Join the Denver Chapter of the Exit Planning Institute in February 2026 for an insightful panel discussion on tax strategies surrounding the business transition process. Our expert panel will explore how to proactively plan for and minimize taxes in the critical years before, during, and after a business sale—helping owners retain more of their hard-earned wealth. From entity structure and timing considerations to deal design and post-sale planning, you’ll gain practical guidance to ensure every phase of the transition supports optimal after-tax outcomes. This discussion will feature experienced professionals in tax planning, wealth management, and transaction strategy, offering a well-rounded perspective on how thoughtful coordination can make a seven-figure difference at exit.
Learning Objectives:
1. Identify key tax planning opportunities 1–2 years before a sale to reduce future tax liability.
2. Understand how transaction structure and timing impact the owner’s after-tax proceeds. 3. Explore strategies to defer, mitigate, or eliminate taxes through creative deal design.
4. Learn how post-sale planning—including reinvestment, charitable, and estate strategies—can protect and grow wealth.
5. Recognize how collaboration between tax, legal, and wealth advisors drives better outcomes for business owners.
About the Presenters:
Hear from industry experts Ryan Harris, David Haughton, and Benjamin Baker.
Thank you to our Sponsors
Event Location
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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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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Insurance Professionals
Exit planning addresses the 5 D's. So do you. Approach the risk conversation differently with exit planning.
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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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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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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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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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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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Private Business Owners
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Members of Family Business Boards
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Business Owners & Their Trusted Advisors
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Business Owners
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Other Business Professionals
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Business Consultants
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Professional 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
Benjamin Bender, CEPA | Carson Wealth
Benjamin Bender is a Partner & Wealth Advisor with Carson Wealth and a Certified Exit Planning Advisor who helps business owners align their personal, financial, and business goals. As both an advisor and business owner, he understands the complexities of succession planning, having
transitioned his own business and acquired another. At Carson Wealth, he provides exit planning, tax strategies, and financial guidance to help owners protect their legacy and exit on their terms.
David Haughten is the VP of Estate Planning at Carson Group. He helps advisors and high-net-worth families turn complex estate and tax planning challenges into clear, actionable strategies.
David is a former Senior Corporate Counsel at Wealth.com. Prior to joining Wealth, he worked for Commonwealth Financial Network - helping to provide thought leadership and financial planning support for advisors - including estate, trust, charitable, education, business, and social security planning strategies.
David is also a frequent speaker and writer on financial planning topics, including being featured in such publications as Michael Kitces’ Nerd’s Eye View blog, the Journal of Financial Planning, and InvestmentNews.
To start his career, David was an attorney in private practice in Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire. He has experience representing individuals and companies in bankruptcy, as well as engaging with many other general practice areas. For the latter part of his career in private practice, he exclusively practiced in the areas of elder law and estate planning and administration.
Ryan Harris, MBA, CFP®, EA, TPCP®, CKA®
Senior Tax Strategist & Wealth Advisor | Wigand Integrated Tax & Advisory
Ryan Harris is a Partner at Wigand Integrated Tax & Advisory, where he specializes in advanced tax strategy, business exit planning, and integrated wealth management for entrepreneurs and high-net-worth families. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional, Enrolled Agent (EA), Tax Planning Certified Professional® (TPCP®), and Certified Kingdom Advisor® (CKA®), Ryan helps clients minimize taxes, structure successful exits, and align wealth strategies with their broader life and legacy goals.
With a diverse background spanning leadership, coaching, and finance, Ryan integrates behavioral insight with technical expertise to simplify complex planning decisions. He works closely with business owners to design tax-efficient entity structures, optimize after-tax proceeds, and build sustainable transition and wealth-transfer strategies.
Before joining Wigand Integrated Wealth, Ryan spent a decade at Merrill Lynch and previously served as a U.S. Air Force officer, excelling in leadership and IT roles. He later founded a multimillion-dollar eCommerce business and has coached numerous C-suite executives and military leaders through his work in organizational development and leadership.
Ryan holds an MBA from the University of West Florida, a double major in Economics and Operations Research from the U.S. Air Force Academy, and has completed Ph.D. coursework (ABD) in Organizational Development and Leadership. He is actively involved in several nonprofits and, together with his family, is currently raising their fourth service dog for Freedom Service Dogs of America. Ryan lives in Colorado Springs with his wife, Debbie, and their two daughters, Zoe and Allie, where they enjoy mountain biking, skiing, fishing, and time at their lake property in Walsenburg, CO.