Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Business Succession Planning Experts
Rawls Group has specialized in business succession planning since 1973, dedicated to preserving family business legacies through strategic transitions. Our approach focuses on addressing the unique needs of family-owned and privately-held businesses, emphasizing continuity beyond individual ownership. We collaborate with clients' existing advisorsincluding attorneys, accountants, and financial professionalsto develop comprehensive succession plans tailored to each business's goals. Our three-phase process includes planning review, implementation, and ongoing facilitation to ensure adaptability as business environments evolve. With decades of experience, our team has established national recognition for addressing complex succession challenges, particularly in capital-intensive industries.We prioritize understanding both the financial and interpersonal dynamics of family businesses to create technically sound and emotionally sustainable plans. Our professionals hold advanced certifications in financial planning and have contributed extensively to industry publications and educational resources. We maintain partnerships with organizations like the International Succession Planning Association to advance best practices in the field. Our Orlando-based team serves clients across the United States, with specialized expertise in automotive dealership succession. Through annual reviews and proactive updates, we ensure succession plans remain aligned with changing business objectives and market conditions.
Services
Business Succession Planning
Exit Strategy Development
Family Governance Consulting
Key Manager Retention Planning
Leadership Continuity Assessment
Details
- Year established: 1973
Highlights and features
- We offer 50+ years of specialized experience in business succession planning
- Our team includes certified financial planners with industry-specific expertise
- We implement a proven three-phase succession planning process
- We maintain partnerships with the International Succession Planning Association
- We provide ongoing plan maintenance and annual reviews
Associations and certifications
- Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU)
- Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC)
- Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
Services
Business Succession Planning
Our business succession planning service creates comprehensive transition strategies for family-owned enterprises. We address ownership transfer, leadership continuity, and financial preservation through a structured three-phase approach. This service ensures business continuity while maintaining family relationships and organizational stability.
Exit Strategy Development
We develop customized exit strategies that align with business owners' personal and financial objectives. Our approach considers market conditions, ownership transition timelines, and stakeholder interests. The process includes valuation analysis and implementation roadmaps for smooth business transitions.
Family Governance Consulting
This service establishes formal governance structures for family businesses to manage decision-making and conflict resolution. We create frameworks for family councils and ownership agreements that promote long-term business sustainability and intergenerational cooperation.
Key Manager Retention Planning
Our key manager retention planning ensures business continuity through leadership transition periods. We develop incentive programs and succession pathways for critical management positions, maintaining operational stability during ownership changes.
Leadership Continuity Assessment
This assessment evaluates organizational readiness for leadership transitions. We identify potential succession gaps and develop training programs for next-generation leaders, ensuring smooth transitions while maintaining business performance standards.
People
Loyd H. Rawls
Founder and Chairman
Founder of Rawls Group with 50+ years of succession planning experience. Developed industry-standard methodologies and authored four succession-focused publications. Holds advanced financial planning certifications from The American College.
David Ciambella
President and CEO
Certified Financial Planner with 25+ years of family business succession expertise. Co-founder of the International Succession Planning Association. Specializes in complex ownership transitions and leadership continuity strategies for privately-held companies.
Hugh B. Roberts
Partner
Specializes in automotive dealership succession planning with 40+ years of experience. Manages client relationships across 43 states. Holds CFP certification and advanced degrees in business and theology.
Questions
What types of businesses do you work with?
We specialize in family-owned and privately-held businesses, particularly capital-intensive industries and automotive dealerships nationwide.
How long does the succession planning process take?
Our three-phase process typically spans several months, with ongoing annual reviews to maintain plan relevance as business conditions change.
Do you work with existing advisor teams?
Yes, we collaborate with clients' attorneys, accountants, and financial advisors to create comprehensive, coordinated succession strategies.
What makes your approach different?
We address both financial and interpersonal dynamics of succession, combining technical expertise with relationship management to ensure sustainable transitions.
Are your services available outside Florida?
We serve clients across all 50 states, with particular expertise in automotive dealership succession planning nationwide.
