FitzGibbon Alexander Research
Advisory Approach
FitzGibbon Alexander, Inc. is a premier business intermediary and valuation firm headquartered in Central Florida with two operational offices serving the broader Florida region. Founded and led by Matt FitzGibbon, a Certified Business Intermediary (CBI) with 28+ years of M&A advisory experience, the firm operates with a thesis-driven philosophy: that successful business transitions require exhaustive market outreach, expert valuation, precise legal structuring, and meticulous process management. The firm's sweet spot is founder-owned and professionally-managed main street and lower-middle-market businesses—companies with enterprise values ranging from $5M to $50M—where operational complexity and perceived valuation uncertainty create opportunity for skilled intermediaries to unlock hidden value. Unlike investment banking boutiques focused exclusively on sell-side advisory, FitzGibbon Alexander operates as a full-service transaction intermediary, simultaneously advising buyers and sellers with equal rigor, which differentiates their approach and deepens their market insights.
The firm believes that confidentiality and integrity are non-negotiable cornerstones of successful transactions. Every engagement is treated as a strategic partnership where the firm's role is to understand not just the financial mechanics of a deal, but the unique emotional and operational dimensions of business ownership. Founders and business leaders often spend decades building their companies; FitzGibbon Alexander's mission is to ensure that the sale or transition process maximizes value while respecting the legacy and culture of what has been built.
Sector Focus
FitzGibbon Alexander operates across a diverse portfolio of industries, positioning themselves as true generalists capable of handling complex transactions across manufacturing, distribution, service businesses, professional practices, and specialty sectors. Within manufacturing, they have deep expertise in discrete manufacturing (machining, metal fabrication, precision tooling), process manufacturing (specialty chemicals, coatings, adhesives), and contract manufacturing operations. They are particularly experienced with manufacturing companies in aerospace, automotive supply, and industrial supply chains where quality certifications (ISO, AS9100) and operational complexity add significant value.
Their business services practice covers staffing and recruitment, facilities management, consulting firms, and professional services firms—areas where recurring revenue models and key-person dependencies require specialized structuring and transition planning. The firm has extensive experience with succession planning and ownership transitions in professional practices, particularly law firms, accounting firms, and engineering practices. This specialization is informed by Ed Alexander's background as a business attorney and his published works on law practice exits and succession planning.
The firm also actively advises in distribution and logistics, hospitality and food service (restaurants, bars, food and beverage operations), retail businesses and e-commerce operations, education and training providers, franchised businesses, and specialized industries including agricultural and food production, printing companies, and skilled trades businesses. Across all sectors, the firm applies the same rigorous valuation methodology and process discipline that large investment banks bring to mega-deals, adapting it intelligently to the smaller transaction sizes and relationship-driven dynamics of main street M&A.
Deal Track Record and Market Position
Matt FitzGibbon has personally participated in over $1 billion in completed main street and middle market transactions over his 28+ year career. This represents not just number of deals but cumulative transaction value and depth of market knowledge across diverse industries and buyer types. The firm maintains active listings on the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA) directory, the M&A Source (masource.org) directory, and BizBuySell.com, demonstrating membership in professional organizations and regular transaction flow. FitzGibbon received the prestigious IBBA 2021 Chairman's Circle Award, one of the highest honors from the International Business Brokers Association, recognizing exceptional contribution to the profession and impact on the M&A intermediary industry.
The firm's market position is built on repeat and referred business from satisfied clients, professional advisors (CPAs, business attorneys, financial planners), and buyer networks accumulated over decades. They have established credibility with family office investors, private equity groups in the lower-middle-market space, individual entrepreneurs seeking acquisitions, and strategic buyers from larger companies seeking strategic add-on acquisitions or geographic expansion. Their presence across multiple IBBA industry groups (manufacturing, food & beverage, business services, industrial services, auto-related business) demonstrates active specialization across diverse verticals.
Process, Fee Structure, and Service Model
FitzGibbon Alexander runs disciplined, methodical sell-side and buy-side processes. For sellers, the engagement typically includes: (1) comprehensive business valuation using multiple methods (income approach, market approach, asset-based approach) to establish a defensible asking price and negotiation strategy; (2) development of a detailed information memorandum and executive summary that positions the business compellingly to potential buyers; (3) confidential market canvassing to identify and outreach 50-200+ potential buyers depending on industry and deal size; (4) management presentation coaching and data room organization to position the company professionally; (5) negotiation support and deal structuring; (6) legal and tax guidance in partnership with external advisors.
While specific fee structures are not published on their website, industry norms for business brokers in the $5M-$50M range typically involve: success-based fees (Lehman formula or flat percentage), retainers (monthly engagement fees), or hybrid structures. The firm's publication of "The Business Owner's Quick and Simple Guide to Understanding Business Valuation" and multiple business law guides suggests a consultative, educational approach where clients understand the valuation and deal process fully.
For buyers, the firm provides buyer advisory services including: buyer profiling to understand target criteria and preferred business types; confidential access to pipeline of businesses for sale (both publicly listed and off-market opportunities); due diligence support; negotiation representation; and transaction management through closing. The firm positions itself as a connector and guide rather than a transactional machine, which resonates with the characteristics of main street buyers who value relationship-based advisory.
Buyer Network and Strategic Relationships
FitzGibbon Alexander has cultivated a broad buyer network through 28+ years of transaction experience. This includes: private equity groups and PE-backed platforms seeking add-on acquisitions; family offices and individual investors seeking business ownership opportunities; strategic acquirers from larger corporations seeking geographic expansion or capability acquisition; franchisors seeking franchisees; and search funds and acquisition entrepreneurs seeking platform businesses or add-ons.
Matt FitzGibbon is a managing partner in several closely held private equity groups, which gives the firm direct insight into PE acquisition criteria, diligence processes, and deal structures. This dual perspective (both advisory and investor) differentiates the firm from pure brokerages and enables sophisticated buyer-seller matching. The firm's geographic footprint spans Florida (Daytona Beach and Orlando) with the ability to coordinate national buyer networks and cross-regional transactions.
Competitive Positioning and Differentiation
FitzGibbon Alexander differentiates from competitors through: (1) Valuation expertise — Matt FitzGibbon is an Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA) in the American Society of Appraisers, bringing professional-grade valuation rigor that exceeds typical broker capabilities; (2) Legal/structural expertise — Ed Alexander's law practice background enables sophisticated deal structuring including tax optimization, asset vs. stock sales, earnouts, and succession planning that smaller brokers cannot deliver; (3) Institutional process — the firm runs disciplined, transparent processes with professional information memoranda, broad buyer canvassing, and formal management presentations rather than ad-hoc broker tactics; (4) Relationship capital — decades-long relationships with buyer networks, professional advisors, and returning clients create deal flow and credibility advantages; (5) Professional designations — multiple CBI (Certified Business Intermediary) designations, IBBA membership, and formal accreditation signal competence and ethical standards; (6) Published thought leadership — Ed Alexander's published books on business succession, law practice sales, partnership agreements, and business law provide credibility and demonstrate deep specialization.
The firm competes against solo brokers (often unlicensed or with limited designations), national franchises like Century 21 Business or CBRE M&A, and larger regional brokerage firms. FitzGibbon Alexander positions as the "professional's M&A firm"—chosen by business owners who want sophisticated counsel comparable to investment banking for larger deals, but tailored to the relationship dynamics and economics of main street business sales.
Not a Fit If
The firm typically is not the right fit for: (1) businesses below approximately $5M TEV where transaction economics don't support professional advisory costs; (2) asset-only sales (liquidations, real estate sales) where business valuation is not the primary consideration; (3) sellers seeking a quick sale without process rigor (FitzGibbon Alexander's value proposition depends on thorough buyer identification and process discipline, which takes time); (4) sellers unwilling to provide detailed financial information or undergo operational scrutiny necessary for institutional diligence; (5) businesses with significant legal encumbrances, pending litigation, or regulatory issues that would materially complicate financing or due diligence; (6) sellers requiring financing from the firm or taking significant earn-out risk (they focus on cash or financed deals via external lenders, not seller carry).
Team Expertise
Matt FitzGibbon — Managing Partner. 28+ years of M&A and valuation experience. Bachelor's degrees in Finance and Management, MBA. Lifetime CBI designation (International Business Brokers Association). Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA) in business valuation (American Society of Appraisers). Board Certified Intermediary (Business Brokers of Florida). Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker. Author of "The Business Owner's Quick and Simple Guide to Understanding Business Valuation." Recipient of IBBA 2021 Chairman's Circle Award. Founder of advertising jingle house in Chicago. Former president of golf and custom utility car distributor. Advisory board member of Marriott/Hilton hotel developer. Founder of National Canine Training, LLC. Volunteer coach with Lifework Leadership program. Personal interests include K-9 search and rescue and dog training.
Ed Alexander — Transaction Business Lawyer. Specialist in business and law practice exits, succession arrangements, business transfers (asset and stock sales), partnership design and additions. Admitted to practice law in Florida (1993) and New York (1994). Published works: "The Guide to Buying a Business," "The Guide to Selling Your Florida Law Practice," "The Guide to Partnerships and Partnership Agreements," "The Florida Business Contracts Handbook," "Florida Business Entities Handbook," "To Buy or Not to Buy: Is a Franchised Business Your Road to Success or a Path to Financial Ruin?," "10 Common and Costly Business Killing Legal Mistakes." Former technology background with pacemaker manufacturer, custom IC manufacturer, laser barcode manufacturer. Awarded U.S. Patent No. 5,468,952 (1995) for miniature laser scanner computer invention. Awards: 2015 Partner Award from UCF Business Incubation Program, 2014 Judge J.C. Stone Distinguished Service Award for pro bono guardian ad-litem work, 2013 SBDC Regional Volunteer of the Year. Adjunct professor at University of Central Florida teaching New Venture Finance. 37+ years married, avid cyclist, kayaker, sailor, hiker.
Shaun Thornton — Award-Winning Business Broker. Lifetime CBI designation (IBBA). Board-Certified Intermediary (Business Brokers of Florida). Licensed Real Estate Broker. Decades of corporate dealmaking experience in global metals, steel, and aluminum industries. Qualified electrical engineer in British steel sector. Moved to high-level project management, sales, and general management. Head of Global Technical Sales at multinational engineering corporation. Built and led skilled sales teams managing high-value contracts across South Africa, Brazil, Australia, Russia, Europe, and USA. Served as president of engineering and manufacturing company supplying specialized brass/copper solutions to steel industry. Since 2004, focused on business brokerage with emphasis on multisector expertise including manufacturing, auto repair, pet boarding facilities, mortgage brokers, construction/HVAC, restaurants/bars. Regional Volunteer of the Year Award (2016). Past Vice President of Central Florida British American Chamber of Commerce. Board member of Dreamflight USA charity. Pro-bono advisor to Orlando SBDC.
Chance Sweat — Business Broker and Acquisition Entrepreneur. Bachelor of Science in Biology from Rollins College. Captain of Rollins College Sailing Team. Nearly a decade of corporate leadership as Sales Director at IT consulting firm managing national sales team with tens of millions in annual revenue. During COVID, became acquisition entrepreneur, acquiring and operating multiple businesses with and without broker representation—giving him direct insight into buyer challenges and broker effectiveness. After successful business exits, obtained Florida real estate license and joined FitzGibbon Alexander to help business owners avoid costly transaction mistakes. PADI Master Diving Instructor with specializations including enriched air, wreck diving, night diving, deep diving, boat diving. At age 16, sailed across Atlantic Ocean on 112-foot traditionally rigged schooner. Personal interests: diving, boating, family.
Geographic Coverage and Market Presence
Primary operations in Central Florida with offices in Daytona Beach and Orlando. However, the firm maintains the ability to handle transactions across Florida and coordinate with national buyer networks for transactions outside the region. Listed as specialist on IBBA and M&A Source directories across multiple industry verticals, indicating willingness to advise on transactions nationwide.
Organizational Size and Scalability
FitzGibbon Alexander operates as a lean, expert-driven firm. Total team size is approximately 8-15 professionals including brokers, administrative support, and consulting partners. This model allows for personalized attention on each transaction while maintaining quality control and relationship-driven advisory. Not a franchise or large corporate brokerage—each team member brings specialized expertise and deep transaction experience.
Conclusion
FitzGibbon Alexander represents a sophisticated, full-service business intermediary and valuation firm positioned at the professional intersection of law, valuation science, transaction engineering, and buyer relationship management. Ideal for founder-owned and professionally-managed businesses in the $5M-$50M range seeking expert counsel on succession, sale, or acquisition. The firm's combination of formal designations (CBI, ASA, attorney credentials), published thought leadership, decades of transaction experience, and professional network make them credible advisors for complex business transitions where value maximization and risk mitigation are paramount.