Our Team
Karl Bareither, President and Founder
Wealth Transfer Specialist, Independent Financial Advisor
Karl is the president and founder of the Family Business Renewal (FBR) System. With over forty years as a Wealth Transfer Specialist (WTS), Karl has helped more than 200 family business successfully transfer their wealth by reducing transfer costs, open family member communication and increase business profitability.
The creator of the FBR Model, Karl established a process that is unique in the industry. While most planning firms focus on just the business owner, the FBR System engages all family members and their trusted advisors in wealth transfer planning process. The FBR System draws all stakeholders into opening communication and promises an outcome good for both business and family.
The catalyst for change was a survey conducted by an outside third party that was sent to family member clients. Based on the results, Karl redefined the client as the entire family, not just the current business owner.
Karl is a graduate of Northern State University, South Dakota with a BS degree in Business and Communication, and Purdue University’s estate planning program. He earned his Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) from the American College of Life Underwriters.
As co-author with Tom Reischl, Karl has authored two books, “Becoming a Wealth Transfer Specialist” helps financial, tax, insurance and legal advisors working with Families owned businesses establish new wealth transfer planning skills.
“Planning a Family & Business Legacy” is a guide to transferring family business wealth. This book assists family members with closely held businesses to move beyond the traditional transaction business sales approach to a fee-based process consulting model. If either book is purchased through FBR website, a free copy of the updated American Taxpayer Relief Act (January 2013 is included).
Karl and his wife Lillian live in Avila beach, CA.
contact: karl@fbrsystem.com
Patricia L. Lavigne, CLU, CLF, LLIF
President PLC and Associates
As president of PLC and Associates, Patty has created a successful consultancy firm providing the financial services industry with expertise in the areas of strategic planning, coaching, marketing, recruiting and training. With over 35 years in the industry, she has developed and implemented many industry-acclaimed programs. Her clients include: Northwestern Mutual, Mutual of Omaha, Ohio National, Guardian Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company, Modern Woodmen of America, New York Life, LIMRA, and the National Life Group.
Patty is a consultant and coach to the FBR system. She has been responsible for taking an established program and turning it into a turn-key transferable sales/marketing system. She is actively involved in the marketing and training of this system.
Prior to starting her own practice in 2006, Patty had 24 years with National Life Group, leading their marketing efforts until 1999 when she went to Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company. As Senior Vice President of Marketing and Business Development for both Penn Mutual the life company and their broker dealer, Horner, Townsend and Kent, she was responsible for marketing programs, training, advanced sales, field selection and development, product support, brokered-in strategy, and travel and conference.
Patty has served on the faculty for the American College supporting their CLF program, GAMA’s best practices seminar, and has been a Lamp Workshop presenter. She has been published in national underwriter, the GAMA International Journal and in GAMA’s best practices – marketing. She has also served on the board of directors for Pennsylvania Trust Company.
Patty has obtained her NASD series 6 and 7 licenses. She earned the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), and Chartered Leadership Fellow (CLF) designations from the American College. She also earned her LIMRA leadership institute fellow (LLIF) designation from LIMRA international and was chosen by LIMRA’s faculty to represent her class as the keynote speaker during their commencement program.
Actively involved in community and industry organizations, she received an outstanding service in education award from Rumney Vermont school district, volunteer of the year award from the March of Dimes, and served on the board of directors for Pennsylvania Trust Company, the Vermont Children’s Aid Society, and Hope Works. She was awarded the distinguished Toastmasters Designation by Toastmasters International and was named to the New England Training Directors (NETDA) Hall of Fame.
Patty and her husband Ron live in South Hero, Vermont.
Ellen Sheffer
Ellen Sheffer has worked as a paralegal for more than 25 years. She has worked in large firms as well as with solo practitioners. Ellen has a great deal of trial experience and has established and been part of teams, working closely with attorneys, clients, and support staff. She has worked as a consultant for firms new to hiring paralegals and trained attorneys in working with paralegals. Ms. Sheffer was the Director of the Paralegal Studies Program at California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, for several years and also taught in the program.
Ellen is the co-author of Evidence Management for the Paralegal, used in paralegal programs and educational institutions throughout the United States. She has worked as a trainer and conference director providing training for legal professionals throughout the U.S. Ellen has presented at national conferences and served on national associations and boards dedicated to paralegal education and work.
Mark Peters, CLU ChFC
Mark Peters received his Bachelor of Science from Seattle University in Marketing, Business Administration and Finance. He has over 40 years of experience in the insurance and financial services industry as both a personal producer and recruiter representing over 75 top rated insurance and financial services companies.
Lillian K. Bareither
Co-Owner
Lillian is co-owner of FBR System and serves as the Comptroller. She is actively engaged in clients meetings. Lillian is a graduate of Aberdeen School of Commerce. She takes an active role in the business for many years and also has working relationships with FBR System clients. She holds a pilot’s license with multi-engine rating
Jack Jones
System Support
Jack is our FBR system support resource for software and the internet. Jack grew up working with computers and FBR System. He provides support for FBR System remotely from his home in Fresno, California.
Jack is Karl’s grandson and shares Karl’s passion for the business. Jack works as a career firefighter/EMT in the Fresno area.
Andrew Nabors, MBA
Web Development
Andrew is our web developer who has helped launched several websites for various businesses and non-profit organizations. In addition to building websites, Andrew develops custom web applications for small business needs and coaches a World Champion high-school robotics team.
Andrew received his MBA from California State University, Fresno in hopes to use it to advance his career and eventually start his own consulting business.
Chandler Warne
Lead Software Application Developer
Chandler is our lead web based application developer who led the design and development of the FBR System software. He has over seven years experience in custom web based software development.
Chandler is also a currently a junior attending California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo where he is studying computer science.
Tom Reischl, CLU, CHFC, LUTCF, MSFS
Independent Financial Advisor, Wealth Management Consultant
Special recognition goes to Tom Reischl, a great talent, who was instrumental in the success of the FBR system. Tom passed away in 2007.
Tom was an experienced financial planner, author, and friend.
Fred Heyer, CLU, CHFC, MSFS
Special recognition goes to Fred Heyer. Fred worked with FBR system as a successful resource assisting in discovering best options to provide liquidity during the wealth transfer process. Fred partnered with Karl Bareither for 35 years.
Fred passed away in June of 2013. His success with family businesses will long be remembered. He too was a great friend and colleague.