Transworld advisors win IBBA Chairman’s Circle Award

Bobbi Coffey and Austin Zhao of Transworld Business Advisors of South & West Texas, New Mexico and Wyoming received the IBBA’s Chairman’s Circle Award at the association’s 2026 annual conference in Minneapolis. The honor recognizes business brokerage professionals who closed at least $3 million in qualified deals during the 2025 calendar year.

Why it matters: - The award spotlights dealmakers helping owners complete business sales that can affect employees, families and local economies. - The Chairman’s Circle status also signals strong transaction volume in the business brokerage and M&A market.

What happened: - Bobbi Coffey and Austin Zhao of Transworld Business Advisors of South & West Texas, New Mexico, and Wyoming received the IBBA Chairman’s Circle Award. - The International Business Brokers Association presented the awards at its 2026 annual conference in Minneapolis. - The recognition went to brokers who closed one or more qualified business deals totaling at least $3 million in purchase price during the 2025 calendar year.

The details: - Coffey holds the credentials MCBI, CM&AP and M&AMI. - Zhao holds the credentials CVA, CBI, BCA, CM&AP and M&AMI. - The company said the two advisors earned the award through major transactions in the South and West Texas business community. - IBBA Executive Director Emily Bowler said the Member Excellence Awards recognize professionals whose work has a lasting impact on entrepreneurs, employees, families and communities. - Transworld President Steve Merritt said multi-million-dollar transactions require strategic finesse, market knowledge and strong client service. - Award recipients are selected based on verified business transactions completed in the prior calendar year. - The IBBA is the world’s largest professional trade association for business brokers and M&A advisors.

Between the lines: - The award is a proxy for credibility in a business where trust, process and transaction execution matter as much as deal volume. - The recognition may help Transworld advisors stand out with business owners considering a sale or succession plan.

What's next: - Transworld is directing readers seeking more information to the company's website, the phone line at (281) 769-4277, or infoswtx@tworld.com. - Transworld Business Advisors continues operating within the United Franchise Group family and supports buyers, sellers and franchise development. - The IBBA says it will keep using education, conferences, designations and networking to support the profession.

The bottom line: - Coffey and Zhao added a high-profile industry award that underscores a strong year of closed deals and positions them as standout brokers in their region.