About Us

Randy Rua, Founder and President

Randy provides vision, leadership and extensive knowledge to guide Rua Associates confidently towards its goals. Randy first experienced the M&A industry when he decided to purchase a business through a business broker. Randy then went to an M&A advisory firm when he decided to sell that business. He worked closely with the firm on selling his business and realized fulfillment in creating the path to fulfill dreams through successful business ownership transitions. Over the next 5 years, Randy worked at a few firms, developing his own unique process and was highly successful. Out of this came Randy’s decision to start Rua Associates.

Randy earned a BS in Engineering from Calvin College as well as a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in entrepreneurship from the University of Southern California. Randy is a Certified Business Appraiser (CBA) through the Institute of Business Appraisers (IBA) and is a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) through the Exit Planning Institute (EPI). In addition, Randy has served as an adjunct professor at Calvin College and Grand Valley State University. Randy lives in Zeeland, MI and is married with two children.

Tami Rua, Managing Partner

Tami is the glue that helps connect Rua’s operations team, sales and marketing team and finance team. Tami’s background is a variety of finance and operations positions first with Johnson Controls then with Steelcase. She wants the best for her staff, the organization and the clients. Tami graduated from Dordt College with a BA in Business Administrations. She lives in Zeeland, MI and is married with two children.

Travis Ernst, Operations Manager

Travis joined Rua Associates after over 10 years in the private sector. Travis was a minority owner and Chief Operating Officer of a company supporting the defense industry. Prior to that position he formed his own company and worked as an independent security contractor. Travis also served a 12 year tenure in the US Army. At Rua Associates he is responsible for business development and meets with clients and prospective customers who are looking at various transition opportunities. Having been a business owner and had personal experience in a business transaction, he is able to relate to owners who are considering their own transition options. Travis attended Grand Valley State University where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. He lives in Allendale, MI and is married with four children.

Shu Ghosh, Buyer Sales Development

Shu has over 10 years of experience in providing investment banking and valuation services to private equity/venture capital firms and middle-market entrepreneurial firms across a range of industries. Prior to joining NuVescor, Shu worked as a principal at Oxford Valuation Partners, as an investment analyst in the TMET group for Australian fund the Macquarie Group, and as a consultant with the Valuation Research Corporation in New York. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Mathematics from Columbia University.

Nick Good, Advisor

With seven years of experience in finance and commercial insurance, Nick joined the team as a Senior Analyst. He was promoted to M&A Advisor and primarily focuses on working with qualified buyers and sellers providing strategic direction throughout the transaction process, including financial modeling, deal structuring, negotiating and coordinating the transfer of ownership from sellers to buyers.

Previously Nick worked for both a boutique private equity firm and a leading financial services company. Nick also served as a Commercial Client Manager for a prominent insurance agency.

Nick received his Bachelor’s degree in Business from Calvin College and his MBA in finance from Boston College. He has coached high school and collegiate lacrosse, and has served as a drummer for his church.

Joy Lorence, Financial Analyst

Joy spends the majority of her time analyzing client financial statements and assisting with business valuations. She helps provide internal and external clients with presentations and reports so they can make well-informed decisions. In 2013, Joy graduated from Northern Michigan University with a degree in Economics. After college, she gained experience in the financial services industry working as a bank examiner in the greater Chicago area. Originally from West Michigan, she is glad to be back in the area. Some of Joy’s favorite things are traveling, spending time with friends and family, water sports, and cupcakes.

Connie Perry, Executive Assistant

Connie’s expertise is in detail and organization. She supports Randy with a variety of items related to his everyday tasks. Connie has extensive experience in office administration and customer service in the insurance, banking and non-profit fields and has a degree in Business Management from Davenport University.