Meet Our Team
The trusted advisors behind Transworld of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky
Our Vision
To be the leading small business brokerage firm in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, empowering entrepreneurs and small business owners to achieve their goals through expert guidance in buying, selling, and franchising businesses.
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide unparalleled support and professional services to our clients, ensuring confidentiality and maximizing value in every transaction. We are committed to fostering long-term prosperity for small businesses by leveraging our extensive network and industry expertise.
These statements reflect Transworld Business Advisors of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky's dedication to facilitating successful business transactions and supporting the growth and success of the local business community.
JT Harp
President and CEO
Raised on a small family farm in Southern Ohio, JT’s work ethic was instilled early by working livestock and running tractors at a young age. He began his professional career at Kroger, investing 30+ years in corporate America serving in multiple senior leadership roles throughout the country.
Michelle Janson
Senior Business Broker
Michelle Janson was raised in the Midwest and began her career in the oil and gas industry, where she specialized in risk mitigation, sales and account management, and market analysis, helping companies make sound decisions and keep strong market positions in a volatile sector.
Erin Lea Evans
Executive Assistant
Erin Lea is a Cincinnati native who has been married for 20 years and is raising a teenage son in high school, along with two dogs and a cat. After spending 15 years in accounting, finance, operations, and management at a financial institution, she felt the pull for something new.
Katie Aker
Business Broker
Katie Aker is a lifelong resident of northwestern Cincinnati, where she lives with her husband and three children. With a strong background in sales and finance, Katie brings a wealth of experience to every transaction—she has personally bought or sold more than 30 properties over the years.
Jim O’Connell
Business Broker
Jim O'Connell has lived in the Cincinnati area nearly all of his life. He built a 40-year career as a business consultant and commercial real estate investment broker, closing hundreds of transactions totalling over $12 billion. He and his teams have negotiated all levels of sales transactions.
Mark Allen
Business Broker
A lifelong resident of the Greater Cincinnati area, Mark Allen has over 23 years of leadership experience in the manufacturing sector, where he gained a firsthand understanding of what it takes to build, lead, and eventually transition a successful company.
Marisa Napier
Marketing Coordinator
Born and raised in the Northern Columbus area, Marisa is a Senior Marketing major at Miami University’s Farmer School of Business. She was first introduced to Transworld through one of her marketing classes, where JT Harp was her professor.
Jami Spitler
Marketing Coordinator
Born and raised in the Dayton area, Jami is a senior marketing major at Miami University’s Farmer School of Business. She was introduced to Transworld when JT Harp spoke in one of her classes, and after learning more about the brokerage industry, she joined as a summer intern in 2024.
Ready to connect with our team?
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced brokers.
📞 (513) 725 7283 | ✉️ [email protected] | 🌐 https://www.tworld.com/locations/ohio/cincinnati
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