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EPI Welcomes the Mahoning-Shenango Valley Chapter

Written by Maggie Hughes | Apr 29, 2024 6:00:00 PM

The Exit Planning Institute (EPI) is thrilled to announce the newest addition to our extensive network of chapters: the Mahoning-Shenango Valley Chapter! Their expansion signifies our commitment to providing valuable resources and support to advisors, experts, and business owners across diverse communities. 

The Chapter's Beginning 

Louis V. Colella is the President of the Mahoning-Shenango Valley Chapter. He became a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA ®) in December 2020. Since becoming a CEPA, he saw a need for exit planning in his community.  “As part of EPI, our chapter addresses the growing need for competent advisors amidst economic development. The influx of businesses, coupled with the transition needs of boomers and GenXers, underscores the importance of our mission” Louis shared. The decision to establish the chapter was driven by the recognition of the growing talent shortages and challenges faced by businesses in the Mahoning-Shenango Valley area due to the influx of significantly sized companies. Additionally, with many successful businesses owned by the boomer and GenX generations, there is a clear need for competent advisors to guide them through successful transitions. 

Mission of the Chapter 

Like many of EPI’s chapters, Louis hopes to have a gathering place for CEPAs and advisors alike. “The Chapter will serve to gather competent subject matter experts involved in the exit planning area, sponsor valuable content and events, and provide a platform for education and service delivery to business owners interested in optimizing their business transition and exit strategies” Louis says. He continued, saying that the chapter “will serve as a delivery system for the robust resources of the EPI community for the benefit of business owners and the communities in which they operate.” 

Energy, Excitement, Interest, and Community

The new chapter aims for “Higher awareness of the value of business growth and transition planning in the community and for business owners, better and more competent advisors who are collaborating as teams of advisors for their clients, changing the outcome to have a majority of businesses successfully transition to new ownership to continue the trajectory of business services to the community, and to accelerate the economic and community brand to attract the necessary talent for all organizations requiring it.” 

Launch Event Details

Date: Wednesday, May 22, 2024 

Location: Avalon Country Club in Vienna, OH 

Time: 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm EST 

Louis expresses his hopes for the launch event: “That they will come back to future Chapter events to learn more about the mission, and how they can add value or learn more.  We’d like 100 people or more to attend the launch event, and at least 40 – 50 to commit to become involved in the Chapter activities planned for the future.” 

Register for the EPI Mahoning-Shenango Valley Chapter Launch 

Growing EPI Chapters

Join us for the launch of the Mahoning-Shenango Valley Chapter and be part of shaping the future of business transitions in our community. Together, we can ensure the continued prosperity of businesses and the economic growth of our region. For more information and to register for the event, visit the Mahoning-Shenango Valley Chapter page. 

Interested in starting a chapter in your area? Fill out our EPI Chapter President Application today!