AMARILLO AREA ESTATE PLANNING COUNCIL

Amarillo Area Estate Planning Council's

Thirty-Second Annual Fall Institute

Wednesday October 30th, 2024

Amarillo Area Foundation Building

919 S Polk St, Amarillo - Buckingham Conference Room

Please join us for our 32nd Annual Fall Institute for a day of engaging speakers and meeting your fellow AAEPC members.

7:30 am – Registration and light breakfast

7:50 am - Welcome & Introduction

8:00 am to 11:30 am – Morning session

11:30 am to 12:30 pm – Lunch

12:30 pm to 5:00 pm – Afternoon session

Featured Speakers:

Jovan Glasgow, is renowned for his innovative PX3 Method, Jovan aligns personal and professional development with purpose. This method optimizes individual performance and fosters a unified, vibrant culture within organizations. For over a decade, Jovan has empowered Fortune 500 companies, crafting extraordinary teams committed to integrity and vitality. As a serial entrepreneur, strategist, and philanthropist, Jovan brings a wealth of knowledge to his programs. Recognized as one of this generation's most dynamic minds, his influence extends far and wide. Jovan's mission is guided by his powerful motto: "Don't allow people to dilute you simply because they can't digest you." This philosophy underscores his commitment to helping others embrace their full potential without compromise.

Tony Curatola, is the Joseph F. Ford Professor of Accounting and Tax at Drexel University in Philadelphia. Tony’s area of research is the taxation of individuals, small businesses owners, and retirement income. He has authored over 200 articles in his field and has completed sponsored research for external groups. His findings have appeared in media such as Forbes, The Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times. Dr. Curatola earned his B.S. in Accounting ’75 and MBA in Finance ‘77 from Drexel University, M.A. in Accounting ’79 from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and Ph.D. in Accounting ‘81 from Texas A&M University.

Dr. Holly Jeffreys, founded the Panhandle Family Care in 2009 in efforts to improve access to healthcare for rural residents of the Texas Panhandle. She continues to provide access to both primary care and psychiatric care for 4 rural health clinics in the surrounding areas. Holly completed a Bachelor and Master of Science in Nursing from West Texas A&M University and a Doctorate in Nursing Practice from the University of Texas Health Science Medical Center. Holly is a licensed EMT, RN, and APRN and Board certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Rural Health Clinic Professional. Holly currently serves on the leadership team for WTAMU in her role as the Dean for the College of Nursing and Health Sciences. Holly has been named Texas Panhandle Small Businessperson of the Year by U.S. Small Business Administration, Texas Nurse Practitioner of the Year by Texas Nurse Practitioners, and University of Texas Distinguished Alumni for which only 42 individuals have been awarded over the last 46 years. Holly and her husband love spending time with their 4 children and grandchildren as well as extended church family and friends. 

Laura Reyher, joined the Department of Nursing in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences in 2016. She received her BSN in Nursing from West Texas State University in 1978, and a MSN in Comprehensive Nursing from West Texas A&M University in 2016. Laura teaches Introduction to Nursing Skills, Pathophysiology, and assists with clinical rotations in Populations/Community Health. Laura coauthored an article in Nurse Educator magazine, "An End-of-Life Care Interdisciplinary Team Clinical Simulation Model". She serves on numerous civic and health-related Boards and is a frequent speaker and expert panelist for issues related to healthy living and aging, health literacy for caregivers, community health, and end-of-life care.

Christian S. Kelso, is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and equity partner at the Dallas law firm of Farrow-Gillespie Heath Wilmoth LLP, where he practices in the areas of estate planning, wealth preservation and transfer, probate, tax, and transactional corporate law. His primary focus is finding practical solutions for families and businesses to avoid costly, and often heartbreaking disputes in both the courtroom and the living room. His book, Building Your Castle: A practical guide for protecting your legacy, helps families avoid the disastrous ‘Family Power Vacuum’ that occurs when a family patriarch becomes disabled or passes away. Christian received both his J.D. and LL.M. (Taxation) from Southern Methodist University. He speaks German fluently and lives in East Dallas with his wife and two children. 

Gary Stringer, CFA, is Co-Founder of Stringer Asset Management, LLC (SAM). In his day-to-day role he serves as the President and Chief Investment Officer for the firm. Gary leads the portfolio management efforts for the Firm’s mutual funds and separately managed account portfolios. In this role, he works with the team to develop the Firm’s investment management process, strategic and tactical allocations, as well as security selection. Gary Stringer holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from the University of Maryland, as well as the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation, and is a member of the CFA Society of Memphis. Additionally, Mr. Stringer speaks at various industry conferences and is a frequent contributor to financial industry publications. When not working Gary likes to spend time with his large extended family, traveling internationally, attending live music events and almost anything that involves communing with nature and enjoying the great outdoors.

Jonathan Bernstein, CIMA® is Vice President and co-founder of Stringer Asset Management, LLC. In his day-to-day role, he serves as Sales & Marketing Director for the firm. Jonathan is responsible for leading the business development team, marketing and communication, as well as, working with key account partners and advisory teams. Prior to co-founding the firm., He is an accomplished and dynamic presenter with extensive experience in communications, project & operations management and is a frequent contributor to financial industry publications and hosts the “Real Investment Insights Podcast”. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Finance from Brooklyn College and holds the Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA®) designation. Jonathan currently lives in Katy, Texas with his wife Julie where they enjoy their time with extended family, friends and their three amazing children.

Paul Hood, obtained his undergraduate and law degrees from Louisiana State University and an LL.M. in taxation from Georgetown University Law Center. Paul has taught at the University of New Orleans, Northeastern University, The University of Toledo College of Law and Ohio Northern University Pettit College of Law. A frequent contributor to Leimberg Information Services since its inception, Paul is a highly sought after speaker and consultant due to his innate ability to see through complexities and explain difficult and even boring subjects in understandable and entertaining language. He minces no words in doing so. Along the way, Paul’s been a father, husband, lawyer, trustee, director, president, partner, trust protector, director of planned giving, expert witness, agent, professor, judge, juror and a defendant, and he uses his experience in these myriad roles to guide others.

Courses:

Jovan Glasgow - Adaptive Leadership Mastery - Enhance Fluidity and Resilience through Organizational Transitions: This program equips people leaders with the tools and mindset needed to navigate their teams through periods of organizational change with fluidity and resilience. Over the course of this two-part training, participants will explore the nature of both personal and organizational transitions, focusing on how these shifts impact team dynamics, individual behaviors, and leadership effectiveness. The first session covers transition challenges and typical team responses, while the second part delves into adaptive communication and management strategies to foster a flexible and resilient work environment. In this presentation, leaders will gain insights into the concept of fluidity in leadership, focusing on managing organizational transitions effectively. Attendees will learn practical strategies for guiding their teams through change with resilience and adaptability. Estate planning professionals will benefit by enhancing their leadership effectiveness, improving team dynamics, and managing transitions more constructively, both in their business and with clients.

Tony Curatola - Retirement Issues for Small Businesses in 2024-25: Congress holds the view that individuals do not save adequately for retirement in part due to the failure of small businesses to sponsor retirement plans. To stimulate this area, the SECURE Act of 2019 and the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 are signed into law making changes and additions to the retirement area. These acts are intended to encourage small businesses to sponsor retirement plans, to encourage employees to participate, and to encourage employers to contribute to the plans. Small business consultant and tax professionals provide tax services to small business owners, and as such, they need to be aware of the opportunities that are available for the employees and small business owners to save for retirement. This area is even more challenging considering the enactment of the SECURE Act in 2019 and the SECURE 2.0 Act. In addition to these legislative acts, Treasury has provided some interpretations and clarifications to some of these tax provisions. Congress, on the other hand, has proposed legislation titled the SECURE 2.0 Technical Corrections Act.

Dr. Holly Jeffreys & Laura Reyher - Mental Health Panel: This insightful presentation will delve into the intersection of mental health and estate planning. This session will cover an overview of common mental health conditions, where attendees will gain a foundational understanding of prevalent mental health issues and their potential impact on the decision-making processes. It will also help us recognize signs of mental health issues in clients and learn to identify early warning signs and symptoms of mental health challenges in your clients. The presentation will also provide practical tools, resources, and information that you can utilize to effectively manage and address mental health concerns in your professional practice.

Christian Kelso - What to Discuss When Your Client Wants to Make Charitable Gifts: This presentation is designed to assist planners as they help clients navigate tax and other issues in the context of charitable giving. The presentation begins by distinguishing planned giving from other charitable giving, and describing its benefits. It then covers various tax implications donors should consider before making a gift. Next, it discusses how a donor (and their advisor) might distinguish between more and less favorable donees. Then, it provides insight into the best assets to give to charity. An examination of various methods for making charitable gifts comes after that. Finally, the presentation takes a step back to look at other factors which a charitably-minded client should be thinking about. The presentation is intended to offer 45min-1hr of credit for continuing educational credits.

Gary Stringer and Jonathan Bernstein - Behavioral Finance From Theory To Practice: Volatile markets coupled with 24/7 media coverage can create significant behavioral challenges for investors and financial professionals alike. Attitudes toward financial markets can distract from sound planning as emotions shift from fear of the market to fear of missing out (FOMO) and back again. Stringer Asset Management has spent decades developing their investment process in a way that addresses many of the behavioral biases that cause investors to fail. Gary Stringer will lead a compelling guided conversation, delving into some of the most common and egregious behavioral errors and outline some real techniques to address them.

Paul Hood - Yours, Mine and Ours – Planning for Blended Families: Officially since the 2010 United States Census, blended families are the most common family form in the country. This obviously means that counseling clients who have blended families on the best planning strategies for their families is more important now than ever before. The problem is that many of the tried-and-true go-to dispositive schemes and techniques, e.g., joint tenancy, can absolutely be disastrous for blended families and often result in disinheriting either the children of the first partner to die, or that surviving partner-and the vexatious emotional litigation that too often ensues-including malpractice actions against their former estate planners. In particular, there are a number of important drafting considerations that estate planners need to know! And long-time LISI teammate Paul Hood has been studying, thinking about, and speaking and writing about estate planning for blended families for more than 30 years, and he has lots to say!!! And he brings specific drafting language to explain!!!

CE has been approved for ABA (8.75 CTFA, 1.25 CISP, 5 CRSP credits), CPE 8.75 credits, TX MCLE 7 credit hours, and CFP 5 credit hours (2 hours still pending approval).

Fees:

Members - $250

Non-Member - $350

Questions, please contact Sheena Martinez at 757-714-4276 or aaepc1@gmail.com

Please Note: We will not be able to provide refunds for cancellations after October 16th or for no-shows.