Our Team
The KEYSTONE team has a wealth of experience in business and M&A transactions to provide you with the resources you need. Of course, our dealmakers are experienced in negotiation and deal structure. But they also focus on the details that make the difference between a successful transaction and one that comes close. Our advisors give top priority to your interests and have first hand understanding of the needs of business owners. Since they have owned their own businesses, they are characterized as:
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Experienced
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Entrepreneurial
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Determined
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Committed to Success
Our team comes to the firm from varied backgrounds: regional entrepreneurship, corporate acquisitions, accounting and valuation. We are deeply involved in the business of mergers, acquisitions and business sales. We do careful analysis, conduct thorough research and pay careful attention to client needs. We participate in the leading business intermediary organizations and participate regularly in forums to improve our profession and ourselves.
Please find the contact information on each member of the KEYSTONE team below. Learn more by clicking on the picture to review their personal biography. We encourage you to contact a KEYSTONE advisor today!
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John Meyering - President
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 John launched his M & A career after twelve years of key management positions in a family owned truck rental and leasing company. The firm became the largest independently owned truck leasing company in the country with 50 million in revenues and was acquired by a multi-billion dollar public company in 1989. John was involved in the sale process and was retained after the acquisition to provide transition support, consulting, and integration of the two businesses.
As a seasoned deal-maker, John has personally completed dozens of business transactions in a variety of industries. Areas of focus include; manufacturing, wholesale distribution, transportation, technology and service businesses. His in depth knowledge of business transactions, effective marketing strategies, negotiating skills, financing options and creative deal structuring have contributed significantly to his M & A success.
"I'm very committed to the best possible outcome for every client we represent. My primary objective is to maximize the transaction value for every business owner…and get the transaction completed properly. Our firm is committed to treating all the parties to the transaction with integrity."
John graduated from Ferris State University in 1983 with a B.S. in Business Administration and completed the Dale Carnegie Human Relations Course. He also maintains a real estate license in the State of Michigan.
Professional memberships and associations include; IBBA, MBBI, and MBBA. John also serves as Vice President for the Michigan Business Brokers Association. Previously John was the Managing Director for a middle market investment bank.
John has resided in the Grand Rapids area his entire life. Currently he and his wife of 25 years reside in Caledonia, Michigan with their two children. Hobbies and interests include golfing, boating, skiing, hunting and reading. John is a member of Kentwood Community Church and serves as a leader for their elementary level program called "JAM". |
LarryLarry Baumgart - Managing Directorj
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 Larry Baumgart has over 29 years of experience in business with 17 of those years in business valuation. He is the owner of Advanced Business Appraisers, an appraisal firm that accepts appraisal assignments all over Michigan. He has appraised companies for a variety of purposes including business sales, business acquisitions, gifting and litigation support. His primary experience is with manufacturing, industrial distribution, technology, retail, health-care and service businesses.
I’m committed to helping clients understand their business' value and teaching them strategies that can maximize their business value.
Larry graduated from Northern Illinois University with a B.S. in Finance. He continued his education at Northern Illinois and obtained an M.B.A. in Management. He holds a real estate agents license as well as an insurance license.
Larry is a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) through the Institute of Certified Management Accountants.
Larry and his wife reside in the Portage, Michigan area with their three children. Larry and his family are active in his church; Immanuel Lutheran Church – Westwood. Larry volunteers in the community on the Kalamazoo County Brownfield Authority, the Kalamazoo County Economic Development Committee as well as being a board member of the Institute of Management Accountants in Kalamazoo. |
Dan Butler - Managing Director
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 Dan Butler has over 34 years of experience in business and strategy development. He began his merger and acquisition experience in a high growth corporate environment, where acquisition was a major strategy for growth. Dan has working with M&A transactions since 1978, has been in a defining position in twelve M&A transactions, and has been key executive in seven of those businesses.
Dan co-founded and led a high tech start-up in Chicago prior to moving to West Michigan. He is experienced in manufacturing, industrial distribution, health administration, high technology and financial services.
"I love to help companies find and capture value, for the owners and for the enterprise. This implies close working relationships, objective perspective, and strategy."
Dan has a BS in Mathematics from Pittsburg State University (Kansas) and has done graduate work in both math and business.
Professional memberships and associations include IBBA, MBBI, MBBA and CAR. Dan is also a Certified Business Intermediary (CBI).
Dan and his wife of 42 years have three children and five grandchildren. |
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