About Us
The Torch Team is unique from other business brokerage and commercial real estate firms because of our ability to valuate, list and sell both businesses and real estate. We have access to highly accurate data for valuations and we employ innovative, integrated and effective marketing efforts, ensuring listings reach a wider audience with increased visibility. Streamline the process of generational real estate and business transactions with our method that ensures a smooth transition during acquisition and disposition of these assets.
Managing Broker
Mobile: (813) 477-0626
Marlene Sundquist Behlman brings to the Torch team extensive experience in commercial real estate and business sales in the Tampa market. She has over 30 years of corporate and entrepreneurial experience from owning her own businesses and practicing as a licensed real estate professional. Marlene specializes as a business broker in the retail, industrial, and professional services sectors. She also has expertise in traditional commercial real estate sales and leases.
Having owned and operated several businesses before becoming a business and commercial real estate broker, Marlene is a successful entrepreneur with a diverse background in business ownership and management. She founded an advertising agency, Florida Graphics, which produced materials for several niche markets including approximately 45 sporting magazines. In 2001, she co-founded Debt Management Center (DMC), a consumer debt negotiation service. Active in the daily operations of DMC, she was responsible for corporate finances, marketing, and regulatory & compliance functions.
Marlene also has extensive retail business experience having founded Seedlings, a unique retail concept specializing in contemporary and sustainable products for babies and children. Seedlings operated for almost 10 years at a highly visible location in South Tampa and was successfully sold in 2015.
Marlene can quickly evaluate a business opportunity and assist owners in achieving their business goals. She holds a Brokers license from the State of Florida and the CCIM designation. She serves on the board of directors of the Business Brokers of Florida, Tampa Bay District, she is a board member of the Asian Real Estate Association of America of Tampa Bay, and is an IBBA and CREW member.
Active in her community, Marlene has a history of philanthropic volunteerism. She is an active member of Ybor City Rotary Club and has devoted time to various community causes as a member and sustainer for Junior League of Tampa since 2009. Marlene is a graduate of the University of Florida, and an avid Gator football fan.
As a lifelong resident of the Tampa Bay area Nick Woodard has extensive knowledge of both the commercial real estate and business markets here in Tampa Bay and the state of Florida. Nick specializes in industrial and manufacturing, retail and restaurants.
Nick was vice-president and co-owner of Alumi-Guard, one of the nation’s largest aluminum fence and rail manufacturer. Alumi-Guard rapidly grew from a small family business to a large 300 employee operation located in Brooksville, FL. Alumi-Guard manufactured all of their products in Florida and distributed to all 50 states and Canada. In 2006 a state of the art 210,000 SF facility was built to accommodate the company’s massive growth. Cutting edge technology including an extensive powder coating system and automation were developed and installed as part of the new facility.
Nick was involved in this process every step of the way, gaining valuable knowledge in developing and maintaining a premier industrial facility. In addition to manufacturing there were multiple integral facets of the business that Nick managed. This included starting AG Logistics, whose fleet consisted of 3 semi-trucks to distribute product all over the country. To further facilitate distribution, Nick personally opened two distribution centers; one in Scranton, PA and the other in Flint, MI and was on the team that opened a third in North Carolina.
In 2014, Alumi-Guard was sold to Barrette Outdoor Living. After the sale, Nick stayed on to develop their new architectural services division. This provided Nick the opportunity to immerse himself in architectural work and gain experience in marketing, spec work, LEED points and many other aspects of the industry. After three years working for Barrette, Nick decided to pursue his interest in commercial real estate and business brokering. In order to diversify his and his family’s investment portfolio Nick owned and managed income producing properties, this included industrial buildings with long term tenants in Orlando and the Tampa Bay area, with ownership shares in hotels in Trinity, Alachua and Melbourne. With his experience and ownership of commercial real estate and related businesses it was a natural progression for Nick to pursue commercial real estate sales and business brokering.
To augment his real-world experience Nick continuously participates in industry related education. Nick is currently a CCIM designee and to become a well-rounded investment advisor, Nick is also pursuing accreditations in business brokering and land sales. Nick is a member of CCIM, BBF and IBBA.