Board of Advisors

A diverse group of leaders guiding ISBA’s mission and the future of business appraisal.

Our Board of Directors brings together accomplished valuation experts and industry innovators whose insight and leadership help shape ISBA’s programs, strengthen the value of the BCA credential, and foster a vibrant community of professional appraisers.

The International Society of Business Appraisers (ISBA) is proud to introduce its inaugural Board of Directors—a distinguished group of valuation professionals, educators, and industry leaders dedicated to advancing the practice and profession of business appraisal. This Board represents decades of collective expertise across disciplines, including marital dissolution, ownership transitions, M&A, estate and gift planning, and litigation support.

Much like the members they serve, our Directors are committed to the values that define the ISBA: practical, real-world education; a collaborative professional community; and a credential—the Business Certified Appraiser (BCA)—that reflects both technical mastery and market credibility. Their guidance will help ISBA expand access to high-quality, case-based training, strengthen the value of the BCA designation, and ensure our programs remain flexible, affordable, and accessible to professionals from all backgrounds.

As stewards of ISBA’s mission, the Board will play a critical role in shaping educational initiatives, fostering member engagement, and upholding the high ethical and professional standards that make our credential trusted by clients, colleagues, and the courts. Together, they will guide ISBA in building a thriving, connected community of business appraisers equipped to deliver accurate, defensible valuations in an ever-evolving marketplace.

President & Owner, Zoellner Garten & Company

John Zoellner is President and Owner of Zoellner Garten & Company, where he advises business owners on sales and acquisitions and provides business and machinery & equipment appraisals. Earlier in his career, he built and led equipment leasing and tax-exempt financing portfolios as a commercial lender and senior vice president at Central Trust, growing outstanding balances to more than $140 million. After earning his Series 7 in 1987, he launched Zoellner Garten in 1988 and has since served on multiple corporate and advisory boards across manufacturing, financial services, and member organizations. John holds an MBA in Finance from Xavier University and a bachelor’s in Business & Economics from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point.

Chief Valuation Officer, BizEquity

Scott Gabehart is Chief Valuation Officer at BizEquity and has evaluated, appraised, and/or sold more than 3,000 privately held companies since 1992. He co-created BizEquity’s widely vetted valuation algorithm used by wealth advisors, banks, and insurers nationwide, and he co-founded the BizEquity Business Valuation Institute. A published author and former Thunderbird MBA faculty member, Scott has served as an expert witness and instructed professionals across finance, lending, and real estate. He holds the CBA, CVA, and BCA credentials and has been appointed to the BVR Leadership Council (2024) and the ISBA Advisory Board (2025). His experience spans SBA lending, ESOPs, tax matters, disputes, and transaction planning.

Faculty of Accounting & Finance and Academic Program Chair for Real Estate & Property Management at the Higher Colleges of Technology (UAE); Editor-in-Chief, The Valuer

Dr. Hafiz Imtiaz Ahmad is a faculty in Accounting & Finance and Academic Program Chair for Real Estate & Property Management at the Higher Colleges of Technology (UAE). Formerly on faculty at New York Institute of Technology (2013–2018), he now serves as Editor-in-Chief of The Valuer, the official journal of the Business Valuation Institute (UK). He holds a PhD in Accounting & Finance from the University of Lille, France, and multiple international certifications, including CVA, MAFF, BVIUK, and BCA-R. Dr. Ahmad has published extensively, contributes to global conferences, serves on BVIUK’s AI Policy Council, and is a recipient of NACVA’s “40 Under Forty” and the 2024 Outstanding Member Award.

Partner & Vice President, Transworld Business Advisors (South & West TX, NM & WY)

With 38+ years of business experience, Austin Zhao is a senior M&A advisor specializing in business sales, mergers and acquisitions, and valuation. A Partner and Vice President at Transworld Business Advisors, he holds multiple professional designations (BCA, CVA, M&AMI, CM&AP, CBI) and is a licensed Texas real estate agent. Austin’s industry recognition includes IBBA Platinum Chairman’s Circle, M&A Source Gold Club, Transworld Diamond Club, and Top 5 Producer among 1,000+ Transworld advisors worldwide (2023). He serves on the IBBA Board and Conference Committee and has held leadership roles in regional business associations, reflecting his commitment to the brokerage community and small-business success.