DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND CONTINGENCY PLANNING FOR EXIT-READY BUSINESSES
This panel brings together an attorney, a P&C insurance professional, and an M&A expert to equip exit planning professionals with strategies to safeguard their clients’ businesses against disasters while enhancing future sale prospects. Focused on the intersection of legal resilience, insurance protection, and transactional readiness, the discussion will explore how proactive contingency planning preserves business value and buyer confidence. Drawing lessons from the recent Palisades Fire, which devastated over 5,000 structures and disrupted local businesses in January 2025, the panelists will share actionable insights to help advisors prepare clients for both recovery and a successful exit. Attendees will leave with practical tools to strengthen their clients’ disaster preparedness, ensuring they remain attractive to buyers even in the face of unforeseen challenges.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify Critical Components of Disaster Preparedness: Attendees will learn to recognize the essential legal, insurance, and contingency planning elements that protect a business’s value and appeal to buyers, using insights from the Palisades Fire as a real-world example.
- Advise Clients on Strengthening Exit Readiness: Participants will gain practical strategies from an attorney, P&C insurance expert, and M&A specialist to guide clients in building robust contingency plans that mitigate disaster risks and enhance sellability.
- Apply Lessons to Client Scenarios: Attendees will develop the ability to translate panel insights—such as the importance of succession plans, business interruption coverage, and documented recovery processes—into actionable recommendations for their clients facing potential disruptions.
About the Presenters:
Hear from industry expert James Reynolds.
Event Details
Who Should Attend?
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Attorneys
You have close relationships with clients, and can benefit from being the first advisor to introduce the idea of exit planning.
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CPAs/Accountants
Owners participating in the State of Owner Readiness research continue to indicate that you are the No. 1 "Most Trusted Advisor." You are a natural fit to lead the exit planning team and deepen your relationship (and retention) of next generation owners.
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Wealth Managers
You’re a skilled relationship person. Being entangled into your clients’ professional lives matters as you build a strategy to manage their wealth upon them harvesting it from their business. Exit planning allows you to build a deeper relationship with your client, expands your COI network, while giving you an early seat at table well before the liquidity event.
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Financial Advisors
One of the critical ‘legs of the stool’ is personal financing planning. An owner must have a strong financial plan & contingency plan post-transition to enable them to thrive in the next act of the lives personally and financially. Exit planning brings this future mindset into the present. Exit is now.
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Valuation Analysts
Valuation is both a billable engagement AND an opportunity to provide owners some perspective on how to accelerate value drivers (and deal with value killers). Use exit planning to make that valuation into a longer term value acceleration engagement.
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Investment Bankers
Only 2 of every 10 businesses that come to market actually sell. Learn how exit planning can bring attractive AND ready business to your purview.
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Estate Planners
Exit planning is a natural fit for estate planners who want to operate more holistically with their owner clients.
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Strategic Consultants
One of the most critical roles in exit planning is building transferable value. Strategic consultants have the ability to expand options and drive rapid business value that affect performance today.
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Insurance Professionals
Exit planning addresses the 5 D's. So do you. Approach the risk conversation differently with exit planning.
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Mergers & Acquisition Advisors
Proper exit planning causes less deals to fall through at the last minute. Connect with CEPAs to build your healthy deal flow network.
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Commercial Lenders
One of the best relationships a business owner makes is with their banker. How can you help your corporate clients think about the future and ensure financial continuity? Answer: exit planning.
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Family Business Advisors
More than 50% of lower middle market business owners would prefer to transition to the next generation. Help them succeed with exit planning strategies.
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Private Business Owners
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Other Professional Advisors
Regardless of your unique specialty, there is seat at the exit planning table for you. Learn more at www.EarnCEPA.com.
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Members of Family Business Boards
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Professional Advisors
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Other Business Professionals
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Business Consultants
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Business Owners
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Business Owners & Their Trusted Advisors
EXIT PLANNING IS GOOD BUSINESS STRATEGY
The Exit Planning Institute, provides Financial Advisors, Accountants, Consultants, and other advisors of business owners with the critical education to differentiate themselves and add value to their existing client relationships through a credential, conference, courses, and content. Download the CEPA brochure for more information.
ABOUT THE PRESENTER
Meet James Reynolds:
James Reynolds currently leads the North Los Angeles and Ventura Counties operations for BBSI.
James has spent the past 10 years with BBSI, leading and growing business units in Southern California and Colorado. During his time with BBSI, James has worked with countless business owners to help them operationalize their vision and is passionate about helping business owners be successful.
Prior to joining BBSI, James led a telecommunications services company. He has also owned and sold several successful small businesses including a commercial avocado ranch and a family frozen yogurt shop. In addition, James served 4-years in the US Marine Corps and spent 5-years as a Practitioner Faculty member for Apollo Education Group.
James’s most recent community involvement includes being an active member of ProVisors and the Exit Planning Institute. And previously, the Colorado Thought Leaders Forum, serving on the advisory board, Denver Advisory Board, serving as a peer Advisory Group Chair and on the presentation committee, and volunteering as a Judge and Mentor for Young American’s Center for Financial Excellence’s YouthBiz programs.
