Our Team

Gerald House MSM

gerald.house@thebizex.com

Gerald holds a Bachelors degree from Augusta State University and a Masters of Business Management from Southern Wesleyan University. He is a retired National Guard Army Civil Engineer and has managed projects at local, state and overseas locations including Egypt, Jordan, Oman (Desert Storm), Republic of Georgia and Dominican Republic. Gerald has a diverse background in business management, financing, real estate, real estate appraisal, and construction. He has owned his own construction business, was an independent real estate appraiser, real estate broker, and a partner in a steel fabrication shop. Therefore, he understands the complexity of business ownership. Gerald has consulted with many businesses on management and business organization and specializes in business valuations, real estate investment analysis, and franchise sales. His professionalism has earned the respect of numerous business owners and other real estate professionals. Gerald also consults with real estate investors and is a licensed real estate broker in the states of Georgia and South Carolina.

Lester Fox

lesterfox@thebizex.com

Lester is a graduate of the Southern Technical Institute, with a BMET Degree in Mechanical Engineering. Lester started his career as a plant engineer for Continental Can Company and later worked as an engineering manager for Kendall Hospital Products. After several years in this field, he started his own machinery fabrication company which he owned and operated for over 23 years. This company, Surgimach International, Inc., gained worldwide recognition building machines for the medical industry. Lester’s background includes hands on experience in accounting, financing, and business management, as well as business consulting, business brokering, evaluating the market value of businesses (large and small), and participation in mergers and acquisitions of large company ventures. Lester has consulted in sales of businesses valued in excess of $65,000,000, but takes special pride in assisting the small business owner to achieve his goals. Lester’s well-rounded background and experience have proven invaluable in providing for successful transition of a business from the seller to the buyer.

Ray Walters

ray.walters@thebizex.com

After graduating from the University of Georgia with a BBA in General Business, Ray became a pilot in the United States Air Force and continued flying with the Georgia Air National Guard upon his discharge from active duty.  Recently, Ray sold his business interest after thirty years as a BP fuel distributor and business owner of multiple convenience stores.  (With twenty retail convenience store outlets)   Upon the sale of his business, Ray was eager to begin a new career in assisting other business owners in acquiring new companies or selling as he did.  With his expertise in the oil and convenience store business and having been through the selling process, Ray is a valuable asset assisting both buyers and sellers transitioning into a new career.  Ray is licensed in Georgia and South Carolina. 

Ann Tyre

ann.tyre@thebizex.com

Ann joins The Business Exchange team with over 8 years of experience in business brokerage and commercial real estate sales. She specializes in the marketing and sale of businesses of all sizes and commercial properties of all types. As a successful business owner herself, Ann understands what it takes to succeed in business. Her professionalism, skills, and experience have been instrumental in satisfying the needs of numerous buyers & sellers. Ann is licensed in Georgia and South Carolina.

Nancy Wood

nancy.wood@thebizex.com

Representing the Savannah area, Nancy comes to The Business Exchange as an experienced Business Broker. She will market businesses of all sizes, commercial property and real estate for home owners buying or selling. Previously an owner of PinPoint Business Services, she guided small businesses in developing their business plans. She has extensive market and sales experience from an Atlanta pharmaceutical company and gained her legal contracting background working with a major Savannah hospital center. With more than 15 years experience in the medical industry, she brings a comprehensive understanding of its changing healthcare practices and compensation. Nancy is licensed in Georgia.

Shawn Lies

shawn.lies@thebizex.com

Shawn Lies (pronounced Lees) brings a diverse blend of experience and education. Shawn was assistant manager of a large poultry growing operation in North Carolina during his college years. Upon receiving a degree in education, he taught middle school computers and technology for 5 1/2 years. In 1998 he moved into the software training field and devoted 3 1/2 years to educating clients on Government Accounting and Organizational software. During his careers, Shawn has renovated and flipped some homes for profit. Shawn is currently involved in water chemistry for a local power plant and is heading up the Residential Division of The Business Exchange.

Harvey Shepherd

harvey.shepherd@thebizex.com

Harvey Shepherd joins The Business Exchange as an experienced commercial real estate agent. He has been a licensed real estate salesperson for 4 years in GA & SC and is currently a member of Greater Augusta Association of Realtors, GA Association of Realtors, National Association of Realtors, and Augusta Chapter, GA Real Estate Investors Association (GAREIA) Harvey attained his BS from Presbyterian College and MS from Augusta College. He has 27 years sales & marketing experience and 20 years in the maritime industry (international trade, transport, logistics & distribution) Harvey is also a Certified Master Tree Farmer.

Robert Kim

robert.kim@thebizex.com

Bob is originally from Pennsylvania.  He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Carnegie-Mellon University and a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from The Pennsylvania State University.  He is a licensed professional engineer in Pennsylvania and author or co-author of three engineering reference books.  He has been a full-time real estate investor since 2005 and a licensed real estate agent in South Carolina since 2006.  His background is mainly quantitative and includes the financing and acquisition of residential and commercial real estate, as well as providing occasional hard-money loans.

Phyllis Fox

phyllis.fox@thebizex.com

Ron Knight

ron.knight@thebizex.com

Ron joined the Business Exchange team as a Business Advisor in November 2008. He has a varied background in the corporate arena as a Systems Engineer for Raytheon Corporation, a Sales Support Analyst for Unisys Computer Systems and as Corporate Director of Information Technology for The Graniteville Company.  Ron experienced entrepreneurship with a small restaurant business and now looks forward to assisting other people in finding the right business or franchise to satisfy their own goals and dreams.