About Us

CFG Business Solutions, LLC works primarily with middle market, family-owned and controlled companies throughout the U.S. on a variety of consulting projects including “keep or sell” decision-making, ownership succession, multi-generational planning, family meetings, family wealth governance, and estate planning strategies. CFG integrates family dynamics with the many technical issues in succession and estate planning and acts as the conceptual architect with its clients and their advisors to translate goals, objectives, and vision and mission statements into an actual plan for business succession, estate planning or family wealth governance. CFG was founded by Mike Cohn in 1987 and is based in Phoenix, Arizona.

Our Mission Statement

Strengthen the well-being of the families and businesses we serve through customized solutions in the areas of ownership succession planning and family wealth governance.
Educate and engage clients and other stakeholders in a collaborative process so our planning is truly embraced
Exceed our clients’ expectations
Cultivate a business environment that encourages the professional and personal growth of our employees
Enhance our communities through personal service and support for charitable and civic activities

Personnel:

MIKE COHN | email

Mike, CFG’s Managing Director, is a nationally recognized expert on family business issues. Mike has authored two family business books, including Keep or Sell Your Business…How to Make the Decision Every Private Company Faces (Dearborn, 2000) and Passing the Torch (McGraw Hill, 1992) He is a past contributor for Family Business Magazine and is a frequent speaker at seminars and workshops throughout the U.S.

Mike chairs the Arizona Endowment Building Initiative, a 12-month mentor/mentee program for non-profits to become financially self-sufficient through endowment building and planned giving. He, is a Board member of the Arizona Community Foundation (ACF) and a member of ACF's Executive Committee. He has served on several community Boards including the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, and has been president of the Family Firm Institute (FFI), Boston, MA. He is an FFI Fellow, recognized for his work in the field of family business. FFI is an international organization of professionals and academics who work with or study family businesses.

Mike holds an MA in Humanistic Psychology from West Georgia College and a BA in Psychology from the University of Colorado. He also holds the CLU and ChFC designations.

RYAN BARRADAS | email

Ryan is a Senior Consultant and has over a decade of experience and background in business, finance and insurance. His focus is in business succession, estate preservation and family wealth governance. His clients include owners of closely-held and/or family-owned businesses and high net worth individuals.

Ryan helps his clients crystallize their goals and objectives from a family, business and personal perspective. He then plays the role of “Quarterback” in the planning process. Together with CFG support staff and his clients’ advisors he creates a synergy of talents, education, and resources. This produces a dynamic team approach in creating effective planning solutions for his clients.

Ryan balances professional leadership with community involvement. He is a member of the Family Firm Institute (FFI) and the Association for Advanced Life Underwriting (AALU). He is on the Board of New Way Learning Academy and is involved in The Autism Society of America, Junior Golf and other community activities.

DANIEL TIMOTHY SCHMALTZ | email

Daniel is a Consultant with CFG and has nearly a decade of experience advising ultra affluent individuals in business, finance and insurance. Daniel has Series 7 and 66 securities licenses. He graduated from the Arizona State University W.P. Carey School of Business with a BS in Finance.

Daniel balances professional leadership with community involvement. He sits on the Board of Directors for the St. Mary’s High School Scholarship and Benefit Fund. He is a member of Dads on Duty, an after-school program at a local elementary school where his daughter attends. He participates in the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce Mentor Match program. He is a member of the Arizona State University W.P. Carey School of Business Alumni Association.

NICK STEFANIAK, CPA | email

Nick is CFG’s Director of Design. Nick's primary focus is scenario planning to help clients, and their advisors, make informed decisions when multiple entities are involved. He develops extensive, customized spreadsheets to illustrate how various transactions and estate planning strategies affect individuals and their businesses. He monitors plans after implementation to insure that cash flows adequately match stakeholders’ expectations and that strategies can work as anticipated.

Nick is a CPA with a Masters of Taxation from Arizona State University. He has 17 years experience in income tax and estate tax planning, including 10 years as Tax Director for a family office. He is a past president of the Phoenix chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants, a member of the American Institute of CPAs, and a member of the Arizona Society of CPAs. He has been with CFG since 2001.

ERNEST HUI | email

Ernest is a Design Analyst who supports the firm's consultants. He often works directly with clients' advisors to develop creative funding solutions. He is the firm's Due Care analyst, and serves on several product committees with major life insurance companies. He integrates cash flow and earnings projections with insurance strategies. Prior to joining CFG, Ernest was a financial analyst at TBG Financial, a provider of customized non-qualified compensation plans.

Ernest graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of California Los Angeles with a BA in Economics and International Area Studies. He has been with CFG since 2001.

KAREN COLLETT | email

Karen provides insurance product servicing and support and monitors results with initial projections. She works closely with CFG consultants to assure that clients’ estate planning objectives are realized.

Karen has been with CFG since 1997. Prior to joining CFG, she spent 15 years as Manager of the Employee Consultation and Pension Trust division of John Hancock Financial Services. Karen attended Emmanuel College in Boston.

LEEANN BLANCHARD | email

LeeAnn fills a variety of roles, including client servicing, case management, insurance reviews, and case design. She holds licenses for both securities and insurance and provides CFG with expertise in annuities, disability insurance, and long-term care insurance. Prior to coming to CFG, LeeAnn worked for another M Financial firm and has over 5 years experience in the insurance industry.

LEE BAUMANN COHN, CPA | email

Lee is a CFG Manager and responsible for company operations. Her areas of expertise include business valuation and financial modeling.

Lee is a graduate of Wells College and studied accounting at Arizona State University. She has worked with family businesses for 30 years, including 12 years in public accounting in Phoenix. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the Arizona Society of CPAs and the American Society of Appraisers (affiliate).

Lee serves on the Board of Trustees of the Desert Botanical Gardens (past president of the Board) and is incoming President for 2008-09. She was Secretary of the Scottsdale Cultural Council Board of Directors.

JANICE SICKELS, CPA | email

Janice is our Controller. Prior to joining CFG, she worked with small, family-owned construction and manufacturing businesses in Arizona for the past 15 years, as well as an international, publicly traded manufacturing company. Janice’s prior work experience includes financial statement compilations and analysis, financial projections, budgets, personnel and human resources, and benefit administration.

Janice is a member of the Institute of Management Accountants, the American Institute of CPAs, the Arizona Society of CPAs and the National Association of Tax Professionals. She holds a BS in Accounting from Arizona State University. She has been with CFG since 2004.

LOIS CARDEN | email

Lois manages the life insurance insurance underwriting process for CFG clients by coordinating with M Financial insurance company partners. She has worked at CFG since 1992 and has more than 25 years of experience in the life insurance underwriting area.

LISA CARAWAY | email

Lisa assists Lois in managing the life insurance/underwriting process for CFG clients by coordinating with M Financial insurance company partners. She has worked in the legal profession for 17 years before redirecting her interest to the Life Insurance Industry. She has been with CFG since 2008 and has 3 years of experience in the life insurance underwriting area.

MARI BERESFORD | email

Mari has been with CFG since 2001, is Executive Assistant, and delights in supporting the firm’s Consultants. She is also responsible for all client and workshop presentations. She maintains the firm’s web site and is responsible for the firm’s newsletter. Mari is also a Notary public.

She coordinates the firm’s graphic and visual materials. She is an Arizona native and attended Arizona State University.

MICHELE M. | email

Michele is the Administrative Assistant for Ryan Barradas, and has been with CFG since 2007. Besides assisting Ryan, she helps out as needed around the office in various roles. She is licensed in Arizona for life and health insurance, and is a notary. A Phoenix native, she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.