Benjamin Smithee | CEO | The Smithee Group | www.TheSmitheeGroup.com
Ben Smithee helps business leaders translate the future into a strategic roadmap they can start implementing today. He has been a featured speaker around the world across 6 continents and almost 30 countries. Ben has been a sought-after consultant for leading brands, including McDonald’s, EA Games, Cox Automotive, Serena Williams, General Mills, ebay, Chase, Popeyes, Disney, Salesforce, and 100’s of startups and retailers.
Ben is the CEO of The Smithee Group (TSG), a Digital Growth Agency that offers a full suite of digital marketing and media solutions that leverages their extensive expertise in research, consumer insights, and data analytics. He has founded 3 successful startups, and in addition to TSG, he helps lead marketing for AltFund, an innovative Fund of Funds in the Crypto space.
Ben lives in Dallas, TX, with his wife and daughter, and when he is not in the business and non-profit worlds, you can find Ben on the track racing cars, on the mountain snowboarding, or on the links playing golf. His family attends Shoreline City church.
John D. Hilcher, CPA | Principal & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) | JDH CPA | www.hilchercpa.com
John began his public accounting career with R.A. Fredericks & Company, LLP prior to joining Ernst & Young in 1984. In 1989, he established his practice providing tax, financial reporting, accounting, and management advisory services to clients primarily in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, with reciprocity to practice in various states.
John’s extensive experience includes foreign, federal, state, and local taxes, including corporate, partnership, fiduciary, individual, estate, and gift taxes. He provides tax controversy and planning services, minimizing or deferring foreign, federal, state, and local taxes. His financial reporting practice, audit, review, and compilation engagements are peer-reviewed.
John is licensed in New Jersey and Tennessee as a Certified Public Accountant member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants, graduating from Montclair State University in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science in accounting.
Erica Sylvia | Owner and President | Thrive | www.thrivewb.com
Erica is dedicated to empowering business owners in making informed decisions about their benefit programs. With a passion for balancing quality, cost control, and integration, Erica leads a team committed to providing honest and dedicated service to clients. Erica is also an integral part of Wealth Management Strategies, a multi-disciplinary financial firm of experienced professionals, providing clients with a full spectrum of financial services. Specializing in the Qualified Plans, Succession Planning, and Executive Benefits arena, she focuses on planning, implementing, and supporting retirement assets with a coordinated and innovative approach. Erica’s commitment to professional growth is evident through her certifications, including “Retirement Planning Specialist” from Wharton and “Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA)” from the National Association of Plan Advisors.
Originally from New England, she now embraces an active outdoor lifestyle in coastal Orange County. In addition to her thriving business role, Erica serves on the board of trustees for Olive Crest, an organization devoted to at-risk children and families. Her philanthropic spirit extends to her household, where she cares for a lively assortment of rescue animals that bring both laughter and joy.
Blake Sanders | Sales Manager | Aleaf Insurance | www.aleafinsurance.com
Blake Sanders is a native Texan who was born and raised in Forney, Texas and has been in the insurance
industry for over a decade.
Blake attended Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos and graduated in 2003 with a Bachelor
of Arts Degree in Business Management. He has worked in the retail industry as a manager of a rental
car company but left that profession to focus on his career as an insurance agent. He has specialized in
the child care industry for most of his professional insurance career. Fun fact – his wife Marcie is no
stranger to the child care world as she worked in the industry for almost a decade.
Blake has been married to Marcie for 19 years and they have two children: Kyler is currently a
Sophomore attending the University of Mary Hardin Baylor on a softball scholarship and studying pre-
med. Kason is 14 and in 8 th grade and plays baseball, basketball and football.
