Here is our Transworld Team in Knoxville and Chattanooga:
Doug Kose, President
Doug Kose is the President of Transworld Business Advisors of Knoxville and Chattanooga. He is a Certified Business Intermediary (CBI) with the IBBA and has his real estate license through the TN Real Estate Commission. Kose is also a member of the Rotary Club of Bearden. Kose works diligently to help business owners navigate the challenges involved in selling their companies.
Transworld Business Advisors has received local recognition including being named the City View Magazine Best in Class in the business broker category for the last three years. Transworld has over 100 ‘5-Star Google Reviews.’
Previously, Kose was a CEO of a non-profit agency for five years and an Assistant Athletic Director for Marketing and Sales at the University of Tennessee. He and his wife, Elizabeth, have two girls, Anabel and Adeline.
Contact
Phone: (865) 315-7327
Kelly Kasper, PhD, Vice President of Operations
Kelly Kasper is the Vice President of Operations and a Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) Candidate through the NACVA. She supports the broker team to ensure efficient operations and works with the team to develop and acheive organizational goals, execute strategy, and oversee communications and marketing.
She earned her PhD from Indiana University where she previously previously served for two years as Interim Director of the French Language Program and has 10+ years in higher education. She relocated to Knoxville in 2022 and chose this area for her love of the outdoors and the city's proximity to many outdoor adventures.
Contact
Phone: (816) 695-2845
Sheila Hansen, Sr. Business Advisor
Sheila Hansen’s mission is helping buyers find good businesses and/or franchise opportunities, and helping sellers find good buyers. She focuses her efforts in the Sevier County area - which is nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee. It's also the birthplace of Dolly Parton (a national treasure and her business role model) and Dollywood. Sevier County includes the cities of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, Kodak, and Seymour. This tourist area sees over ten million visitors every year and it's also a lovely place to live and raise a family. Attractions, restaurants, resorts, and every business you can imagine is located here
As a small business owner herself, Sheila brings the experience of being on all sides of the transaction (startup, purchase, owner/operator and sale). She understands what the buyer and seller need to complete the business sale transaction. She and her husband, Bob, live in Sevier County, have two sons and five grandchildren. So come on down, whether you're from the lakes of Minnesota, the hills of Tennessee, or anywhere from sea to shining sea; call her! Let's make your dream of owning (or selling) your business come true. Sheila works closely with the Knoxville/Sevier County team and our amazing Transworld (worldwide) team! Wherever you come from, wherever you may wish to go, she can help.
Contact
Phone: (865) 686-8333
Lauren Wingrove, Business Advisor
Lauren Wingrove has started and run her own businesses in the past, including a sign and graphic design studio, a project management consulting firm and a commercial flooring enterprise. She helps business owners sell their businesses and assists buyers looking for a good business or franchise opportunity. Her focus is on the Chattanooga metro area, including Cleveland, TN.
Lauren and her husband, Lanny, live in Hixson, TN. They have one daughter and two sons and are the proud owners of two retired greyhound racers. "Chattanooga is no longer the best-kept secret in the South" Lauren says. "My goal is to work with entrepreneurs so they get top dollar for the companies they've nurtured for years, as well as help those new to Chattanooga find a good business or franchise to buy. We're taught how to start a business, but very little is taught on how to sell a business."
Contact
Phone: (423) 680-7500
Chris Whitehead, Business Advisor
Chris Whitehead is a Business Advisor serving clients primarily in the Knoxville metro area. His focus is helping sellers get the best deal for their businesses and helping others achieve their dream of ownership.
Chris is a native to the Knoxville area and earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 2014. He previously served as Program Specialist for Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee from 2015-2020. He then went on to do work for Emerald Youth Foundation, where he continues to serve as the East/South Area Sports and Recreation Director. Chris has also served on committees for the YWCA and the Knoxville Area Urban League Young Professionals group.
Contact
Phone: (865) 202-0404
Adam Bassett, Business Advisor
Based in Sevierville, TN, Adam offers business owners and astute buyers a distinctive combination of local expertise and a wide network of opportunities. As a seasoned business owner who has achieved an exit, Adam understands the complexities involved in selling and purchasing businesses. "My favorite part of the selling process is getting to know my clients on both a professional and personal level," Adam says. "I genuinely care about my clients, their families, and their future. So, it's not just about selling or buying a business, it's about advising them on what's' best for their future."
Adam and his wife Nancy celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary in September 2023. They have a thirteen-year-old son, Alex. When not working, Adam loves chasing brook trout in the headwaters of the Smoky Mountains and spending time with his family in the outdoors.
Contact
Phone: (865) 345-2266
