Lawrence S. Rybka - Chairman, Associated Consulting Services
Larry Rybka is a nationally recognized marketing and management consultant to the financial services industry. As Founder and Chairman of Associated Consulting Services, a national consulting group, he has worked with the world’s largest banks, stock brokerage firms, law firms, property & casualty insurance brokers and life insurance companies. His unique system for developing high net worth life insurance divisions within supplemental distribution systems has been featured in numerous industry publications. He is the author of more than fifty published articles and the book, The Commercial Development Of The Variable Annuity, and has been a guest speaker at numerous industry conferences. In the 1970s, he was one of the originators of the concept of Total Financial Planning and founded one of the oldest and largest Producer Groups in the country.
Lawrence J. Rybka, JD, CFP® - President and Chief Executive Officer, ValMark Securities
Larry Rybka has been President and CEO of ValMark Securities since 1999 and is a recognized authority in the area of wealth transfer. He has been published in numerous industry journals and has been a main platform speaker at the annual meetings of AALU, MDRT, Top of the Table and International Forum. He recently completed terms on the boards of AALU and the MDRT Foundation and continues to serve on the Strategic Planning Committee of AALU and the Advisory Board of the University of Akron’s CFP® program.
James Benson - President and Chief Executive Officer, Benson Botsford, LLC
Jim Benson currently serves as President and CEO of Benson Botsford and sits on the Board of Directors of ValMark Securities. He is the former President and CEO of John Hancock and co-author of the recent bestselling book, 22 Keys To Sales Success. Prior to joining Hancock in 2002, he was President of MetLife’s Individual Business enterprise. During his tenure at the Met Companies, he was Chairman, President and CEO of New England Financial as well as Chairman, President and CEO of GenAmerica Financial Corporation. Before joining the Met Companies in 1997, he held the dual position of President and COO of the Equitable Companies, Inc., and was CEO of its flagship life insurance operation, Equitable Life Assurance.
Otto Bosshard, CFA - Principal, Bosshard Investment Management
Otto Bosshard is an institutional investment consultant and the former Senior Vice President, Treasurer, and Chief Investment Officer of the Westfield Group of insurance companies. In addition to his position on the Board of Directors of ValMark Securities, he serves on the Board of Westfield Bank as well as the investment committees of five endowment funds, and a large hospital foundation.
Bruce P. Shay - Executive Vice President, Securian Financial Group
As Executive Vice President, Bruce has served more than 25 years at Securian Financial Group. He is accountable for all the aspects of Individual Life, and Group and Individual Annuity product lines. Bruce joined Securian in 1985 as a supervisor in Retirement Services. He has held many sales and management positions at Securian, including serving six years as Senior Vice President of Retirement Services. Bruce earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN and has served on the board of directors for the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce. He has also served on the LIMRA Pension Committee and is a member of the National Association of Life Underwirters.
Gary Christensen, JD, CLU- Vice President, Law, Securian Financial Group
Gary Christensen has served at Securian Financial Group for 26 years in various capacities relating to Law and Human Resources before becoming Vice President of Law. As the Vice President of Law, he supervises attorneys responsible for the delivery of legal support to Securian's business units, affiliates and corporate departments. In addition, Gary focuses on strategic business development issues. Mr. Christensen received his undergraduate degree from Iowa State University, and his Juris Doctorate degree from William Mitchell College of Law. Gary also holds the FLMI and CEBS designations.