Independence, OH

November, 2022

The International Business Brokers Association® (IBBA) has announced the four individuals elected by membership to serve on its board of governors for the January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2025 term. Among the elected, is Austin Zhao, a Senior Business Advisor and M&A Intermediary at Transworld Business Advisors of Houston. All four elected board members are:

Austin Zhao, CBI, First Term, Houston, TX
Kara Gibson Brzytwa, CBI, First Term, Edmonds, WA
Louis Pereira, Second Term, Salem, NH
Sarah Grossman, CBI, First Term, Needham, MA

The Board also unanimously approved current board member, Pino Bacinello, CBI of Pacific Mergers and Acquisitions, Inc. in Vancouver, British Columbia as the 2024 Chair of the Board.

“We thank and appreciate all of our candidates, as each has already done so much to support our industry and the IBBA,” stated Randy Bring, 2022 IBBA Chair of the Board. “We are confident that those elected will continue to lead, grow and evolve our great association into the future, especially with Kyle Griffith at the helm in 2023, and now Pino in 2024. Pino’s return to the Chair position will come at a pivotal time when we’re expanding our international efforts and grooming our next generation of leaders, functions for which he is perfectly and uniquely suited.”

New board members are identified by the IBBA nominating committing and then elected by membership vote. Each holds a three-year term, with a maximum service of two sequential terms. The newly elected board members will begin their terms effective January 1, 2023. The committee also presents the Chair recommendation for board approval each year and Chairs serve a one-year term.

About Austin Zhao

Austin Zhao has over 35 years of experience in business with an extensive background of international trade, business management and operations, and deal negotiation. Austin specializes in business sales, mergers and acquisitions, and business valuation after he joined Transworld Business Advisors in 2015.

In addition to his professional designations including M&AMI in the business intermediary industry, Austin is certified by the International Society of Business Appraisers, as a Business Certified Appraiser (BCA). This certification is a high honor with very few M&A professionals certified in the Business Intermediary industry in the nation. His expertise in business valuation helps his clients understand the value of their businesses and set the right pricing strategy for a successful sale process. There is no question why Austin’s approach yields excellent results and higher sale conversions compared to other brokers in the industry.

Professional Designations/Credentials:

Business Certified Appraiser (BCA)
M&A Master Intermediary (M&AMI)
Certified M&A Professional (CMAP)
Certified Business Intermediary (CBI)
Licensed Real Estate Agent in Texas

Professional Achievements/Awards:

Executive Club Member awarded by M&A SOURCE
Chairman’s Circle awarded by International Business Brokers Association (IBBA)
Chairman’s Circle awarded by Transworld Business Advisors (National)
Ranked 2020’s #1 Top Producer and Ranked 2019’s #2 Top Producer in Transworld Houston office

Volunteer Leadership Experience:

Current Conference Committee Chair of International Business Brokers Association (IBBA)
Former Chairman of the Asian Chamber of Commerce (2016 -2017)
Founding board member of Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA) Houston Chapter (2015-2019).
One of the eleven Board Directors of the Paraffin Wax Committee for China Chamber of Commerce of Metals, Minerals & Chemicals Importers & Exporters (1995 – 1996).

Some of Austin's recent achievements with Transworld include the sale of several multi-million-dollar businesses including a major wholesale produce distributor, a chain of family-owned hair salons, and a large niche machine manufacturing company. Austin's portfolio also extends to experience in the sale of medical practices, dental clinics, pharmacies, vision centers, childcare businesses, franchise resales, and more.

If you would like to contact Austin Zhao for questions on business acquisitions or are seeking business sale representation, he can be reached at 281-630-6666 or via email at [email protected].

About the International Business Brokers Association

Formed in 1984, the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA) is the largest international not-for-profit association operating exclusively for people and firms engaged in business brokerage and mergers and acquisitions. The association provides business brokers with education, free benefits, conferences, professional designations, support programs, and networking opportunities, and awards the Certified Business Intermediary (CBI)® designation to qualifying business brokers. To learn more visit www.ibba.org.

About Transworld Business Advisors of Houston

Transworld Business Advisors is the world's largest business brokerage organization with over 250 offices and 750 business brokers globally. Transworld has facilitated the sale of over 10,000 businesses in the past 40 years.

Transworld Business Advisors of Houston is the #1 Business Brokerage firm in Houston and the entire Texas region. Our Houston team is composed of twenty diverse members with a combined 350+ years of business experience. Our team includes former CEOs, Presidents, Chief Financial Officers, CPAs, Business Owners, Multi-Unit Franchisees, and Attorneys, We are experienced in the business sales process, business valuations, and deal structure. Our team includes Certified Business Intermediaries, Certified M&A Professionals, Master M&A Intermediaries, and a Certified Business Appraiser. We speak 6 languages including Spanish, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Arabic, and German. We are based in Houston and we leverage being part of the world's largest business brokerage organization. Transworld specializes in providing the vital services needed to conclude successful company sales and purchases by assisting owners and buyers throughout every step of the business sales process. We have achieved value for both sellers and buyers of companies operating in various industries. Transworld has facilitated the sale of over 10,000 businesses.

Austin's Testimonials

“Working with Austin Zhao was such a wonderful experience. He made the experience so much smoother and hassle-free. He is also very knowledgeable about the market and also is very responsive. Not only did he take care of my end, but also facilitate the buyer’s end so that the whole process can be much quicker than if I have tried to sell the practice myself. Thank you, Austin for making this sale successful and thank you to Transworld!”

"Austin was exceptional in facilitating the sale of our business. We had multiple offers in a much shorter time than anticipated. He is excellent at bridging the gap between buyer and seller. And he always made himself available whenever needed. I would highly recommend him and Transworld."

"We had a wonderful experience with Transworld. Austin Zhao is one of the best agents in the company. His dedication towards both seller and buyer is beyond our expectations. He is very professional and patient throughout the transaction. We purchased a legitimate business from him. Financials are flawless. We are lucky to have Austin as our broker. Will definitely work with him again in the future."

"Transworld is a professional business broker, that sells businesses in a fast and safe way. As a business owner, I wisely choose this company. More wisely choose Austin Zhao to be my agent. He was very professional, fast, and efficient. Austin Zhao has full knowledge on how to find a buyer, and how to communicate. I sold my restaurant in less than 2 months and for a fair price. If one day I need buy a business. No need to say. Austin Zhao will be my agent as well. Reliable person. Professional business broker. He knows what he is doing."

"I was referred to Austin Zhao through a banker, and then bought a manufacturing business through the Transworld Houston team. Both Austin Zhao and Gerry Brisson guided me through the purchasing process, treated me very fairly while they represented the seller to sell the business to me. Especially, as an immigrant, I don't know too much about American business culture. When I have issues in the business operations after I took over the business, Austin has been always my first contact point to call, and he has been helped me a lot in solving problems through his experience in operating business and his broad connections and resources in the communities. Now I don't treat Austin Zhao as a business broker, but my business advisor. I sold and bought some other businesses before through brokers, I can tell that Transworld is the best business broker among them. Austin and Gerry are the experts, very professional and experienced. Highly recommended!"