Senior Partner
Keeler Thomas
Most business owners expect to transition out of their companies within the next five to ten years, but national research shows that few have a written plan, clear personal readiness, or a true understanding of their transition options. With up to 80 percent of an owner’s net worth tied to the business and half of all exits happening involuntarily, these gaps often result in diminished value, forced exits, failed sales, and lasting seller regret.
This high-impact presentation reframes traditional exit planning as Value Optimization Planning — a forward-thinking, present-focused approach that builds business value now, increases personal wealth, reduces tax exposure, protects assets, and aligns decisions across business, personal, and financial domains. Attendees will learn how to identify intangible value drivers, assemble a coordinated “Dream Team” of advisors, shift outdated paradigms, and begin closing value, wealth, and protection gaps immediately.
Whether you’re a business owner seeking more clarity, control, and freedom, or an advisor aiming to elevate your service and deepen client relationships, this session provides the roadmap and tools to focus on What Matters Most and position every decision for maximum long-term impact.
John is a Principal, Co-founder, and Senior Partner of Keeler Thomas. He has been educating and working in the financial, estate, and business planning industry for over 40 years. A highly respected and sought after presenter, John taught financial and family continuity principles over the years in numerous venues across the United States. He is a published author and co-author. John directs the comprehensive wealth management programs (Family Office Services) for the firm’s clients. He spearheaded the firm’s Family Legacy emphasis which is creating continuity of wealth and unity for families from generation to generation.
John has extended the Family Legacy emphasis into the Keeler Thomas Business Value Optimization service. Business value optimization, succession, purchase strategies, funding expansion and growth needs, are most effective when driven and sustained by the family’s shared vision for the future.
Mr. Unice earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Brigham Young University. He is a Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®), a Certified Heritage Design Professional ™(HDP) and holds the Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA®) designation.
Partner
Keeler Thomas
In this engaging session, owners and advisors will discover what truly drives business value — and the practical steps you can take now to strengthen governance, financial performance, operations, and strategic direction. You’ll learn how buyers, investors, and successors evaluate a company, uncover the most common pitfalls that limit value, and gain clear strategies to close gaps before it’s time to transition.
The presentation also demystifies today’s seven primary succession and exit options, helping families understand which paths align with their goals, dynamics, and desired legacy.
Participants will leave with both a 3–5 year roadmap and a focused 90-day action plan to begin maximizing value immediately. Whether you’re planning for growth, preparing for succession, or advising business owner clients, this session delivers actionable insights to build a stronger, more resilient, and more transferable business — starting today.
Casey Monsen has been a financial services professional for nearly two decades. He has a strong focus on client development and delivering industry-defining, high-touch client experience. Since 2008, he has built his work around forming meaningful relationships and helping clients navigate complex decisions with confidence.
Casey began his career as a financial advisor with Beneficial Financial Group and later continued in that role with Allegis Financial Partners. In 2011, while still affiliated with Allegis, he founded Monsen Group Wealth Management. In 2014, Casey became affiliated with Andina Family Offices as an independent financial advisor and went on to serve as Chief Operating Officer beginning in January 2017. I n 2022, he became a managing partner and played a key role in negotiating the merger that formed Andina Advisors.
Casey holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Utah State University and later completed his MBA at Weber State University. He also holds the CFP® designation, an indicator of the strength of his expertise and commitment to serving clients.
Casey comes to Keeler Thomas in 2026 with a focus on strong growth and continuing to deliver elevated client service. Outside of professional work, Casey enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife and two children.
Oh My Fraud Podcast Co-Creator
Controller/CFO | Riverwoods Medical Art Center
Ethical dilemmas are everywhere in business. Some are obvious, others are subtle, but even small ethical choices can create outsized consequences. In this engaging and thought-provoking presentation, Greg Kyte explores the behavioral psychology behind why good people sometimes make questionable decisions — and what we can do about it. Drawing on research and real-world examples, Greg introduces practical “ethics hacks”: non-obvious, science-backed strategies that help individuals and teams increase integrity, accountability, and better decision-making in everyday work. Attendees will leave with fresh insight, useful tools, and a renewed sense of how small shifts in behavior can lead to meaningful cultural change.
Greg is a licensed CPA, a working standup comedian, and a veteran podcaster. His most recent podcast project, Oh My Fraud, launched in 2022 and quickly became one of the premier true crime podcasts covering white collar crime. Greg has twice been included in Accounting Today’s list of the Top 100 most influential people in the accounting profession. As a standup comedian, Greg has performed countless shows and was once the opening act for Weird Al Yankovic. He currently lives in Orem, Utah, with his wife and two cats; and at age 53, he started training as a stuntman with Spearhead Stunts in Lindon, Utah.
Partnerships Manager,
UI Charitable Advisors
Donating appreciated assets instead of cash can be a significantly more tax-efficient way to support charitable causes. Many founders, employees, and investors hold private or illiquid assets that may eventually be sold during liquidity events such as acquisitions, tender offers, or IPOs. If these assets are sold first, the owner typically pays capital gains taxes before making a charitable donation. By instead donating a portion of the asset before the sale through a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF), donors can receive a tax deduction based on the asset’s fair market value while avoiding capital gains taxes on the donated portion.
Phoenix is the Partnerships Manager at UI Charitable, where he cultivates relationships with advisors, donors, and institutions to expand the reach and impact of charitable giving. His work bridges wealth management and social impact, focusing on making philanthropy more accessible and effective. He played a key role in developing innovative approaches to donor-advised funds, helping donors give efficiently and impactfully. Phoenix holds a BA in Economics from the University of Utah.
Senior Partner
Keeler Thomas
In this clear and approachable session, participants will gain a grounded understanding of the economic forces shaping business, households, and long term planning in the coming year. The presentation breaks down complex trends — inflation, interest rates, labor markets, consumer behavior, and global pressures — into practical insights leaders can actually use.
Attendees will learn how to interpret key economic indicators, anticipate potential shifts, and build strategies that remain resilient in both stable and uncertain environments. The session highlights what’s driving current market dynamics, what to watch in the months ahead, and how organizations can position themselves for strength regardless of the broader economic climate.
By the end, participants walk away with a clearer picture of the economy’s direction and a set of actionable considerations to support informed planning, growth decisions, and long range financial strategy.
Cary Wasden is a Senior Partner of Keeler Thomas. Cary directs the Enterprise Solutions program, a service dedicated to working with small businesses and their owners to help them better understand their business’ value and how it can be optimized. Cary also serves as a member of Keeler Thomas’ investment committee. Cary Wasden is a seasoned Wall Street analyst and entrepreneur. Cary studied at Brigham Young University for his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He also attended Ohio State University for additional graduate training. He worked for thirty years as an investment analyst on Wall Street where he was a top-ranked analyst in the world and was credited with being the analyst that uncovered Enron. Cary has started, led, and exited several entrepreneurial ventures. He also teaches finance at Utah Valley University. Cary is a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA®). Cary has been a professional in residence at Utah Valley University since 2015.
CEPA: Certified Exit Planning Advisor
CFP: Certified Financial Planner Board
CLE: Utah State Bar Continuing Legal Education
CPE: Utah Association of CPAs (UACPA)
LIFE: Utah Insurance Department
PACE: Professional Achievement in Continuing Education
