Robert Shestack is the Chairman and CEO and Hall of Fame member of the Voluntary Benefits Association (“VBA”), the first national non-profit [501(c)(3)] trade association focused on Voluntary Benefits for employer groups and affinity groups. The VBA’s goal is to promote the education, implementation, product development, compliance, technology and enrollment of Voluntary Benefits in the workplace. In addition, Mr. Shestack is the Chief Strategy of Paylogix, the nation’s largest Insured, Bonded and Licensed Third Party Administrator focusing on Voluntary Benefits. Paylogix represents over 25 Fortune 1000 companies as manages close to $1 billion in annual voluntary benefits premium.

Mr. Shestack was the former EVP and National Practice Leader for The AmWINS Group, the largest insurance wholesaler in the United States, placing over $12 billion in annual premium. In his role he was responsible for all carrier relations, enrollment & implementation activity and communications, as well as the execution of the 5-year strategic business plan. Prior to joining AmWINS, Mr. Shestack was Managing Director and National Sales Leader of Corporate Benefits at Marsh & McLennan. Mr. Shestack’s experience working with voluntary benefits includes product development, insurer relations, strategic innovation, communication & enrollment strategies.

Mr. Shestack has been responsible for managing and developing high level sales talent and establishing client and partner relationships in the employer benefits arena. A 30+ year industry veteran, Mr. Shestack holds a Workplace Benefits Consultant certification, a Certified Voluntary Benefits Specialist designation as well as a degree in Actuarial Science & Rick Management. Also, he is certified in Health & Welfare and Cafeteria Plan Fundamentals through the American Academy of Actuaries. He is a Risk Management Capstone Course student advisor at Temple University’s Fox School of Business, his alma mater, where he and his wife have a $10,000 scholarship program for the Fox School of Business at Temple University.

In addition to his responsibilities at the VBA, Rob was also inducted into the Workplace Benefits Hall of Fame in July 2010, joining an elite group of voluntary benefit industry leaders. An accomplished author published in over 100 articles and white papers as well as an accomplished speaker, he wrote a chapter on critical illness in the 2008 book “Workplace Marketing — A Promise to Deliver” and is working on his next 2 books.

Mr. Shestack was featured as the cover story for Benefits Selling magazine in 2007 and he received the inaugural Voluntary Benefits Adviser of the Year award in 2011. The award recognizes outstanding service to group benefit plan sponsors by brokers and advisers, as well as overall contributions to the profession. In April 2013, he was honored with the prestigious H. Wayne Snider Distinguished Alumni Award from Temple University’s Fox School of Business recognizing Rob as someone who has distinguished himself or herself for at least 20 years in the field of Insurance, Risk Management and Actuarial Science.

Recently, Rob received the 2017 South Jersey community service volunteer of the year award recognizing his unselfish efforts and dedication in making his community a safe place to live and raise a family. Dedicated to his community, Rob is a 7-time elected official (Fire Commissioner) in his township representing over 60 career personnel and an annual budget exceeding $11 million.

Robert “Bob” Ryerson entered the financial industry in 1984.  More recently, he became concerned about the epidemic of identity theft and became a Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialist (CITRMS), and recently wrote the book “What’s the Deal With Identity Theft-A plain English Look at Our Fastest Growing Crime”   Mr. Ryerson is a notary public and holds a BA in Economics from Rutgers University.  Robert is also certified for long-term care – CLTC®.  He is an experienced estate administrator and advises clients on various aspects of estate and legacy planning. 

Carol Schmidlin has been practicing financial planning since 1993 and is passionate about helping families with all phases of Wealth Management. She provides detailed investment consulting and guides her clients to make smart decisions about their money. Her wealth management process continues with advanced planning to minimize taxes, enhance cash flow, maximize federal benefits, protect assets, transfer wealth, and help with charitable giving for those inclined.

As a Certified Financial Fiduciary (CFF), and charter member of the National Association of Certified Financial Fiduciaries, Carol Schmidlin adheres to the CFF Code of Conduct and the strict guidelines of the NACFF.  She is sworn to uphold the highest moral, ethical and fiduciary standards of service when providing advice to potential or existing clients.  As a fiduciary, she is required to give you advice that is in your best interest. Carol practices the Duties of Loyalty, Good Faith and Good Care for her clients, educating them first, using a Holistic Approach.  Carol holds the Master Registered Financial Consulting Designation (MRFC®) from the International Association of Registered Financial Consultants & is a member of Ed Slott's Master Elite IRA Advisor Group.  She is required to attend extensive tax planning training courses as well as pass exams on taxes and financial planning on a bi-annual basis.  She regularly provides a variety of benefit and retirement classes throughout the country and has appeared on NBC, CBS, ABC, and FOX affiliates across the country and has also been featured in articles on over 350 websites including CNBC, MSN Money, New Jersey Online (NJ.com), Reuters, MarketWatch and Yahoo Finance.

Carol maintains the Series 65, 7 and 63 licenses along with life and health insurance licensing. She holds a BS degree in Business from Rowan University. Carol’s financial planning practice, Franklin Planning, maintains a home office in Sewell, NJ along with a satellite office in Washington, DC. She and her husband Brett are blessed with three children, and one grandson. Carol can be reached at carol@franklinplanning.com or (856) 401-1101.

Cherese L. Spand has thrived in the financial
services industry for over 16 years.
She attended Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry NY.
Her corporate experience along with her
secular experience has moved her to educate
her clients in the areas of Insurance, Tax free
Retirement Planning and Asset Protection.
Cherese’s unique skill set and determination
has set her apart in the Financial Services
arena. Her focus is educating women and

small business owners on the
importance of having a solid financial blueprint. That will prepare them to be Savvy, Healthy & Empowered. 
Cherese is a member of Rotary International.
She sits on the Executive Board for Monroe
County Women’s Commission, And the
Diversity Council for the LKN Chamber of
Commerce. She won Twilight Rotary
Distinguished Rotarian of the year for 2018-2019

Chris entered the financial services industry in 1982 working with individuals and small business owners by first understanding their Needs, Wants and Wishes. Chris works closely with his clients using a holistic comprehensive refined process to discovery. This strategy nurtures a mutual understanding so that together they can navigate towards their financial goals.  Chris holds the CFF Certified Financial Fiduciary^® and the LUTCF Life Underwriters Training Council Fellow professional designation along with his FINRA Series 6,7,26,24 & 65 licenses as well as his Life, Health, Property and Casualty licenses.

Chris has held a number management positions over the years for several Broker Dealers. As Vice President of Advanced Planning, Chris mentors’ financial advisors and managers of his current Broker Dealer on how to incorporate technology tools in their day to day practice such as financial planning software.

When Chris is not working, he is involved in his church as a Eucharistic Minister and sits on the Board of Directors of the James T. Reedy, Sr. Memorial Scholarship Trust as Vice President of the 501(c) 3 charitable organization. He and his wife Colette, who teaches 1^st grade at a local public school, enjoy hiking, sports, traveling and spending time with their son Dante along with family and friends.

Stephen Bene is a wealth advisor and retirement income planning specialist at OneTeam Financial. His mission is to educate clients on personal financial, retirement and tax planning strategies and provide them with sound, independent and unbiased advice.

Stephen provides customized strategies to help solve clients’ financial concerns. By analyzing financial and personal circumstances, he is able to help increase income and reduce gaps in the areas of tax planning, investments, insurance and estate planning. He also has experience with strategies on how to reduce taxes on your retirement income without reducing your lifestyle.

Stephen believes he has the professional, moral and ethical responsibility to be transparent with clients during every step of the financial processes. His goal is to share his knowledge of comprehensive financial and retirement planning strategies to help individuals, families and business owners have clarity and confidence in building and maintaining their financial wellbeing.

As the son of two dedicated and passionate math teachers, Stephen learned at an early age that education is fundamental. His desire to help and his education-based approach with clients is a direct result of the values his parents taught him and encouraged throughout his upbringing. To validate his commitment to furthering his education and competency in the advice he provides, Stephen has earned multiple certifications, designations and licenses.

A frequent speaker at professional events and workshops, Stephen brings experience and simplicity to vital and complex topics impacting retirement and tax planning strategies. As the Director of the Spring Lake Chapter of the American Financial Education Alliance (AEFA), he continuously informs and educates adults within our communities about financial matters.