- Robert J. “Bob” Hough
- Gary W. Schaefer
- Mike Furlong
- Bill Blair
- Mike Collins
- Scott Torrie
- Jennifer Rudy
- Cherie O'Connor
- Larry Feist
- Thomas Murphy
- Bruno Ruocco
Robert J. “Bob” Hough
Broker/President
Bob Hough is an experienced Business Broker with a track record of over thirty years experience in corporate management and private ownership. He has owned and operated several successful businesses before opening Sunbelt. Bob worked for the Truck Division of the Hertz Corporation as a regional and major accounts manager (Disney, Sysco Foods, and Beatrice Foods), and was a regional manager for Pullman Trailmobile Transportation. He operated and was a minority partner in John Deere Industrial dealerships in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, along with owning and operating Red Lion Trucking.
Most recently, he owned and operated a successful seafood restaurant in Indian Rocks Beach and sold it in 1992 to become a Business Broker. Mr. Hough was president of the Gulf Beaches Chamber of Commerce from 1984 to 1988 and was instrumental in Florida's beach renourishment programs.
Currently Bob specializes in the sale of Marine Industries, Medical Industries and many types of manufacturing and distribution companies. His history of sales has included a broad range of Florida based companies. He currently resides in Indian Rocks Beach, Florida with his wife, Ann, who is a health care professional with Morton Plant /Mease Baycare.Visit Bob's business blog at floridabizboy.blogspot.com/
Gary W. Schaefer
Associate
Gary’s experience has earned him the prestigious “Million Dollar Plus Award” in recognition of outstanding sales in business brokerage. He is also a member of the BBF & the IBBA.
He is a native to Long Island, New York and relocated to Florida after serving in the United States Air Force, and obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from Georgia State University.
He has more than 15 years experience in investment banking as a Senior Investment Executive focusing primarily on evaluating businesses based on earnings and growth potential. He has been recognized with several outstanding performance awards from several NASD affiliated stock brokerage firms in Tampa.
He has also been President and CFO of his own business, handling all financial aspects including preparing financial reports, income statements, balance sheets, cash flow statements, profit & loss statements, and tax returns.
He is also active in the Tampa Bay community and enjoys playing competitive softball, as well as coaching his son’s AAU & Little League baseball teams.
Gary can be reached directly at 813-361-2086 or email sunbeltgs@aol.com.
Mike Furlong
Associate
Mike is from Michigan where he was born in 1946. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps 1964-1967 (Viet Nam Combat Veteran). After Mike was honorably discharged, he joined the Dearborn Michigan Fire Department. After 27 years he retired as a Fire Captain. During his years on the department he was elected President of the International Association of Fire Fighters, Local # 412, and served in that position for 9 years. This was very important because it gave him plenty of negotiating skills, which would serve him well later in his love for business.
Mike has owned 5 businesses (Food, Retail, Service) two of which he put together investors and formed corporations in Michigan, which he was President. These experiences have given Mike the knowledge in all aspects of running a business.
In 1996 Mike moved to Florida, obtained his license, and started selling businesses.
Mike believes that having the insight, and working knowledge of running a business, makes all the difference in the world,when it comes to representing someone selling or buying a business.
Bill Blair
Associate
Bill’s 40 years of experience in sales and management uniquely positions’ him to help those seeking to own or sell their businesses.
His career started with IBM in 1967 after graduating from VA Tech with a degree in Business Administration and Marketing. Bill stayed with IBM for 16 years, retiring early in 1982 to move to Florida. The move was postponed for 6 years because the interest rates went 19% and prevented him from selling his home in N. VA.
He finally made it to Florida in 1988 and settle in Windermere, a suburb of Orlando. He has bought, owned and sold 3 successful businesses in the last 20 years. That experience gives him the insight needed to evaluate business opportunities and the ability to help people trying to acquire them.
He is particularly sensitive to both buyers and sellers, having been on each side. He takes the time to educate both parties about their responsibilities throughout the entire buying/selling process.
Bill has been a Rotarian for almost 20 years, currently with Seven Springs Rotary in New Port Richey, and previously with Dr. Phillips Rotary in Orlando. He resides in Holiday.
Mike Collins
Associate
Michael T. Collins was born in Philadelphia, PA and educated in Southern New Jersey. He graduated from Rowan University with a degree in Business Administration specializing in Accounting and Marketing. During the 1990s, he managed retail, commercial and wholesale operations for the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. He has specialized training in business development and profit/loss analysis. Michael decided to leave the corporate world to achieve better control of his professional and financial future. He joined Sunbelt Business Advisors in 2002, is a member of the BBF, served on the State Board of Directors for the FBBA and as Vice President of the Tampa Bay chapter. In his spare time, he enjoys teaching and coaching basketball at the YMCA.
Scott Torrie
Associate
Following his graduation from Vanderbilt University School of Law, Scott Torrie moved to Pinellas County where he has resided since 1984. For the past 25 years, Scott has been a practicing attorney in the Tampa Bay area, specializing in transactions involving businesses and real estate. Over the course of his legal career, Mr. Torrie has represented numerous buyers, sellers, and lenders in the sale of a wide variety of businesses, giving him a full understanding of the many complexities associated with business transactions.
Mr. Torrie’s extensive business and legal experience, coupled with a commitment to excellence and prompt personal service, makes him uniquely qualified to assist you in the acquisition or sale of a business. Scott is a member of the Business Brokers of Florida and International Business Brokers Association and can be reached directly at (727) 239-8169 or by e-mail at ScottT@sunbeltbb.com.
Jennifer Rudy
Associate
Jennifer has been in sales and customer service since 1995. She has experience working in many aspects of the housing industry in sales (i.e. fine appliances, granite, tile and swimming pools) and in the Title Insurance business. She went on to become a licensed real estate agent in 2002. She has experience in residential and commercial sales and she is a member of the BBF and IBBA.
Growing up her father was an entrepreneur and her siblings are also business owners. She enjoys working with business people on a professional level to serve with courtesy, professionalism and integrity. She can assist you with all your buying and selling needs. Jennifer resides in Brooksville.
Cherie O'Connor
Sales Associate
Cherie is a seasoned 25 year Business Manager from the Employment Staffing Industry. She received her BA from University of Massachusetts. As a Regional Staffing Manager she was involved in an international business merger in the Northeast and then relocated to Florida 1989 as a Division Manager to oversee and develop a tri- state staffing service acquisition.
During the last 17 years, she has opened, owned, operated and sold two successful staffing companies. As a hand’s on Manager she handled all bank financing, operations, p&l’s, cash flow management, payroll, HR, training and sales.
Her business to business sales knowledge is diversified including: manufacturing, distribution, electronics, technical, metals, printing, plastics, administrative, service/billing centers, retail, hospitality, pharmaceutical and medical industries.
Cherie’s Commitment to her Clients is her # 1 priority! As a previous owner, she will take the time to understand the unique value of your intangible and tangible assets, namely, your hard earned business and select qualified buyers. You can expect unwavering confidentiality and timely communication during any successful ownership sale.
Cherie’s contact info: (727)204-5824, cherie1177@aol.com
Larry Feist
Sales Associate
Larry has a diverse business background with 38 plus years experience encompassing public accounting, private accounting, and successful business entrepreneur that spans banking, telecommunications, food service, wholesale, manufacturing, and retail industries. He has B.S. degree in Business Administration with an accounting major from Oklahoma State University.
During Larry’s 15 years in public accounting he serviced banking, municipalities, telecommunications, restaurants, wholesale, manufacturing and retail companies. He also has 15 years experience owning and managing a successful worldwide golf accessory manufacturing, sales, and distribution company. In addition to his public accounting and entrepreneurial experience, Larry was controller for a catering division of American Airlines, a retail division for Host Marriott, and a number of privately held companies.
Living in the New Port Richey, Florida since 1989, with diverse experience in business, Larry understands the personal and monetary value of owning and selling your business. As such, he is well equipped to leverage that understanding and offer a personal commitment of excellence and representation to the business owners during the sale of their business. Please feel comfortable contacting Larry by calling 727-946-2474 or emailing lfeist@tampabay.rr.com.
Thomas Murphy
Sales Associate
Bruno Ruocco
Broker
Bruno Ruocco is a Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker and has been with Sunbelt since 2002. he was born in Italy where he received his Master Civil Engineering degree from University of Naples. He speaks fluent Italian, Spanish and English. Before joining Sunbelt Business Brokers, he was in the construction business for more than 30 years. He acquired strong experience as a professional engineer and businessman since hew owned and manage a general contractor company for 18 years in South America and also being involved in the development of residential and commercial properties. Bruno has worked in several countries and areas including Italy, Mexico, Venezuela, West Africa and the Middle East.
He is also a Florida Licensed Real estate instructor and a math tutor for Hs and College. He is a member of various Chamber of Commerce, Ybor City, Hispanic American, Italian Club etc. He can be reached by phone at (813)-395-3497 or via email : brunoruocco@gmail.com
