Principals and Staff...

Prior to 1986, Mr. Ippolito and Mr. Christon worked together at The Coca-Cola Company on the historic re-franchising of the U.S. bottler system. The five professionals at our firm have a combined total of 90 years of affiliation with the beverage industry. In addition, two Senior Analysts are CPA's who also hold professional certifications that recognize a high level of achievement and specialized knowledge in the field of business valuations.

ANDREW S. CHRISTON
President

Andy's close affiliation with the beverage industry began in 1974 as a Securities Analyst with The Robinson-Humphrey Co. in Atlanta , researching publicly traded beverage companies. Prior to his career as a Securities Analyst, Mr. Christon was a Financial Analyst at Chase Manhattan Bank in New York City.

Mr. Christon joined The Coca-Cola Company in 1978. Over a period of eight years he analyzed, evaluated, structured, and negotiated the transfer of ownership of a large number of Coca-Cola bottling companies in the U.S. In the execution of his duties, Mr. Christon served as a director on the board of directors of several Coca-Cola bottling companies, representing Coca-Cola USA 's minority equity investment.

Since joining Mr. Ippolito in 1986 to form Ippolito Christon & Co., Andy has prepared over 350 valuations of brand distribution rights and beverage wholesaling or bottling companies, and has been engaged as financial advisor in nearly 100 purchase and sale transactions. He has written numerous articles concerning the value of beverage distribution rights, and speaks frequently at NBWA education seminars and state beer association conferences.

Wharton MBA Finance
Wabash College, BA Economics

^ Return to Top

BEN BOWEN, III, CPA, ABV, CVA
Senior Analyst

Mr. Bowen held controllership positions at Royal Crown Cola Co. and then American Tara Corporation , prior to becoming a partner in a local Atlanta CPA firm. His experience includes tax planning and research, business valuation, purchase and sale of businesses , IRS dispute resolution, litigation support, and estate planning.

In 1995, Mr. Bowen joined Ippolito Christon & Co. as a Senior Analyst. A member of the Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants, he holds the Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV) credential, awarded by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Mr. Bowen also is a Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) , awarded by the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts (NACVA). These designations signify that an individual has attained a high level of expertise in business valuations.

Ben has authored or co-authored several articles on the subject of the value of beverage distribution rights and technical valuation issues, and has been a speaker at several annual conventions of the National Beer Wholesalers Association and annual meetings of several state beer associations.

Georgia State University, BBA Accounting

SUSAN G. MASSEY, CPA, CVA
Senior Analyst

Susan Massey is a Senior Analyst of Ippolito Christon & Co. Since joining the firm in 1995, her focus has been on business valuation in numerous litigation matters, including supplier termination of distribution rights, shareholder disputes, and divorce matters. Susan also is involved in purchase and sale of businesses, strategic combinations, and estate planning.

Ms. Massey's previous experience includes 7 years in the audit division of Arthur Andersen & Co., where she reached the position of Audit Manager. Ms. Massey, a CPA and a member of the Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants, also is a Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) and a member of the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts.

Susan has authored or co-authored several articles on the subject of the value of beverage distribution rights and technical valuation issues, and has been a speaker at several annual conventions of the National Beer Wholesalers Association and annual meetings of several state beer associations.

Emory University, Phi Beta Kappa, BA Physics
Georgia State University, Master of Taxation

^ Return to Top

KAREN KOVTUN

Analyst

Karen Kovtun is an Analyst of Ippolito Christon & Co.  Prior to joining the firm in 2006, Ms. Kovtun held senior financial and business analyst positions at the Anheuser-Busch Companies for five years.  Her experience involves business valuation, purchase and sale of businesses, estate planning, and litigation support.  In addition, her duties at Anheuser-Busch included investment analysis in the Treasury department and supporting senior management in Investor Relations.

Prior to joining Anheuser-Busch, Karen held positions as a Senior Financial Analyst at the May Department Stores and as a Sales Engineer for Rockwell Automation.  Her professional training includes Merger Week - Kellogg School of Management, Acquiring or Selling the Privately Held Business - Practicing Law Institute, and Six Sigma Champion certification. 

Washington University in St. Louis, MBA Finance - University of Michigan, BS Engineering

DONALD L. CREWS, CPA
Analyst

Don was a Price Waterhouse audit partner, prior to joining a client in 1984 to purchase Ozark National Life Insurance Company in Kansas City.

In 1988, Mr. Crews and a partner purchased a large beer distributorship in Kansas City and then over the next ten years expanded the operation through the acquisition of six additional distributorships. As a beer wholesaler, Mr. Crews was active in the local Missouri and Kansas state associations, the NBWA, and The Beer Institute. He also served on several Distributor Counsels and task forces.

Don joined Ippolito/Christon in 2002 as an Analyst and provides analytical support for the purchase, sale, and valuation of beer distributorships.

University of Missouri, BS Accounting

CRAIG VAN HORN
Analyst

Mr. Van Horn brings over 20 years of experience in operational management and consulting services.  Prior to joining Ippolito Christon and Co. in 2007, Mr. Van Horn founded a real estate company that developed mixed-use, urban communities in Florida.  Mr. Van Horn previously was a senior consultant at Ernst & Young, LLP, Operations Manager for MCI Telecommunications and a Financial Analyst for Electronic Data Systems, in London, England.

Mr. Van Horn graduated with a BS in Finance from the University of Florida in 198 and an MBA from Chaminade University of Honolulu in 1991.

Click here to print our Information Package