Who We Are

Linn Crader has owned and operated M&A firms since 1981 after serving as Vice President for Finn & West Inc. a merger and acquisition firm. Mr. Crader has more than 36 years experience in the merger and acquisition industry. His extensive background includes hundreds of successful business transactions. Mr. Crader pioneered business valuation in the middle market and is well known for his thorough approach to deal structure. His depth of understanding and experience in business provides Business Transition Services, Inc. with a solid foundation. The middle market M & A team approach Mr. Crader developed is regarded by the industry as the cutting edge of professional representation.

Mr. Crader is nationally recognized as an advocate for the advancement and development of ethics and professionalism in the merger and acquisition field. His activities include teaching professional continuing education courses in subjects relating to merger and acquisition deal structure in the middle market. Mr. Crader is highly regarded for his efforts in incorporating estate planning, wealth empowered family banks and tax saving strategies in deal structure. He is a popular guest speaker at many national, professional development seminars and for a number of local business groups.

Mr. Crader served as Vice President of Finance for the Institute of Certified Business Counselors and is a member of the International Business Brokers Association and the M & A Source. He has held a number of leadership positions in many fraternal and professional organizations and sits on the board of several corporations and investment groups.

Bill Beard has been successfully assisting corporate owners grow and sell their companies and realize their goals since 1997. Bill most recently lead the marketing and negotiation efforts for BNI Global LLC, an international B2B referral franchisor, working on a daily basis with the owner, Dr. Ivan Misner from inception to closing. Bill has experience in numerous industries including healthcare, B2B services, food, manufacturing, and distribution. Bill headed advisory efforts for MSI Consulting, Cohesion Marketing, Watermill Foods, Pacific Health Benefits, among others.

Mr. Beard has also participated in capital raises for private companies, valuations and due diligence analysis.

Bill received a B.A. in Political Science from Virginia Tech and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Puget Sound. He is a past member of the Bar Associations in Washington, D.C., Texas, and the state of Washington.

Paulette Spencer has over 24 years of experience in corporate finance and public accounting. Her background includes providing audit and income tax services for emerging and established businesses, ranging from development stage to Fortune 500 clients. She has researched business opportunities, drafted and implemented business plans, working with venture capitalists and under Securities and Exchange Commission Regulations.

Ms. Spencer has worked with Mr. Crader since 1996 as a Transaction Analyst. Prior to joining the firm, Paulette was with the Big Six Public Accounting firm of Price Waterhouse with assignments in San Francisco, Boston and Portland. She also served as the Corporate Financial Officer for a start-up business, which later successfully held an Initial Public Offering as Petsmart.

Ms. Spencer received a B.S. from the University of California at Berkeley, an M.B.A. in Finance from the University of San Francisco, a M.S. in Financial Planning and Taxation from Golden Gate University and holds a Certified Financial Planner Designation from the College for Financial Planning. She is a Certified Public Accountant and a Chartered Global Management Accountant and a member of the Oregon Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. She also has taught continuing education courses for corporations, professional organizations and at various universities including Harvard and is active in a number of professional and licensing organizations.”

William Hill began working with Linn Crader in 1990 as a Financial Analyst. His experience at BTSI spans integrated financial forecasting, business valuation, and software development.

William’s current focus includes managing corporate development and oversight of client financial analysis and presentation.

• Corporate Development entails gathering and recording market acquisition information in the BTSI database and subsequently matching suitable buyers with the objectives of our clients. External databases are also queried in the search for market information that will be of benefit. The objective of this research is locating the most suitable buyers who are willing to pay a premium.
• Financial analysis and presentation relies on insight and experience to create financial presentations that are clear and understandable. This clarity of presentation is a hallmark of the BTSI product. Our goal is to effectively convey an understanding of the business to prospective buyers. Experience proves that BTSI clients benefit from buyers having a high level of confidence in the information provided.

Mr. Hill’s business acuity is honed by experience in defense contracting, metal fabrication, agricultural processing, non-profit management, and workforce development.

William’s formal education includes a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Finance and minors in Accounting and Computer Science.

Leona Simmons has more than two decades of experience in sales and account management for high-tech, engineering, construction, and other industries. Leona has demonstrated capabilities in managing projects, increasing client satisfaction, analyzing and resolving problems, negotiating win-win contracts, and improving procedures and processes.

Leona joined BTSI as part of the business development team. Previous experience included working for Modus Media International in Utah as the New Business Project Manager. Clients included high-tech companies such as Microsoft, Sun Microsystems, and Compaq/HP, as well as smaller high-tech companies. Leona helped clients define and identify required services, worked with in-house departments to coordinate services, responded to RFQs, and managed implementation of new projects.

Ms. Simmons graduated from Brigham Young University and holds a B.S. in Business Management with an emphasis in Organizational Behavior. Prior to that, she held a license in Utah, specializing in hotel sales. Leona has received various awards and recognition throughout her career, such as Rookie Agent of the Year, Sales Agent of the Month, and Member of the Multi-Million Dollar Club.

Paul Meggison has worked in senior management for more than 35 years. As a regional sales and marketing manager, he successfully recruited, trained, and led a number of sales teams.

As a business owner in the janitorial services and courier services industries, Paul successfully started, ran, and sold companies. He also provided business-consulting services to his subcontractor clients, helping them grow their businesses, solve operational issues, and raise capital.

Paul’s experience in running and exiting his own companies positions him ideally to identify with business owners considering their own growth or exit strategies.

Paul received an honorary doctorate degree for teaching in the Los Angeles School System. He and his family live in Missouri.”

Ms. Blasko has worked as a Controller in the M&A industry since 1997. Her responsibilities at BTSI include managing the company’s financial books and records. Additionally, as Network Administrator, she manages all computer information systems and maintains the Web site. Carrie brings financial expertise and organization, management skills, and an in-depth knowledge of technology to the BTSI team.

Prior to joining BTSI, Ms. Blasko worked in the real estate industry, beginning with administrative duties and moving quickly to accounting and investment property management. She also worked in the telecommunications and accounting fields.