The Advisory Team
The people who source deals, prepare sellers, and see every transaction through to close.
Paul Cheetham
Founder and CEO
Paul Cheetham is a business intermediary and M&A advisor helping owners buy and sell lower middle market businesses with clarity and structure. He works directly with clients through valuation, positioning, buyer outreach, negotiation, and closing, providing practical guidance at each stage. With experience in business ownership, valuation, and transactions, Paul brings a grounded, real-world approach to M&A, helping owners understand value drivers, buyer perspective, and what's needed for a smooth transaction. He founded Vanla Group after seeing many owners underserved in the sale process, either passed between disconnected advisors or given generic advice for a major decision. The goal was a more personal, transparent advisory experience with direct access to a small, experienced team from start to finish.
Voya Cheetham
HR and PR Director
Voya draws on her background in writing and both graphic and interior design to bring a thoughtful, balanced perspective to brand management. At Vanla Group, she specializes in aligning marketing materials with the unique identity of each business listing, ensuring every piece, whether written or visual, feels authentic and intentional. With an eye for detail and a commitment to quality, Voya works behind the scenes, shaping the finer details of messaging, color and layout so every business Vanla Group represents communicates its value with professionalism and impact.
David Tracey
M&A Advisor
David Tracey is a Vancouver-based entrepreneur, investor, and business advisor with a focus on technology, innovation, and strategic growth. He is affiliated with Vanla Group, where he works in business advisory and private investment initiatives. With an entrepreneurial background spanning North America and Asia, David is known for his interest in emerging industries, leadership development, and building high-value business relationships. He studied at University of Colorado Boulder and is active in the startup and investment community.
Kevin Gonzalez
M&A Advisor
Kevin Gonzalez is an M&A Advisor at Vanla Group, where he works with owners to exit their business and facilitates every stage of the deal process from sourcing to closing. Prior to joining Vanla Group, he worked as an analyst at an Investment Bank in northern California, supporting the modeling, creation of pitch materials, and deal execution across a range of industries. Kevin holds a bachelor's and master's degree in finance from CSUSB. Pursuing his studies post-graduation he obtained the FMVA® designation through the Corporate Finance Institute, and BCA® through the International Society of Business Appraisers. In his free time he enjoys watching the Yankees, studying philosophy, and discovering new coffee shops.
Brenda Gates
Executive Operations Manager
Brenda Gates is a business and financial operations professional with over a decade of experience. She brings a well-rounded understanding of how businesses operate from the inside out. Her extensive experience combines strong financial acumen with a people-first approach that clients can count on.
Nik Avendano
Operations Director
Nik operates as a modern business generalist across operations, marketing, automation, technology, and growth systems. His work spans CRM architecture and AI implementation to lead generation systems, process optimization, funnel development, and digital infrastructure. Nik specializes in helping businesses modernize the way they operate, communicate, and scale in an increasingly technology-driven world. Blending entrepreneurial instinct with technical execution, he focuses on building systems that create leverage, improve efficiency, and position companies for long-term growth and enterprise value.