--- title: Meet the EPI Thought Leadership Council description: The EPI Thought Leadership Council is a select group of highly successful advisors whose knowledge is valuable to other advisors. image: https://blog.exit-planning-institute.org/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/06-22-ThoughtLeadershipTeam-Instagram.jpg --- ![exit planning institute](https://blog.exit-planning-institute.org/hs-fs/hubfs/logos/EPI_Exit-Planning-Institute_shield_white.png?width=60&height=64&name=EPI_Exit-Planning-Institute_shield_white.png) ## THE EXIT PLANNING BLOG Keep up-to-date with exit planning, succession planning, industry trends, unique specialty insights, and useful content for professional advisors and business owners. [![home](https://blog.exit-planning-institute.org/hubfs/EPI-Assets-2022/blog/home.png) ](https://blog.exit-planning-institute.org/) #### Share this [Share on Twitter ](https://twitter.com/share?url=https://blog.exit-planning-institute.org/meet-the-epi-thought-leadership-council&text=Meet%20the%20EPI%20Thought%20Leadership%20Council) [Share on Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://blog.exit-planning-institute.org/meet-the-epi-thought-leadership-council&t=Meet%20the%20EPI%20Thought%20Leadership%20Council) [Share on LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.exit-planning-institute.org/meet-the-epi-thought-leadership-council&t=Meet%20the%20EPI%20Thought%20Leadership%20Council) # Meet the EPI Thought Leadership Council by [**Colleen Kowalski**](https://blog.exit-planning-institute.org/author/colleen-kowalski) on June 23, 2022 ![](https://blog.exit-planning-institute.org/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/06-22-ThoughtLeadershipTeam-Instagram.jpg) The Exit Planning Institute community is comprised of over 3,500 Certified Exit Planning Advisors (CEPAs). As our community continues to grow, we have formed the EPI Thought Leadership Council to provide business owners and advisors with more direct access to our CEPAs.      The EPI Thought Leadership Council is made up of a select group of highly successful advisors whose work exemplifies the Value Acceleration Methodology and whose insight and knowledge are valuable to other advisors.  Scott Snider shares, “We’re grateful to these 14 experts who have offered to share their deep knowledge and insight with the larger advisor community and the media. We’re hopeful that this initiative will help more advisors seek out ways to better help their business owner clients build value over the lifetime of their businesses and achieve a more successful exit.” Council Members serve as extensions of Exit Planning Institute in the media to represent the Value Acceleration Methodology. As thought leaders, these advisors are viewed as trusted sources for reporters and journalists.   Meet the inaugural members of the EPI Thought Leadership Council below.  [![Brian Baum](https://blog.exit-planning-institute.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Headshot_Brian-Baum_263x280-1.jpg?width=263&height=280&name=Headshot_Brian-Baum_263x280-1.jpg)](https://www.linkedin.com/in/briandbaum/) ### Brian Baum **Managing Director, Interchange Capital Partners** Brian is the Managing Director of Interchange Capital Partners. In this role, he oversees strategic initiatives of the company with a specific focus on the Family Business and Entrepreneur client segment. His focus is on helping owners think through, build and execute a value acceleration and transition strategy for the shareholders. The future of each owner, their family, and their business are addressed by exit planning through creating value today. --- [![](https://blog.exit-planning-institute.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/2022_Headshot_Darren-Cherry.jpg?width=263&name=2022_Headshot_Darren-Cherry.jpg)](https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrencherry/) ### Darren Cherry **Area President, FocusCFO** Darren has more than 30 years of diverse business, management, operations finance, and accounting expertise across a broad range of industries. Darren’s background includes senior roles expanding market share across continents and channels and designing improved operations, marketing, and finance practices in both private equity and public traded environments with Honeywell, Komatsu Ltd, Connell Limited Partnership, Green Earth Technology, Gary-Chicago Regional Airport Authority, and Greif, Inc. --- [![](https://blog.exit-planning-institute.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/kyle-danner-263x280-1.jpg?width=263&height=280&name=kyle-danner-263x280-1.jpg)](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyleldanner/) ### Kyle Danner **Professional EOS Implementer** Kyle Danner began his entrepreneurial career in his family’s printing company, where he became an owner and helped the firm grow from $2million to $18+million in revenue. He then made the difficult decision to leave it all behind. Today, Kyle combines his experience as a former business owner, his knowledge as a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA), and his skills as a Professional EOS Implementer® to help business owners build a better businesses and live a better life. --- [![](https://blog.exit-planning-institute.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Julie-Keyes-Headshot-263x280-1.jpg?width=263&height=280&name=Julie-Keyes-Headshot-263x280-1.jpg)](https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliekeyes/) ### Julie Keyes **Founder and Owner, KeyesStrategies** Julie Keyes is the founder and owner of KeyeStrategies, LLC and has been an entrepreneur for the majority of her life. As the founder and operator of several companies, she understands what keeps an owner up at night and the balancing act required to work both ‘in’ and ‘on’ the business.  Having outside perspective and mentoring made all the difference for her, as she spent years growing and improving her companies before selling and becoming a business adviser in 2011. --- [![](https://blog.exit-planning-institute.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/JG-barn-313x370-1.png?width=263&name=JG-barn-313x370-1.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/in/justingoodbread/) ### Justin Goodbread **Chief Strategy Officer, WealthSource Partners, LLC** Justin’s relatable and effective educational style has thrust him onto the national stage, garnering him multiple awards and accolades including inclusion on Investopedia’s list of Top 100 Financial Advisors four years in a row. In 2009, Justin founded the boutique financial planning firm, Heritage Investors, following years of working in a large wealth management firm. And now, Justin works with business owners at WealthSource Partners as their Chief Strategy Officer. --- [![Rich Gunn](https://blog.exit-planning-institute.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Rich__Gunn_263-280-1.png?width=263&height=280&name=Rich__Gunn_263-280-1.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/in/rigunn/) ### Rich Gunn **Partner, BPM** Rich is a CPA and a CEPA who has been helping business owners succeed for over 25 years. With a background in tax, experience in accounting, and a focus on early-stage exit planning, Rich is a forward-thinking advisor who helps business owners with thoughtful advice that goes far beyond accounting. --- [![](https://blog.exit-planning-institute.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Sean-Hutchinson-263x280-1.jpg?width=263&height=280&name=Sean-Hutchinson-263x280-1.jpg)](https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanphutchinson/) ### Sean Hutchinson **Partner, RFN Global ** Over Sean Hutchinson’s 30-plus years in business, the most valuable lessons he has learned have been from business owners who generously shared their stories of success and struggle. They have allowed him to offer insights and guidance based on first-hand experiences. Sean has founded more than half a dozen companies, all of them with partners, some more successful than others. He is a founding partner in RFN Global, an interconnected, collection of solutions for transitioning business owners, their communities, and the professionals who advise them.  --- [![](https://blog.exit-planning-institute.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Vincent-Mastrovito-Headshot-EPAP.jpg?width=263&height=280&name=Vincent-Mastrovito-Headshot-EPAP.jpg)](https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincent-b-mastrovito-cepa%C2%AE-cebc%C2%AE-cvga%C2%AE-2b2321168/) ### Vincent Mastrovito **Founder and President, Prometis Partners** Vincent is the founder and president of Prometis Partners. He began his career in 1989 providing wealth management services to businesses and individuals. After two decades with Lincoln Financial Group, confident in his own experience, Vincent built his own firm, Prometis Partners. During his years as an independent succession planning advisor, Vincent has discovered his true passion for working closely with business owners on exit planning strategies. He brings his experience and enthusiasm for finding solutions to each new challenge. --- [![](https://blog.exit-planning-institute.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/2022_Mike-McGrann-Headshot-263x280-2.jpg?width=263&height=280&name=2022_Mike-McGrann-Headshot-263x280-2.jpg)](https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-mcgrann-302b6915/) ### Mike McGrann **Partner and Senior Consultant, The Telos Group** Mike has worked with family firms and family offices from across the world. He teaches and coaches in the areas of entrepreneurship, strategic planning, and family enterprise. He serves on the Board of several growing companies and is the founding partner of The TELOS Group, a consulting firm focused on growth and transition strategies for enterprising families. --- [![](https://blog.exit-planning-institute.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Linda-Ruffenach-Headshot.jpg?width=263&height=280&name=Linda-Ruffenach-Headshot.jpg)](https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindaruffenach/) ### Linda Ruffenach **Chief Strategist, Execuity Value Advisors, ** Linda’s purpose is to use her gifts, experience, and knowledge to guide current and future business owners to maximize their potential. Her 20+ years of C-level experience growing a $100 million business, enables her to relate to the challenges business owners face every day. She founded Execuity Value Advisors and Whisky Chicks in the same year. Both companies embrace the idea that knowledge and experience breed confidence.  --- [![Joe Seetoo](https://blog.exit-planning-institute.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Joe-Seetoo-263-280-1.jpg?width=263&height=280&name=Joe-Seetoo-263-280-1.jpg)](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jseetoo/) ### Joe Seetoo **Partner, Senior Vice President, Morton Wealth** Joe Seetoo is a Partner & Sr VP. with 23 years of experience in providing wealth management for affluent business owners and high-net-worth families. Prior to joining Morton Capital Management in August 2007, he served as the Director of Investment Research for Georgina Asset Management, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor located in Santa Monica, CA from September 2003 until July 2007, and as the Director of Operations from May 2000 until September 2003. Joe Seetoo began his investment career with Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., Inc. in 1998.   --- [![](https://blog.exit-planning-institute.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/2022_Headshot_Michael-Sheppard.jpg?width=263&name=2022_Headshot_Michael-Sheppard.jpg)](https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelssheppard/) ### Michael Sheppard **Group Vice President, Thrivent ** Michael S. Sheppard, CFP®, CPFA, CEPA is the Group Vice President at Thrivent and the founder of IronwoodDrive Financial Group, LLC (IFG). Michael is responsible for the thought leadership, strategic direction & pursuit of driving Thrivent’s mission while always reflecting the markets they serve. Sheppard has 15+ years of experience as a financial advisor and leader in the financial services industry. --- [![](https://blog.exit-planning-institute.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Joe-Strazzeri-263x280-1-1.jpg?width=263&height=280&name=Joe-Strazzeri-263x280-1-1.jpg)](https://www.linkedin.com/in/joestrazzeri/) ### Joe Strazzeri **Partner, Strazzeri Mancini** Joe Strazzeri is a Counselor and Attorney for Successful Families and Business Owners. An educator for Wealth Advisors. Speaker and Author. Through four unique brands and with his partners, Joe educates wealth advisors, assists business owners to find “what’s next,” counsels families toward alignment, as well as protects families and their assets.  --- [![](https://blog.exit-planning-institute.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/2019_Headshot_Updated_Amy-Wirtz_263x280-2-2.jpg?width=263&height=280&name=2019_Headshot_Updated_Amy-Wirtz_263x280-2-2.jpg)](https://www.linkedin.com/in/amywirtzcepa/) ### Amy Wirtz **Consultant, The Family Business Consulting Group** Amy Wirtz is a consultant with The Family Business Consulting Group specializing in shareholder value enhancement, business planning processes, and transition implementation of management, leadership, or ownership of a business. Her passion stems from growing up in her grandparents’ second-generation business, surrounded by the complex matters a family business presents. Learn more about the EPI Thought Leadership Council and see how you can utilize their expertise in your next article, podcast, conference, or business engagement at [EPIThoughtLeadership.com](https://exit-planning-institute.org/about-us/epi-thought-leadership-council/).  Topics: [Blog](https://blog.exit-planning-institute.org/tag/blog) [CEPA](https://blog.exit-planning-institute.org/tag/cepa) [CEPA community](https://blog.exit-planning-institute.org/tag/cepa-community) [Leadership](https://blog.exit-planning-institute.org/tag/leadership) [exit planning](https://blog.exit-planning-institute.org/tag/exit-planning) [EPI Thought Leadership Council](https://blog.exit-planning-institute.org/tag/epi-thought-leadership-council) #### Share this [Share on Twitter ](https://twitter.com/share?url=https://blog.exit-planning-institute.org/meet-the-epi-thought-leadership-council&text=Meet%20the%20EPI%20Thought%20Leadership%20Council) [Share on Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://blog.exit-planning-institute.org/meet-the-epi-thought-leadership-council&t=Meet%20the%20EPI%20Thought%20Leadership%20Council) [Share on LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.exit-planning-institute.org/meet-the-epi-thought-leadership-council&t=Meet%20the%20EPI%20Thought%20Leadership%20Council) - 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