Know the team that is working for you…
The FBB Group has been in business since 1982 and is Southern Colorado’s largest and most successful business brokerage office. We are affiliated with several national networks and have an in-house database of over 4,000 buyers who have expressed an interest in acquiring a business. We have completed over 1,000 transactions covering a wide range of industries, and are committed to providing our clients with the highest level of professionalism and service possible in the complex and specialized arena of business transfers. Click on the names below for a detailed resume.
Rob Amerine, CBI, M&AMI, President
Prior to joining The FBB Group, Ltd. (“FBB”) in 2013, Rob had owned and worked in many different types of businesses. The first business he purchased in 2004 grew to 25 employees utilizing remote work technology and custom software to generate leads for many small/mid-size businesses across the US. From early beginnings at Lockheed Martin to managing teams for Fortune 500 companies, Rob has worked in every role of business including positions as President/CEO, Vice President of Business Development, and Chief Operations Officer. Selling businesses turned out to be a great fit allowing him to apply his hands on experience and individualized approach to help business owners maximize liquidity. His process-centric approach and persistent drive gives him the unique ability to effectively manage the transaction process from start to finish resulting in extremely satisfied sellers and buyers year after year.
FBB was founded in 1982 and is Colorado’s premier M&A advisory firm primarily representing sellers in a wide variety of industries, including manufacturing, distribution, technology, and construction. In late 2021, Rob acquired the firm from Ron Chernak with the goal of continuing to build upon its well-established 40-year foundation and excellent reputation in the community.
Rob is a native of Colorado Springs and enjoys living on the west-side with his wife and 4 children. He’s an active member of various local networking organizations and is involved with multiple ministry/non-profit organizations. Rob is a Certified Business Intermediary (CBI), a Merger & Acquisition Master Intermediary (M&AMI), and a member of the Colorado Association of Business Intermediaries (CABI), International Business Brokers Association (IBBA), and M&A Source. He also holds an employing broker real estate license in the State of Colorado. He graduated from Colorado State University with a B.S. degree in Engineering Science and soon after earned a Masters in IT Management from University of Colorado at Boulder. Rob played competitive volleyball for nearly 15 years and now enjoys spending time coaching, fly fishing, and golf. Contact Rob Amerine, rob@fbb.com.
Ronald V. (Ron) Chernak, CBI, M&AMI, Fellow of the IBBA, IBBA Hall of Fame, Director
Prior to founding The FBB Group, Ltd., Ron practiced law with a 175-member law firm in Chicago. He has a CPA Certificate (Illinois), is a licensed Colorado Real Estate Broker, and was licensed to practice law in Illinois and Colorado. Ron is also a Lifetime Certified Business Intermediary (CBI) and a Merger & Acquisition Master Intermediary (M&AMI), the highest level of accreditation in the industry, and in May 2024, in its inaugural year, Ron was inducted into the IBBA’s Hall of Fame.
Ron has extensive experience in contract and lease negotiations, financial planning, and financing. He is very active in community activities, such as the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce (former Chairman of the Board), The Southern Colorado Economic Forum (Founding Sponsor), The Pikes Peak Range Riders, and the Downtown Colorado Springs Rotary Club.
Ron has served as the Chairman and/or Director of the Board for numerous business brokerage committees and organizations, including Chairman of the International Business Brokerage Association (IBBA), a premier industry trade association and Chairman of the M&A Source, the country’s largest association of middle-market intermediaries. Contact Ron Chernak, rvc@fbb.com.
Ron Brasch, CBI, Merger and Acquisition Specialist
Ron also holds the Certified Business Intermediary (CBI) and the Merger & Acquisition Specialist designations. He has been recognized by the International Business Brokers Association with a lifetime designation as Fellow of the IBBA. Ron also holds Certified Negotiation Expert (CNE) status. Prior to joining the firm in 1998, The FBB Group successfully represented Ron’s Relocation Guides in the sale of 14 markets throughout the Midwest, South, and Southwest. Ron holds an MBA and BA from the University of Michigan. He serves on the Advisory Board of the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center and is active with numerous other non-profit arts organizations. He has received many awards and honors, including Business Leader in the Arts (with his wife, Una) in 2013. Contact Ron Brasch, rb@fbb.com.
Chelsey Cerrillo, Broker Associate
Chelsey has over 10 years of professional experience, including 8 years of management consulting for Fortune 500 companies. As a professional with one of the top multinational business consulting firms, she has led multimillion dollar projects for some of America’s top brands, managing highly complex projects, with a success record of meeting or exceeding C-level executive’s expectations. Since returning to Colorado Springs, she spent 5 years in Real Estate and has become experienced in the local market and closing process. Growing up in Colorado Springs as a 4th generation Colorado native, she earned her degree in Business Administration from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. She desires to share her ability to lead complex business endeavors and her client-centric approach to local businesses to help them reach their goals. You can reach Chelsey at: Chelsey@fbb.com
Christopher A. Fagnant, Broker Associate
Chris’s role as a business broker is born out of a lifetime of experience living and working in family-owned businesses. He grew up in the heat seal lid business (like the lid you peel off a half and half creamer) with his family’s business making billions of lids for all kinds of products. Chris decided to pursue more corporate opportunities and spent seven years working in the restaurant industry as a sous chef for J. Alexanders and as a general manager for Chipotle prior to his return to the family business in manufacturing in 2010 and away from corporate America. From 2010 to 2021 his focus was on leading the resurgence of advanced manufacturing as the President of Qualtek Manufacturing in Colorado Springs. Bringing industrial manufacturing to the next generation of designers, makers, & buyers. In parallel with business management, Chris has invested in commercial real estate and managed properties associated with their businesses. Chris has experienced the risks and rewards of real property and how it relates to running a successful business.
With over 2 decades of hands-on experience in small and medium sized businesses, Chris helps people make sense of the market when the time comes to buy or sell. When he distills the various roles and responsibilities he’s had in his career, the one constant thread linking them all together is his ability to build relationships with people. Chris’ goal is to help people make confident decisions in a complicated environment. Contact: Chris@fbb.com
Anthony Franco, Broker Associate
Anthony is a seasoned entrepreneur and business strategist with over two decades of experience in building, growing, and successfully exiting multiple ventures. As the founder of six innovative companies, Anthony has a proven track record of driving business growth, creating market-leading products, and orchestrating lucrative exits, including sales to two public companies.
Anthony’s expertise spans a diverse range of industries, including technology, manufacturing, artificial intelligence, consumer goods, and digital marketing. He is renowned for his hands-on leadership style and ability to develop and execute go-to-market strategies that deliver impressive revenue growth and market penetration. His entrepreneurial journey included the establishment of Effective, a user experience agency that became the world’s most respected firm in its domain and was later acquired by WPP.
Currently, as a Licensed Business Broker, Anthony leverages his extensive experience to advise small to medium-sized business owners on their exit strategies. His deep understanding of market dynamics, valuation techniques, and negotiation strategies enables him to provide strategic guidance that ensures smooth and profitable transitions for his clients.
Anthony’s dynamic leadership and boundless energy have earned him a reputation as a forward-thinking leader who thrives on challenges and consistently delivers results. His entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to excellence make him a valuable asset to any organization looking to position themselves in today’s competitive market. Contact: Anthony@fbb.com
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
Memory Garrison, Office Manager/Assistant to the President
Memory R. Garrison is a Colorado native, born in Pueblo. She has also lived in Louisiana and returned back to Colorado in 1999. In 2008, she graduated with her B.A. in Business Management. After 9 years of working as the support supervisor for a local real estate company, she gained experience and knowledge in the many aspects of the real estate field. Memory decided to pursue new beginnings in December of 2013, and joined The FBB Group to expand her horizons working in the business brokerage industry. Memory manages all aspects of the administrative side of the office, from closings to payroll. She also interacts with clients and customers, writes presentation packages, and markets FBB’s engagements to buyers. Contact Memory Garrison, mem@fbb.com.
Kathy Rakosky, Marketing Specialist/Administrative Assistant
Kathy moved to Colorado Springs from Edmond, Oklahoma in 2016. After graduating from the University of Oklahoma, most of her career was spent at a small direct response marketing firm. It was there she gained valuable experience and knowledge in client acquisition, client services, event coordination and much more. She joined the FBB Team in 2021. Kathy prides herself on customer service, written and oral communication skills, as well as her attention for detail. Kathy is the first person you see upon entering the office, as well as the director of your phone calls. She is also the go-to person for marketing/advertising, research, and website maintenance. Along with providing professional expertise to FBB’s clients, she looks forward to greeting office guests with a smile and a positive attitude and hopes to pass on positive energy to everyone she meets. Contact Kathy Rakosky, admin@fbb.com.