David Guthrie, former president of Spokane-based Pacific Security Cos., is launching a new business brokerage here named Guthrie & Associates Inc.

The company is affiliated with IndustryPro, of Midvale, Utah. IndustryPro is an international mergers and acquisitions advisory firm founded in 1991 by Fred Zirkle, who previously served as president and CEO of Key Tronic Corp. here. Zirkle also has been past president of the International Business Brokers Association, Guthrie says.

Guthrie & Associates, which has its offices in the Paulsen Building at 421 W. Riverside, will launch operations Aug. 1, though Guthrie says he's already in negotiations with some business owners.

He says he decided to start the company after spending an unsuccessful year looking for a business to purchase in Eastern Washington or North Idaho. Guthrie says he dealt mainly with real estate brokers in his own search, and saw a need for a business broker to provide more complete services to owners seeking to sell their businesses and related real estate.

Guthrie declines to share the company's first-year revenue projection, but says it will work with businesses valued at about $500,000 and up. Guthrie says he will be the company's sole employee for the time being.

He says the company's affiliation with IndustryPro will give it access to resources including an extensive database of business buyers throughout the country. He says the database includes strategic buyers, high net-worth individuals and companies, and more than 2,000 professional equity groups.