Alpine Business Brokers, LLC Research
Advisory Approach
Alpine Business Brokers is a Utah-based business brokerage firm specializing in the sale of small and lower middle market businesses. Founded in 2003 by Gary Tobian and Neal Westwood, the firm was established to raise the standards of professionalism in the business brokerage industry. The founders, both seasoned executives with backgrounds in technology and software, created Alpine after experiencing a lack of professionalism among business brokers while seeking opportunities following the collapse of their software company after September 11, 2001.
Alpine's thesis centers on providing institutional-quality service to small business transactions. They bring venture capital-level professionalism to main street business sales, focusing on integrity, transparency, and expertise. The firm differentiates itself through its team of Certified Business Intermediaries (CBI)—more than any other Utah business broker—and active financing assistance that helps the majority of sellers receive 100% cash at closing.
The firm's sweet spot is independently owned businesses and franchises with enterprise values typically under $5 million. They excel at businesses where the owner is looking to exit and where operational complexity requires professional guidance to convey value to buyers. Alpine is not a fit for businesses below ~$50,000 in value, pure asset sales without going-concern operations, or founders seeking a limited buyer exposure process.
Sector Focus
Alpine's team brings diverse industry experience from technology, manufacturing, medical, distribution, retail, fast food, entertainment, recreation, electronics, and franchise sectors. Their current listings and transaction history demonstrate particular strength in:
- E-commerce and online businesses including dropshipping operations, home-based e-commerce, and digital retail
- Distribution and logistics covering food distribution, transportation brokerage, and product distribution
- Retail with specialty clothing boutiques and consumer products
- Manufacturing including food processing and light manufacturing
- Business services across various professional service categories
Deal Track Record
Alpine Business Brokers claims to have completed over 500 transactions since its founding in 2003. The firm's website emphasizes that over 50% of their transactions close with 100% cash at closing, facilitated by their active SBA financing assistance. They have 40,000+ buyer inquiries and maintain a 4.9 Google Review rating.
Notable Transaction: In September 2025, Alpine Business Brokers advised Perfect Feast, a Pleasant Grove-based corporate gifting solutions provider, on a strategic partnership investment with SageLink Capital (Salt Lake City) and Genesis Park (Houston). Kevin Davis represented Alpine in this transaction, which also involved McGuireWoods, Bennett Tueller Johnson & Deere, Lucas Horsfall Advisors, and Troutman Pepper Locke. This transaction represents Alpine's capability in handling private equity-backed investments in the lower middle market.
Aggregate Transaction Statistics: The firm reports 500+ completed transactions over 22+ years of operation, averaging approximately 20-25 transactions annually.
Process & Fee Structure
Alpine runs a structured sell-side process designed for small businesses:
- Marketing and Exposure: In-house marketing team provides broader exposure than other Utah brokers, with listings appearing on multiple websites and platforms
- Buyer Outreach: Typical engagement involves 50 potential buyers with 5-10 serious candidates
- Financing Assistance: Active SBA loan packaging assistance—Alpine uniquely helps buyers prepare bank applications, business plans, and projections
- Confidentiality: All buyers sign NDAs before receiving detailed information
- Timeline: Process typically runs 6-12 months from listing to closing
Fee Structure: Alpine charges a success-based commission only after successful transaction completion. They do not charge upfront retainers—their website states "We only charge a small commission AFTER your business transaction is successfully completed." While specific percentages are not publicly disclosed, this contingent fee model aligns with main street business brokerage practices.
Buyer Network
Alpine maintains relationships with individual buyers, family offices, and small private equity firms. Based on the Perfect Feast transaction, they have connectivity to:
- SageLink Capital (Salt Lake City private investment firm)
- Genesis Park (Houston-based SBIC with $575M in capital commitments)
- Individual buyers and entrepreneurs
- SBA-qualified buyers through their financing assistance program
The firm's strength lies in individual buyers and smaller PE firms rather than large institutional private equity.
Competitive Positioning
Alpine differentiates from other Utah business brokers through:
- Most Certified Business Intermediaries (CBI) in Utah—more than all other Utah business brokers combined
- Active financing assistance helping buyers secure SBA loans, often cutting the SBA timeline in half
- In-house marketing team creating broader exposure across multiple listing platforms
- Institutional professionalism bringing venture capital-level standards to main street transactions
- Real estate brokerage capability—all agents are Utah-licensed real estate agents enabling them to handle associated real estate
- 22+ year track record with 500+ completed transactions
Not a Fit If
Alpine typically declines:
- Businesses below $50,000 in enterprise value
- Pure asset sales without going-concern operations
- Businesses with significant pending litigation or legal issues
- Founders seeking investment banking services for larger transactions ($10M+ TEV)
- Sellers wanting limited buyer exposure (Alpine's value is in broad marketing)
Team
The firm is led by co-founders Gary I. Tobian and R. Neal Westwood, both holding CBI and M&AMI designations. Key team members include:
- Gary Tobian—Co-founder, Principal Real Estate Broker, former executive at 3M Company, Moniterm Corporation, and Utah Medical Products. Holds CBI and M&AMI designations.
- Neal Westwood—Co-founder, former President of Omicron Genetics, software development executive. Holds CBI and M&AMI designations, fluent in Spanish.
- Kevin Davis—Associate since 2005, former enterprise software sales executive, CBI designation. Represented Alpine in the Perfect Feast transaction.
- Scott Simons—Sales Associate, former direct sales executive, holds MBA from Utah State University, CBI and M&AMI designations, fluent in Vietnamese.
- Jeremy Nevens—Sales Associate, former sales executive in animation production, beverage, packaging, and real estate industries. Licensed real estate agent.
- Kristin Elinkowski—Sales Associate, former Chairman of Utah State Charter School Board, former member of Utah State Board of Education. Holds CBI designation.
- Tyler—Associate since 2023, former Senior Vice President in banking industry, Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) since 2018.
- Michael Miller—Associate since 2008, featured in Utah Business Magazine's "40 Under 40" in 2021, owns Skylark Productions and Utah Live Bands, holds CBI designation.
- Laura Malone—Marketing professional with the firm since 2006, handles document filing, lead generation, and advertising.
- Aaron (last name not disclosed)—Marketing and legal documents, BYU entrepreneurship graduate, assists buyers with SBA loans.
Geographic Coverage
Alpine Business Brokers is headquartered in Lehi, Utah (240 N 1200 E Ste 202) with phone coverage across Utah County, Salt Lake City, Park City, and Saint George. The firm serves Utah and surrounding states, with primary focus on Utah-based businesses. All team members are licensed with the Utah Division of Real Estate.
Professional Affiliations
- International Business Brokers Association (IBBA)
- M&A Source
- National Association of Realtors
- Utah Association of Realtors
- Century 21 Harman Realty affiliation