Profile: Fred Stephenson

Fred’s distinguished career as an entrepreneur, banker, and merchant trader serves him well in his role as a business broker as it provides him a unique perspective and practical deal making skills. Fred gained his entrepreneurial experience when he founded and was the day-to-day manager of a commodities transportation business that served processors, manufacturers and exporters in a round-the-clock, no-holidays operation. In nine years Fred quadrupled the business to over $2 million in annual revenue and built the staff to nearly 20 employees.

Next, Fred joined Charter One Bank where his strength was in providing financing and sound fiscal guidance to small and medium sized businesses. He arranged conventional and SBA loan packages for manufacturers, distributors, line haul and local transporters, research concerns, franchises, software makers, staffing companies, contractors, professionals, property managers and service industries of all types. His clients ranged in size from $5 to $20 million in revenues.

Fred started his career in domestic grain trading. He advised and executed trades on behalf of users, merchants and speculators with interests in the commodity futures and options markets. Fred became a member of the Chicago Board of Trade and designed accounting software and control systems for grain consumption/payment and options and futures risk management. Fred oversaw the grain consumption and inherent risk of a major miller as well as managed the sale of the consequent by-product to markets ranging from individuals to domestic conglomerates to worldwide exporters.

Fred’s experiences have allowed him to gain insight to a wide spectrum of businesses and to develop the skills necessary to help business owner sell their businesses in a matter that rewards them financially and helps them transition to the next phase of their life.

Fred graduated from Purdue University in 1980. Fred studied economics with a focus on agriculture and business management. A disciple of management by objective and cash flow lending principles, Fred understands what makes the privately held concern viable over the long run, the pitfalls to be avoided and the true worth of a business.