Peter S. Myers, a partner in Fox Rothschild’s San Francisco office, is certified as a Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law by the State Bar of California's Board of Legal Specialization. He frequently writes and teaches in the areas of estate planning and family business entities, and has authored and published treatises, books and articles, regularly speaking throughout the country on topics of interest to wealthy families and their advisers, as well as at conventions of professionals. From 1987 to 1992, Peter practiced antitrust and securities law with a national firm before starting his own firm, Myers Urbatsch, P.C. (later Myers Kenney, P.C.).

Peter is the executive editor of Business Succession Planning: Strategies for California Estate Planners and Business Attorneys, published by Continuing Education of the Bar-California. He regularly teaches for the National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys, California Continuing Education of the Bar (CEB), the Southern California Institute and various local and national professional groups.

Joseph Strazzeri is a counselor and attorney for successful families and business owners. He also serves as an educator for wealth advisers and as a speaker and author. Joe pairs his skills gleaned as a former general contractor, land developer and business owner with his two-decade career as an attorney, and he and his partners offer four unique brands to help clients find “what’s next” for their families and their assets. His four brands are (1) The Southern California Institute, which provides resources, education and advice via collaborative think tanks, events, programs, online content and introductions; (2) The Laureate Center for Wealth Advisors, which provides advanced training and support for wealth advisers – attorneys, accountants, fiduciaries, bankers, financial advisers, insurance professionals and others; (3) Strazzeri Mancini LLP, which helps affluent families resolve challenges related to integrated tax and estate planning, business succession and family governance counseling; and (4) The Founders Group, which leads business owners through all phases of transition, allowing for increased clarity, net cash flow and market value that expands and solidifies choices for business transition: if, when, how, how much and to whom.

Shelley Lightfoot is a financial and legal services professional who helps wealth advisers attract and engage clients through collaborative efforts with other advisers. Since early 2009, Shelley has enjoyed her role as the executive director and partner in four unique brands: The Southern California Institute, The Laureate Center for Wealth Advisors, Strazzeri Mancini LLP and The Founders Group. Shelley moved to the San Diego area in 2007 while employed with Bank of America, Inc. During her five-year tenure with BofA, Shelley was second in command of 80 branch locations with 112 employees. In addition, Shelley has also successfully provided independent compliance and management consulting for financial advisers and broker dealers. With over 25 years of experience, Shelley often educates advisers and business owners from all disciplines through SCI programs and speaking engagements at affiliated organizations.

Gregory R. Banner, CFP®, CLU®, CRTP, is the Chief Executive Officer and Senior Financial Adviser at Asset Preservation Strategies, with over three decades of experience as a Certified Financial Planner®. He specializes in comprehensive planning services for high-net-worth individuals, entrepreneurs, and business owners, including family office services, business growth and exit strategies, asset management, retirement planning, tax reduction strategies, insurance, estate planning, and asset protection. Greg is dedicated to helping clients build generational wealth and thrive, leveraging his extensive industry knowledge and connections. He is also an Investment Advisor Representative with Belpointe Asset Management, LLC, and holds a California Registered Tax Preparer license. Greg is a member of several professional organizations, including the Financial Planning Association (FPA), the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA), and the Society of Financial Service Professionals (FSP). He shares his expertise through speaking engagements and training opportunities with various industry organizations, including the FPA, NAIFA, and local estate planning councils.

Jason Giorgio is a financial advisor with Pacific Advisors, where he focuses his practice on advanced estate planning, business planning and tax efficient asset management. With more than 30 years of experience, he helps individuals, families and business owners achieve their financial goals while protecting themselves from risk. A qualified specialist in the field of Charitable, Estate, and Business Planning, Jason leads a bi-coastal practice that empowers clients to enjoy their assets during their lifetimes while creating meaningful legacies for future generations. Jason lectures nationally on estate planning, retirement income strategies and family business succession. He also serves on the Board of Directors of The Forum 400, an elite group of leaders in advanced planning and advocacy.

Channing Hamlet is a Managing Director with Objective | Investment Banking & Valuation, where he serves as an execution leader for the firm’s M&A and Valuation Groups and heads its Life Sciences & Business Services Practice. With more than 25 years of experience in investment banking and business valuation, he provides strategic insight to fiduciaries, business owners and advisors navigating complex transactions. Prior to Objective, he was a Managing Director at Cabrillo Advisors, where he helped grow the firm’s valuation practice into a national platform serving more than 700 clients in just five years. His background also includes senior roles at Vistage, LLR Partners, and Legg Mason’s Investment Banking group. Beyond Objective, Channing is active with several professional and philanthropic organizations, including the Association for Corporate Growth, ProVisors and PEERS. Channing attended Cornell University, where he earned both a Master’s degree in operations research and a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering. He also holds FINRA Series 7, 63 and 79 licenses.

Jeffrey Kates is a Partner at The Founders Group, and President and Owner of JIK Consulting Inc., a business advisory services firm specializing in workouts and turnarounds, interim CFO work, and mergers and acquisitions. Previously, he was a CFO at a small, private health care company and medium-sized pharmaceutical company. In addition, he has consulted for Fortune 500 companies such as Barclays Capital, AT&T and Toys R Us. Jeffrey brings extensive accounting, financial reporting, operations and process improvement experience from a multitude of industries and corporate environments. For over 25 years, Jeffrey has advised companies through workouts and turnarounds. His strong professional intuition, business acumen and communication skills enable him to effectively collaborate with management and stakeholders and immediately add significant value to businesses.

Stephen Mancini is a tax attorney who focuses on asset protection, tax planning, estate planning, business succession, charitable planning and retirement issues. Recognized throughout the state for his in-depth knowledge, Stephen is a Certified Specialist in Wills, Trusts & Probate. Passionate about educating others in the tax industry, Stephen frequently educates financial planners, certified public accountants and attorneys on estate planning and wealth management. He is also an author whose work includes materials for courses accredited by the Estate and Wealth Strategies Institute at Michigan State University. Stephen is also a Principal of The Founders Group, a business strategies collaborative, and serves on Palomar Pomerado Health Foundation’s Planned Giving Advisory Council.

Ann Rosevear serves as President and Chief Trust Officer of Dunham Trust Company (DTC), where she structures and administers complex trusts for high-net-worth individuals and families. In her dual leadership role, she oversees DTC’s fiduciary, regulatory and compliance obligations while delivering attentive trustee services that address risk management, discretionary decisions, ongoing tax planning and coordination with co-trustees and professional advisors. With more than two decades of experience in trust and estate administration, asset protection and business planning, Ann has developed a reputation for guiding fiduciaries and beneficiaries through sophisticated wealth transfer and asset management strategies. Before joining DTC, she managed a multi-state practice at Walsh, Baker, Rosevear & Loomis, P.C that was focused on estate and business planning, probate and investment transfers. She also served as General Counsel to Nevada-based organizations. Ann is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Honors College. She is licensed to practice law in Nevada, Oregon, and Washington.

Joe Seetoo is a Partner and Senior Wealth Advisor at Morton Wealth in Calabasas, California, where he brings over 26 years of experience helping business owners and high-net-worth families Get the Most Life Out of Their Wealth®. Joe has been instrumental in developing Morton Wealth’s Strategist, a unique service that helps business owners make smart decisions as they build wealth and financially prepares those who are looking to transition or sell their business in the coming years. A Certified Financial Planner and Certified Exit Planning Advisor, he is a member of ProVisors, CFA Institute and Los Angeles Society of Financial Analysts. Joe has been named as one of the 200 most influential leaders in the Greater San Fernando Valley Region by the San Fernando Valley Business Journal for five consecutive years and awarded its Trailblazer Award. He founded the Conejo Valley chapter of the Exit Planning Institute and named its Exit Planner of the Year (2025), Thought Leader of the Year (2024) and Member of the Year (2023).

Melisa Silverman is a Partner at The Founders Group, a national firm specializing in business transition services for closely held companies. With a focus on minimizing operational disruption while maximizing business value, Melisa leads a collaborative, results-driven process that enhances cash flow, profitability, and strategic readiness for transition. She also serves as President of Avenue M Advisors, Inc., a boutique valuation and consulting firm providing services nationwide. Melisa brings over two decades of experience advising companies on valuation for a wide range of purposes, including partner buyouts, ESOP compliance, estate and gift tax, 409A compliance, and litigation support. Her practice extends to preparing businesses for sale, conducting due diligence, financial and operational assessments, and strategic planning. With a background in working with companies like Herman Miller’s Sonare Technologies, Peregrine Systems, and 3E Company, Melisa has played key roles in acquisitions, negotiations, and integration. Her industry focus includes retail, healthcare, utilities, transportation, and manufacturing. Melisa’s strategic insight and financial acumen make her a trusted advisor for business owners navigating transition, valuation, and long-term planning.

Jenny Tran is a Partner in Stradling’s Corporate & Securities Practice Group. Her areas of practice include mergers and acquisitions, and business and tax planning for privately held businesses. She counsels clients in entity design, business succession, risk management and allocation, corporate compliance and governance, and operations. Prior to joining Stradling, she was a partner at Brown & Streza LLP in Irvine, California. Jenny provides legal and tax guidance to advance practical business solutions. As external general counsel, she supports businesses across diverse sectors such as aerospace, energy, online digital media, insurance agencies, retail markets, pharmacies, hotel franchisees, fashion, cannabis, and food and beverage operations. Jenny is dedicated to assisting family-owned enterprises in safeguarding their legacies, sustaining growth, and fostering harmonious relationships among owners and operators. She actively collaborates with the trusted advisers of business owners and their families to adeptly devise, implement, and execute tailored solutions for tax efficiency, operational expansion and seamless business succession. Jenny is also a Director-at-Large of UC Irvine’s Alumni Association.