Robert L. Lanham
Founder; CEO

Robert L. Lanham has over 30 years of senior level, professional business experience with positions ranging from CFO to owner with a number of different companies. One of the keys to Robert’s expertise is his experience working as a high-level consultant specializing in corporate turnarounds. His proficiencies in accounting and his profound understanding of what it takes to position a struggling company for future success allows Robert to ensure that ABI, Inc.’s clients are always well informed as to how they can maximize their returns in a business sale or acquisition.

Robert holds a B.S. in business administration & accounting from Cal State Northridge and is a retired certified public accountant. Prior to forming ABI International, Inc. Robert served as the Executive Vice President/COO Access International, the COO/CFO for the American Gem Society and was the owner/general manager of Robert L. Lanham Certified Public Accountant. Robert also has several years of experience in the M&A field working as a Mergers & Acquisitions Consultant. In addition, Robert served as a combat infantry officer in the U.S. Marine Corps in the Republic of Vietnam and is an active member of the Disabled American Veterans and Military Order of the Purple Heart.
email: rlanham@abiint.com

Sherry Bentley, MBA
Mergers & Acquisitions Specialist; COO

Sherry Bentley has more than 18 years experience in finance, marketing, and strategic planning in a variety of industries, including management consulting, equipment lease financing, the lottery, transportation, and publishing. Much of her financing experience and experience analyzing company financials comes from Australia, where she worked with a subsidiary of Sanwa Bank of Japan.  At Sanwa Australia Finance, Sherry developed broker guidelines for all the offices in Australia to ensure a more efficient and effective loan acceptance process for all parties.  She was responsible for all broker deals in the Sydney office.

In her corporate life, she has used her financial and statistical analysis skills to analyze the effectiveness of marketing programs, and to develop budgets and sales forecasts.  Sherry has very fine-tuned analytical skills that contribute well to evaluating companies.   She is consultative and customer service oriented.

Sherry holds a B.A. in economics from Simon Fraser University and an M.B.A. in marketing and finance from the University of Southern California.  She is President of the USC Alumni Club of the South Bay, a member of the Trojan League of the South Bay, a 2006 recipient of the Widney Alumni House award, a member of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), and President of the Redondo Beach Kiwanis Club.
email: sbentley@abiint.com

William J. Stieren, CPA, CBI
Mergers & Acquisitions Specialist
Las Vegas Office

William J. Stieren is a Certified Business Intermediary and a seasoned CPA with extensive experience in buying, selling, operating and financing businesses.  Bill brings a unique set of skills to the transaction table.  He has more than 30 years experience working with businesses, advising on tax, financing, enhancing profitability and long term financial planning.  After working in a large public company and the federal government, Bill became a tax specialist and then a partner with McGladrey Pullen, a national CPA firm.  Bill pioneered the concept of issuing preferred partnership interests to secure financial and tax benefits for taxpayers. The practice has become an industry standard for financial professionals across the country. Bill acquired a small business in Illinois and for five years grew the business several fold before selling it.  He then acquired additional businesses and managed them until deciding to move to a warmer, more stimulating economic climate in Las Vegas.

Bill earned a Bachelor of Science at the University of Illinois.  He has been a speaker for professional and business groups, and has taught college courses.  He is currently a Rotary member and on the Board of the Turn Around Management Association. Previously, he was on the Board of the YMCA; GREDA – a local economic development association; Community College Foundation; St Mary’s Hospital; Galesburg Chamber; and Chairman of the Knox County Republican Committee.
Email:  wstieren@abiint.com

Normand L. Bolduc
Mergers & Acquisitions Specialist
Los Angeles Office

Normand Bolduc is an accomplished executive with extensive experience in management for high-level functions in retail, manufacturing, operations, and finance.  With his more than 30 years experience in senior level positions, he has gained strengths in some key areas including:  sales, strategic business planning, cost control, information systems management, forecasting, and budgeting.  He has played a major role in transitioning three companies with whom he was employed; thus, he can provide keen insight into the entire process for the clients of ABI, Inc.

Normand holds a B.S. in Accounting & Management from Bryant College.  Prior to joining ABI, Inc. Normand served as the Vice President/General Manager/CFO of Anza Event Rental/Anza Tents, responsible for both the retail and manufacturing operations, and playing a pivotal role in doubling sales in just five years.  Previously, he held the role of CFO/Controller of Rahn Industries, managing the finance and accounting for four manufacturing plants.  He has held the position of Controller for AJ Electronics, Olectron Corporation and Honey, Inc.  He also held the position of Senior Accountant for a CPA firm, Mandell & Mandell.
email: nbolduc@abiint.com

Will Kaliel
Mergers & Acquisitions Specialist
Los Angeles Office

Will Kaliel comes to ABI International, Inc. from a well known real estate brokerage in the Los Angeles area, where he is known for his tough negotiation skills, and for serving in the best interest of his clients.   He has received training in business valuation, driving company prices, and succession strategies, and brings energy, ambition and determination to each deal.  His professionalism and business insight are proving invaluable to the firm.

Will holds a B.S. in Business Administration with an emphasis on E-Business and Marketing from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
email: wkaliel@abiint.com

Howard Fudenberg
Mergers & Acquisitions Specialist
Los Angeles Office

Howard Fudenberg brings to ABI International over 30 years of a very successful career in financial retirement planning and commercial real estate sales.  For more than 20 years, Howard worked for major New York investment firms as a retirement financial planning expert, and was a Vice President when he left the industry.  He has worked with many Fortune 500 company executives to insure success in their retirement planning. 

Howard grew up in New York, but has been established in Los Angeles for more than forty years.  He attended Brooklyn College in New York City and was on the Board of Directors of a Credit Union in Southern California for more than 20 years.

Through this experience, Howard has gained a good understanding of the mindset of many business owners as they face the prospect of transitioning out of their business.  He also brings with him the experience and training to make for a successful transaction and a smooth transition for both the buyer and seller.
email: hfudenberg@abiint.com

Kimberly C. Vaughn, JD
Mergers & Acquisitions Specialist
San Francisco Office

Kimberly Vaughn has worked with business buyers and sellers for some years as a principle at Vaughn & Associates, a Beverly Hills law firm focusing on the practice areas of business transactions, business succession and estate planning.  Kim has represented both individuals and corporate clients in a wide variety of transactional matters.  Her activities have ranged from forming various business entities and corporate maintenance to drafting sophisticated estate plans, buy/sell agreements, partnership agreements, operating agreements and negotiating and drafting the appropriate documents for mergers and acquisitions.  Kim brings to clients of ABI International a familiarity with the structuring and financing of transactions, whether they are asset or stock sales. 

Kim prides herself on being available to her clients and offering superb service to all of her clients.  She takes a team approach to achieving a client’s goals and has strong relationships with professionals in many other practice areas, such as business appraisers, merger and acquisition specialists, bankers, attorneys, realtors, mortgage brokers, and financial planners. 

Kim was born and raised in the Bay Area of California.  She relocated to Southern California, where she received her Bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California and obtained her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Southern California, School of Law.
email: kvaughn@abiint.com

Frank L. Merenda, MBA, CMEA, SIA, CSBA
Mergers & Acquisitions Specialist
Philadelphia Office

Frank Merenda has more than 25 years experience in the international specialty chemical business segment, serving as Engineer, Business Manager, General Manager and Vice President for multi-national multi-billion dollar chemical firms, including DuPont, Engelhard, PQ Corporation, Degussa, and Rhodia.  His success has been in turning around struggling business units, providing the business development and technical expertise to meet ever changing customer needs.  Since 2004, Frank has provided business brokerage and appraisal services to a wide range of manufacturing and service businesses in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.  He has served as one of the founding members of the Mid-Atlantic Business Brokers Association (MABBA) as Treasurer and Secretary.  In May, 2007, Frank became President of Enterprise Appraisal Company, a multi-disciplined, 36 year old appraisal firm serving international and local manufacturing entities with SEC and IRS required appraisal services, located near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.

Frank holds a Masters Degree in Chemical Engineering from Rutgers University College of Engineering (Piscataway, NJ), and an MBA from Rutgers Graduate School of Management (Newark, NJ).  He has been certified as a machinery & equipment appraiser (CMEA), a Specialist in Insurance Appraisals (SIA), and as a Senior Business Analyst (CSBA).  Frank is also a member of the National Association of Certified Business Valuation Analysts (NACVA), and will receive his AVA business valuation certification in the second quarter of 2008.  Frank is a licensed Realtor(R) in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Frank is the Past President of Paoli-Malvern-Berwyn Rotary, and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the YMCA of the Upper Main Line.  He is Vice President of the ChemPharma professional association.
email: fmerenda@abiint.com

John J. Stamatopoulos, CM&AA, CMDM
Mergers and Acquisitions Intermediary
Boston Office

Over the past 12 years, John J. Stamatopoulos has provided consultative sales, management, and business development services to multiple industries including healthcare, technology, financial, and foodservice. Primarily servicing medical device and pharmaceutical companies including Astra-Zeneca, Schering-Plough, Hill-Rom, and major OEM’s; his successes include bringing the Vichy Laboratories division of L’Oreal into the United States marketplace and aiding in the creation and development of IDEX Corporation’s Medical Technologies Group through the acquisition of four contract manufacturing facilities domestic and internationally. John services medical companies of all sizes from start-up to world leading.  In addition to consulting financial service companies including Eaton Vance, Thompson Financial, Citigroup, and John Hancock; John has owned, built, purchased and sold multiple businesses including a nationally distributed snack food company and a specialty retail franchise.

John attained a BSBA from Northeastern University in Marketing and Management Information Systems. John has completed Post Graduate course work and achieved a Medical Device Management certification (MDM) from Worcester Polytechnic’s Bioengineering Institute. He has completed Loyola University’s Mergers and Acquisition Advisor Certification (CM&AA). John is an active member of Massachusetts’s Medical Device Industry Council, the Alliance of Mergers and Acquisitions Advisors (AMAA), the New England and International Business Brokerage Associations, and the Association of Corporate Growth.
email:  jstamatopoulos@abiint.com