98.3 F
San Fernando
Monday, Apr 28, 2025
Home Blog Page 50

Leaders to Know: Trusted Advisors 2024 – Michael Hiller

MICHAEL HILLER
President
Hiller Enterprise

When president of Hiller Enterprise, Michael Hiller, started the company, he wanted to take pride in helping entrepreneurs and families meet their financial opportunities. Hiller attended the University of Arizona, where not obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Communications with a Business minor. He then went on to receive his accounting certificate by attending UCLA’s Accounting program. Coming from a 30-year-old family-run accounting firm, Hiller saw immense financial possibilities families can obtain when the right opportunity and help was given. Four years ago, he established Hiller Enterprise.

Hiller Enterprise brings unique financial opportunities to families, entrepreneurs, real estate investors and individuals, providing personal, one-on-one guidance to help establish a secure financial future.

Return to Index.

Leaders to Know: Trusted Advisors 2024 – Katherine Hren

KATHERINE HREN
Partner
Ballard Rosenberg Golper & Savitt, LLP

Practice Katherine Hren regularly provides advice and counsel to employers in all matters which bear upon the employment relationship. Her work includes advice on employment law strategy and compliance, traditional labor relations matters (union organizing, strikes/picketing, collective bargaining, grievance handling and arbitration), claims for employment discrimination, sexual and other workplace harassment, wrongful termination, and whistleblower complaints.

Hren also assists employers in developing management oriented employment agreements, personnel policies, separation agreements, trade secret and proprietary information agreements, sexual and other workplace harassment policies, and routine forms.

Return to Index.

Leaders to Know: Trusted Advisors 2024 – Tobias Kennedy

TOBIAS KENNEDY
President
Montage Insurance Solutions

Tobias Kennedy serves as the president of Montage and the CEO of Simpolicy Insurance Solutions. He is in his 17th year with Montage and has truly become a trusted advisor, thought leader and well respected insurance broker to Montage’s clients, carrier executives and organizations such as PIHRA, SHRM, Convene-CEO organization, HRD Network Credit Union organization.

As the CEO of Simpolicy, Montage’s sister company that handles smaller employers, Kennedy has further developed the company, showing positive results. He started his podcast, sponsored by Montage, last year and has been well received in the HR, insurance and technology industries.

Return to Index.

Leaders to Know: Trusted Advisors 2024 – Lee Kleinman

LEE KLEINMAN
Senior Vice President, BDO
Business Finance Capital

Sherman Oaks based Lee Kleinman serves as senior vice president of Business Finance Capital (BFC), an SBA 504 Certified Development Company that facilitates the second mortgage portion of the SBA 504 lending program to assist business owners in refinancing or acquiring their 51% or greater owner-occupied commercial real estate.

Kleinman is responsible for sourcing new lending opportunities and is involved in the entire process from A to Z to ensure his clients lending needs are met in a timely and efficient manner. He maintains a consultative and service orientated approach to his business, and has earned the long-term loyalty of his clients and industry professionals he partners with. His lifetime commercial fundings total more than $1 billion.

Return to Index.

Leaders to Know: Trusted Advisors 2024 – Barry Kurtz

BARRY KURTZ
Chair, Franchise and
Distribution Practice Group
Lewitt Hackman

Barry Kurtz is the chair of the Franchise and Distribution Practice Group at Lewitt Hackman law corporation in Encino. His department is one of the largest of its kind in California. Kurtz is a certified specialist in franchise and distribution law designated by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization, and a certified franchise executive under the auspices of the International Franchise Association.

Kurtz is a prolific author of published articles on franchise and distribution law and has provided expert witness testimony in franchise litigation and arbitration proceedings for both franchisors and franchisees. He is certified as a mediator by Pepperdine University School of Law.

Return to Index.

Leaders to Know: Trusted Advisors 2024 – Brian Lacher

BRIAN LACHER
Partner
Nava Benefits

Brian Lacher’s journey in group health insurance is a testament to his unwavering commitment to excellence and integrity. With a foundation built on trust, innovation and a tremendous work ethic, Lacher has carved a distinguished path in the industry. His career highlights are not just about the numbers but about the lives he’s positively impacted.

Throughout his career, Lacher has been a relentless advocate for both employers and employees, consistently finding innovative solutions to reduce costs while ensuring access to high-quality healthcare. His dedication has resulted in millions of dollars in savings for his clients, a testament to his ability to navigate the complexities of the insurance landscape with skill and precision.

Return to Index.

Leaders to Know: Trusted Advisors 2024 – Martin Levy

MARTY LEVY
CEO
Corpstrat

Martin Levy, CLU/RHU, founded Corporate Strategies over 20 years ago. He is a chartered life underwriter (CLU), registered health underwriter, a certified annuity analyst, and holds a certificate in long term care insurance credential.

Levy is a frequent contributor to many industry publications and is also a Life and Qualifying member of the Million Dollar Round Table, an elite organization representing the top 1% of producers in the life insurance industry. Levy holds a BA in psychology and, as a CLU, has earned the premier credential in the insurance profession. CLUs represent ten or more comprehensive college-level courses covering all aspects of insurance planning, estate and retirement issues, taxation, business insurance and risk management.

Return to Index.

Leaders to Know: Trusted Advisors 2024 – Jonathan Light

JONATHAN LIGHT
Managing Partner
LightGabler LLP

Jon Light has more than 40 years of experience in the field of employment law. He is AV preeminent-rated by Martindale Hubbell, the highest peer-review rating possible. As co-founder and managing partner at LightGabler LLP, Light consults with almost 2,000 companies throughout California regarding their day-today employment law needs.

Light has been successful in jury trials, appellate cases, Labor Commission hearings and binding arbitration claims involving wrongful termination, sexual harassment, race discrimination, class action wage and hour, and other employment-related matters. He has also appeared on behalf of employers before the federal EEOC and Labor Department, the state Civil Rights Department, the National Labor Relations Board, and other government agencies.

Return to Index.

Leaders to Know: Trusted Advisors 2024 – Terri Hilliard Olson

TERRI HILLIARD OLSON
Principal
Terri Hilliard, P.C Terri Hilliard

Olson is an attorney, mediator, certified exit planning advisor, accredited estate planner and certified Alzheimer’s disease and dementia care trainer whose practice centers on advanced estate and business succession and exit planning, asset preservation, special needs trusts and family protection planning for seniors and others.

Olson is also a skilled public speaker and author of three books on dementia and Alzheimer’s for the caregiver and loved ones to help families navigate the legal, financial and psychological maze of the diseases and care options. In September 2023, Hilliard began her second, two-year term as District 6 Governor for California Women Lawyers, the only statewide bar association for women in the state.

Return to Index.

Leaders to Know: Trusted Advisors 2024 – Chris Passmore


CHRISTOPHER PASSMORE
Partner-in-Charge, Encino office
Withum

Earlier in his career, Chris Passmore spent several years working with publicly and privately held businesses while at PricewaterhouseCoopers. He understands both the accounting firm and client side of the business, having served as a corporate controller for a publicly held manufacturing company.

Passmore currently serves as Withum’s partner-in-charge of the Encino office. He specializes in assurance and business consulting services to emerging and middle-market companies. While Passmore services a wide variety of clients, he has developed a reputation as an expert in working with technology companies, professional service firms, franchised businesses and benefit plans. He consults on a wide range of business situations, including merger and acquisition activities.

Return to Index.