About Viking Mergers & Acquisitions
Who We Are
In 1995, serial entrepreneur Brad Offerdahl sold his third business. In the process, Brad recognized a need for a professional firm that could help the typical business owner – the business owner who doesn’t have $500 million in sales and a board of directors running the company.
Always an entrepreneur, Brad realized he could transform his real-world knowledge into a business opportunity and meet that need. So, in 1996, Brad Offerdahl and his son Jay Offerdahl started Viking Mergers & Acquisitions.
They focused on providing comprehensive business acquisition and business brokerage services with an
emphasis on communication, confidentiality, and closing sales.
Viking Mission Statement: Securing entrepreneurs’ futures through professional representation.
Viking Vision Statement: To be the largest and most reputable business sales and advisory firm serving closely held businesses in the U.S.
Our Growth
At Viking Mergers, we have experienced significant growth over the years, driven by our commitment to delivering exceptional service and results to our clients. Here are some key statistics that highlight our continued success:
- The Viking team has closed more than 950 business transactions, the vast majority of which are still in business today despite the economic downturn.
- Viking has become the largest group of its kind in the Southeast, with a dedicated team focused on helping business owners get top dollar when it’s time to sell.
- Our success rate in selling businesses is 3x the industry average.
- On average, businesses we list sell for at least 96% of the published asking price.
Our Partners.
Meet The Whole Team
Charlotte, NC OFFICE
Jay Offerdahl
President
Jay’s father, Brad, was a serial entrepreneur growing and selling 3 of his own businesses. Brad saw an opportunity to take his real-world knowledge to...
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Tampa, FL OFFICE
Larry Lawson
President, Florida Division
Throughout the Southeast, Larry closed over 350+ transactions. Additionally, he sourced and raised funding for the buyers in excess of $900 million. D...
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Charlotte, NC OFFICE
Trevor Crocker
Partner
Trevor comes to Viking Mergers & Acquisitions with over 19 years of operational leadership experience in Corporate America, where he was a managemen...
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Charlotte, NC OFFICE
Mike Donahue
Partner
Mike comes to the Viking team with over 30 years of leadership and entrepreneurial experience in accounting and finance, operations, and sales. He...
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Charlotte, NC OFFICE
Mark Urbania
Partner
Mark has spent most of his 30-year career working with large and small private equity owned companies preparing businesses for sale and...
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Charlotte, NC OFFICE
Robert Aliota
Partner
Robert joins Viking Mergers & Acquisitions with 35 years of business experience and a successful entrepreneurial career. At 29, driven to build his o...
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Greenville, SC OFFICE
Merrell Stout
Managing Partner
Merrell leads Viking Mergers and Acquisitions efforts in the Greenville/Spartanburg, Upstate South Carolina market. Merrell comes to Viking with...
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Tampa, FL OFFICE
Larry Lawson III
Partner
Tripp Lawson grew up in a family of entrepreneurs spanning five generations of business owners. As a Partner, Tripp works closely with business owners,...
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Nashville, TN OFFICE
Kyle Kerrigan
Managing Partner
Kyle has over 10 years of experience in leading successful transactions in both the public and private sector. He came to Viking after leading internation...
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Raleigh, NC OFFICE
Dan Wilson
Managing Partner
Dan Wilson comes to Viking with an extensive background in entrepreneurship and IT service and support as the previous owner and founder of...
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Asheville, NC OFFICE
Jeff McKeehan
Managing Partner
Jeff McKeehan, before joining Viking, enjoyed success as the President and Co-Owner of EHD Technologies, a nationally recognized and award-...
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Tampa, FL OFFICE
Christian Aunspaugh
Partner
Christian is a Partner at Viking Mergers & Acquisitions. His experience at Viking includes facilitating transactions from initial exit strategy...
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Atlanta, GA OFFICE
Jackson Payne
Managing Partner
Jackson spent the first 28 years of his life chasing his basketball dreams. After playing at The George Washington University and Christian Brothers...
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Fort Lauderdale, FL OFFICE
Alan Misale
Advisory Board Member
Alan Misale has been working with entrepreneurs to facilitate successful exit strategies and business transactions for over 30 years. As a former owner...
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Houston, TX OFFICE
Coleman Payne
Managing Partner
Coleman is the co-leader of Viking’s Houston office, along with his brother, Jackson. Over the course of his 17+ year career, Coleman has led over $100...
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Charleston, SC OFFICE
Ben Knight
Managing Partner
A native of Richmond, VA, Knight graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Hampden-Sydney College. He spent a year as an assistant...
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Fort Lauderdale, FL OFFICE
Andrew Hakkarainen
Associate Partner
Andrew was born in Atlanta, Georgia, and grew up in Tampa, Florida. He attended Florida State University’s College of Business and received his...
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Asheville, NC OFFICE
Eric McKeehan
Associate Partner
Eric McKeehan comes to Viking M&A as a seasoned veteran of small business administration, financial management, sales, marketing and strategic...
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Asheville, NC OFFICE
Kyle Valentine
Associate Partner
Kyle leads Viking’s efforts in the East Tennessee market. He joins the team with 10 years of business development and recruiting experience. Kyle has...
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Core Values.
It is the goal of Viking Mergers and Acquisitions to represent, defend, and adhere to the following Core Values in every aspect of business:
Integrity
We strive to uphold the highest level of professional behavior and ethical standards so that our clients are treated respectfully and fairly each and every time.
Empathy
With over half of our staff being previous business owners, we know the challenges of buying and selling a business, and we are there with you every step of the way. You are never alone in our process.
Entrepreneurial
We believe in the power of small business and the importance of entrepreneurs. We know how to nurture, grow, and encourage the entrepreneurial spirit internally and externally.
Perseverance
We remain consistent in our determination to grow and help our clients succeed. We persevere: never settling and always seeking a positive and effective way forward.
Collaborative
The Viking team consists of individuals who bring an array of skills, knowledge, and experiences together to form a diverse group that functions fluidly, serving our clients to the best of our abilities.
Don't Just Take Our Word For It
Client Testimonial Video:
A MessageFrom Our CEO
It is the goal and highest honor of Viking Mergers & Acquisitions to represent sellers and buyers in the most important transaction of their lives. We look forward to assisting you to achieve your goals of selling your business and securing your financial future.
Jay Offerdahl, President
We've BeenIn Your Shoes.
Unlike other brokerage firms, more than half of our advisors have been business owners themselves. They have a keen understanding of what it takes to build and sell a business. We’ve been in your shoes, and we can put our experience to work for your business. Get in touch with Viking today for a complimentary consultation with one of our team members.
