Each year, the Exit Planning Institute® (EPI) recognizes a distinguished group of individuals whose contributions have helped shape the field of exit planning and elevate the Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA®) profession.
The Circle of Excellence honors those who have demonstrated a lasting commitment to advancing the profession through leadership, innovation, and meaningful impact on business owners, advisors, and the broader exit planning community.
The 2026 inductees represent pioneers, educators, and advocates whose work continues to influence how exit planning is practiced today.
Scott Miller
Scott Miller is recognized as a foundational contributor to the development of exit planning education and Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP) strategy. Scott has spent decades helping business owners understand value, ownership transition, and strategic growth.
As a nationally recognized authority on valuation, mergers and acquisitions, and ESOPs, Scott has advised hundreds of companies and contributed to the professional development of advisors across the country.
His influence extends deeply into the Exit Planning Institute, where he is recognized by EPI Chairman Christopher Snider as a pioneer in the profession. His legacy is one of building both the technical foundation and the community that supports the profession today.
Mike Trabert
Mike Trabert has made a lasting impact on the exit planning profession through his dedication to business owner education and the Value Acceleration Methodology™. As a leader in advisory services and exit planning, Mike has worked with companies ranging from startups to multinational organizations, helping owners build, grow, and ultimately transition their businesses.
He is the creator and long-time host of the Owners’ Roundtable series, an enduring program that continues to bring business owners together for peer-driven learning, strategic insight, and actionable planning. These workshops have become a cornerstone experience for owners seeking to better understand and maximize the value of their businesses.
Through his work, Mike has helped owners shift their perspective from day-to-day operations to long-term value creation, reinforcing the importance of proactive exit planning. Mike was recognized as the Exit Planner of the Year in 2017 by the Exit Planning Institute.
Hal Dursema
Hal Dursema is recognized for his pioneering role in bringing exit planning into the institutional wealth management space. As the first CEPA at a major wirehouse, Hal was instrumental in introducing and advancing the credential within UBS, helping to establish exit planning as a critical component of advisor-client conversations.
His leadership helped bridge the gap between traditional financial advisory services and holistic exit planning, expanding awareness and adoption of the CEPA designation within large firms. By championing this work early, Hal played a key role in legitimizing exit planning at scale and opening the door for broader industry integration.
Joe Strazzeri
Joe Strazzeri is a multi-award-winning CEPA whose influence spans the exit planning profession, the CEPA community, and the family governance space. Known for his commitment to both technical excellence and human-centered planning, Joe has helped redefine how advisors approach the intersection of business, personal, and legacy planning.
His work has had a profound impact on the development of advisors and the advancement of best practices within the profession. Through his leadership, mentorship, and contributions to the CEPA community, Joe continues to elevate the standard for what it means to serve business owners holistically. He also serves as a member of the EPI Thought Leadership Council.
Dedicated to Excellence
The Circle of Excellence is an ongoing recognition of those who have helped define and advance the exit planning profession, and the 2026 inductees exemplify the leadership, innovation, and dedication that continue to shape the future of exit planning.
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