BEPC Education Program: "Business Valuations & Connelly Decision Impact"
Sponsored by Alex Brown
AGENDA
07:00 - 08:00 Breakfast and Networking
08:00 - 10:00 Program
ABOUT THE PROGRAM: Business Valuations & Connelly Decision Impacts
Ryan Patton will be presenting a comprehensive two-hour discussion on changes and challenges related to buy-sell planning as a result of the Connelly case. We will discuss strategies to mitigate risk of a similar results for business owners with alternative planning implementation options. Ryan will present on the importance of helping business owners align their succession goals and objectives with their need to address the changed landscape of buy-sell planning. He will also review a key starting point for this discussion, what is my business worth, the informal business valuation process and need. During this discuss, we will cover opportunities to help secure the business’s value during transition, ways to maximize the owner’s walk away value and items impacting business valuation. He will provide insights into use of life insurance, purpose trusts, entity structures and items related to the recent One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Leaning Objectives:
- Understand the pitfalls the Connelly’s experienced.
- Understand alternative buy-sell structures and their impact on taxes and liquidity planning.
- Understand the informal business valuation process and planning strategies to help secure business owner value.
Additional items are below as to what all we will cover in this session (if that helps a little more).
Succession planning – Buy-sell planning after Connelly
In 2024, the buy-sell planning marketplace received one of the largest court rulings in recent history, the Connelly case. The Connelly case has altered the buy-sell planning that many have utilized for their succession planning needs. This case has opened the door for alternative designs to accomplish succession planning needs but has also complicated existing plans. In the session, we will explore the Connelly case and the resulting planning many are pivoting to.
The flow of our discussions will be the following:
- Review of the Connelly case (do’s, don’ts, and other observations),
- Alternatives to consider for succession planning (cross-purchase, life insurance LLC’s, trusteed arrangements, etc.),
- How to deal with existing entity owned buy-sell’s,
- Top markets for this discussion and how to approach them
Business valuation- understanding your walkaway number
The past 4 years have certainly impacted business owners in a ways that have not been seen in recent history. Given the numerous changes impacting businesses, many business owners have experienced sizable changes to their business valuation. In this session, we will dive into what changes have resulted in shifts to business valuation, how to protect and enhance the valuation of a business and other hot topics impacting business owners in the current market.
The flow of our discussions will be the following:
- What market changes have impacted valuation,
- Our process to assist with informal business valuation,
- How to help secure the business owner’s walk away number,
- Top markets for this discussion and how to approach them
ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Ryan Patton is a Field Director for Pacific Life’s Advanced Designs Unit, a highly recognized team of advanced-markets experts in the life-insurance industry. Through his research, he composes marketing materials and related documents on advanced-planning strategies. He also conducts continuing education and marketing seminars on advanced-market topics such as business, estate, agricultural, and charitable planning. Ryan also supports Pacific Life’s Business Insurance Solutions (BIZ) Platform, which is designed to provide life-insurance producers with the resources they need to sell life insurance in the business market.
Ryan joined Pacific Life’s Advanced Designs Unit in 2024. Prior to joining Pacific Life, he worked at two large insurance companies, where he led teams of financial planners focused on business and agricultural planning. His career started in the banking sector, during which time he held various positions. In addition, he has a background as a financial advisor. Ryan received his bachelor’s degree in economics from Ohio State University, an MBA with a specialization in finance from Ashland University, and his juris doctor from Capital University Law School.
Outside of work, Ryan is an avid fan of motorcycles and formula one racing. He lives in Lexington, Ohio, with his wife, Nicole, and their three children.
Two Meeting Requirement: To maintain membership in the Baltimore Estate Planning Council, active members are required to attend at least two (2) IN-PERSON educational meetings annually.
Cancellation Policy: Reservations must be canceled in writing or by e-mail and received no later than Friday, September 19, 2025.
