James Blackburn

James brings a business owner’s perspective to the world of business brokerage. With over 33 years of leadership experience across operations, project management, and business development, he offers clients practical insight, strategic thinking, and an in-depth understanding of what it takes to build, run, and grow a successful business. James’s professional background spans industries such as manufacturing, construction, transportation, and heavy equipment. He has held leadership roles including Operations & Project Manager for a commercial construction firm overseeing six projects and 350 team members, Superintendent for a large-scale construction company, and Corporate Director of Health, Safety, and Environmental for a crane and transportation enterprise. He has deep experience with complex equipment operations, vendor relations, cost estimating, and proposal development—skills that translate directly to supporting buyers and sellers through the transactional process. His ability to see opportunities from both the seller’s and buyer’s viewpoints, combined with his real-world experience running a business, makes James a highly effective advocate for clients looking to exit or enter business ownership.

Darrin Jones brings more than 30 years of leadership and investigative experience to the Transworld Gulf Coast team. Before joining Transworld, he served as a senior field leader with the U.S. Department of Defense's Office of Inspector General, where he directed large-scale investigations across the Southeast and built strategic partnerships with the Department of Justice, federal law enforcement agencies, and industry leaders. His leadership contributed to the recovery of over $2 billion in government funds and earned him multiple national awards for excellence. Earlier in his career, Darrin served as a Special Agent with the U.S. Secret Service, where he planned and executed protective operations for presidential campaigns and high-profile global summits. A decorated U.S. Air Force officer, he also held roles in intelligence, education, and leadership development during his military career. Darrin holds an MBA from the University of Phoenix and a bachelor’s degree in Management from the University of South Alabama. A recognized leader in change management and team development, he has completed executive training at the Federal Executive Institute and the Lincoln Leadership Institute. Now as part of Transworld, Darrin leverages his expertise in strategic analysis, negotiations, and complex investigations to help business owners throughout southern Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana achieve successful exits and transitions.

Seth Pellerin, a 2011 LSU graduate, began his career in family-run businesses, gaining valuable insights into small business challenges. He further honed his skills at Bain & Company and Gartner, specializing in sales optimization and growth strategies. Seth is dedicated to fostering collaboration and supporting sustainable growth for businesses in Louisiana. Outside of work, he enjoys exploring Louisiana’s culture, supporting local sports, and leading an active lifestyle.?

Trey has an extensive background in real estate developments, real estate brokerage, and loan origination and underwriting. After graduating from the University of South Alabama in International Marketing in 1992, Trey began his professional career with Inchcape Shipping Services, ultimately climbing to a management position in the Midwest, overseeing 3 locations and 55 employees. Trey’s affinity for real estate and ‘putting together deals’ had him move to New Orleans to work with his father-in-law several prominent New Orleans development projects. Trey’s entrepreneurial passion finally got the best of him around 2008, starting up and acquiring various businesses from the healthcare industry all the way to the restaurant and bar industry. Trey maintains active real estate sales/broker licenses and has a deep and profound knowledge of evaluating business opportunities. Trey’s affiliation with Transworld provides our local team another highly respected professional serving both the Main Street and lower-middle market M&A space.

Amanda Morel is an accomplished business professional with a wealth of experience and expertise in various aspects of entrepreneurship, franchising, and business advisory. With over 10 years of experience as a small business owner and entrepreneur, Amanda has successfully built and managed a thriving children's hair salon, establishing herself as a respected figure in the industry. Currently, Amanda serves as a dedicated Business Advisor for Transworld Business Advisors of the Gulf Coast, where she utilizes her extensive knowledge and insights to assist individuals and companies in achieving their business goals. Her invaluable experience as a small business owner and franchisor allows her to offer valuable guidance and strategic advice to her clients. Prior to her role as a Business Advisor, Amanda held key positions in the financial industry. She served as a Strategic Planning Coordinator for Sheshunoff Consulting Services where she played a vital role in analyzing market trends in the banking industry and developing strategic initiatives for community sized banks. Additionally, she gained valuable experience in operations support while working at Smith Barney and other prominent financial firms. Originally hailing from Houston, Texas, Amanda's journey has taken her to various locations throughout her career. She spent 9 years in Nashville, Tennessee, where she honed her entrepreneurial skills and established a strong network within the business community. In 2019, Amanda made the move to Fairhope, Alabama, where she currently resides and continues to contribute her expertise and passion to the business world. Amanda's commitment to excellence, combined with her diverse background and experiences, make her a valuable asset to any business seeking professional guidance and strategic planning. Her entrepreneurial spirit, coupled with her dedication to helping others succeed, sets her apart as a trusted advisor in the business community.

Donald Denham, a resident of Mobile, AL, completed his undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University of Houston (B.S., M.A. Economics) and then obtained his Master of Business Administration (concentration in Accounting) at Spring Hill College. Over the last 15 years, Donald has started businesses including an independent tax practice and, more recently, a sheetrock repair franchise. Donald's background as a previous business owner in both professional and construction related industries uniquely allows him to deeply understand and advise business owners as they navigate complex daily and long-term challenges. Donald’s experience is highlighted by serving as an adjunct professor at the University of South Alabama, a manager of a real estate development company, a real estate and construction budget analyst, and a tax accountant. His business career has helped him develop a wide variety of skills to help add value to business owners through their own journeys of buying or selling their businesses.

I have started and sold businesses ranging from professional services to construction to home design and restaurant, and, I made mistakes. I am here to help guide any business owner through the selling aspect and valuation aspect of their exit plan, and to get them as much exit capital as possible!

Juan A. Palmas is a disciplined entrepreneur and operations leader with over 15 years of hands-on experience across the foodservice, distribution, and hospitality sectors. As the owner of Burger Box Food Truck, Juan has established a premier mobile dining brand recognized for quality and reliability throughout South Mississippi and South Alabama. Whether managing multi-million dollar territories or engineering a new menu, his goal remains the same: delivering excellence through disciplined leadership.

Leslie is a seasoned entrepreneur, having opened her first franchise restaurant at the age of 22. In 2016, Leslie quickly ascended to the role of Director of Field Operations for the same franchise until 2018 and has assisted in over 60 new location startups. Additionally, Leslie has grown multiple successful businesses alongside her husband and business partners, demonstrating her prowess in business ownership and operations. Leslie's entrepreneurial experience uniquely positions her to excel as a business broker, where her skills, including investor relations, enhance her ability to guide clients through successful transactions and strategic business decisions. Her strengths in meticulous attention to detail, a customer-centric approach, and a comprehensive background in accounting and finance make her a valuable addition to our team.