Expert M&A Advisor, Author, Keynote Speaker, Serial Entrepreneur

Mr. Vantarakis is a national authority and recognized expert on the subject of business transfers and serves as Founder of The Vant Group, an industry-leading company that plans and supports business transfer transactions for a diverse client base. Founded in 1999, The Vant Group consistently outperforms industry averages along every metric used to gauge performance in the business transfer industry.

Business Experience

Mr. Vantarakis leads The Vant Group with an accomplished record of success in mergers and acquisitions, investment banking, management, business ownership and business advisory coaching. With more than 20 years of experience, he provides skillful representation in a wide variety of sell-side and buy-side transactions. His approach to the M&A business provides expertise that has landed TVG a success rate of 90% of all listings sold at 97% of sale price to list price. Other expertise includes business valuations, debt funding, finance, franchise development and strategic planning. Prior to The Vant Group, Mr. Vantarakis served as CFO of a start-up venture capital firm. In addition, he has served in other CFO roles focused in the areas of franchise development, consulting, strategic planning and operations management.

Author and Keynote Speaker

Mr. Vantarakis is an author and speaker who educates companies on the essential principles of the business-transfer process. He has co-authored two well-respected books which outline the process for small to mid-size companies, “EXIT: A Business Owner’s Guide to selling a Company” and “ENTRANCE: A Business Owner’s Guide to Buying a Company.” He founded and continues to shape a uniquely configured company, The Vant Group, based in Dallas, Texas and is a lecturer to a variety of business association groups.

Education

Mr. Vantarakis received a BS in Finance from Boston College, with Honors, and his MBA with the concentration in Finance and Business Development from The Babson Graduate School of Business, with Honors.

alex@thevantgroup.com | 972.458.8989 ext.102

Business Experience

Mr. Cullins joined The Vant Group in 2012 as an Associate. Prior to joining The Vant Group, he gained valuable experience as an intern with Capital South Partners as well as Providence Investment Partners. Furthermore, he interned with Brinker International for two summers in its IT department.

As a graduate student, Mr. Cullins was appointed by Governor Perry to serve a one year term as Student Regent of the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents. Additionally, he served as student body president as an undergraduate.

Education

Mr. Cullins holds a Bachelors of Business Administration in Management Information Systems degree and a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) degree from Texas A&M University – Commerce. He is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

anthony@thevantgroup.com | 972.458.8989 ext.124

Business Experience

Mr. Qualah started at The Vant Group as an Analyst back in August of 2019, he transitioned into an Associate in 2020, and became a Partner in 2022. Prior to working at The Vant Group, he worked at an automotive company in sales and finance, at an energy consulting startup as an energy consultant and at a multinational telecommunications company, managing multiple retail locations.

Education & Personal Background 

Born in Monrovia, Liberia and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Mr. Qualah graduated Cum Laude with a BS in Finance from The University of Texas at Dallas. He is pursuing his Master of Business Administration and Master of Science in Finance at The University of Texas at Dallas. While working at an automotive company as a finance manager, he started a credit repair business. Mr. Qualah identified a need in the marketplace for personalized service and guidance on the nuances of credit and the importance it plays in the ability to grow as an individual and/or business.  In his free time, Mr. Qualah enjoys connecting with fellow entrepreneurs who are passionate about carving out a path for themselves in the business world. He also enjoys spending quality time with his family and friends.

Expert M&A Advisor | Keynote Speaker

Business Experience

Mr. Armbrust joined the Vant Group in 2015 and brings over 20 years of operating, M&A transaction, turnaround, advisory, acquisition, carve-out, and business development experience.  Prior to joining The Vant Group, he was a Director in one of Dallas’ leading Investment Banking and Operations Advisory firms.  Mr. Armbrust’s background includes senior roles in large and small companies with demonstrated results.

He served as a Market Manager with 7-Eleven where he had P&L responsibility for over 120 stores, and led all operating aspects of his franchised market.  He led operational due diligence for acquisition targets, and post-merger integration of acquired stores in his market.

Prior to that, he served on the Executive Leadership Team as a Regional VP with a privately-held $100MM+ industrial packaging company. He led post-merger integration of five acquired companies. He and his colleagues led the successful sale of this company at above market multiples.

Mr. Armbrust also led four distribution centers with International Paper; started, built, and sold a contract manufacturing business; and led teams with Dell Computer's supply chain and manufacturing groups.

He is a US Air Force Veteran and served in Texas, Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa.

Awards and Achievements

Mr. Armbrust has earned several honorable awards; 7-Eleven-CEO’s Servant Leader, FINRA Series 7, 63 and 79, Dell - Chairman’ s Gold Start Award, Air Force Achievement Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal and a Lean/Six Sigma Black Belt.

Member and Associations

For a number of years, Dirk served as a member of the Association for Corporate Growth’s, Membership Committee.

Key Note Speaker

Mr. Armbrust is key speaker to the Art of Business Transfer Breakfast and Lunch series and The Plano Bar Association.

Education

He has an MBA from Wake Forest University, studied International Business at Oxford, and received a Bachelor of Science in Management from the US Air Force Academy. 

Business Insights Interview with Dirk Armbrust

dirk@thevantgroup.com | 214.546.6298

Business Experience

Mr. Evans joined The Vant Group in 2015 and brings more than 10 years of business development, M&A and entrepreneurial experience. Prior to joining The Vant Group, Mr. Evans gained valuable experience working as an associate at a leading investment firm.

Mr. Evans’ unique background as an Intermediary, corporate sales and finance manager as well as a serial entrepreneur allow him to easily relate to and understand client’s goals and convert them into favorable and measurable results.

In the entrepreneurial arena Dwayne got an early start, launching a laundry/dry cleaning service soon after receiving his degree. He grew the business to just under $1M per year in revenue. This real-world experience enables him to understand and identify with the rewards and challenges experienced by business owners.

Education

Dwayne holds a bachelor’s of Science degree in Computer Science from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

dwayne@thevantgroup.com | 972.458.8989 ext.204

Business Experience

Mr. Lockey joined The Vant Group in 2018 and has served the financial needs of entrepreneurs and business-owners for nearly 20 years.  David has dedicated himself to being a partner to his clients, and as a Financial Advisor for 17 years that specialized in working with business owners and executives, he brings a wealth of knowledge in the requirements and opportunities of businesses.

David founded Lockey Wealth Management after spending more than 12 years as an employee who had received multiple awards and recognitions as a top-performing Financial Advisor. By creating his own practice, he was better able to serve his clients’ needs and provide a more comprehensive wealth management platform. 

Personal Background

David and his wife have 3 children (ages 6, 8, and 10) and live in Carrollton, TX.  They are active parishioners of their church at Prince of Peace Catholic Community in Plano.  David’s outreach is extended to the rest of his community by coaching youth sports teams in football, basketball and baseball throughout the year.

Education

David received a BA in Economics from The College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA.

DavidL@thevantgroup.com | 972-458-8989 ext. 202

Investor | Coach | Speaker | Passionpreneur

Mr. Nori is a Private Equity investor and M&A strategist with a passion for helping creative entrepreneurs cultivate their business legacies by overcoming operational / financial challenges and executing a flawless exit.

Business Experience

As an accomplished former corporate executive and consultant, Mr. Nori has over two decades of advisory experience involving hundreds of domestic/international engagements. With a background which encompasses working at multiple global investment banks, his advisory focus today brings much more to the table for our sophisticated clientele – typically serving as a trusted tactical advisor and confidant to senior leadership teams / business owners as they navigate their M&A journeys.

Having owned / operated multiple businesses, Mr. Nori draws upon a much broader business knowledge and a much wider skill set than a typical advisor. His deep knowledge of corporate law and finance, in addition to his business strategy acumen, negotiation skills, business dispute mitigation expertise and influential investor network place him in a unique position to add tremendous value for our clients as they progress through the complex M&A life-cycle.

Education & Certification

Mr. Nori is a licensed attorney with a diverse academic background which encompasses: Harvard Law (Mediation & ADR program), Northwestern Law (Corporate Counsel program), Telfer School of Mngt. (International Fin. Mngt. program), Uni. Of Ottawa (Computer Engineering program), as well as currently/previously holding multiple global accreditations such as Registered Investment Advisor (RIA), Chartered Financial Analyst candidate (CFA), SEC/FINRA/IIROC/CSI (CSC, OLC, CPH, DFC / Series 4, 7, 63, 65).

Business Experience 

Mr. Goodwin joined The Vant Group in January of 2020 as a Managing Director. Prior to joining The Vant Group, he gained valuable experience in growing technology businesses and brings over 25 years of business & corporate development under his belt. He has also experienced a multitude acquisitions and post-acquisition integrations in his entrepreneurial roles.

Mr. Goodwin has an established advisory board, Innovation TVA, and continues to maintain his connection to leading technology relationships. With his leadership, he has been responsible for companies that successfully grew over 40%+ year over year. In his past, he has grown a division of his company from $100K to $100M in just 5 years. Even in his last role with a telecom provider, he took a lead charge in growing the business from $24M to $45M within 3 years in a declining market.

Education

Mr. Goodwin holds both a Bachelors of Business Administration in Marketing and a Bachelors of Science in Finance from the University of Massachusetts.

art@thevantgroup.com|972.458.8989 ext. 203

David represents clients in the formation of businesses, the acquisition of businesses and assets, and the sale and liquidation of businesses and assets. He represents clients when they finance their businesses through friends and family funding, bank loans, private equity, promissory notes, and venture funding. He also represents the parties that fund and finance businesses. He drafts contracts of all types. He drafts contracts between business partners, vendors and customers, employers and employees, lenders and borrowers, landlords and tenants, and any other parties doing business with each other. He serves as corporate counsel for businesses, advising owners and management in a wide spectrum of areas that affect the business. He handles litigation when clients are sued, and when clients need the courts to enforce their rights.

Business Experience

David has owned and operated businesses other than his law practice. He has managed and operated a graphic design business, mobile phone master dealer, video game developer, mobile application publisher, online and mobile application travel reservation business, and a steak and seafood restaurant. David has walked in the shoes of every one of his clients. This experience also gives David experience in a number of industries, which makes him a more effective advisor and attorney.

Professional and Educational Background

David was licensed to practice law in Texas in 1996. He received his law degree from the Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law in 1996. He received a bachelor of arts in Economics and Biochemistry from Rice University in 1990.

Personal Background

David was born in Taiwan and immigrated to America in 1970 when his father was earning his PhD in Geophysics from Rice University. He lived for eight years in Tulsa, Oklahoma. David has lived in Dallas area since 1982. He graduated from Plano Senior High School in 1986. David speaks fluent Mandarin.

dmwang@alumni.rice.edu | 214.334.4755