Ben Knight

Matt joins the Austin Viking office with eight years of experience across early stage and mature organizations in the Automotive and Commercial Vehicle industries. He has held a range of sales, engineering, and operations roles with an emphasis on technical selling and key account management. Most recently, Matt dedicated five years to Hyliion, an Austin-based electric powertrain manufacturer seeking to disrupt the heavy-duty trucking industry. Matt assumed various Sales and Operations leadership roles, contributing to the organization’s journey from an early-stage start-up through a successful $560M SPAC merger in 2020. A member of the transaction core team, Matt led all Sales and Customer diligence as investors weighed the pre-revenue nature of the business. Matt has a track record of championing the customer voice, building meaningful client relationships, navigating complex sales cycles, and managing dynamic environments, a unique perspective that will offer value to Viking clients transitioning to new chapters in their professional and personal lives. Prior to his industry experience, Matt spent four years playing professional soccer in the US and Canada, including Toronto FC of Major League Soccer. Matt studied Mechanical Engineering as a student-athlete at Ohio State University and later completed his MBA at Ohio University with a Finance concentration. Matt and his wife Lauren reside in Austin, Texas where they enjoy Lake Austin, Mexican food, sports and the outdoors.

Roger is a seasoned finance professional, with over 25 years of international experience in leading Consulting, Corporate Finance, M&A, Treasury and Corporate Banking functions. He is a Certified Treasury Professional, CFA level 1, and MBA, who had the opportunity to work for multinational corporations in Americas and Europe. He is a Certified Franchise Broker, a licensed Real Estate Agent in Texas, and also an Entrepreneur who started two businesses on his own in the past, which sold successfully. Roger is an avid learner whose real passion is about advising and helping other people to pursue their dreams and succeed. He loves traveling and usually spends his free time with family and friends.

Raised in an Army family, I went on after college to serve as an Army Aviation officer, serving most of my time in Germany. Upon exiting my service, I moved to Minnesota with the intention of getting an MBA in finance. I took a position with a small start-up that sold refurbished IBM enterprise servers tasked with developing and building-out their tech center. For the first two years, I was responsible for all back-end operations of the company. The owners offered me a position as a computer broker, which I accepted. What started as a job to pay the bills while in grad school led to a 20+ career with the company. I was the IBM Power systems product manager when I left, responsible for all IBM sales and inventory management.

Coleman is the co-leader of Viking’s Houston office, along with his brother, Jackson. Over the course of his 17+ year career, Coleman has led over $100 billion in M&A transactions, most recently with Deloitte Consulting’s M&A practice. His extensive experience across the industry—serving as a sell-side advisor, buy-side advisor, buyer and seller—gives him a unique perspective that helps drive successful outcomes for his clients. Coleman brings the expertise and sophistication of big-firm M&A transactions to the world of small business owners. Recognizing the distinct challenges faced by these entrepreneurs, Coleman leverages his breadth and depth of experiences to tailor his approach to each client’s specific needs, providing personalized guidance and employing creative strategies to maximize value and achieve their objectives. Prior to Deloitte, Coleman and Jackson helped build and sell their family business, Rio Bravo Oilfield Services. Coleman holds an undergraduate degree in Finance from the University of Oklahoma, and an MBA from the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina.

Rob is the Managing Partner of Viking’s Baltimore, MD office. With over 30 years of experience, he has played a key role in numerous M&A transactions ranging from $1 million to $125 million. He primarily worked with both strategic and private equity-backed buyers, assisting in both platform and add-on acquisitions. Having a strong buyside perspective, Rob brings unique insights to sellers, helping them maximize their business's value. Rob is a seasoned business leader with a proven track record in operations, sales, and business development across diverse industries, including manufacturing, distribution, technical services, software, consulting, and digital marketing. Previously, Rob served as CEO of IndySoft, where he drove value creation initiatives, and as VP of Service at Transcat (TRNS), where he led the growth of the service division from $48 million to $84 million. Additionally, through his consulting firm, he has advised middle-market private investment firms on thesis development and acquisition strategy. He also currently serves as a board member for a private equity-owned platform. Rob holds an Executive MBA from Loyola University’s Sellinger School of Business.

Brando comes to Viking with over 20 years experience in investment management. Most recently he served as the Chief Investment Officer for a Charlotte based advisor managing close to $2 billion. Despite national recognition from the Wall Street Journal for his expertise in business and economics, his primary focus remains on guiding individuals through the process of building wealth, enabling them to improve their lives and the lives of those they care about. Brando’s love of business started on the shores of Lake Erie as a youth while listening to his elders talk about the family marina. Shortly after starting his first venture in middle school, he won numerous awards nationally in high school focusing on business fundamentals and value creation. While playing soccer at Xavier University, he attempted to start an advertising company and found some of life’s most valuable lessons can only be learned through failure. Since that time, he has built a successful career managing capital and learning about creating real value in business. He has been a portfolio manager on numerous funds that have received national awards for their performance in addition to advising various institutions on capital allocation. Despite his accomplishments, he remains true to his humble roots and the effort it takes to succeed which can be summarized by a poster that hangs in his son’s room with the phrase; “Success isn’t owned. It’s leased. And rent is due everyday. – J.J. Watt Brando and his wife of 23 years have three children and reside in Charlotte, NC. Between their kids’ activities, volunteering, work, and numerous hobbies, they find a ton of excitement in getting up each day and finding out what new surprises await them.

Mark has spent most of his 30-year career working with large and small private equity owned companies preparing businesses for sale and working as an executive on the management team to develop and execute a plan to maximize market value for an eventual sale. He comes to Viking with a strong skill set honed over decades of corporate experience necessary to close deals. These skills include financial analysis, business valuation, due diligence, marketing, negotiating and arranging both equity and debt financing. In 2015, Mark purchased a regional publishing company, owned it for three years, and successfully sold it. He learned over those three years that his heart and passion were rooted in helping business owners with the important and personal decision to sell their business while guiding buyers through the acquisition process. Mark is a graduate of Walsh University in Canton, Ohio. He began his career with Peat Marwick in Cleveland, Ohio and is a former CPA. He resides in Charlotte, North Carolina with his wife Angie and their six children.

Choose to work with Viking Mergers & Acquisitions when acquiring a business, and team up with the Nation's premier firm. Viking provides specialized Intermediary business services and representation throughout the merger, acquisition, and divestiture process. Our tradition of bringing qualified buyers and committed sellers together is the cornerstone of our organization. About Viking Mergers & Acquisitions was founded by Brad and Jay Offerdahl in 1996, and they, along with an experienced staff of 75 professionals, have succeeded in taking the business to the top 2% of all business brokers nationwide, according to Business Brokerage Press. In business since 1996, Viking Mergers & Acquisitions has sold over 950 businesses, averaging 96% of asking price. We have sold more businesses for more dollars than any firm in the southeast. Selling your business is our only business. At Viking Mergers & Acquisitions we are dedicated to helping business owners position their businesses for sale now or in the future.

Prior to joining Viking, Mike was a Director in PwC’s Deals Consulting practice providing M&A, valuation, and corporate finance expertise to clients ranging from lower middle market businesses to Fortune 500 public companies, additionally supporting leading global private equity firms. Mike has over 13 years of experience in valuation analysis and financial advisory work, including valuations and consulting for companies valued in excess of $150 billion and acquisitions up to $30 billion in size. Mike has also advised clients on M&A deal models and how to assess, manage, and maximize potential deal value, as well as assessing strategies to assist companies in maximizing total shareholder returns through organic or inorganic initiatives. Prior to his time with PwC, Mike worked at T. Rowe Price, a leading global investment management firm. He received his B.S., Finance and M.S., Accountancy (Transaction Services concentration) from Wake Forest University. Mike is also a registered CPA in South Carolina. Mike and his wife Claire have a growing family in Charleston, with recent addition Neil and their dog Harvey. In his spare time, Mike enjoys sports, any activity involving a body of water, traveling, playing golf, and spending time with his family.

Paul comes to Viking after an accomplished 30+ years in specialty pharmaceuticals, operating room disposables, and capital equipment. Over the course of his career, Paul has demonstrated a keen ability to drive growth, penetrate new accounts, and maximize business potential across a range of healthcare settings. Recognized for an ability to develop versatile selling strategies and quickly establish value with new clients. Throughout his career, He has consistently achieved outstanding sales results, including driving impressive year-over-year growth, earning numerous accolades, and being repeatedly recognized as Sales Representative of the Year as well as President’s Club membership for outstanding achievement for consecutive years. He is also promoted to National Sales Manager for a Cardiac Independent Sales Group and Sales trainer for companies like Johnson & Johnson, Medtronic and Smiths Medical throughout his career. His most recent sales experience had him concentrating in the Southeast US and the Caribbean. With a deep understanding of Group Purchasing Organizations, Integrated Delivery Networks, distribution channels, and the complexities of the healthcare market, Paul has built long-term partnerships with clinicians, hospital administrators, and key decision-makers across multiple disciplines. Whether launching new products or enhancing existing business, he has a proven ability to educate and collaborate to ensure the successful adoption of innovative medical technologies. Paul thrives in roles that require proactive problem-solving, strategic relationship-building, and delivering measurable value to clients. Paul is a native Floridian and moved to Richmond for his previous position. Paul and his wife Darriel, like to hike with their dog and visit the beach in the Outer Banks.

Haydn was born in Toronto, Canada before his family immigrated to Massachusetts at an early age. He then moved to Charlotte, North Carolina in 2006 where he has primarily lived since. Haydn attended North Carolina State University where he graduated with honors in two degrees, a Bachelor of Science in Economics, and a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies, concentrating in Economy & Environment. Upon graduation, Haydn developed a passion for entrepreneurship, specifically in the sustainability and real estate sectors. After running his own real estate investment firm and becoming licensed in Florida and North Carolina, Haydn joined one of the fastest-growing solar companies in the country where he advanced to Director of Sales and built a team of 65 sales representatives. From there, he started a nationwide solar energy brokerage for residential and commercial properties, specializing in the marketing, sales, and consulting side of the industry. Through his company’s 30+ partnerships, he learned the importance of proper communication and creative problem solving with several parties involved. Before joining Viking, Haydn worked with a sustainable agriculture technology company helping global businesses, nonprofits, and educational institutes start or scale their sustainability programs. This experience helped Haydn grow his strength in connecting with people from all different backgrounds. Haydn is now married to his college sweetheart, Morgan, and they love to travel every chance they get.

Andrew has spent most of his 20 year career working on both sides of the M&A table. From assisting business owners in the sale of their businesses or in representing buyers in roll-ups or bolt on acquisitions, he has a unique prospective to support sellers today. Andrew joined Viking in 2024 and his current and former clients extend across various industries including technology, manufacturing, transportation, hospitality, and professional services. Most recently, Andrew served as portfolio company CEO for Pure Wellness & senior director of portfolio management for a publicly traded asset management & advisory firm. He helped oversee the turnaround of the portfolio during the pandemic and supported the expansion of the portfolio companies through bolt-on and platform expanding transactions. In addition to this role, he has served as senior advisor to various metal fab, construction, and logistics businesses through his former advisory business. While focusing on value accretive systems and processes, he worked closely with his clients on strategic planning, cash flow management, and operations optimization to maximize owner value in preparation to sales processes. Andrew earned his MBA from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology & History from Georgetown University in Washington, DC and a Masters of Arts in Applied Economics from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD.

Trevor comes to Viking Mergers & Acquisitions with over 19 years of operational leadership experience in Corporate America, where he was a management executive for the Lash Group, one of the nation’s largest reimbursement services firm under a parent Fortune 24 Company. Trevor comes to Viking Mergers & Acquisitions with over 20 years of operational leadership experience in Corporate America, where he was a management executive for the Lash Group, one of the nation’s largest reimbursement services firms under a parent Fortune 12 Company. While working for Lash Group, Trevor developed and executed business strategies for a large profile of patient management programs. These programs are designed to address reimbursement and patient access issues for pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers, and biotechnology firms. Trevor’s extensive experience in negotiation, project management, problem solving, and communication enables him to have terrific insight on the process of selling your business Specialties: Business valuations, mergers and acquisitions, SBA financing, business development, and business sales.

Kyle leads Viking’s efforts in the Nashville, Tennessee and Chattanooga, Tennessee markets. He joins the team with over 20 years of business development, finance, and operations experience from some of the most respected names in American business. Most recently, Kyle led the successful turnaround of GNC’s Canadian business unit. Prior to that, he held significant roles in operations and finance at Carrier Corporation and FedEx. This level of experience makes Kyle uniquely qualified to guide entrepreneurs across Tennessee with the most important financial transaction of their lives – selling their business. Kyle Graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a BBA in Finance. After fulfilling his commitment to the US Army, Kyle earned is International MBA from the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina. Kyle lives in Nashville with his wife and 4 children.

In business for 30 years, Viking Mergers & Acquisitions has sold over 950 businesses, averaging 96% of asking price. Viking has sold more businesses for more dollars than any firm in the Southeast. At Viking Mergers & Acquisitions, we are dedicated to helping business owners position their businesses for sale now or in the future. With a success rate 3X higher than the average business brokerage and an average cycle time of seven months, Viking offers best-in-class service to business owners seeking to sell their company for the highest price in the shortest length of time. With years of prior business experience, Jeff joined Viking Mergers & Acquisitions as the Managing Partner for Western North Carolina (based in Asheville) and East Tennessee (based in Knoxville). His prior experience includes a long and successful career with Tyco Electronics (a Tyco International Company) where he lead the post-acquisition integration of several purchased companies. He later served as a Vice President of Business Operations at Allegis Group / Aerotek where he teamed with corporate resources to acquire companies in the automotive and engineering industries. Most recent and prior to joining Viking, Jeff was the co-owner of EHD Technologies a nationally recognized fast growth provider of services to the automotive, industrial, commercial and utility industries. EHD Technologies received recognition by Inc. magazine three consecutive years for rapid growth. In his role as President, Jeff was responsible for sales, operations, quality systems management and business execution. EHD Technologies was acquired in 2017 by Groupe Crit SA (CITT.PA). Jeff offers his wealth of experience and trove of knowledge to business sellers and buyers throughout the transaction process.

Keenan brings over 35 years of successful business management experience to Viking with over 25 years in Senior Leadership positions including CEO, President, COO and EVP. Keenan has extensive experience and expertise in both the buying and selling of businesses. Having spent over 25 years in the Franchise Industry, he’s also very adept at working closely with entrepreneurs. His experience and skill set enables him to develop productive working relationships with both business owners and buyers. Keenan is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana with a B.S in Psychology/Business Administration.

Robert joins Viking Mergers & Acquisitions with 30+ years of business experience and a successful entrepreneurial career. At the age of 29, driven to build his own business, he left a prosperous career in hardware and software sales to start a distribution business in his garage supplying engineered parts to the OEM and MRO market. His vision was to bring high quality engineered parts and technical services into niche markets and to raise the bar on the customer experience. After nearly 22 years of developing the people, the processes, and the strategies to grow, the business was acquired by a $4 billion global Swedish company on February 1, 2017. Since that time, Robert has invested in multiple start-up companies and is an Advisory Council member and Board Observer with CoPeace, a Public Benefit Corporation / holding company focusing on ESG growth companies. Robert brings his entrepreneurial mindset to each discussion and is committed to putting his passion, energy and experience to work for our clients. Robert and his wife Susan have been married 30 years and live in South Charlotte. He has a B.A. in Business Management from NC State and is the youngest of five children from his family. They have two grown boys, one an NC State graduate and the other a Senior at the University of South Carolina. Robert enjoys playing golf, tennis, traveling and spending time with his family.

Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Ben grew up playing soccer, receiving a scholarship to play at North Carolina State University. He spent two years in Raleigh before transferring to Lipscomb University in Nashville to complete his undergraduate and graduate degrees in business as a student-athlete. During his MBA program, Ben launched a small business in partnership with his family that specialized in providing coworking space, rentals, and entrepreneurship programs for the fast-growing creative market in Nashville. Within 3 years, the company became profitable, scaled quickly, and employed three of his five family members. Shortly after their third year in business, Ben managed and completed the successful sale of the company in July of 2022. These experiences as an operator led him to Viking, where he has worked alongside entrepreneurs to support over $40m in M&A transactions within his first two years. Ben is now firmly planted in the Nashville community, loves spending time with his family, getting outside, and writing about the world around him. He is a published author with HarperCollins, and his debut book was released in July of 2024.

Versatile and enthusiastic entrepreneur who has started or substantially advanced numerous firms in a variety of product and service industries. Well-rounded operations/technology leader with experience in domestic and international business development and mergers & acquisitions. Broad Experience in Consumer Electronics, Telecommunications, Wireless Technology, Internet-of-Things, and Aerospace Industries. Since 1996, Viking Mergers & Acquisitions has provided business owners with the insight, knowledge, and guidance to confidently navigate the process of selling their business. The professional team and finely-tuned process at Viking has consistently delivered our clients results far in excess of industry measures.

Nick joins Viking M&A with over 12 years of real estate experience where, for the past 8 years, he focused on light industrial, multifamily, and investment sales. In 2016 he began selling local businesses, successfully representing sellers in asset sales ranging from family-owned businesses to national franchises. Mr. Childs' combined expertise in commercial real estate and main-street business sales brings a valuable skill set to Viking M&A and his clients. Nick is Co-GP and Asset Manager on over 100+ self-storage units for a private equity firm out of Silicon Valley. He enjoys playing in local chess tournaments and loves spending time outdoors with his family and two children, Kennedy and Remington.

Mark leads Viking Mergers & Acquisitions for the Washington, DC-metro area supporting business owners with sell-side and valuation advisory services. With a vast experience in corporate finance across domestic and international markets, Mark brings over 25 years of experience providing valuation, finance and transaction advisory services. Before launching Viking, Mark was with Bank of America, focused on the healthcare sector specializing in commercial and investment banking services for middle market clients. Prior to that, he led the Valuation and Business Analytics Group at BDO in the D.C. metro area, overseeing business combination analyses, goodwill impairment assessments, and other bespoke valuation engagements. Earlier in his career, Mark held leadership roles in the Transaction Advisory, Valuation, and Business Modeling groups at EY and PwC, where he advised on a diverse range of transactions across various industries and deal sizes. His career began in the biotech sector, where he led teams in genetic mapping and protein purification. Mark holds an MBA in Finance and International Management from the Kogod School of Business and a bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Maryland.

Since 1996, Viking’s team of professional advisors have successfully closed on sales of more than 950 businesses. That’s more than any other firm in the Southeast in our space. With headquarters in Charlotte and offices strategically located throughout the Southeast, our team is uniquely positioned to help you navigate through a successful transaction. The majority of our advisors are former business owners themselves. We have been in your shoes and we know the unique challenges of buying and selling a business. For over two decades, Viking’s proven process has reliably helped business owners like you secure their future!

David joins to launch and help lead Viking’s M + A efforts in the Southeastern Virginia market. He joins the team with 35+ years of entrepreneurial leadership in the technology field (23 years as a business owner) with expertise in business development, finance and operations. David’s experience owning, operating and selling his own business and commercial real estate property gives him a unique and first-hand perspective in assisting other business owners as they consider and plan their exit strategy. David’s experience through the years, during both strong and weak markets, makes David uniquely qualified to guide entrepreneurs across Virginia with the most important financial transaction of their lives – selling their business. David’s reputation aligns especially well with our core value of Integrity: We strive to uphold the highest level of professional behavior and ethical standards so that our clients are treated respectfully and fairly each and every time. A native of the region, David is very familiar with the business climate, geography and regional economic market engines that drive business growth. David and his family call Chesapeake, Virginia home.

Mike brings over 30 years of leadership and entrepreneurial experience in accounting and finance, operations, and sales to the Viking team. He has a broad background across a variety of businesses, in nature and in scale, as well as extensive merger and acquisition experience. He has been successful in industry consolidation, turnaround, and start-up situations. Soon after beginning his career as a CPA for a major accounting firm, Mike was recruited into a client’s corporate accounting group, where he quickly determined that his interest – and value – was with the company’s operations. That led to a series of divisional CFO roles for a number of different businesses, culminating in Mike becoming the corporate CFO. In that role Mike played a key part in developing and executing the growth strategy for the business, focusing on industry consolidation. Over the ensuing 8 years, the company completed more than 40 deals and was itself later sold at a substantial market premium. Mike then went on to run an industry-leading, multi-site manufacturer, where he led a dramatic turnaround in profitability. Following Mike’s exit from the corporate world, he chose to focus on more local and entrepreneurial ventures, first in consulting and later starting his own distribution business in Charleston, SC. Through that experience, he came to appreciate the unique challenges and opportunities of business ownership. Those insights along with his extensive management and deal experience are ideally suited to assist Viking’s clients. Throughout his career Mike has come to be known for his objectivity in making important business decisions, his innate analytical skills, and his ability to connect with people from all walks of life. Mike aligns well with all of Viking’s core values, in particular integrity, innovation and collaboration. Mike is the youngest of seven and the only family member to earn a college degree, a BS in Accounting from the University of Scranton. He has three grown children and, after many relocations earlier in his career is happy to call Charlotte his long-time home. Away from work Mike is often with his kids and following the Panthers, or boating, playing tennis, or learning to cook.

Reed grew up in Dyersburg TN and graduated from The University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Upon graduation he began his career as a Financial Advisor and enjoyed a 30-year career in the Wealth Management business with roles including Divisional management with responsibilities for over 200 direct reports and over 100mm in annual revenue. Reed had stints in Nashville, Knoxville, Charlotte, and Richmond. After leaving the Wealth Management business, he started managed, grew, and sold a commercial kitchen ventilation systems and fire suppression systems company. Reed and his wife, Polly, have 4 grown children that they are extremely proud of. Two boys serving in the US Marine Corps and two girls, each employed by Fortune 500 companies. Reed brings many great qualities and a wealth of knowledge to our dedicated team as he is also a Certified Finance Planner (CFP) and enjoys everything about his role, but most especially consulting with business owners on all the aspects of transitioning their business. Viking Mergers & Acquisitions was founded by Brad and Jay Offerdahl in 1996, and they, along with an experienced staff of 70 professionals, have succeeded in taking the business to the top 2% of all business brokers nationwide, according to Business Brokerage Press. Since 1996, Viking Mergers & Acquisitions has sold over 900 businesses, averaging 96% of asking price. We have sold more businesses for more dollars than any firm in the southeast. Selling your business is our only business. At Viking Mergers & Acquisitions we are dedicated to helping business owners position their businesses for sale now or in the future.

Michael joins the Charlotte office of Viking Mergers & Acquisitions. Prior to joining Viking, Michael was an Investment Lead and Operating Partner for a private equity group focused on acquiring and managing complex, multi-national corporate divestitures. With this group, Michael originated and acquired non-core divisions & geographies from Fortune 500 companies across the US, Europe, and Asia. Additionally, he led operations and go-to-market strategy for a talent assessment software company prior to the company’s exit in 2023 to a private equity group. Michael started his career at a secondary private equity group focused on purchasing limited partner interests in fund-of-funds & tail-end funds from institutional investors with exposure across all asset classes. In addition to being on the investment team, Michael attended global investor annual meetings for private equity groups, led capital raising efforts, and helped launch a B2C home furnishings company. Michael grew up in Traverse City, MI and attended the University of Michigan where he was a member of the club hockey team. After many cold Michigan winters, Michael and his wife, Allyson, moved to Charlotte to enjoy golfing, boating, and playing tennis for more than 4 months in the year.

Kyle leads the East Tennessee market with a warm, dedicated approach to helping clients through their exit journey. With a decade of experience in business development and recruiting, Kyle has worked alongside some of America’s most admired companies, connecting them with talent across various teams. This background gives him a unique understanding of people and business, which he brings to support East TN entrepreneurs navigating one of life’s most significant moments: selling their business. Kyle’s exceptional talent lies in finding the right deal fit, smoothing out challenges, and ensuring the best possible outcome for his clients. Known for being a trusted partner to business owners, he always puts their success first, blending careful thinking with genuine care. Kyle holds a Master’s in Athletic Administration from Eastern Illinois University, and he and his wife, Laura, are proud to call Knoxville home.

Jimmy Span has been assisting business owners with the sale of their businesses since 2010 and joined Viking Mergers & Acquisitions in 2022. His current and former clients traverse various industries including technology, manufacturing, transportation, construction, light industrial, professional services, automotive, and specialty retail. Prior to his current role, Jimmy accumulated a broad business background of over 25 years in both the technology and manufacturing sectors. His experience includes working with large publicly traded engineering/technology companies, small privately owned businesses, as well as several government entities. During his tenure at Michael Baker International, an ENR Top 50 Design Firm, Span served as a General Manager in the geospatial services and software division overseeing some of the largest projects in the industry. Jimmy’s experience in the manufacturing sector includes various positions including General Manager of Operations and Dealer Sales, with responsibilities involving streamlining manufacturing workflows through automation as well as dramatically increasing sales volume through aggressive channel development. Beyond his managerial strengths, Span worked closely with his clients in the areas of Strategic Planning, Change Management and Workflow Optimization to ensure successful implementations of a variety of business initiatives to increase revenue while reducing operating costs. Jimmy earned his MBA from the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, VA. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of Pittsburgh. Jimmy was a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) through the Project Management Institute and a certified Geographic Information Systems Professional (GISP) from the GIS Certification Institute.

Brad Holman brings over 18 years of experience in financial strategy, entrepreneurial leadership, and client advisory services, with a deep focus on serving business owners through every phase of their journey—including growth, exit, and reinvention. Brad began his career in sales in 2007, quickly rising to national recognition as the youngest top-performing membership executive at Sport & Health Clubs. In 2008, he transitioned into financial services with New York Life, where his innovative, client-focused approach earned him multiple honors, including Executive and President’s Council distinctions and membership in the prestigious Million Dollar Round Table. In 2017, Brad co-founded Bull Run Financial Group, an independent insurance and investment firm that grew to support over 30 advisors. He later launched Bull Run Investment Management, where he served as Managing Partner and led the firm through a strategic transformation—shifting from commission-based contractors to a salaried advisory model and implementing digital systems to enhance client outcomes. In 2020 alone, the firm brought in over $30 million in new assets under management. Throughout his tenure at Bull Run, Brad specialized in working with business owners—not just on their personal financial strategies, but also through the complex processes of selling their companies, acquiring new businesses, and planning successful transitions. It was during this time that he developed a deep appreciation for M&A advisory work and the lasting impact it can have on the lives and legacies of entrepreneurs. In addition to his financial ventures, Brad has been an early investor and strategic contributor to Powur, a leading digital solar energy platform that has grown from $1.3M to over $360M in annual revenue. He also helped launch Zerapy Inc., an AI-based physical therapy startup, contributing to its early-stage strategy and investor relations. Brad remains an equity partner in both companies. Now as a Senior Advisor with Viking, Brad leverages his diverse background and firsthand experience as both an advisor and business owner to guide clients through one of the most significant events of their lives—selling their business. He brings a calm, confident presence and a deep commitment to integrity, helping owners unlock value and achieve the best possible outcome.

Jeff joined the Lake Norman office of Viking Mergers & Acquisitions in 2017 after a successful 34-year career in the economic development profession in North and South Carolina. He spent twenty-eight years in Charlotte where he led those efforts for the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce. In that role, Jeff worked with a very diverse client base of small family-owned companies to Fortune 100 corporations. During his time at Viking, Jeff has worked with a wide variety of businesses including metal fabricators, plastics manufacturing, cabinet manufacturing, landscaping, screen printing & embroidery, distribution, B2B services, automotive services, building materials, construction, HVAC, plumbing, consulting, outdoor power equipment, commercial insulation, and motorsports businesses. His goal is to make the process seamless and an enjoyable experience for his clients. Jeff and Angela, his wife of 25 years, live in the Lake Norman area and have a daughter, whom they adopted in Ukraine. They attend Grace Covenant Church in Cornelius and enjoy traveling, kayaking, motorsports, and supporting animal rescue groups. Jeff is a graduate of Furman University where he played soccer and was a member of the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. He is also a graduate of the Institute for Organization Management at the University of Georgia and the Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma. He is a past Charlotte Business Journal Top 40 Under 40 honoree. Jeff currently serves on the board of directors of the 600 Festival Association and the Polymers Technology Center where he is Vice Chairman. He is also an active member of the North Carolina Motorsports Association, and the Sports Car Club of America. He also holds a NC real estate license. Specialties: Business valuations, M&A, business development, business sales, and succession planning.

Ben Knight, Managing Partner of Viking Mergers & Acquisitions Charleston, South Carolina, fully understands the importance of providing quality guidance to help you sell your business. A native of Richmond, VA, Knight graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Hampden-Sydney College. He spent a year as an assistant football coach at Emory & Henry College before entering the corporate world. Mr. Knight spent 20 years in the consumer products industry, working for a Fortune 100 company in sales and marketing. He started in an entry-level position, and advanced through the organization to become Vice President of Sales where he was responsible for $750 million in annual revenue. Next, Knight became Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing for a small rigid packaging company in Los Angeles, where he led a once struggling company to grow from $27 million to $100 million in annual revenue in less than four years. However, the desire to own his own company caused Mr. Knight to research small companies for sale, particularly those located in the Southeast so he and his family could get back closer to their roots. In 2007, working with Viking Mergers & Acquisitions, he acquired FASTSIGNS South Tryon located in Charlotte, NC. Next, he acquired two additional locations for this franchise; Rock Hill, SC in 2009, and Matthews/Ballantyne in Charlotte in 2012. Through Knight’s leadership, he grew these locations to become one of the highest revenue-generating groups of centers world-wide in the FASTSIGNS International franchise system. Successfully selling these three centers in 2017, Knight decided to join with Viking Mergers & Acquisitions by opening a new location for them in Charleston, SC. As Managing Partner, he will help business owners and/or investors sell or buy a business in Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties.