Combined Benefits United Producer Forum
November 16th, 2018 | 9 AM - 2 PM
Seasons Event Center | Portland, ME
With Special Guest Speaker Chris Herren

CHRIS HERREN
Speaker, Wellness Advocate

Chris  Herren is  a  high  school  basketball  legend  from  Fall  River,  Massachusetts  who  scored  over  2,000  career  points  and  was  named  to  the  1994  McDonald's  All-American  team.  Herren  realized  his  lifelong  dream  of  playing  in  the  NBA  only  to  lose  it  all  to  the  nightmare  of  drug  addiction—first  alcohol,  then  cocaine  and  oxycontin,  finally  heroin. 

Alcohol  and  drug-free  since  August  1,  2008,  he  has  refocused  his  life  to  put  his  sobriety  and  family  above  all  else.  He  shares  his  harrowing  story  of  abuse  and  recovery  in  his  memoir,  Basketball  Junkie,  as  well  as  in  numerous  interviews  throughout  the  Emmy  nominated  ESPN  Films  documentary  Unguarded,  of  which  he  is  the  subject.   

Off  the  court,  Chris  Herren  continues  to  share  his  story  with  audiences  in  the  hopes  of  reaching  just  one  person  and  making  a  difference  in  his  or  her  life.  To  support  this  vision,  he  founded  The  Herren  Project,  a  nonprofit  organization  dedicated  to  providing  treatment  navigation,  educational  and  mentoring  programs  to  those  touched  by  addiction  and  to  educate  people  of  all  ages  on  the  dangers  of  substance  abuse  one  person,  one  family  at  a  time. 

Additionally  in  2018  Chris  founded  Herren  Wellness  Group,  a  health  and  wellness  organization  that  offers  a  holistic  approach  to  recovery  through  innovative  prevention  and  treatment  solutions.

SSG TRAVIS MILLS 
Founder, Travis Mills Foundation
Partner, CBU Benefits

Retired United States Army Staff Sergeant Travis Mills of the 82nd Airborne is a recalibrated warrior, motivational speaker, actor, author, an advocate for veterans and amputees, and a partner of CBU Benefits

On April 10, 2012,Travis was critically injured on his third tour of duty in Afghanistan by an IED (improvised explosive device) while on patrol, losing portions of both legs and both arms. He is one of only five quadruple amputees from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to survive his injuries.

Travis is the New York Times bestselling author of Tough As They Come, a nationally recognized public speaker, and actor; he starred in the documentary about his accident and road to recovery, Travis: A Soldier's Story, which is currently available on Netflix. His heroic tale is also set to become a major motion picture directed by Sylvester Stallone.

In October 2018, Travis was awarded the presitigous New Englander of the Year award by the New England Council, the oldest regional business council in the United States. That same month, Travis was publicly announced as a partner of CBU Benefits, where he will share passion for educating people on the benefits of supplemental insurance.

LARRY LEWIS
President, Client Builder Sales & Marketing

Larry Lewis is the founder and president of Client Builder Sales & Marketing (CBSM). Over the last two decades, Larry has worked with hundreds of companies of all sizes and scope. His practical, street-smart approach to prospecting and selling has helped hundreds of sales executives, small business owners, and independent professionals increase their sales and profits with more control, greater confidence and less effort.

Larry is the author of Client Builder Selling and the creator of the “Client Builder Academy” online sales coaching platform. He is also an entertaining professional speaker who has spoken to hundreds of trade and professional organizations on the topics of selling and sales management. Prior to forming CBSM he was a top sales performer for Lexis-Nexis and Thomson Reuters and a sales manager with several smaller firms. Before pursuing a career in sales he practiced for four years as a trial lawyer.

Larry holds a BS in Marketing from the University of Virginia and a JD from the Duquesne University School of Law. He lives with his two sons just north of Pittsburgh, PA.

RYAN WHELESS 
Foundations Investment Advisors

Ryan Wheless has been helping clients reach and maintain their financial goals for over a decade. As a trusted advisor, Ryan takes a comprehensive approach with his clients and assists them in achieving their financial goals, thoroughly educating them about their financial decisions. 

Ryan helps them create and execute a material financial, tax, and estate plan that guides them to and through retirement.
Ryan currently holds the CRPC, CCIM, and ATP designations, as well as his Series 65 Securities License and a Life and Health Insurance License.

He has been featured in Forbes, Money, and Fortune Magazines. He has also been featured on Fox Business News, Fortune Knowledge Group and appears regularly on Great Day Houston.

Ryan is actively involved in serving the Wounded Warrior Project and helps wounded soldiers suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Through Wounded Warrior and Mighty Oaks Warrior Programs, Ryan has helped raise over $150,000 for combat veterans suffering from PTSD. As a result of his advocacy, Ryan has received the Mighty Oaks Medal of Honor and also serves on the Mighty Oaks Advisory Board. 

RAYMOND VALLEE, JR.
President, Combined Benefits United

Raymond L. Vallee Jr. is the President of Combined Benefits United, a graduate of Hall Dale High School, and attended Merrimack College.

Ray founded CBU as a field marketing organization representing a short list of insurance carriers. Over the past 15 years, CBU has grown to represent over 150 insurance carriers, doing business in 35 states with contracted insurance professionals across the country. During this time, Ray has become recognized on a national level for his commitment to detail, and for providing top investment products to advisors and consumers. 

Ray's values encompass the way he does business. He comments, "When an indivdual comes to us for guidance, we will inspire them to reach personal and professional goals they have never dreamed possible. The bottom line is, at CBU we inspire people to greatness."

Ray resides in Hallowell, Maine and is a member of the local YMCA. He is a former Board Member of the Augusta Little League and Augusta Babe Ruth League, along with having coached at the Jr. Varsity and Varsity Levels at Cony High School. Ray is an annual qualifier of the prestigious Million Dollar Round Table, a current member of the National Association of Fixed Annuities, National Association of Insurance Advisors, and a Member of the Advisory Board for Washington National Insurance Company.

3RD ANNUAL VALLEE AWARDS
Plus 2018 Incentive Trip Qualifiers   

Company President Ray Vallee will be presenting the 3rd annual Vallee Awards, given to CBU advisors who have shown marked improvement and success throughout the year in multiple categories.

FEATURED PARTNER CARRIERS & COMPANIES

We are looking forward to featuring some exciting guests and speakers from several of our partner companies and carriers, including F&G, Allianz, Colonial Life, Washington National, Midland National, GarityAdvantage Agencies, and Accelemark. 

These companies are some of our top carriers and partners, and they will speak to attendees about new products and current offerings.