Meet Our Team
ED KRAJCIR
Managing Partner
Ed grew up in Wisconsin, graduated from Marquette University High School and earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Ed’s diverse background comes from years of working in corporate America and his entrepreneurial experiences. Ed has run both domestic and international divisions for the largest natural gas distributor in the country. He has also run a division for a construction OEM and was V.P. of sales for a contract manufacturer. His entrepreneurial experience consists of starting two companies and acquiring a third.
Since 2003, Ed has been the managing partner of Sunbelt Business Advisors in the Brookfield, WI office. He understands the day-to-day rigors of owning a business and has become an expert regarding the details of selling them as he’s been involved with hundreds of business transactions, becoming proficient with main street deals and lower middle market size deals. Ed is currently on the board of the Wisconsin chapter of the Midwest Business Brokers & Intermediaries (MBBI) and held the title of President of the Wisconsin chapter in the past.
Ed has become an excellent resource to business owners through his vast network and professional experience advising hundreds of business owners in preparation to take their companies to market.
DIRECT NUMBER
414-688-9102
Office Address
125 N. Executive Drive, Suite 302 Brookfield, WI 53005
KEN DEMSKE
M&A Advisor
Ken is an experienced broker with scores of successful mid-range business transactions completed and several multi-million-dollar transactions closed in diverse industries such as manufacturing, service, distribution, and retail. Many network contacts in banking, accounting, consulting, and legal arenas to assist buyers and sellers in accomplishing their goals.
Ken has a diverse background from working on start-up companies to being the general manager of a manufacturing company. In addition, he has worked in multiple sales capacities all the way up to international sales manager of a Fortune 200 company. With a career spanning over 30 years, Ken brings real-life experience, which provides valuable insight into the complexities and process of the negotiations required to successfully complete business transactions.
Annually recognized as the top contributor in the Milwaukee Sunbelt office.
DIRECT NUMBER
262-939-2080
Office Address
125 N. Executive Drive, Suite 302 Brookfield, WI 53005
MARK KUETHER
M&A Advisor
Mark brings a wealth of experience to sellers and buyers, with more than a decade of experience working with and for small business, ranging from retail to manufacturing. Mark worked exclusively on closing the top deal ever recorded for a small manufacturing concern, the buyer being a Fortune 500 company. He also worked hand-in-hand with the top executive in design and implementation of new product lines. Additional past experience includes national sales management and execution of national marketing strategies for retail and manufacturing companies.
Mark brings a level of creativity to the process of buying and selling a business that is often required in complex transactions. In 2005 and 2006, Mark earned the Sunbelt President’s Award for attaining the rank of Million Dollar Achiever. Mark is a member of Sunbelt Midwest, with offices in Minnesota, Illinois and Wisconsin, helping people buy and sell businesses in Wisconsin and the greater Midwest area.
DIRECT NUMBER
262-227-7850
Office Address
125 N. Executive Drive, Suite 302 Brookfield, WI 53005
BOB WOOD
Business Advisor
Bob Wood is an experienced businessman who has joined Sunbelt Wisconsin as a certified business broker. While affiliated with the Milwaukee office, Wood will be based in Madison to negotiate deals in the Madison, Janesville, and Central Wisconsin region.
Wood brings a wealth of experience spanning across a variety of industries. After attending several years of college, he began working in the Chicago electrical industry for Steiner Electric Supply and Frontier Electric Supply as a truck driver, purchasing agent, and inside salesman. Upon relocating to Wisconsin, he worked as an outside salesman for BJ Electric Supply as well as Interstate Electric Supply.
While working in the electric industry, he pursued his hobby of building houses on the weekends. This turned into a full-time job when he began a company in the home remodeling and building arena.
During this time he developed strong relationships with a variety of tradesmen and was given the opportunity to purchase Complete Drywall Services, a company that had been in business 25 years. While under his leadership, Complete Drywall doubled sales from $800,000 to $1.8 million. He is a true entrepreneurial spirit.
Wood is an avid outdoorsman, solves the occasional crossword puzzle, makes a mean homemade deep dish pizza, and keeps involved in construction by assisting family and friends.
DIRECT NUMBER
608-209-4502
Office Address
125 N. Executive Drive, Suite 302 Brookfield, WI 53005
JIM GAULKE
M&A Advisor
Jim Gaulke joined Sunbelt in 2005 after owning his first business and was with Sunbelt until 2010. In 2010 Jim left the industry after buying his second business. After the sale of his second business in 2019 Jim rejoined the team. Jim has owned both franchise and non-franchise businesses and brings a wealth of firsthand knowledge of business buying and selling.
Jim brings years of broker experience, twenty-eight years of business ownership experience and a unique perspective of being personally involved in buying and selling two of his own businesses.
During Jim’s time as a business owner, he took two businesses from the brink of bankruptcy back to profitability. Jim owned a retail power equipment business that went from insolvency to the top 2% in sales volume in the industry.
Jim likes to spend time volunteering with the VA hospital in Milwaukee, Stars and Stripes Honor Flight, spending time with family and grandchildren, and church activities. Jim is an outdoor enthusiast and enjoys downhill skiing, bicycle riding, and bow hunting.
DIRECT NUMBER
414-617-9847
Office Address
125 N. Executive Drive, Suite 302 Brookfield, WI 53005
ALEX KARL
Analyst
Alex joined Sunbelt as an analyst in 2021, where he serves in a deal support role for all transactions. He is responsible for company and industry research, financial analysis, coordinating marketing and outreach efforts, and assisting deals through due diligence. Prior to joining Sunbelt, Alex worked in the food industry where he quickly moved up the ranks while learning the art of good customer service.
Alex graduated from high school in 2021 with honors and he is now a student at Carlson School of Business at the University of Minnesota. He plans to graduate with a major in Entrepreneurial Management and a minor in Business Analytics.
In Alex’s spare time, he enjoys playing all kinds of sports and is a member of the fraternity Delta Tau Delta.
DIRECT NUMBER
312-961-9334
Office Address
125 N. Executive Drive, Suite 302 Brookfield, WI 53005
STACIE KRAJCIR
Chief Operating Officer
As Chief Operating Officer of Valens M&A, Stacie is responsible for the day-to-day operations and managing the company’s KPIs.
She started her career with a Fortune 500 insurance brokerage firm where her focus was on the aerospace industry. She quickly sharpened her negotiating skills with the responsibility of negotiating with Governments around the world on behalf of large US defense contractors. Stacie then left Corporate America to become a business owner, which has given her unique perspective in assisting people in buying or selling a business.
In addition to her internal company responsibilities, Stacie provides M&A advisory and value-enhancement services to lower-middle market businesses.
Stacie has 4 children, enjoys playing golf with her husband and friends, and enjoys watching a lot of club volleyball!
DIRECT NUMBER
262-844-9971
Office Address
125 N. Executive Drive, Suite 302 Brookfield, WI 53005
Mathew J. Breselow
Finance Director, Business Advisor & CMSBB
Mathew has extensive experience in financing M&A transactions with over 15 years of banking experience and business ownership. Having financed hundreds of deals over the years, he has experience in the manufacturing, fabrication, welding, agriculture/farming, and real estate industries. His contacts in the banking, accounting, consulting, and legal arenas help assist buyers and sellers in accomplishing their goals.
Mathew brings a wide range of business consultative ideas to the table. Being a multi-business owner, he has significant experience in business operations, owner’s mindset, goals, and exit planning strategies to maximize a seller’s potential. He is a true resource to his clients, helping them package their asset purchase loans to maximize their deal and ensure bankability of their purchase.
Mathew has earned the prestigious CMSBB (Certified Mainstreet Business Broker) designation, a challenging accomplishment for those in the brokerage field. In fact, CMSBB is a credential exclusive to the rigorous business broker training program run by Sunbelt Business Brokers. He is a volunteer certified USA youth wresting coach and spends his free time working his family’s hobby farm with his sons.
DIRECT NUMBER
920-344-4545
Office Address
125 N. Executive Drive, Suite 302 Brookfield, WI 53005
Tom Flanagan
M&A Advisor
Anthony Waite
M&A Advisor
Craig Evans
M&A Advisor
Tom Flanagan is a multifaceted professional who has worked in several industries over the course of his career. Tom began his professional journey as a Licensed Athletic Trainer at the University of Michigan, where he helped patients recover from orthopedic surgical procedures, and improve their overall physical health. During his time there, Tom developed strong communication and interpersonal skills that would serve him well in his future roles. However, after a few years of working in this field, Tom realized that he wanted to pursue other opportunities and explore new industries.
Tom’s next venture was in Real Estate, where he became a licensed Real Estate Agent. In this role, Tom helped clients buy and sell homes, navigate the complex process of real estate transactions, and find the perfect property to meet their needs. After a few successful years in Real Estate, Tom decided to expand his skill set and became a Mortgage Loan Officer. In this role, Tom assisted clients with obtaining the financing they needed to purchase their dream homes. His expertise in both real estate and financing proved to be invaluable to his clients, who appreciated his ability to provide them with comprehensive support throughout the homebuying process.
Currently, Tom serves as a Business Advisor, where he uses his diverse skill set to help entrepreneurs and small business owners reach their goals. Tom draws on his experiences in Physical Therapy, Real Estate, and Mortgage Lending to provide comprehensive advice to his clients, helping them to navigate the challenges of running a successful business. His extensive knowledge of multiple industries, coupled with his ability to connect with people, has allowed him to excel in his current role and make a significant impact in the lives of his clients.
DIRECT NUMBER
734-646-7677
Office Address
125 N. Executive Drive, Suite 302 Brookfield, WI 53005
Anthony Waite is a highly skilled and experienced professional with a proven track record of success in the areas of; management, business development, sales, marketing, strategic planning, implementation, site planning, development, construction oversight, contract furniture sales, and commercial real estate. After gaining experience in commercial real estate at Marcus & Millichap, he joined Sunbelt Wisconsin as a Business Advisor.
Anthony began his career as a self-trained computer troubleshooter and Manager. He quickly rose through the ranks at M&I Data Services/M&I Bank, where he held a variety of positions in computer operations and facilities management. In these roles, he demonstrated his strong business and analytical skills, as well as his excellent interpersonal and communication skills. He was also able to creatively develop solutions to problems within a highly structured setting.
Anthony joined Haworth Inc. in 1999 as a Territory Manager. In this role, he is responsible for developing and executing business development strategies for a specific territory. He also works closely with sales representatives to identify and close new accounts.
Anthony is a valuable asset to any team. He is a highly motivated and results-oriented individual with a strong work ethic. He is also a team player who is always willing to help others. He is confident and articulate, and he has a the ability to communicate effectively with all stakeholders.
Anthony is attended the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and UW-Madison Business Management school. He is also a LEED®AP certified professional and has a private pilot’s license.
DIRECT NUMBER
262-510-6435
Office Address
125 N. Executive Drive, Suite 302 Brookfield, WI 53005
Craig has guided medical and dental practices to operational, practice management, revenue cycle and clinical documentation solutions for 35+ years. He founded his consultancy in 2018 and began to discover opportunities to help practice and business owners buy or sell. Having joined Valens M&A, Craig is able to leverage his healthcare business expertise to articulate value and ensure open and clear communication between buyers and sellers.
Craig is also a musician that has performed professionally throughout the Midwest including 20+ years at Milwaukee’s Summerfest, opening for classic rock acts like REO Speedwagon, Cheap Trick, John Fogarty, Styx, Doobie Brothers, Blondie and more.
Association Memberships: American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management - AAHAM Wisconsin, Illinois Medical Group Management Association - MGMA, Health Practice Advisors, Chicago Health Executives Forum, Healthcare Industry Professionals Group
DIRECT NUMBER
262-490-0911
Office Address
125 N. Executive Drive, Suite 302 Brookfield, WI 53005