Sunbelt of St. Paul

Dan is one of only 4 brokers within Sunbelt Midwest to recieve National recognition for being a member of the exclusive 5 million dollar club! Dan is a licensed agent in Minnesota and Wisconsin. He is also a member of the International Business Broker Association. Dan has over 12 years experience in brokering hundreds of businesses. Dan was a National Sales Manager for a $350 million dollar National Distributor and 'Fortune 200 Private Company'. Dan was the National Closer representing over 70 sales reps in closing larger deals nationwide. In addition, Dan has been a successful business owner of a wholesale distribution company. He has extensive experience putting buyers and sellers together, and intimately understands the needs of both buyers and sellers. Dan provides volunteer services to Big Brothers/Big Sisters organization and is also active within his church. Dan Arcand is a member of Sunbelt Midwest, with three offices in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis/St. Paul helping people buy businesses and sell businesses in Minnesota and the greater Midwest area. Sunbelt Midwest agents are licensed Minnesota Business Brokers. Sunbelt Midwest also has business broker offices in Wisconsin and Illinois.
Testimonials:
“We always felt he always had our best interest at heart. We believe was able to find us the very best buyer and at the very best price”
Shari Ripley- former owner Log Jam Manufacturing

“Our work with Dan Arcand was exceptional! He acted on our behalf as if our company was his own, and he had as much stake in the outcome as we did. If we were to ever buy or sell another company, we would insist on working with him.”
Kathryn Haugrud- Handi-Lift, Inc. non emergency medical transportation

“The whole process was expedited by your frequent contact with the buyers, loan officers, appraisers, etc. and we were able to complete the transaction in 2 months. We have no hesitation to recommend you to anyone interested in selling their business”
Sunil & Harris Ratnayake- Former owners of Salem Montessori School

Jim Borthwick's business experience includes corporate positions in finance, marketing, sales and general management, plus a number of private business ventures including ownership in a successful mid market business brokerage practice, and owner of the first Fastsigns franchise in Minnesota. Jim holds a BSB degree from the University of Minnesota and is a Certified Business Intermediary.

Charley’s experience comes from an extensive background with corporate America and as a business owner. A graduate from San Diego State University, out of college he joined Motorola Inc., and quickly rose through different managerial roles. After several years he was recruited to work for Medtronic and spent many years ranked in the top 1% for sales nationwide. He quickly gained the respect from the medical community and his peers as a leader in training new products. The experience learned from these varying roles has gained him the knowledge and experience to guide buyers and sellers along the complicated path to reach their respective goals. Through his years in sales one continuous theme comes through and that is SERVICE to Customers comes first.
“If we don’t take care of our customers somebody else will.”
After moving around for corporate America and married to a New Brighton native, he decided to relocate to MN with his wife and two kids and now pursues his dreams putting buyers and sellers together. He additionally has run a franchise business and owns his own real estate development company. In his free time he enjoys camping, bike rides, fishing and boating with his family. He has travelled throughout North America, Mexico, Central America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

Peter Carlson is Sunbelt's Franchise Director. Peter works with prospective franchise buyers to seek out franchise opportunities that match their needs while also fueling their passion. Peter helps his clients through every step in the process from finding initial financing, getting sound legal council and even working through lease negotiations. Peter also assists clients in developing new franchise concepts as well as unique ways of introducing existing franchises to current markets. Peter holds a Masters in Psychology that has helped in the process of matching individual skill-sets with appropriate opportunities. Peter has been a successful business owner and entrepreneur. Early in his career, Peter founded a distribution company selling products to National Basketball Association teams. Peter was one of ten founding members of Search401k, a successful on-line service for financial intermediaries employed by Manulife Financial, American Funds and Prudential among others. Prior to becoming an entrepreneur, Peter began his career in television sales in the early 1980's. He has worked with 100's of business owners to help promote and grow their business such as the Minnesota Vikings, Best Buy and Menards. In 1989 Peter joined KARE 11 Television, the Minneapolis NBC affiliate owned and operated by Gannett. During his 11 years with KARE, Peter was nominated for Gannett sales executive of the year 4 times. Peter joined Sunbelt in early 2002 because he finds great satisfaction in helping people achieve their dream by not only owning their own business, but also building equity in something they enjoy! Peter Carlson is a member of Sunbelt Midwest, with three offices in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis/St. Paul helping people buy businesses and sell businesses in Minnesota and the greater Midwest area. Sunbelt Midwest agents are licensed Minnesota Business Brokers. Sunbelt Midwest also has business broker offices in Wisconsin and Illinois.

Lori Ann Clark first started working with business owners as a Loan Officer and Surety Bond Specialist for the Small Business Administration’s Boston Regional Office in the early 1990’s. After returning to MN, she joined Pecos River Learning Centers, the change management consulting firm which was eventually bought out by Aon Consulting.

Lori Ann is also the co-owner of both a web development and electronics manufacturing firm. As such, she has significant experience in client and project management in addition to the financial skill set required to oversee cash flow management, pro forma forecasting and SBA loan packaging.

Lori Ann received her B.A. in Political Economy and German from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College and her MBA in Venture Management from the University of St. Thomas. She is a past member of the Cannon Falls Chapter of Rotary International, the Minnesota Chapter of NAWBO and Eagan Woman of Today. She has been a board member of the Cannon Falls Art Festival and is a past president of TC Web Pros.

She is a Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) in Toastmasters, a mentor thru the Kids-n-Kinship program, a volunteer for Pet Adoption of Cannon Valley, an active member of Business Women’s Network in Eagan, and a member of the Cannon Falls Area Chamber of Commerce.

Lori Ann Clark is a member of Sunbelt Midwest, with offices in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis/St. Paul helping people buy businesses and sell businesses in Minnesota and the greater Midwest area. Sunbelt Midwest agents are licensed Minnesota Business Brokers. Sunbelt Midwest also has business broker offices in Wisconsin and Illinois.

Peggy has over 25 years of experience in Business Management, Sales Management, Sales, Negotiations, Facilitation, Relationship Management, Finance, Accounting and Tax. Peggy brings a unique perspective from operating at senior levels in both large publicly held companies as well as smaller privately held organizations. She is passionate about helping people achieve their goals and has worked with hundreds of individuals as they transition in their careers.

A Twin Cities native, Peggy began her career with a brief stint as an internal auditor and then joined a CPA firm specializing in tax accounting for individuals, partnerships and small businesses. From there, she went to Ecolab, holding various positions in tax and finance, eventually becoming Controller for the Caribbean and Central American division. Her next two positions were in business development for a staffing firm in the Twin Cities and then with Ernst & Young. She then became Managing Partner for SALO Project, a Minneapolis based, award-wining company which provides senior level accounting and finance professionals for interim assignments. Peggy left SALO to start her own small business which she built to a profitable position in its first year of operations, and then sold with the assistance of Sunbelt.

Peggy is a CPA (inactive) and graduated from the University of St. Thomas with a degree in Accounting and from the University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Business with a Masters in Business Taxation. When not assisting clients, Peggy enjoys spending time with her husband and four sons and volunteers her time coaching youth athletics and serving on the Board of Directors of the American Red Cross, Twin Cities Chapter.

John Groppoli is Sunbelts Franchise Specialist in the Midwest. John Works with prospective franchise buyers from many different backgrounds in Minnesota and Wisconsin to seek out franchise opportunities that match their skill set while also fueling their passion. John has each client fill out a no-cost confidential needs analysis profile, which gives him a better understanding of interest, background and finances. John helps his clients through every step in the process from presenting franchise opportunities, finding initial financing and getting sound legal council. John has been a successful business owner and entrepreneur. Early in his career John ran a painting business in the Minnesota market managing 12 individuals and targeting the residential & commercial markets. John was one of the original partners in a Minnesota start-up company that launched (3) new web-based products to the financial services industry during 2000-2004. These products were eventually purchased by CBS MarketWatch in 2004. Prior to coming over to Sunbelt John was Director, Inside Sales with MarketWatch Inc, a division of Dow Jones. He was responsible for growing the NE territory selling news and financial content to financial institutions, media and corporate companies. John joined Sunbelt in 2005 because he enjoys helping individuals achieve their dream of not only owning their own business but also in operating one they will enjoy.

Jamie Jerdee is an entrepreneur with experience in owning and managing businesses in a variety of industries. In 1997, Jamie began his career in the fitness industry as an exercise physiologist. Jamie’s experiences growing up on his family’s farm led him to pursue a business in the agriculture industry. In 2005, Jamie began Jerdee Seed and supported local farmers with seed products designed to maximize on-farm profitability.
Jamie is instilling his strong work ethic, dependability and sense of adventure in his own three young children. When he’s not helping sellers and buyers reach their goals, he enjoys spending time with his family. Family activities include a variety of outdoor sports, including golf and camping.

Terry Kelm joined Sunbelt with a diverse and experienced background.Spending much of his career in organizations that were sales and distribution orientated, Terry gained valuable experience by playing an instrumental role on multiple acquisitions, many of which were over one million dollars in size. His franchise expertise was honed by working with top retail and distribution concepts. While utilizing each of his many skills, Terry understands that accessibility and accountability mean everything to a successful relationship. Terry is a graduate of the Carlson School of Business Management at the University of Minnesota; is married and has 3 daughters.

Rich Kelm is a licensed Minnesota and Wisconsin Business Broker. He was the first business broker with Sunbelt Midwest when the initial Minnesota office opened in 2000. Rich was Sunbelt Midwests broker of the year in 2001. He is a member of the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA), the authority and most recognized organization for training and education in the business broker industry. Rich has sucessfully sold many different types of businesses and understands the details of a business transaction, and the needs of sellers and buyers. He has owned a successful retail and distribution company. Rich has a business degree from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota. Before becoming a Business Broker he worked for 18 years with a major Twin Cities newspaper, specializing in sales/promotions and readership growth.  Rich is married and has 3 children.  He lives in Eagan, Minnesota and has coached many years in Eagan's traveling and in house programs for basketball, softball and baseball.  His management and marketing experience will help assist clients in the steps necessary to buying or selling a business. Rich is a member of Sunbelt Midwest, with two offices in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis/St. Paul helping people buy businesses and sell businesses in Minnesota and the greater Midwest area. Sunbelt Midwest agents are licensed Minnesota Business Brokers. Sunbelt Midwest also has business broker offices in Wisconsin and Illinois.

Matt Schroder is a licensed Business Broker in both Minnesota and Wisconsin. Matt was awarded Sunbelt Midwest's Broker of the year award in 2003, 2004 and runner up in 2005 (and not happy about it!) Mr. Schroder has over 14 years of experience in buying and brokering businesses. Before becoming a business broker he owned his own sales and distribution company dealing with many small business owners. He has a very diversified background that includes extensive experience in sales and marketing along with financing and management. Mr. Schroder has successfully brokered over a hundred businesses and is very sensitive to the needs of both buyers and sellers. His experience will educate you through the entire process. Matt Schroder is a member of Sunbelt Midwest, with three offices in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis/St. Paul helping people buy businesses and sell businesses in Minnesota and the greater Midwest area. Sunbelt Midwest agents are licensed Minnesota Business Brokers. Sunbelt Midwest also has business broker offices in Wisconsin and Illinois.

Henry Votel is a licensed Business Broker in Minnesota-Wisconsin-Iowa. He has decades of experience with business brokerage and real estate transactions. His expertise in dealing with business owners across the Upper Midwest and with buyers nationwide and from abroad makes distance no obstacle because Henry uses todays’ technology to shorten distance issues and maintain close relationships with his clients. A stickler for details and anticipating solutions to problems may be Henry’s most redeeming value as your advocate. Knowing exactly what is involved in selling your business requires knowledge of the “little details”.

Pre planning and road mapping the value of a business today and properly staging it for sale is an area where Henry believes your successful sale starts to develop. “Get prepared and you’ll be prepared” is his mantra.

While he has great experience with business sales, acquisitions and real estate his “high specialty” is in the the lodging industry selling hotels and motels. Henry has over 30 years of experience handling hotel/motel sales in the Upper Midwest. If you are a hotel/motel owner he is one of the people you want to consider when selling your lodging property.

Henry has extensive knowledge with franchising & licensing agreements, refinancing requirements, turn around possibilities and problem resolution so a successful sale can be accomplished. Your first step is always to ask for a complimentary meeting & value opinion to develop a battle plan strategy for reaching your goals.

Henry lives on some old farm acreage at Forest Lake, MN with his beautiful wife Trish and three great children. If you like classic cars, metal shaping, blacksmithing, farm shop stuff and are always curious about new things to learn you’ll have something in common with Henry Votel.

Clayton Wendt has over 25 years of leadership experience in Minnesota based business, specializing in small to mid-sized manufacturing firms. Areas of special expertise include medical device, laser optics, import/export, process control, and publishing. Over-seas experience includes starting a production line in The Netherlands, and successful contract negotiations in Russia. As an Officer of CyberOptics Corporation, Mr. Wendt led operations from start-up to 10 Million dollars in annual sales. In seven years, CyberOptics recorded 23 consecutive profitable quarters, a successful I.P.O. and an Inc. Magazine "Hot 100" award. Mr. Wendt has also successfully produced products of his own creation and marketed them through traditional distribution and as well as web-based channels. Clayton Wendt is a member of Sunbelt Midwest, with three offices in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis/St. Paul helping people buy businesses and sell businesses in Minnesota and the greater Midwest area. Sunbelt Midwest agents are licensed Minnesota Business Brokers. Sunbelt Midwest also has business broker offices in Wisconsin and Illinois.