Orlando Succession Planning

Articles by Loyd

Loyd H. Rawls is one of the nation’s leading succession planners. Since 1973, Loyd and his partners have provided business succession services for the owners and key executives of closely held, capital intensive, privately held businesses throughout the country. Loyd has continued to enhance his practice, by confirming theories regarding the critical factors that impact business succession and the role key managers play in a succession initiative. In 2000, Loyd developed the concept of an analytical tool to help business planning professionals evaluate Succession Success™ positioning with their clients, and subsequently co-founded the International Succession Planning Association®.

A native of Fayetteville, NC, Loyd is a graduate of North Carolina State University. After serving 4 years as an officer in the United States Air Force, Loyd moved to Orlando and began a career as a financial planner. In 1973, Loyd founded The Rawls Company, known today as The Rawls Group, a business succession firm. Loyd has achieved designations of Certified Chartered Life Underwriter, Chartered Financial Consultant and earned his Master of Science in Financial Services from the American College.

Loyd is a requested speaker by local, state and national organizations, and an avid writer, publishing five succession-focused books: Seeking Succession; How to Continue the Family Business Legacy, The Succession Bridge; Key Manager Alternatives for Family Owned Businesses, Your Golden Goose, The Family Business Council, and Estate of Mine. Loyd’s columns are frequently featured in Family Business Magazine, BottomLine Business, DEALER Magazine, Multi Unit Franchise Report and RV News.

Dan has been a member of The Rawls Group since 1990 and is the Director of Research & Plan Design. Dan offers extensive knowledge and support to our planning team, with a specific focus in the areas of asset management programs, investment planning analysis and non-qualified deferred compensation plans.

Prior to his work with The Rawls Group, Dan was an account executive with a major Wall Street brokerage firm. Dan earned an A.S. in Business from New York State University at Delhi and a B.S. in Finance from Pennsylvania State University.

Articles by Champ

Being a member of a family business, Champ has unique insight into the difficulties, challenges, and triumphs that our clients face when combining family and business. Champ has been an official member of The Rawls Group since 2012, although it could be said that he became a part of the team in 1984, when he was born into the family business. With a background in finance, and his personal understanding of family dynamics, Champ is technically proficient in the financial planning field and uniquely capable working with closely held businesses.

Champ earned his undergraduate degree from Denison University in Granville, Ohio, with a major in Economics. Champ began his career outside of The Rawls Group, working for Capitas Financial, providing consultative financial advice for affluent families. Champ is insurance licensed and holds his Series 6 and 63 investment licenses; he is also a Chartered Life Underwriter®.

Articles by Jéan

Jéan Venant has a passion for helping business owners achieve their goals of building lifelong sustainability and building their legacy.  He works with clients ensuring their dreams are realized and that their hard work thrives and lives through future generations of the business. Jéan understands the importance of relationships. His background provides expert insight into what business owners go through, and the unique circumstances impacting their lives behind the curtain of business.

Having worked as a manufacturer representative to retail automobile dealers Jéan developed extensive expertise in strategic planning and enhancing business performance.  As a business owner, he appreciates the challenges involved in ownership first-hand. He understands the importance of hiring right and developing talent to support the organizational culture, the impact to the local community and building and achieving business goals. He also has a unique understanding of the influence of the owner’s leadership style and how it impacts business structure, management productivity and family dynamics.

Jéan holds a degree in Organizational Management and lives in Orlando, FL. Having a heart for community service, Jéan has volunteered for Orange County Public Schools; he is also an avid musician and a happy husband and father.

Denise provides insight, support and direction for clients’ technical issues as they relate to the Succession Matrix®. With over 20 years’ experience, Denise combines her passion for helping clients and her knowledge of estate planning techniques to better serve our clients’ needs. She analyzes the technical aspects of planning and translates them into manageable, easy-to-understand formats.

Denise is a Certified Financial Planner™ professional with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Tampa. She enjoys spending time with her extensive family, and she embraces the quiet solitude of gardening for introspection and rejuvenation. Denise has a zest for travel to different countries, which extends to her participation in several mission trips with her church.

Michelle oversees The Rawls Group’s insurance and account servicing department. With over thirteen years’ experience, Michelle provides direct product, underwriting and account support for clients, and is an integral member of our support team.
Michelle has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida and is an avid college football fan. Michelle enjoys spending time with her family and being outdoors. You can find Michelle on the soccer fields with her kids, swimming and working out, or at the pool or beach.