who completed the required course work and passed the required exam at the 2017 IBBA Annual Conference in Dallas, Texas in May.
“As the number of CBIs continues to grow, business brokers, buyers, and sellers realize the importance of demonstrating a commitment to excellence in this profession,” stated Louis Vescio, 2017 Chair of the IBBA Board. “I congratulate all of our new CBIs on their hard work and welcome them to this elite community.”
Members earning the CBI certification include:
Faraaz Ali: Washington, DC
Rob Amerine: Colorado Springs, CO
Jim Beno: Naperville, IL
Bob Blanscett: Austin, TX
Adam Bradshaw: New Bedford, MA
Chris Cantwell: Denver, CO
Russell Cohen: Cooper City, FL
Clayton Cooper: Springfield, MO
Lidia Couzo: Amherst, NY
Keith Dean: St. Simons Island, GA
Tracey Deuschle-Burke: St. Augustine, FL
Robert Dicks: Austin, TX
Steve Duke: Cornelius, NC
Brent Engelbrekt: St. Cloud, MN
Jessica Fialkovich: Denver, CO
Clint Fiore: Kerrville, TX
Eric Gall: Bonita Springs, FL
Richard Gardner: Hudson, OH
Justin Grolley: New Bedford, MA
Carlos Guevara: San Antonio, TX
Lindsey Harris: Tampa, FL
Ross Haymes: Denver, CO
Aron Heikali: Los Angeles, CA
Ron Hunter: Burlington, ON
Paul Ihrig: Orlando, FL
Kenneth Ip: Hong Kong
Neal Isaacs: Garner, NC
Krista Jenkins: Lubbock, TX
Kimberly Jones: Lafayette, LA
Gregg Kunz: Denver, CO
Rhett Kniep: Rocklin, CA
Robert Latham: Houston, TX
Dan Long: Cincinnati, OH
Sylvain Perret: Orlando, FL
Pamela Piper: Las Vegas, NV
Tom Poyser: Indianapolis, IN
Matthew Prescott: Denver, CO
Bob Rizzuto: Golden, CO
David Routzahn: Haddonfield, NJ
Carmen Saad Hanna: Houston, TX
Adam Schatzmann: Tinton Falls, NJ
Dale Shepherd: Delray Beach, FL
John Smith: Jacksonville, FL
Jennifer Sokol: Durango, FL
Bill Thode: Denver, CO
Jon Tichich: Apple Valley, MN
Lee Trammell: Tyler, TX
Paul Visokey: Trevose, PA
Craig White: Vancouver, BC
Doug Yntema: Hudsonville, MI
Those earning the CBI certification must be active members of the IBBA with three or more years of business brokerage experience, or a college degree and one year of business brokerage experience. They must also attend an IBBA Conference, complete 68 credit hours of IBBA educational courses, and pass a comprehensive exam.
“The CBI is a clear indicator of knowledge, experience, excellence and ethics, and we encourage business sellers and buyers to look for the CBI designation when selecting a business broker to work with,” added Vescio.
About the International Business Brokers Association
Founded in 1983, the IBBA is the largest non-profit association specifically formed to meet the needs of people and firms engaged in various aspects of business brokerage, and mergers and acquisitions. The IBBA provides education, conferences, professional designations and networking opportunities for its Members, and delivers the quarterly Market Pulse research report to industry. For more information about the IBBA, visit the website at www.ibba.org. For more information about the Certified Business Intermediary certification, visit www.ibba.org/cbi-certification/.
IN THIS ISSUE: “The Next Chapter,” Letter from the 2026 IBBA Chair. Plus, The Integrated Deal Platform, The Listing That Should Never Have Been Listed, Putting AI to Work in Your Brokerage, and more!
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