Rhett Kniep, M&AMI, CBI, CM&AP, CEPA
Managing Director & Partner – M&A & Exit Planning
Rhett Kniep is a credentialed Mergers & Acquisitions Master Intermediary (M&AMI), Certified Business Intermediary (CBI), Certified Mergers and Acquisitions Professional (CM&AP), and Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA), and both a licensed real estate broker and licensed general building contractor. For nearly 20 years, Rhett has been an M&A advisor and exit planner for multiple businesses and investments in the lower middle-market with specializations in:
- Contracting, engineering, and construction
- Real estate
- Automotive
- Trucking
- Manufacturing
As a serial entrepreneur himself, Rhett has invested in and built several businesses in the following industries:
- Orthotics manufacturing
- Feature film entertainment
- Real estate
- Marketing
- Construction
In addition to writing and publishing a real estate investing manual, and being featured in such publications as Forbes, Ezine, and Self-Growth, Rhett has presented and trained professionals at multiple business seminars and conferences on such topics as:
- Business exit planning
- Negotiation
- Sales strategies
- Business valuation
He attended Lincoln Law School of Sacramento with a focus on contract law and has trained professionally via courses in real estate, investing, business management, and business marketing.
Rhett is a member of and/or obtained professional certifications and licenses through:
- M&A Source
- California Association of Business Brokers
- International Business Brokers’ Association
- Contractors’ State License Board
- California Department of Real Estate
As managing director, Rhett leads Avant’s M&A for Northern California.
Professional Designations & Awards
- Rhett Kniep Receives Merger & Acquisition Master Intermediary (M&AMI)
Designation — January 8, 2020 - IBBA Presents Kniep with Chairman’s Circle Award — June 3, 2019
- Rhett Kniep, a Top Producing Business Intermediary, has Been Accepted into Forbes Business Council — March 1, 2019
Speaking Engagements
- Rhett Kniep led the workshop: “Triumph in the Trades – Selling Construction Businesses” covering the advantages and challenges of brokering construction and construction-related businesses at the 2025 CABB Annual Conference in Santa Rosa, Ca., on September 25-26, 2025.
- Rhett Kniep led the seminar: “Triumph in the Trades – Selling Construction Businesses” covering the advantages and challenges of brokering construction and construction-related businesses at the 2025 IBBA Annual Conference in Orlando, FL., on May 17-18, 2025.
- Rhett Kniep led the workshop: “The Scientific Art of Negotiation” teaching effective strategies for success in business negotiations at the 2023 IBBA Annual Conference in Orlando, FL., on May 20-21, 2023.
- Rhett Kniep led the workshop: “The Scientific Art of Negotiation” teaching effective strategies for success in business negotiations at the 2019 IBBA Annual Conference in Orlando, FL., on May 2019.
