Eli Winans

Education

University of Tennessee (Knoxville) - BA

Experience

Prior to joining the Benchmark International team, Eli was an equity owner and chief executive of four automotive repair facilities. He managed and oversaw all facets of the business including but not limited to continuous process improvement, operations, sales, marketing, finance and M&A activities. He successfully exited those businesses to pursue a career in the M&A sector.

Having owned, operated, and successfully exited four businesses, Eli is acutely aware of what an owner/operator goes through on a regular basis. He knows what successes look like as well as failures. He has first-hand knowledge of managing, growing, and successfully exiting a business, and has been through many of the challenges and emotions our clients face. As someone that has been through the process personally, he provides the wisdom, experience, and personal touch our clients can depend on.

About

Growing up in a small town in East Tennessee, athletics and outdoor adventures were a major part of Eli’s childhood. He was captain of his high school’s football and wrestling teams. Today he remains inspired by his parents’ strong work ethic (his father was a factory worker; his mother was a customer service rep) and the leadership of his coaches. Eli planned to pursue a coaching and teaching profession but switched paths at the University of Tennessee when he began working at an automotive dealership. The job introduced him to a 20-year career in the automotive sector. After graduating college, he obtained a job with the large industrial supplier 3M. He worked in sales, marketing, and sales management. In sales and sales management, he was driven by his natural inclination to win and helping customers succeed. His winning attitude and want for continuous improvement led him into entrepreneurship.

As a Director at Benchmark International, Mr. Winans is a sell-side M&A advisor that works with business owners who are looking to exit or grow their businesses. He assists clients in valuing and assessing the salability of their business, listens to their goals and ambitions, and provides them with a variety of exit or growth strategies. He helps guide them through the M&A process and explains our award-winning strategies and successes.

skills

Business Financials, Mergers and Acquisitions, Business Development, Process Improvement, Management, Presentation Skills, Negotiating Business Evaluations, Corporate Strategy, Business Coaching, Mentoring, Conflict Resolution, Motivating, Sales Management,