John Chaffee

I bring 30+ years of business experience to my Transworld Senior Business Advisor role. I have worked domestically and internationally with background in various manufacturing, financial services, and technology companies. A self-proclaimed numbers ‘nerd’, I have over 10 years of finance experience with expertise in process improvement, driving costs savings and productivity, and managing business operations of multi-billion-dollar corporations. I also have experience working with smaller start-up companies as well as managing my own real estate investment company and strive to apply my analytical and business acumen skills to help clients navigate the buying and selling process. I hold an undergraduate degree from the University of Kentucky, a Master of Business Administration degree from the Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business and am a graduate of the GE Financial Management Program. When I am not spending time with my husband and 3 kids, I enjoy golfing, traveling, and cheering on my favorite college basketball teams.

I have over 25 years of business experience in engineering, operations, product development, and commercialization, as well as experience in startups, public and private corporations, and consulting with businesses of all sizes. I've been intimately involved in the technical aspects of launching and growing a startup company and taking a publicly traded company private. I understand the unique challenges privately held business owners face based on my experience in inventing my own product and launching my own company. I am a longtime resident of Eastern NC and have a passion for serving business owners in the region. I am continually looking for ways to strengthen local communities, grow the knowledge base, and drive economic investment and growth in the area and beyond.

Tommy Alligood, a business broker with Transworld Business Advisors of Eastern NC, has over 35 years of professional experience in strategic planning, business development, sales and marketing. He is an expert in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors, with extensive experience working with medical personnel , cutting-edge procedures and devices. Over his extensive career, he has been awarded multiple awards and repeatedly recognized for his many accomplishments while serving his clients. Tommy is a native Eastern North Carolinian that grew up in and around family-owned businesses understanding and appreciating the unique dynamics in play. He continues to live, work and play in Eastern NC, with the goal of attracting and retaining investment in our region and to improve the quality of life within the communities that we serve. In his spare time, Tommy enjoys spending time with family and friends, swimming, biking, and waterskiing. Tommy has been married to Mary Bishop Alligood for 37 years and they have two daughters, Madison and Breanna, that live in Raleigh

With over 10 years of experience in business brokerage and commercial sales, I specialize in Exit Strategies, Business Owned Real - Estate and Business Valuations. Based in Wilmington, NC, I’ve assisted clients across North Carolina and the Southeast in industries including retail, restaurants and professional services. My focus is on maximizing value through accurate pricing, targeted marketing, and confidential representation. Whether you’re ready to sell now or planning an exit in the future, I provide clear guidance through every step of the process. Contact me today to schedule a confidential consultation and discover what your business is worth.

John D. Chaffee is the former President/CEO of NC East Alliance, a regional economic development organization serving 29 counties in eastern North Carolina that incorporated workforce development and community development as part of its mission. In 2005, he retired after nearly 30 years in local economic development then again in 2019 after a 42+ year career in local/regional economic development and began working with Transworld Business Advisors – Eastern NC. Mr. Chaffee earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Economic Geography with a specialization in industrial location and regional economics. He was involved in projects resulting in the creation of roughly 10,000 new primary jobs and over $1 billion of investment. Incentive negotiation, project management and networking/team building were crucial to success. He also served as the director of the North Carolina Biotechnology Center’s Eastern Regional Office. The mission was to facilitate life sciences development in eastern North Carolina and gain an extensive knowledge of the regional life science sector and key players. His accolades include being named “Outstanding Young Leader in Geo-Economics” by Site Selection Handbook and most recently as one of North Carolina Power 100 by Business NC magazine (2018). He served on the State Advisory Board of the NC Small Business and Technology Development Center and the East Carolina University (ECU) Department of Biology Advancement Council. He currently serves on the ECU College of Engineering & Technology Advisory Board and chairs the NC Manufacturing Extension Partnership Advisory Board. With Transworld, Mr. Chaffee primarily focuses attention on manufacturing, distribution and transportation sectors, but also assists technology companies. He resides in Greenville with his wife Jody, has three grown (married) children, six fabulous granddaughters and a grandson. He enjoys, hiking, working in the yard, travel and reading.

AJ Ramsey is a Senior Business Intermediary and M&A Specialist with Transworld Business Advisors, bringing more than 35 years of experience across both corporate and entrepreneurial ventures. His career spans domestic and international markets, where he has successfully built, operated, and sold companies across diverse industries. He holds Certified Business Intermediary (CBI) and Mergers & Acquisitions Master Intermediary (M&AMI) designations and is recognized by Business Brokerage Press (BBP) as a certified industry expert in business services, engineering services, manufacturing, and construction. AJ is featured annually in BBP’s Business Reference Guide of Industry Experts. AJ’s professional excellence has been recognized through industry honors, including: • IBBA Chairman’s Circle Award (multi-year recipient) • CVBBA Multi-Million Dollar Award (multi-year recipient) • M&A Source Executive Club member (multi-year recipient) • Transworld Business Advisors President’s Club (multi-year recipient) • Mergers & Acquisitions COO of the Year - Southeast USA, 2024 & 2025 by CEO Monthly Magazine • Most Influential Leader Powering the Future of Business in 2026 selected by Inc. Magazine He ranks in the top 1% of more than 1,000 Transworld Business Advisors brokers globally, and in the top 2% of business intermediaries worldwide, as recognized by the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA). AJ currently serves as President on the Board of Directors of the Carolinas-Virginia Business Brokers Association (CVBBA), where he also chairs the Strategic Planning Committee. He is an active member of C12, the world’s largest peer-learning organization for Christian CEOs, owners, and executives. AJ earned his MBA with a concentration in real estate and finance from the Kenan–Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the Missouri University of Science & Technology.

Selling a business is one of the most significant decisions an owner will ever make. Steve knows that firsthand - he's done it himself. As a Business Broker, Steve brings the perspective of someone who has sat on both sides of the table. He most recently sold his own business through Transworld, giving him a direct understanding of what buyers scrutinize, what sellers feel, and where deals succeed or fall apart. Steve spent more than nine years owning and operating a multi-unit signs and graphics franchise, growing from a single location to four through a combination of organic growth and acquisitions. Before that, he spent nearly a decade as an executive at a publicly traded printing and packaging company — overseeing a $200 million business unit and leading mergers and acquisitions work. Earlier still, two decades in senior sales and general management roles gave him a broad foundation in operations, finance, and strategy. That mix of franchise operator, corporate executive, and active dealmaker shapes how he works with clients today. Steve is particularly well-suited to advise owners in franchise businesses, manufacturing, and signs and graphics - sectors where he brings experience most brokers can't match. Steve takes his clients' outcomes personally. Whether it's early morning calls, running down a qualified buyer, or working through the details of a complex deal, he does whatever it takes to get his clients to the right result. His goal is simple: to understand what matters most to you, and to make sure that's protected every step of the way. He holds a BBA in Marketing and an MBA. He’s based in Coastal North Carolina, and when he isn’t working, he enjoys spending time enjoying a fine drink, listening to good music, and playing some golf here and there.

Brandon Qualls brings over 20 years of experience in hospitality, restaurant management, and business development. Originally from Greensboro, NC, and raised in the Northeast, his passion for hospitality was sparked at a small ski resort and the historic Red Lion Inn. He earned a degree in Hospitality Management from East Carolina University and gained foundational experience through internships and roles with Aramark, leading to ventures in restaurant ownership and development. As a partner, executive chef, and food and beverage director, Brandon contributed to concept development, renovations, and the expansion of food and beverage services at prominent properties such as Hilton and Holiday Inn. In 2016, he founded Redbird Restaurant Group and launched Ford + Shep, a seasonally focused, locally sourced eatery in Greenville, NC. Brandon’s expertise extends to franchise management and business sales, including overseeing Stumpy’s Hatchet House locations and guiding franchise expansion and exit strategies. His empathetic approach, combined with skills in negotiations, market analysis, and relationship building, enables him to facilitate successful transactions while respecting the emotional and financial stakes involved. Brandon is passionate about connecting buyers and sellers, helping entrepreneurs realize their visions, and building lasting partnerships. He is married to Nicole Qualls a successful entrepreneur, together they raise a beautiful blended family of four boys aged 8 to 17. His hobbies include skiing, golf, hunting, fishing, and traveling.

As the successful owner of two different businesses and the son of a seasoned business professional, I naturally have a passion for helping small to medium businesses transition, whether it be through acquisition or divestiture. My educational background in both finance and real estate, coupled with my experience working in a Fortune 500 company, has prepared me for being effective in the business advisory sector. My wife and I enjoy living, working and playing in Eastern North Carolina and we’re proud to call it our home.

My career spans over 30 years where I have specialized in production, project, and site management. I have vast experience in industry, focused on leadership and the skills required to deliver results and navigate change. The management roles I have held allowed me to experience the significance and challenges of business transitions as an employee and leader in public and privately held companies. I led business teams through sales, ownership changes, and staffing restructures, understanding how steady leadership and proper planning drive successful outcomes. As a life-long resident of North Carolina, I have spent my career working in the eastern part of the state. During this time, I have developed an affinity for helping others achieve their personal and professional goals and building their capabilities along the way.