Keven Prather, CFBS

Our Team

Keven Prather, CFBS

Co-Founder | Partner

Keven Prather has developed expertise in serving the complex needs of individuals, families, and business owners over 25 years of industry experience. He began his career with Mutual of New York (subsequently The MONY Group) and moved to Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) in 2003 where he helped establish the new Financial Planning department within Skylight Financial Group. Keven recognizes the unique challenges faced by business owners and family-owned businesses who wish to exit their business either through sale to a third party, or sale/transition to next generation family ownership. As a Certified Family Business Specialist (CFBS) Keven helps business-owners determine the value of their largest asset—frequently their business ownership—and plan for the single largest transaction of their lifetime: the sale or transfer of control of their privately-held or family business. This results in the development and implementation of a plan to turn that asset into financial security for themselves post-exit as well as for future generational owners of a successful entity.

Keven founded TransitioNext Advisors in 2018 to focus specifically on middle-market and family- owned business exits and transitions that ultimately lead toward managing multi-generational wealth. He is excited to have joined forces with Phil Mason at 3D Integration LLC to form Lumen Wealth Advisors to continue serving this unique client base with the expanded experience and knowledge that the partnership brings.

When providing investment advisory services, Keven acts in a fiduciary role, helping his individual, professional, and business owner clients coordinate and integrate the personal, business, and estate planning parts of their financial lives. The integration of financial planning, business planning, and wealth management is an entirely unique approach. His fee-based financial planning process evaluates all aspects of investment management, tax planning, estate planning, wealth protection planning, and charitable impact. The process is engineered to deliver customized plans that address the specific unique needs of each client.

In 2006 Keven earned the Certified Family Business Specialist (CFBS) designation and a Certificate in Business Succession Planning from The American College, Bryn Mar, PA. From 2007 to 2024 Keven was a member of the Business Enterprise Institute (BEI) of Denver, Colorado where he immersed himself in learning the skill sets needed to become a leading Transition/Exit Planning Advisor for privately held business owners.

In 2011 he also became a Galliard Group Family Business Advisor. Galliard Group is a nationally known institute supporting the needs of advisors specializing in working with family-owned companies.

Keven has appeared and published in various media. He has been and continues to be a sought- after speaker at numerous family business forums and industry related events throughout his career. He has a monthly column published in HVACR Business Magazine, a trade publication that serves the Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration industries. Most

recently in June 2023 he co-authored the Best-Selling book “The Keys to Authenticity: Unlocking The Code to a Fulfilling Life and Business” with renowned Best Selling Author Jack Canfield and other leading professionals from around the world.

Keven is an active member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA), and member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA), Association of Corporate Growth (ACG), and Private Directors Association (PDA). He has served on the Boad of Directors for the USO of Northern Ohio and formerly served as a Community Liaison for Services to Armed Forces of the American Red Cross. He has served as a Domain Director, Board of Governors Chair, and Housing Corporation Member for his College Fraternity Phi Kappa Tau and serves on the Financial Advisory Committee. He is the current Vice Chair of the USS Cleveland Legacy Foundation. This group is charged with commissioning one of the newest class of warships for the U.S. Navy, the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) USS Cleveland LCS 31.

Keven is a graduate of the University of Idaho, College of Forestry, Wildlife, and Range Sciences with a B.S. Degree in Fisheries Resources. He has worked for the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. He is a decorated veteran of the United States Coast Guard having served from 1986 – 1991. In that experience he participated in Maritime Law Enforcement, the War on Drugs, numerous search and rescue operations, the Persian Gulf War, Exxon Valdez Oil Spill, and active service in the Bering Sea doing fisheries law enforcement and front line in the lead up to the end of the Cold War. Keven is most proud of the crews, men, and women he served with; “we did really amazing things” in the service to our country and our fellow American Citizens in saving lives and property. Lives saved is one of his greatest accomplishments.

Keven’s wife Cathy works with him as Lumen Wealth Advisors as Practice Manager. They have worked together in the business for the past 25 years. Keven and Cathy live in Chardon, Ohio. They have two adult sons Mason and Alex. They enjoy traveling, and spending time with their extended families and friends. Kayaking and cycling are two prime activities they enjoy doing together. Keven is an avid fly fisherman and is introducing the sport to Cathy. Keven enjoys golf and selling off his grandmother’s antique store inventory. He collects antique books mostly about historical figures, biographies, classic novels, history books, and many other topics of interest.

BS Fisheries Resources, University of Idaho

Certificate in Business Succession Planning, The American College, Bryn Mar, PA

Certified Family Business Specialist (CFBS)

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