By going up in a "financial helicopter" and looking at a client's entire situation at one time on a cross disciplinary basis - not just from a legal or accounting standpoint, but across the board - it allows me to spot the "coordination gaps", the planning opportunities - and the life goals for a client. The Wealth Legacy Family of Companies is six stand-alone, but integrated practices designed to help the exceptional business and professional family with the growth, management, protection, distribution and legacy issues of their wealth - their business succession & exit strategies - and creating intention and integration between their business and personal lives.

Cross disciplinary group that meets monthly to explore issues facing our clients in their estate planning challenges and needs.

Study - study - study - grow - grow - grow

Billed as "The Premier Association of Financial Professionals®"

Bill Exeter, Alan Nevin and I co-founded the Center in 2008. Our vision initially was to provide objective and balanced information often missing or twisted in the mainstream media through seminars featuring "best in class" speakers on topics of interest to business owners, leaders and professionals. That vision has now "morphed" to focus on the subjects of leadership and legacy. At the same time, our Inspiration Awards™ recognize those who are making choices which inspire all of us - to join in making our world more special. Our desire is that everyone apply their 4 T's: time - talent - touch (their networking skills) - and treasure ... to impact our world in a positive and lasting way that is meaningful to each personally.

I am an appreciative member of the work that Carl Sheeler, Morgan Smith, Russ Davis and many others have invested to bring together a group that is now 800+ strong.

With the help of several other strategic colleagues, we created the Family Wealth Solutions Process™ to assist wealthy families in maximizing the positive benefit of their financial success upon their family and their world. The process facilitates meaningful conversation with family members in a respectful and safe environment … it crystallizes the values that matter most, which engenders a healthy understanding and respect for the positive impact of wealth ... it is a process that changes lives and hearts.

I had the wonderful experience of hosting a program on www.wsradio.com. We addressed topics of interest and importance to business owners, professionals and individuals wishing to grow the value of the estates, enjoy & manage it in a wise and prudent fashion, legitimately lower their taxes (their "involuntary philanthropy", create significant income for their retirement years, and increase their values passing to heirs and charity (both financial and the internal values that helped create their wealth). Through it, I interviewed some of the nation's leading experts in tax, wills/trusts, investments, insurance, business succession & transition issues, asset protection, values based planning and philanthropy - and more. While it was great fun for me, with our non-profit, our seminar series (Hot Topics for Business Owners), and our other networking, my speaking, etc., I reluctantly stepped down from The Wealth Building Hour with R. J. Kelly. We now are podcasting insteading, which is less stressful for my team at WLG!

Objective, fee-only comparative analysis of in-force and proposed insurance products and/or annuity's for policy owners and their advisors. Is the insurance or annuity still needed? Could the contract be sold on the secondary market if it is no longer needed? Could we borrow to pay life insurance premiums to increase the after-tax, net rate of return? Could the contract be exchanged tax-free into better alternatives today? Is there sufficient equity in the contract to be self-funding? By hiring us to do an independent audit, the fiduciary risk is transferred from the allied professional - attorney, CPA, banker, trust officer, private fiduciary - to us. Our report is thorough, practical and cost-effective.

The Barnabas Group was created to bring diverse value to ministries locally and globally. We provide our members with ongoing opportunities to use their time, gifts, abilities, network and/or resources to support pre-screened Christian ministries.

I attend as often as my schedule permits. Wonderful group of men that come together for fellowship and to grow in their walk of service to the King of Kings.

Member and frequent speaker to various chapters across the country on topics such as advanced estate planning, business succession planning, asset protection, life insurance for wealthy and affluent families and successful companies, philanthropy and converting taxes into philanthropic giving

I came to a point where it seemed only logical that this amazing world of ours had to be formed by a Divine Intelligence. When I have considered the various religions of this world and faiths, only one seemed to make sense with my own personal life experience - biblically centered Christianity. All other faiths appear to be involved with works and "earning" a way into heaven. Christianity is the only faith where God reached down to humankind to repair the brokenness that was impossible to fix humanly speaking. Jesus became the Bridge that connects a fallen world with a perfect and faultless Creator.

How do business owners prepare to sell or transition their business given the challenges of the economy and the myriad of complexities they face today? Add to that, the people issues, tax challenges, internal vs. external sale/transition decisions and an owner can simply get bogged down and overwhelmed with where to start? Virtual Board brings together business owners with subject matter experts in a confidential, informative and supportive environment every other month to discuss the specific challenges they face ... most especially in the dynamic of preparing their business for a transition within the next 12-60 months.

Coco Bay Estates. Absolutely idyllic. Beautiful beaches, wonderful diving and extraordinary people.

The favorite president in my lifetime? Hands down, it would be President Ronald Reagan. He retired from his second term in the White House with over a 70% approval rating. Unheard of! While some disagreed with his politics, most everyone agreed with the character of the man - he was just that likeable and principled. It was my great honor when asked, to begin building a committee of exceptionally talented men and women who were similarly minded to me ... in wanting to expand the influence and principals of President Reagan to others. The Reagan Library in Simi Valley is extraordinary, and well worth traveling up for the day. You will laugh, be moved and walk away just a little taller - with greater pride in our country - as a result of your trip there.

Worked "on my business" and not just "in my business!"

I began learning how important it is to charge a fee for the planning process, and separate it from the providing of products. By charging a fee, it gives greater objectivity in recommending various courses of action. This experience and knowledge launched the six companies making up the Wealth Legacy Family of Companies ... five of which are fee-based, and the sixth has an option of being fee-based for certain products (our life-disability-long term care insurance practice.)

I had the great pleasure of running six marathons of my eight thus far, with Team In Training ... the fund-raising arm of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Not only are they doing remarkable things to find cures for blood borne illnesses, but being with TNT provides a collegial experience with other like-minded individuals who want to give back and leave a lasting positive impact in the face of a horrific illness. The whipped cream on the sundae is getting to travel to remarkable places to participate in the marathon with these extraordinary people. My first marathon was in Anchorage, AK for the Mayor's Midnight Sun Race. Running across pristine, still partially frozen streams of water, seeing moose on the trails, wondering if I had what it took to make the 26.2 miles it but committed to crossing the finish line no matter what. And, when I crossed the line comfortably below 4 hours along with my new friend made running the last five miles together, knowing that our combined strength of purpose is what pulled us each through when we both felt like giving up ... feelings of enormous gratitude welled up inside me. Team in Training is an extraordinarily humbling & gratifying ... life-changing experience.

The Stewardship Alliance was formed by a number of strategically minded professionals trained in a concept called The Professional Mentoring Program. The intended goal has been to collaborate nationally in helping the growth of philanthropy through application of traditional and non-traditional estate, tax, insurance and investment concepts.

This is a tremendously helpful field of study for anyone wishing to "further their craft." It is a ten class program in advanced subjects, capped off by a two week residency program held in Bryn Mawr, PA. The residency portion, in particular, was fascinating, stimulating and enjoyable. The professors/lecturers on staff and those brought in to speak were each subject matter experts in their respective field of study. They were insightful, entertaining, and relevant. And, on top of that, my fellow students were professional and diverse ... and some were riotously funny! One of the highlights of my professional career thus far.

One of the best experiences of my life. Prior to university, I grew up on a ranch with our nearest neighbors being 1/2 mile away. The experience of living in close quarters with 56 other young men - of every possible background and belief system - taught me a great deal about dealing with diverse lifestyles and perspectives. It was both an athletic house and academic - with a great deal of alcohol thrown in for good measure. At one point, we had the starting quarterback for the Cougars, the starting point guard for men's basketball, and other athelete's ... and a number of us enrolled in the one of the top-ranked Honors programs in the country. We had Phi Beta Kappa's and certified alcoholics all living in a chapter house (or outside apartments) that all sort of worked out. I would't trade the experience, and today, some of my dearest friends were Beta's at WSU. As well, I have also met other Beta's from other chapters ... many of them quite extraordinary leaders in their own right.