English is the official language of the 2025 MDRT Top of the Table Annual Meeting.
At some point, nearly every advisor will deal with buying, merging or transitioning a business. Gain lessons on each practice continuation from MDRT members with extensive experience and insight.
Darren Patrick Ryan, CFP, CLU, is the insurance and estate planning subject matter expert at Ryco Financial Inc. He has been providing professional financial advice for more than 10 years and specializes in helping professionals meet their investment goals and insurance needs, with a special segment of his practice tailored toward physicians and health care professionals. He was appointed to Manulife's Insurance Advisory Council and Digital Advisory Council in 2019 and was recently included in the Top 40 under 40 Rising Stars by Wealth Professional Canada.
David C. Blake is the founder and president of an insurance enrollment firm that creates and supports voluntary benefit offerings for dozens of health care organizations across the U.S. Blake has sold more than 20,000 individual disability insurance policies to health care professionals. He credits his success to having built a national network of affiliated producers who can provide local service to policyholders as well as seek out educational resources to support his growing network while he focuses on his unique skill sets.
You may have heard of the MDRT Academy, but do you know how it can help you? David C. Blake moderates as Robert Cullen, FSCP, MBA, and Dana Mitchell, CFP, CLU, share how they’ve leveraged the MDRT Academy in their practices as a low-cost investment and how it can assist established advisors in different aspects of staffing and training.
Ellis N. Liddell, BS, is an author, motivational speaker and team leader who values dedication, service and excellence. As an award-winning advisor, his belief that God gives power to those who empower themselves is at the forefront of all he teaches. His hard work as a scholar and athlete set the foundation for a celebrated career in banking and financial services. He was the first African American to be the No. 1 producer at National Life Group as well as Investors Capital Corporation.
There are two primary ways to learn, Liddell says: mentors or mistakes, and mentors are lot cheaper. Discover why providing apprenticeships to other advisors can be a huge boost — not just for them but you and your business as well.
Eric David Brotman, CFP, AEP, is chief executive officer of BFG Financial Advisors. He began his financial planning practice in 1994 and founded Brotman Financial Group in 2003, which later became BFG Financial Advisors. He and his team focus on supporting families and individuals by providing comprehensive financial planning and wealth management services.
For any advisor who owns a practice, Brotman says, succession planning is crucial — not just for the end of your career but to ensure the continuity of your practice at any stage. He shares five key succession strategies for financial advisors, from the role of second-generation leaders (G2) to understanding internal vs. external succession options, as well as when you should begin planning and important steps to take early to ensure a smooth transition.
Francis J. Ryan, CEBS, CFP, is the group benefits and group retirement solutions subject matter expert at Ryco Financial Inc. He joined Ryco in 2016 following a five-year career as a geoscientist in the energy industry. His diverse background in science and business gives him a unique perspective in understanding and implementing financial strategies aligned with clients' goals and objectives. Ryan was awarded the National Associate Advisor Award in 2018, 2019 and 2020 by Manulife Wealth Insurance Services Inc., and was appointed to Manulife's Insured Investments Advisory Council in 2019.
Gregory K. Large, CLU, ChFC, is a founding member of Lenox Advisors, where he currently serves as president. Since 1999, Large has focused on building a client-centric wealth management platform to service clients across the country. His primary role today is centered on the strategic growth of Lenox Advisors, including the integration of evolving technology, strategic partnerships, and the expansion of the Lenox capabilities suite and national footprint. He has been quoted in The Wall Street Journal and Advisor Today, has appeared on Bloomberg Television and received recognition multiple times by Forbes magazine as a top financial security professional.
How can you develop a business model that promotes sustainability and greater embedded value with recurring income? MDRT members share techniques that have led them to do just that.
Jason L. Smith is an acclaimed speaker, financial planner, bestselling author, coach and entrepreneur who founded his holistic financial services practice in 1995. He is also the founder of C2P Enterprises, a holding company comprised of four distinct brands designed to simplify financial planning for advisors and their clients. He made his firm a process-driven company so it could operate with or without him, and he helps other advisors implement similar processes. He recently authored “The Rainmaker Multiplier: How to Create a Self-Sustaining, Scalable Financial Planning Business,” which outlines the development of these processes.
There comes a time when, as a business owner, an advisor must ask themselves how they can take their practice to the next level. Smith shows how an outlined advisor career path and compensation program can help advisors find success in attracting, retaining and rewarding top talent to advance their practice, provide a consistent client experience and create a lasting legacy.
Juli Y. McNeely, CFP, CLU, grew up in the financial services profession, watching her mother and father serve clients. She currently is an owner of Financial Clarity by Design, an independent firm founded by her father, while also growing her personal coaching practice, Juli McNeely Consulting LLC. She became NAIFA’s first female president in 2014 and was awarded the WIFS Woman of the Year award in 2015. In 2016, McNeely released “No Necktie Needed: A Woman’s Guide to Success in Financial Services.”
