Announcing Marcus Hantla, Senior Associate

Gilbert & Pardue Business Advisors (GaP) is pleased to announce that Marcus Hantla has joined the firm as a Senior Associate, specializing in sell side mergers and acquisitions as well as business succession strategies. Marcus has successfully built and sold two multimillion dollar companies and has an exceptional record of achievements in establishing rapidly-successful, scalable businesses in challenging industries and competitive markets. Marcus had this to say about joining GaP, "With every client I meet and with every transaction in which I am involved, I try to focus on what I can learn and how I can grow. The opportunities provided by GaP for those experiences will allow me to realize that vision and maximize my growth on a daily basis."

“Marcus recently executed a successful exit from a business through which he was a GaP client. We can’t think of anyone more qualified to discuss the virtues of GaP and our client experience” said Matt Gilbert, a GaP Founding Partner. “Marcus has an innate ability to rise through the ranks when he sets his mind to something. We expect he’ll be a top contributor, unearthing opportunities for client success across our suite of services.”

Prior to GaP, Mr. Hantla served as the President and CEO of Deftech|AV, a custom integrator for high-end home theater and automation services. Deftech|AV achieved both a lifetime award for sales as well as several consecutive annual awards for outstanding growth and sales. In addition to this, Marcus has personally been recognized and awarded for surpassing revenue goals in the technology, education, healthcare/medical, and construction industries. He accomplished this by aligning technology with client needs ranging from information gathering and assessment through strategy development, implementation, training, and support to ensure a comprehensive customer experience.

Mr. Hantla previously served as partner and COO of Tap Electrical and Controls, which had 75 employees and subcontractors working throughout New Mexico, Texas, and Louisiana. He is an influential and enthusiastic leader driven by creating teams that deliver operational excellence, exceed expectations, and cultivate positive customer service through comprehensive product knowledge, communication, and relationship management.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Hantla was hired as a Director of Information Technology and was then quickly promoted to oversee both internal and external data services work for Watson Electrical Construction company, based out of Wilson, NC. The data services division covered Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Marcus increased revenue 58% and profit margin 24% during his 3-year tenure by using effective sales cycle management, customer relationship building, and leadership.

Marcus earned a BBA from Mid-America Nazarene University in Olathe, KS, where he was a scholarship athlete in cross country and indoor and outdoor track. He specialized in the Steeplechase, an event he qualified to run at nationals. He was selected to carry the Olympic torch and was a 12–time varsity Letterman in high school (lettering in three sports per year for all four years). In his free time, Marcus enjoys competitive swimming as a member of the Texas Amateur Athletic Federation where he currently holds three state records and qualified to swim nationally at the 2019 Virginia Commonwealth Games. Marcus, his wife, and three children are active members of Grace Bible Church’s early childhood, youth, and married adult ministries.