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Entrust Associates was founded on the premise that North Carolina business owners, whether in Raleigh, the Triangle, or nearby areas, deserve the highest level of professional support, advice, and expertise, as they explore one of the most important decisions of their business lives: how to enhance and capture the value of their businesses. The business brokers at Entrust are experienced professionals with advanced degrees and credentials. And equally important, each has significant real world experience.

As with many services, the most valuable benefit a seller can obtain from a business broker is the peace of mind that comes from relying on the well-founded judgment of an experienced advisor. With the backgrounds and experience of the members of Entrust, you'll know the advice you are getting comes from extensive experience and thorough education.

Bruce Deerson, President of Entrust, has successfully negotiated business sales with a total value of more than $760 million. A former attorney with 25 years of sophisticated legal experience, Bruce served as Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary of a New York Stock Exchange company. His achievements and qualifications were recognized by the American Arbitration Association, which selected him to become an arbitrator on their Commercial Panel. He's an expert negotiator and is a Certified Mediator in North Carolina. In that capacity, he has assisted in resolving a broad range of business disputes.

In his role as business broker, Bruce does not act as a lawyer. However, his extensive knowledge of legal issues combined with his sophisticated business experience allow him to creatively solve problems that may arise during the sales process, thus enabling a higher success rate in reaching closing. His achievements are well appreciated: Bruce was recognized by The Triangle Business Leader in 2008 as one of the Top 20 Impact Dealmakers in the Triangle.

D. Michelich holds a BA in Economics as well as an MBA. He is the former President and owner of two highly profitable, successful businesses. In addition to managing his own companies, Dave has applied his business skills in several senior Finance and Commercial positions at a Fortune 5 corporation for over 25 years, including a three-year European assignment.

Some of his accomplishments include averaging 20% annual sales growth for 10 consecutive years, analyzing global investment strategies for projects totaling more than $100 million for three diverse global manufacturing divisions, and managing an auditing department responsible for implementing financial controls impacting external contracts and banking routines. The combination of Dave's formal education and powerful hands-on business experience provides him with a comprehensive and very strong cross-functional perspective proven to be extremely valuable to clients across many industries.

Joe Mills most recently served as President and CEO of a national distribution company. His professional career also includes owning and bringing to profitability five businesses, one in specialty construction and another a real estate firm. In addition to his business background, he is a licensed real estate broker and general contractor.

Joe has a BA in Communications and has taken advanced graduate level courses in Business Administration. Utilizing his education and experience, Joe brings to business sellers not only a strong financial and administrative perspective but also a keen understanding of, and achievement in, negotiations and problem-solving.

Don Emmett comes to Entrust from a Raleigh branch of a New York-based business brokerage firm where he assisted sellers and buyers in achieving successful transactions. For the majority of the more than 30 years of experience in small businesses and related entrepreneurial activities, he served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing and a principal for a $20 million group of electronic component distribution companies. After selling his interests in the electronics industry, Don invested in, helped manage and successfully sold several small businesses. Don credits some of his business success to "putting himself in the other guy’s shoes." This credo has enabled him to see sellers from a buyer’s point of view and conversely buyers from seller’s viewpoint. Having been on both sides of the situation, he has learned how to guide both parties to a fair and successful conclusion.

Don holds a BS in Business Administration & Economics and is a licensed NC real estate broker. He is also an active real estate and stock market investor.

Olga Kennedy studied in New York and holds both BA and MS degrees. During her career, she has taught at several colleges and universities and has served as a senior manager in various corporations. In her role as Chief of Staff, Olga draws on her background in marketing and writing to coordinate marketing of businesses, and she utilizes her knowledge to create and maintain smooth relationships between buyers and sellers.