Plan Your Legacy, LLC was established in 2003 by Mark Colgan, CFP®, who wanted to make a difference in people's lives-and in the lives of their survivors. Through our network of licensed legacy advisors, our company helps individuals build their own personal legacy plans that preserve their life values, record their final wishes, and positively influence future generations.
Mark intimately understands the pressures and burdens that fall upon a surviving spouse-he lost his wife when she was only 28 years old. It was this personal tragedy, combined with over a decade of financial planning experience, that led him to create Plan Your Legacy and a unique set of tools that are truly sensitive to the special needs of survivors. Our company helps people to examine and share their lives in a way like never before: we change the way people plan their lives and deaths.
Our Executive Team
Mark Colgan
Founder and CEO
As the CEO, Mark implements the strategic goals and objectives of the organization. He also gives direction and leadership toward the achievement of our philosophy, mission, and strategy, as well as our annual goals and objectives.
Mark has a unique background. In 2001, he was a successful Certified Financial PlannerTM professional who'd been married to his best friend, Joanne, for seven years. When she died unexpectedly at the age of 28, Mark's wonderful life was dramatically changed forever. In his words:
Within minutes of her passing, I found myself in the midst of a crowd of emergency medical technicians, firemen, policemen, relatives, neighbors, and the medical examiner. Within hours of her death, I was writing her obituary, selecting her casket, planning the details surrounding her funeral, purchasing a gravesite for both of us, and even designing her headstone. Within six hours, I had gone from waking up with my wife to beginning the process of burying her.
And aside from the paperwork, legal details, and planning, Mark was dealing with emotional issues—what about Joanne's final wishes...her life story...her values?
Inspired by the challenges he faced as a young widower, Mark authored The Survivor Assistance Handbook: A Guide for Financial Transition in 2002. The following year, he took his idea a step further and created a personal legacy journal for individuals to use to establish a record of their lives and final wishes. It was also in 2003 that Mark founded Plan Your Legacy, LLC and began a national speaking tour on the important topic of legacy planning. Plan Your Legacy is dedicated to helping individuals build their own personal legacy plan to preserve their life values, record their final wishes, and positively influence future generations.
Today, Mark is a sought-after national speaker and trainer for both individuals and professional planners on the topic of legacy planning. His articles have appeared in many national publications and he's been cited in several national media.
On a personal note, Mark and his current wife, Kathy, have two young children and live in Pittsford, New York. Mark is also the founder and president of Colgan Capital, LLC, an independent financial services firm that specializes in serving the unique financial planning needs of families, widows, widowers, and domestic partners..
Fred Beer
Chief Operating Officer
As COO, Fred oversees the company's day-to-day operations, including revenue and sales growth; expense, cost, and margin control; and financial goal management. He is also responsible for directing the company's information technology development and overseeing product Web sites and all aspects of legacy planning software.
Fred has a successful history as an entrepreneur, having started and grown several successful companies. His specialties are Web technologies, culture development, and business growth.
In 1995, Fred co-founded Auragen Communications, Inc., a full-service interactive design and development organization. He was CEO of the organization until August 2006, when he stepped back from day-to-day operations to focus on other business ventures. In November 2007, Auragen merged with Catalyst Direct.
Under Fred's leadership, the company experienced 100 percent organic growth each year from 1995 to 2001. Even then, Fred met the challenges of building employee loyalty and company success. During those years, Auragen enjoyed extremely low turnover and recruiting costs—one quarter or less of the norm for comparable companies. By 2001, Auragen had already won numerous awards and had reached #193 in the Top 200 of the Inc 500 list.
Fred has guest lectured at the University of Rochester Simon Graduate School of Business, and he serves on the board of directors of Junior Achievement of Rochester, New York Area, Inc. In 2006, Fred was accepted to attend the Entrepreneurial Masters Program, a three-year executive education program involving 60 entrepreneurs from around the world, The program is co-sponsored by the Entrepreneurs' Organization, Inc. and the MIT Enterprise Forum. In 2007-8 Fred also served as president of the board of the local chapter of the Entrepreneurs' Organization.
He lives in Perinton, New York with his wife Cathy, their daughter Caroline, and their son Connor.
Ian Smith
Director of Business Development
Ian is responsible for providing executive leadership and management of the Company's sales and marketing activities worldwide. Ian is also accountable for the direction and management of all sales and business development operations, including market competitiveness, pricing, and distribution and channel strategy.
Most recently, Ian's work experience has been with LogicalSolutions.Net. While there he held the position of Internet Marketing Manager and was instrumental in consultation and implementation of Internet Marketing plans for clients. Prior to joining LogicalSolutions.net, Ian was a Banking Operations Specialist for Paychex Incorporated.
Our Extended Team
To maintain a strong business with satisfied clients, it’s our responsibility to have a strong and enthusiastic team. To accomplish this, Plan Your Legacy is staffed with top talent and employs a strong employee recognition program. Whether it's clerical assistance, IT support, or business consulting, we pride ourselves on the ability to surround ourselves with a team of experts whose efforts allow us to provide exceptional client service.
