Sunbelt of Bakersfield Team

John Willingham brings over 30 years of commercial real estate and business brokerage experience to serve his clients. John is a member of the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA) and holds their Certified Business Intermediary (CBI) designation. John is also affiliated with the California Association of Business Brokers (CABB) as well as the (CCIM) designation from the Commercial Investment Real Estate Institute of the National Association of Realtors. John is also a member of the Bakersfield Association of Realtors and is very active in the industry.

License Number – BRE 556588

Carol Bennett has been in the business brokerage since October 2017.  Prior to selling businesses and commercial properties, she has over 25 years in the residential real estate industry which includes resale, foreclosures, new home sales, and property management.  Her territories have included Los Angeles, Ventura, Kern, Fresno, Tulare, and Placer Counties.  Carol resides in Bakersfield, California.  She holds a designation with the Sunbelt Franchise (CMSBB), is a current member of the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA), the California Association of Business Brokers (CABB), and is a Member of California Association of Realtors (CAR).

License Number – 1186310

Phil Haney is a highly motivated and passionate professional, and an expert and specialist in business brokering for sellers and buyers and business evaluation services, and also works on commercial, leasing and real estate services. He has forty years of extensive business experience and expertise in Senior Executive positions, General Management, Consulting, Facilitation and Coaching for businesses and corporations along with an extensive background and skills in Business Brokering and Entrepreneurial ventures along with startups, turnarounds, and high growth business situations. This is inclusive of all types of manufacturing companies, distribution, professional, retail, service oriented, internet, non-profit, and franchises either new or resales and all other types of businesses. He is the previous owner of Sunbelt Business Brokers for Santa Clarita/Antelope Valley, California, which he owned for over nine years along with his consulting company. He is now very privileged to be part of Sunbelt Business Brokers for the Bakersfield, California office and to continue the trend to provide the utmost excellence in service in all your business requirements in the Santa Clarita Valley and surrounding communities. In business brokering, Sunbelt Business Brokers of Bakersfield is the place to go to buy or sell a business. Phil is here to represent business owners in selling their businesses and assist buyers in buying the right business for them. This is along with providing merger/acquisition, business valuations, marketing programs, and handling representation and the sale process completely. This is inclusive of initiating the purchase agreement, due diligence requirements, buyer qualifications, formulating all paperwork and initiate the complete negotiation and business structuring process, assist in obtaining financing, and to close the sale through optimum escrow services. Our services are conducted completely confidential for business and buyer representation. Phil is also a go-getter in commercial property representation and sales and handling all leasing requirements.

Phil will provide the best of representation and service for your complete satisfaction. Phil is a graduate of Colorado State University, attended Graduate School, and is a prior Captain in the United States Army.

I look forward to helping each and every client with your individual needs and am there for you and care about providing the most optimum and professional service.

License Number – 1337247

Verlen Kay Love obtained his realtors’ license in 1999 and started his real estate career in 1999 with Coldwell Banker Preferred. He started his career selling residential, commercial and industrial real estate. Verlen obtained his Brokers Lic in April of 2022!! Congratulations.

He has owned and operated several businesses and his prior career of 22 years was in project management and area management of commercial and industrial sales. His broad base of experience has given him the ability to understand and work with a variety of personalities and businesses.

Mr. Love has been involved in the development and construction of commercial real estate and has worked closely with county and city governments during permitting and zoning processes. He has represented owners and buyers in the purchase and sales of Gas Stations, Convenience Stores, Commercial Industrial Land, Warehouses and Land, ETC.

Mr. Love is currently working on his Real Estate Brokers License and his CMSBB designation as a business broker.

Mr. Love has participated in the sale, purchase or lease in excess of $50,000,000.00.

He is active in community and church organizations and volunteers his time working with members of his community. He is a member of the California Association of Realtors, National Association of Realtors and California Association of Business Brokers.

Patrick’s professional experience includes 20 years in commercial real estate (CBRE), 6 years in economic development (Kern EDC, a public-private partnership), 2 years in engineering/planning (Quad Knopf), several years in advisory/consulting and 10 years as owner/CEO in the account recovery/collection industry (H P Sears-sold 2019). Patrick is also highly engaged in community activities including serving on the boards of Rotary, Mid State Development (SBA), New Advances for People with Disabilities (NAPD) and the University Business School.

Patrick’s experience, in conjunction with the Sunbelt Network, provide a wide array of tools to business—to assist in the purchase, sale or growth of a business.

For advisory, (growth, strategy or exit planning), or transactional service (buy or sell), call or email for a complimentary consultation to discuss your interests and needs!!