Dwayne Carpenter

The University of Chicago Booth School of Business graduate and licensed CPA with proven track record of impacting growth trajectories, investments, financial performance, and accounting practices by creating financial models across all industries including technology, retail, energy, industrial, insurance, and financial services. Invited as recurring guest analyst/speaker on Bloomberg Television, Bloomberg Radio, and WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss stock analysis and investment strategies. Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) level 2 candidate with proven success creating value for stakeholders, increasing returns on investments, and reducing costs. Trained in Japan to learn Japanese cost-cutting methods and ways to conduct business. Named a 2021 Chicago United Business Leader of Color for demonstrating a consistent career of excellence for work and service to community. Received second place award from US Senator Dick Durbin’s office and Chicago State entrepreneurial idiot contest.

With over 22 years of experience in the real estate industry, AJ Abdulla brings unparalleled expertise, dedication, and professionalism to the world of business brokering. As a seasoned broker, AJ is committed to helping clients navigate the complexities of buying and selling businesses with confidence and ease.

After starting his journey in less than ideal circumstances, this Chicago native worked his way through Southern Illinois University as a bus boy and waiter. Once he graduated, he maintained his focus as well as his hunger for excellence, which has paid off in monumental personal and professional opportunities. As one of the youngest African-American owner/operators of two McDonald’s franchises, Ken’s light has shone brightly in the arena of entrepreneurial accomplishment. Ken’s secret sauce to success is, “Never take lessons from a coach who never played the game”. He has a proven track record that he has successfully played the game and now works to help others do the same to live out their dreams.

I have over +20 years of operational experience and have held titles such as VP of Supply Chain and Head of Operations for some of North America's largest publicly traded corporations. The range of my experience includes helping to design a supply chain network for a small start-up business up to overseeing over $1B in annual spending covering multiple plants and distribution centers. However, one of my best attributes is the ability to see the value in an organization and helping to find ways to support unlocking its potential. As of late, I have enjoyed working with many small business owners and assisting with the sale and transition of some of their most gratifying work. My broad operational experience and deep functional expertise allow me to understand better an enterprise's actual value and how a shorter runway toward prosperity can significantly multiply the worth of a business.

Dwayne Walker has over 25 years of leadership experience expanding national sales channels and brands and guiding top-tier Fortune companies. Offering an uncommon blend of corporate operational and creative entrepreneurial strengths, Dwayne achieved exciting company and product launches. He is recognized for successfully establishing and expanding distribution channels, revenues, and profits. Dwayne's business building and start-up skills were highlighted during his special assignment as General Manager for the $250M Channel expansion initiative of the Navistar New Business Development Division. His exceptional track record of business growth and improvement led to his appointment as Vice President of Dealer Sales, where he was responsible for achieving $1.2B in sales revenue in North America. He is known for his ability to quickly identify, diagnose and correct sales and growth impediments in organizational structures, sourcing, sales channels, market position, and sales force development. Dwayne was recruited to join Illinois Tools Works (ITW) as a Group President of CCI, Inc., a $400M company in their $3 billion Transportation Division. He was responsible for all management, P&L, operations, human resources, and organizational development of this business. He also led the execution of the division's vision and strategy. Dwayne and the other Group Presidents concluded a yearlong portfolio analysis, and his organization, along with 25% of the remaining ITW companies, were positioned for divestiture. Dwayne led his project and successfully concluded the sale of the Crane Carrier division of his company in early 2013. The remaining asset divestiture was completed in August 2013. Dwayne then decided to become a full-time entrepreneur to allow him to develop a business concept and spend time with his family. After retiring from corporate America in August of 2013 and 13 months of planning, preparation, and construction, Dwayne and his wife brought a unique Popcorn Flavor Superstore concept to Northwest Indiana by creating ChicagoLand Popcorn, LLC. This trendy award-winning gourmet popcorn shop specializes in making over 250 flavors of premium handcrafted gourmet popcorn.