Terry Smith

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.

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.

Senior Business Advisor with over 30 years of involvement in both the corporate and small business world with experience in building and running domestic and international organizations. Prior to Transworld, Mr. Ramsey held leadership positions for several major corporations, all of which were leaders in their industry segments, where he launched a number of successful enterprises as well as starting several private ventures himself. AJ has experience in defining business, marketing & sales strategy; operations; overseeing marketing and partner programs and operations; P&L responsibility; building and leading effective teams; and structuring successful exits and business sales. AJ holds a Master of Business Administration degree with a real estate focus from Kenan-Flagler Business School, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC and a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the Missouri University of Science & Technology, Rolla, Missouri

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.

Tom von Lehmden is a business broker with Transworld Business Advisors of Eastern NC, with over 35 years of experience working in industrial manufacturing environments in Greenville, NC (pharmaceutical and high-performance textiles), where his roles included project/ process engineering design and construction management, as well as roles in safety/health/environmental compliance and maintenance/warehouse management. Tom holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from North Carolina State. The common thread in Tom’s career experiences has been his collaborative, customer service-oriented work approach, and his passion for attention to detail and results. Those are the same attributes Tom is committed to delivering while facilitating the confidential transition of businesses in Eastern NC and beyond. Having lived in NC since the age of 18 months, and in Greenville part time since 1985 and full time since 1990, Tom has seen the economic benefits of growth in the state, region and city, and has been a part of supporting that economic engine from his many years of service within local manufacturing facilities. Tom also appreciates the importance and challenges faced by small businesses and entrepreneurs, since he worked with many during his career, and has immediate and extended family who have started and grown their own businesses. These experiences reinforce Tom’s personal approach to working with others – to maximize the value to all parties, while acting with the highest integrity. Tom has been happily married to his wife Jeanne for over 30 years, raising two children, Cole and Mary-Haven, in Greenville. Their children have blessed the family with two grandchildren, with hopes for more to come. Tom’s joys in life include strengthening his faith, time with family and friends, completing improvement projects, watching (and occasionally playing) sports, and good food and drink.

With over 22 years of experience in Business Brokerage, Stephen Blain is a seasoned Senior Business Broker at Transworld Business Advisors. His passion is focused on small businesses, where he leverages his expertise to help sellers maximize their business value and assists buyers in realizing their entrepreneurial dreams. Throughout his career, Stephen has successfully brokered deals across a diverse range of industries, including manufacturing, distribution, retail, service, restaurants, hospitality, and E-Commerce. As a former business owner, he intimately understands the unique challenges and rewards of owning and operating Small and Medium-sized Businesses (SMBs). Stephen is a firm believer that SMBs are not only the driving force of our economy but also the heart and soul of our nation.

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.