"Business Disaster Prevention: Protecting the Business, the Owner, and the Legacy"

Every business owner eventually faces the question: Should I continue—or should I sell? This program explores the emotional, financial, and strategic challenges behind that pivotal decision. Participants will gain insight into what truly drives business owners’ choices, how to recognize conflicting goals, and how to guide owners through a balanced decision-making process that aligns with both their values and their financial realities.

Through practical discussion points and real-world strategies, you’ll learn how to help clients:

• Define what they want their legacy to be

• Avoid financial pitfalls that endanger their business or loved ones

• Evaluate options for continuation, sale, or succession

• Structure effective buy-sell agreements and funding solutions

• Attract and retain key employees during times of transition

This session is ideal for professionals who work with, advise, or wish to serve business owners—whether in finance, law, consulting, or planning.

About Our Speaker:  John Wheeler, Jr is the current National Secretary of NAIFA.  As Agency Executive Senior Partner of Totus Wealth Management, John is a registered principal and financial advisor with Cetera Advisors LLC. With an extensive background in the financial services industry dating back to 1969, John supports the firm through seminars, advanced joint sales work, recruiting and the development of our financial planning endeavor. He is a Certified Financial Planner™ Practitioner, and has earned the Chartered Life Underwriter, Chartered Financial Consultant, Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor, Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow, Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor, LACP® and, CLTC® designations. A well-known speaker in the financial services industry and various Bar Associations, he has been quoted in such publications as Money Magazine, Life Insurance Selling, The National Underwriter, Insurance News Net, and The Journal of Financial Planning. He served on the faculty of the College for Financial Planning and has taught various Certification programs including the CRPC® and the CFP®. He is one of only a few people in the United States currently teaching the entire CFP® certification program, which he has been teaching since 1985. He was chosen as one of five individuals by the College to serve on the Adjunct Faculty Advisory Board. He has also taught for DePaul University for the Office of Continuing and Professional Education and has been a frequent lecturer for The Insurance Sales Institute at Purdue University. He served two terms as President of the DuPage Area Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, has served on the board since 1990, and currently serves as National Committeeman for NAIFA Chicagoland. In April of 2003, he was named Member of the Year and was inducted into their Hall of Fame. He also served on the NAIFA Texas Board. He served on the Carol Stream Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for over 30 years and served as President seven times. He served as Director of Professional Standards for the Institute of Certified Financial Planners. He then served as Director of Ethics and Education and Director of Governmental Affairs of the Financial Planning Association of Illinois. He is a past President of NAIFA Illinois, past National Trustee for NAIFA and currently serves as Secretary, past Chair of the Member Benefits Committee, Co-Chair of the Political Involvement Committee**. He was also a Board Member and past President of the Forum 400. John is quite active in his community as well. He is a past Vice-President and co-founding Director of the DuPage Habitat for Humanity** and was also Chief of the YMCA Indian Guides Cheyenne Tribe**.

REGISTER:  Online or via e-mail to Executive VP Joe Pittman at [email protected] or call 402-397-0280.  

This program is free for NAIFA and Lincoln EPC members and $20 for all non-members.  The program will provide one hour of CE for NE & IA Insurance, CFP, CLE (Legal) and CPE (Accounting), pending approvals.