James Naleid
Managing Partner

For more than 25 years, James Naleid has built and owned several businesses, bringing him measurable success.

"I know one thing for sure: If I had been able to turn to a company like Chesnut & Cape when negotiating to buy, sell or build a bigger business, it is likely my climb to the heights I enjoy today, would have been quicker and filled with far less anxiety. Now, I am in a position to share the collective wisdom, knowledge and understanding of the Chesnut & Cape Partners with others. It's an opportunity for our clients to experience the same success."

Naleid worked in retail of the securities industry, until he began an asset management firm that started with 12 clients representing $18 million in assets. The client base increased and the pools of managed assets grew to more than $300 million. The firm was purchased by a publicly-traded company, and then Naleid along with others repurchased it three years later. With this one entity, he experienced both the selling and buying sides of business, which proved quite profitable both ways.

"Beyond managing our clients' hard-earned assets, financial hopes, aspirations, and yes, fears, we learned that our depth of experience goes a long way to establishing and maintaining long-term relationships with those we've served."

Naleid's other accomplishments include: writing for publication; participating in radio and television production; consulting with environmental, "green" or renewable energy sectors; and chairing the board of directors for several nonprofit organizations. He has raised four children and has three grandchildren.

Steve Tanke
Managing Partner

Steve Tanke has experience on both sides of the business sale transaction. He has been involved with buying six insurance agencies and selling three insurance agencies.

Tanke knows first-hand that this process is not just about the amount of money, but it's also about feeling comfortable with your emotions after the sale.

"It is difficult to be objective about one's own business. That is where an outside expert can lead you through the process and bring a sense of objectivity and realism to the experience."

Tanke's accomplishments include working for two international insurance firms in Chicago, before returning to La Crosse, Wis., to join the family insurance business. He helped build the firm from a small local agency to a regional business with multiple locations in Wisconsin. In 1999, he sold this business to a national insurance brokerage. Since then, he's been involved in starting an angel investment group and two local housing developments.

Ben Naleid
Transaction Adviser

Ben was raised in southeastern Minnesota's hardwood forest where he acquired his strong work ethic. While in high school Ben worked for the local newspaper, covering his 'beat,' writing human interest features, and copywriting. Being an "employee" proved to him he wanted to build and operate his own businesses. It was a part time job that further inspired his entrepreneurial dreams and aspirations. He started B's Chair, a wholesale chair distributor for commercial businesses. He followed this first business with Naleid Interiors and then Rock's Edge Properties. Both of these businesses continue in operation today.

As a business owner, Ben fully understands what it means to build, manage and meet the responsibilities of having employees and their payroll. He appreciates the tremendous amount of effort and anxiety that accompany entrepreneurs and business owners who at some point require expert advice and guidance when considering an exit strategy or business transition leading to retirement.

Ben's business experience has placed him in the position as one of Chesnut & Cape's Transaction Advisers and allows him to bring a unique perspective to those he serves.

Ed Getzen
Partner

Ed Getzen has first-hand experience when it comes to buying and selling businesses.

He and his wife of 30 years, Lori, owned the Getzen Company, a manufacturing company that produced brass wind instruments and employed 130 people. Sixty percent of the production was exported to Europe and Japan.

They also were partners in a parts distribution company that inventoried over 15,000 line items, a manufactured housing development and were among several principals in the start-up of a community bank.

Ed Getzen describes selling his company that he "literally bet the farm on" and grew as "an emotional rollercoaster ride."

"Knowing that it was the proper time to sell and to follow through are two very different things. Added challenges came when I was working for the new owner that had a different vision for the company than my own."

The Getzens weren't fortunate enough to have someone give them advice on how to anticipate the unforeseen obstacles and decisions after the sale of their business.

"It all worked out very well, and we feel we took the correct path. However, a voice of experience would have been appreciated to prepare us."

Amanda Walk
Transaction Adviser

With a degree in Communications and a minor in Spanish (Castilian) from the University of Central Florida, Amanda is a long-time resident of Lee County Florida and has observed the region's growth, first-hand. Her business interests and career have kept her close to small to mid-sized businesses providing consulting and product services from payroll to equipment financing for her client companies. Determined to continue to do so, Amanda shares her penchant for the market she finds her self serving, when she noted that, "I truly enjoy working with small to mid size businesses and helping them to thrive in today's marketplace."

In addition to addressing the Exit Strategy needs of business owners throughout Lee County, Amanda will also play an instrumental role with her colleagues at Chesnut &. Cape Europe and in particular, Chesnut's Madrid and Munich agencies.

Amanda is a member of the CSIP networking group, a volunteer for the Charlotte County Chapter of the American Red Cross and a provisional member of the Junior League in Lee County.

Lori Getzen
Florida - Operations

Lori Getzen brings a wealth of knowledge to the firm courtesy of three decades of experience in a variety of challenging positions. She began her career as a legal secretary before transitioning to a role in office operations and sales for a manufactured housing development owned by her husband, Ed Getzen, and his brother.

Lori and Ed, who share an entrepreneurial drive, also worked alongside each other in their family business, the Getzen Company, which manufactured musical instruments for distribution in the U.S. and abroad. As co-owner of the Getzen Company, Lori assisted with trade shows, office operations, supervision of sales staff, and the management of European accounts.

In addition to her role with Chesnut & Cape, Lori serves on the board of directors for the Charlotte County chapter of the American Cancer Society.