Charles J. Tanko
President, General Manager
President and General Manager, Charles J. Tanko, (Designated Broker) has over 36 years experience as a business broker. He is an attorney licensed in California and in the Federal Court System, but does not practice law in Arizona. Mr. Tanko participated in over 3,500 business sales and oversees the operations of Central and Northern Arizona agents.

Rollie Deitte
Partner & Vice President
Rollie served in the U.S. Air Force as an accountant. He has an extensive business background including owning and operating a successful clothing store in the Midwest for 24 years. He has served as a director of National Bridal Service and has given hundreds of seminars nationwide. Rollie also served on a Bank Board of Directors for twelve years, has served on Corporate Boards, and is a past President of the local Chamber of Commerce and County Club in his home state of Wisconsin. In 1999 he joined Charles J. Tanko as partner in WCI Brokers.

Allen Bettin
Business & Real Estate Investments
Independent Agent
Allen has an extensive business background that includes many years with IBM culminating as a Branch Manager with sales, operations and P&L responsibility for both product and service sales. This experience was put to use, as he became a start up business owner growing a telecommunications business in to $20,000,000 of annual revenue with seven branch offices in four different states. The skills developed from these two career positions have allowed him to apply them to the business brokerage and real estate industry.
Allen has the experience and understanding of a business from its sales, operations, financial, business valuation and employee resources perspective and uses this knowledge to find the most qualified buyer for a specific business. Matching these areas of a particular business with the background, experience, objectives and financial capabilities of the buyer has been a successful approach of his for many years.

Ari Nagler
Business & Real Estate Investments
Independent Agent
Ari Nagler graduated from Cornell University in 1996 with a degree in business and management. He has since worked in sales and management for 10 years before going into business for himself. In addition to being a business broker, Ari now owns a chain of retail stores, a wholesale business, and a manufacturing operation.

Archie McGill
Business & Real Estate Investments
Independent Agent
“Great businesses are made they are not born.”

I promise to deal with you honestly and with integrity, to work smart and to provide professional guidance by myself or other qualified professionals to achieve the most favorable outcome for all parties.

I want to make your dreams a reality.

Entrepreneur is probably the word that best describes Archie, having owned several businesses before graduating from Rutgers University with High Honors. I was introduced to the Personal Computer during my 7 year career at IBM. The PC inspired me to form my own computer company in 1988 to help corporations understand and utilize this new technology and to empower their employees by connecting them into their existing computer networks.

Developing an understanding of Leadership, Marketing, Finance and Business Management has allowed me to achieve a great deal of success with companies I have started or been involved with both domestically and internationally.

The goals are always the same, to serve the customer and achieve a high level of customer satisfaction. This is accomplished by our employees and their interactions with the customer, so we also strive for a high level of employee satisfaction. We really shine by focusing our efforts on those things we do better than anyone else and then make the promise to our customers that they can depend on us to continue to deliver this level of service. In short, we want to be the best and strive for excellence.

Arnie Lakeyn
Business & Real Estate Investments
Independent Agent
Multi-Million Dollar Club Member
Mr. Lakeyn has 12 years business brokerage and commercial real estate experience and has consistently been one of the top producers at WCI. He has been involved in many multi-million dollar business sales in a variety of industries. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to business brokerage with a public accounting background and as a successful business owner who has acquired and sold businesses in the recycling, printing, and distribution industries. Mr. Lakeyn has also prepared numerous business appraisals and valuations.

Arnie has earned a first degree black belt in Okinawan Kempo, Judo and Brazilian Jujitsu and is currently studying Jeet Kune Do. His discipline and determination in the martial arts follows through to his business brokerage career. Arnie is a dedicated professional who prides himself for his commitment to buyers and sellers. He works closely with clients and customers from the start of the process to the close of escrow.

Arnie has received many letters of appreciation and praise over the years from sellers, buyers, bankers, CPA’s and attorneys. Some quotes from those letters are as follows”

“Three words describe Arnie Lakeyn: professional, sincere, and hard working. Would I recommend Arnie Lakeyn to my clients? Without hesitation.” Seymour Coleman, Certified Public Accountant, Coleman & Company

“Arnie is an accomplished and experienced business broker. He is very knowledgeable and skilled in all the aspects and many details that it takes to accomplish a successful business transaction.” William J. Curosh, Attorney at Law, Certified Public Accountant

“The purpose of this letter is to thank you for the excellent job that you did in handling the sale of my business. You were very helpful and on top of things throughout the complicated transaction. Your professionalism and hard work is greatly appreciated.” Dave DeBrock, President, Color Car Care, Inc.

Bill Lember
Associate Broker
Business & Real Estate Investments
Independent Agent
After considerable time as the regional operations and training manager for a large national franchise and a successful multi business owner, Bill started his career as a business broker which began in Arizona in 1987.

In the early 1990’s Bill held the position of General Manager of Diamond Realty Commercial in Arizona with responsibility for 426 agents while concurrently achieving awards for his personal production as a Business Broker.

In 1992 Bill was elected as President of the Valley Board of Business Brokers in Phoenix Arizona the previous year, he served as Vice President.

Because of his extensive experience in structuring transactions for bank financing, Bill was recruited by major national and international banks to seek out, structure, and close SBA and commercial loans for the lenders.

Bill worked as a Business Development Officer for US Bank, Banco Popular, and was Vice President in the western region SBA department for Washington Mutual Bank.

Bill is now doing what he has always enjoyed the most, Business Brokerage, with extensive insider knowledge of Business and commercial property financing which helps to structure his clients and customers transactions to the fullest benefit for both short term and long term.

Bill’s nationwide network of lenders stands ready and able to finance your transaction.

Bruce Cerrito
Business & Real Estate Investments
Independent Agent
Million Dollar Club Member
After graduating with a degree in economics, Bruce began his career in manufacturing, as a Purchasing Manager. After several years, he decided to leave manufacturing for what would become a fourteen-year career on Wall Street. As Vice President of Investments for a prestigious investment firm, Bruce advised large and mid-sized corporations, helping them choose the best Investment Advisors to manage their corporate funds. Desiring to own a business, he purchased a Franchise, effectively managing all aspects of the start up operation, including lease negotiations, site development, recruiting a dynamic sales force, and implementation of a business plan. Within three months the business was generating an operating profit and received the first of 17 national sales awards. Bruce moved to Arizona in 1999 to marry his wife, Carol, and he joined WCI the same year. With his excellent record of accomplishments, successful Franchise ownership, and extensive experience in business brokerage, he is well qualified to help you through the process of buying or selling a business.

Catherine Contadino
Business & Real Estate Investments
Independent Agent
Cathi is one of those rare individuals that has spent the last 22 years growing her business knowledge and applying her talents in a number of different business environments. She worked early in her career as a leagl assistant in a structured law office. Finding this too confining, she took on the responsibility as a property manager for one of the largest apartment building managers in the Phoenix area. She moved with the company as a property manager to Albuquerque, New Mexico. After several years in New Mexico, she decided that property managmement was not where she wanted to be. She then started an auto resale business, and refined it into selling and customizing Jeep Wranglers. She owned and successfully managed this business for more than 10 years. She started looking for new challenges and decided to sell the business. In the course of selling the business she got to know the people at WCI and after succesfully completing the sale of her business, she decided to join WCI as a broker.

Clay Richards
Business & Real Estate Investments
Independent Agent
Clay’s business career has spanned over 26 years at both large and midsize national and multinational companies, public and privately held corporations and entrepreneurial startups. His professional career has included owner president, sales, marketing, operations, service and training. During his professional life Clay has been involved in mergers and acquisitions, a take over and a successful business startup and transfer of ownership.

Clay brings to the client, strong core and personal values that define his management and professional style. Integrity, trust and respect are key components in building lasting working relationships with friends, business owners and future business owners and his many years of extensive practical and personal experience are shared to help those in search of their dreams.

Born and raised in Canada, educated at Northern Arizona University, Clay and his wife Stephanie reside in Phoenix with their 5 dogs and 2 cats.

David LaFountain
Business & Real Estate Investments
Independent Agent
David LaFountain brings over 25 years of expertise in business brokerage, business ownership and operations including sales and marketing, production management, financial analysis and planning. David is able to combine his knowledge and experience of being an entrepreneur to professionally execute the sale and acquisition of a business from marketing a business, effectively qualifying buyers, assisting buyers with outside financing, to closing. Professionalism, focused and hardworking, and maintaining close communications are assets that David brings to each client and their successful business transaction.

Dominic Femia
Associate Broker
Business & Real Estate Investments
Independent Agent
Business Broker Specialist
Mr. Femia has been with WCI Brokers over 10 years as an agent/Associate Broker. Dominic was the original agent responsible for opening up Northern Arizona and establishing new territories for WCI Brokers. As a former multiple business owner, he is experienced on both sides of the fence when it comes to dealing with buyers and sellers.

George Kotakis
Business & Real Estate Investments
Independent Agent
Coming from New York City in the winter of 1986 in search of new horizons, I settled in Scottsdale Arizona. After enjoying the weather and all the beauty of the Sonoran Desert, I decided to do what I know best! So here I am in the valley of the sun enjoying the practice of Business Brokerage.

Come let me help you not only to enjoy the area, but also to do what you know best.

Jens Plougmann
Associate Broker
Business & Real Estate Investments
Independent Agent
Business Broker Specialist
Jens Plougmann has owned and operated several businesses. A mechanical engineer by trade, Jens has a fun-loving, easy-going personality and has an intuitive, analytical nature that is evident whether building a winning racecar, a winning team or a winning plan of action that can shift your success into high gear. Jens has been a success at all he's done. The consummate sales mastermind, he began his career in Real Estate in the mid-eighties. The fine art of negotiation is in his blood. What's more, as an avid motorcyclist, he knows a thing or two about falling down and having the ability and drive to pick yourself up, dust off and get back in the race.

It's that win at all costs attitude that got him featured in numerous motorcycle magazines and real estate publications. He also holds an IA&AP license as an aircraft mechanic and inspector, a commercial multi-engine instrument jet rating and a commercial helicopter rating.

Jerry Crandall
Associate Broker
Business & Real Estate Investments
Independent Agent
Mr. Crandall has 5 years business brokerage and commercial real estate experience on the WCI team, and over 18 years of management experience in major US pharmaceutical corporations. He received his Executive MBA from Duke University in 1985 and holds a Masters degree in Medicinal Chemistry. Jerry is also a Registered Representative with the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD).

Jerry utilizes his analytical skills and business acumen by developing pragmatic approaches to solving problems and closing deals. Jerry enjoys facilitating the buy/sell process and consulting with business owners about how to obtain the maximum value from the sale of their businesses. He has prepared numerous appraisals, special reports, and evaluated over 275 businesses throughout Central and Northern Arizona.

Professional integrity, client loyalty, customer satisfaction, and hard work are among Jerry’s core values.

Ken Hanover
Business & Real Estate Investments
Independent Agent
Ken Hanover has owned and operated several businesses over the past 30 years. His early interest was in clothing, working for corporate companies and later owning his own stores in his native state of Maryland and Washington DC. His easy going manner brought him many prestigious clients such as; Chief Justice Rehnquist, the Kennedy family, and many senators. He moved here in 1993 and switched careers to real estate, where he found he enjoyed matching sellers and buyers needs with success. Moving on to business brokerage has allowed him to put his business skills and people skills together in an affable manner to please the most discriminating buyer and seller.

Larry Orenstein
Business & Real Estate Investments
Independent Agent
Larry Orenstein has successfully transitioned from being a prosperous business owner for many years to a broker with WCI Tucson.

Over the years Larry has owned businesses in the food, manufacturing and residential building and remodeling industries. He is a very outgoing, friendly and devoted family man that has built up a very large network of contacts throughout the Tucson and Phoenix areas. When you meet with Larry you will feel like you are sitting down with a longtime friend.

Whether you are interested in selling or buying a business with Larry you can be assured that all focus is on you and your needs come first. His goal is to expedite the process as quickly as possible and get his clients the greatest value for their investment. You will find him to be extremely knowledgeable in the best ways to position your business for optimum value and salability.

In Larry's spare time he is an avid traveler, favoring cruising and navigating the European countryside with his beloved wife, Susan at his side. He is also a loving father and grandfather to 6 adoring grandchildren.

Matt Houlihan
Business & Real Estate Investments
Independent Agent

Matt Uhler
Business & Real Estate Investments
Independent Agent
Mr. Uhler was WCI Broker’s “Top Salesperson” for 6 out of the past 8 years and received numerous other awards and recognition. Over the years, he assisted WCI with the training of new and established agents. Mr. Uhler personally was self-employed since he was 17 yrs old. He worked as a financial consultant for small businesses, owned and sold his own service business that employed over 40 employees, and owned and sold several investment properties. Mr. Uhler also volunteered his time by serving on the Board of Directors for numerous organizations.

Rod Wolff
Business & Real Estate Investments
Independent Agent
Prior to joining WCI, Rod was in the real estate industry where he worked for two of the nation’s largest homebuilders and was consistently recognized as a top producer.
Before getting into real estate, Rod had the unique opportunity to live in New York City and Milan where he worked as a model in the fashion industry.

Rod holds a Bachelor of Science from Arizona State University and a Master of Business Administration from University of Phoenix. He is a native of Arizona and resides in Phoenix with his wife, Michele, and their two dogs.

Scott Reilly
Business & Real Estate Investments
Independent Agent
Mr. Reilly earned a BA degree in accounting and has over 10 years of experience working with small and medium size businesses. He has been a multi-unit restaurant owner with a national franchise company for the last 6 years, managing 3 restaurants with over 30 employees. Mr. Reilly has bought and sold several of his own businesses and can offer support to both buyers and sellers.

Susan Tanko
Business & Real Estate Investments
Independent Agent
The key to finding a good business is finding one that lets you soar! Susan was born in California and raised in Idaho. Her first job on a combine taught her the value and the reward of hard labor. She has held Managerial and Supervisory positions for Corporate America in three states. Susan has already sold 62 businesses valued over $31,000,000.00 Million Dollars. She has received many awards but the best reward for her is meeting new people every day and fullfilling Sellers and Buyers dreams. Call Susan today. You won't be disappointed.

Wendell Riffel
Independent Agent
Business and Real Estate Investments

Yusuf Abdul-Wadoud
Business & Real Estate Investments
Independent Agent
Yusuf came to Arizona to continue his studies in 1999 and in Dec of 2003 he received his Bachelors of Science in Business/MIS from The University of Arizona. Prior to graduation Yusuf began managing investment properties and continues to do so today. Desiring new challenges and wanting to learn more about the Business/Real-Estate field Yusuf sought out WCI Brokers to take his career in real-estate to the next level. Yusuf prides himself in being able to cater to the needs of his clients working diligently on their behalf. It is Yusuf’s background in Business, Real-Estate and professionalism that will make it a pleasure for you to work with him and he welcomes the opportunity to get to know you and help you in the selling of an existing or in the acquisition of a new business.