BluestemUSA is widely honored by professional associations, peers, and business community groups. These distinctions are strong evidence of our unyielding commitment to clients, our profession, and the business communities we serve.

THE DARRELL FOUTS M&A AWARD
Awarded only when warranted, no more often than annually, the prestigious Darrell Fouts Award recipient is selected for exceptional leadership and personal contributions to expanding the vision of the M&A Source and the M&A profession itself. John C. Johnson of IBG / BluestemUSA was presented this prestigious award, as its third recipient in first five years the award existed.
The M&A Source is the world’s largest international organization of experienced M&A intermediaries dedicated to representing the middle market. Members include top intermediaries from approximately twenty countries around the world.

DEAL MAKER OF THE YEAR
Finance Monthly magazine selected John Johnson, M&A Broker, as its Deal Maker of the Year for the sale of Air Products Supply Company.

OKLAHOMA’S FINANCIAL SERVICES ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR
The United States Small Business Administration’s recognizes one member of the Oklahoma business community for valuable contributions through advocacy in the area of financial services. The selection is from nominations submitted statewide by chambers of commerce and business community organizations. IBG / BluestemUSA is pleased its CEO, John C. Johnson was selected as winner of this award by the US SBA.

MERGER & ACQUISITION MASTER INTERMEDIARY (M&AMI)
Certified middle market M&A expertise earned through proficiency, documented middle market transactions experience and upper level professional education. A prestigious designation proffered through the M&A Source, the leading professional association of hundreds of top middle market business intermediaries from around the world. Regarded as the world’s premier professional designation for M&A professionals; Tulsa, Oklahoma based IBG / BluestemUSA’s John C. Johnson earned his M&AMI in the first grouping of ten such designations ever awarded.

M&A BROKER FIRM OF THE YEAR
Acquisitions International awarded BluestemUSA as its selection as M&A Broker Firm of the Year Southwestern USA.

INDUSTRY EXPERT IN OIL, GAS, AND ENERGY
John Johnson is designated as an Industry Expert in the oil, gas, and energy industry by the Business Broker Press.

LIFETIME CERTIFIED BUSINESS INTERMEDIARY (CBI)
John C. Johnson holds the Lifetime Certified Business Intermediary (CBI) designation. Earning and maintaining a CBI is a clear commitment to performing at the profession’s top levels. It is held and maintained by the industry’s top ten percent of professionals. Requirements include education, tenure, experience, and comprehensive testing. Maintaining the CBI demands continuing professional education plus professional activities and development designed to keep intermediaries informed and performing at peak professional levels. It is the most recognized credential for business brokers and intermediaries, nationally and internationally.

CORPORATE LIVEWIRE M&A AWARD
Selected as M&A Brokerage Firm of the Year as most deserving based on excellence in the M&A broker firm sector based on in put from over 100,000 corporate professionals, considering nominees’ achievements and strengths.

TOM WEST AWARD
The Tom West Award is the business brokerage professions its highest honor. John C. Johnson of Bluestem in Tulsa is a Tom West Award recipient. It is awarded annually to one member to recognize exceptional contributions in promoting the goals and ethics of the IBBA and the business brokerage profession. The award is named after founder, first president, and long-time leader Thomas L. West, who is credited with the profession’s early growth, creating a group of founders for IBBA, developing the IBBA and the stature of the profession.
IBBA is the world’s premier association for professionals in business brokerage and mergers and acquisitions. It has members across the USA and more than fourteen other countries around the world. As the leading association for business intermediaries, it advances professional development, educates, provides resources and promotes high ethical conduct. It sponsors national educational programs and collaborates in grass roots programs benefiting business communities across the country.

M&A Insider Awards
Corporate Insider M&A award for the M&A Broker Team of the Year.

BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR – FINALIST
Mr. Johnson was selected as a 2008 finalist in Tulsa Metro Chamber’s annual competition to recognize the Small Business Person of the Year.

PRESIDENT’S AWARD
International Business Brokers Association’s (IBBA) esteemed President’s Award is selected annually for that member who was the key leader and contributor to the profession’s association. It recognizes exceptional leadership in the view of the IBBA’s President, and was awarded to John C. Johnson of Bluestem in Oklahoma.
IBBA, the world’s largest association for professionals in business brokerage and mergers and acquisitions, has more than 1,200 active intermediaries across Canada, Mexico, Asia, Europe and the USA. As the leading association for business intermediaries, it advances professional development, educates, develops resources and promotes the highest ethical conduct. It is a group that sponsors national educational programs and collaborates in grass roots programs benefiting business communities across the country. Top brokers and intermediaries around the world belong to the IBBA.

US GAMECHANGER OF THE YEAR
GameChangers Magazine recognizes experts whose intimate knowledge and expertise in the cultural, financial and legal arenas are redefining their industry to focus on organizations and individuals that can demonstrate an ability to deliver services and skills to meet clients’ needs and adapt to market and regulatory conditions . . . that are truly world class in the way they are run and in the services they deliver to clients

FINANCIAL SERVICES ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR
The Tulsa Metro Chamber annually awards this honor to one leading contributor for the year who made important contributions impacting the business community by advocacy in financial services. It was awarded to John c. Johnson, IBG / BluestemUSA founder and CEO in 2001.

FELLOW OF THE M&A SOURCE
Award to leading members of the M&A Source for career leadership in the M&A broker and advisor profession.

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS BROKERS ASSOCIATION, LIFE MEMBER
The IBBA awarded Tulsa, Oklahoma’s John C. Johnson life Member Status for exceptional leadership and service to the profession.
IBBA, the world’s largest association for professionals in business brokerage and mergers and acquisitions, has more than 1,200 active intermediaries across Canada, Mexico, Asia, Europe and the United States. It is a group for leading professional association creating education, resources and development for business intermediaries.

WEALTH & FINANCE INTERNATIONAL – BEST IN LOWER MIDDLE MARKET M&A
These Awards recognize and reward excellence, best practice and innovation in all aspects of the finance industry. They are a stamp of professional excellence and a badge of merit, integrity and leadership.

FELLOW OF THE IBBA
Awarded to Oklahoma based John C. Johnson by the Board of Directors of the International Business Broker’s Association to recognize tenured commitment to the profession and its leading professional association. John C. Johnson owns IBG / BluestemUSA and has been an active leader and committed member of IBBA for about 30 years
IBBA, the world’s largest association for professionals in business brokerage, and mergers and acquisitions, has more than 1,200 active intermediaries across Canada, Mexico, Asia, Europe and the United States. This group is the leading association for business intermediaries providing them resources, education and professional development.
About Us
Client Comments
I knew when I hired your firm to help me with my business sale, that you were good. But, I had no idea that you would be as good at this as you are.
Larry Mocha - CEO of APSCO, Inc.
Our objectives were to fund our retirement by extracting risk free money from value of the business, while staying active with a partner who would fund and support growth initiatives . . . respecting our objectives, IBG led us in negotiating a sale that exceeded all hopes. We enjoyed a huge ROI from investing in John and IBG to manage our sale . . . strategically prepared . . . unearthed and explained the true underlying value . . . and navigating us to a great result . . . find effective solutions to every obstacle. . . delivered on many opportunities to win value for us. Our sale was completed at more than twice the value of initial offers and what we had thought to be an attainable value . . . We highly recommend IBG to other business owners who may look to selling their business.
Roger Walker - CEO of Citadel Technologies
. . . accept my gratitude for your efforts and skill in delivering a successful sale of Cohlmia's. . . a long labor of love for me . . . owned and nurtured for 35 years . . . an excellent business that held many fond memories and cherished friends. My choice to sell did not come lightly. . . I choose business advisors cautiously. You . . . were recommended by some of my most trusted advisors. You earned your reputation in my book. . . you steadfastly represented my best interests. My confidentiality was preserved throughout. . . honest and frank in dealing with all parties and their advisors. Job well done! I will continue to recommend your services to any business owner with no reservation.