Since the 1970's, Don has worked with family-owned companies to develop exit strategies for the owners, facilitate the transfer of the business to future generations, and, in some instances to create special employee groups to buy the companies. He currently serves a clientele in over 40 states and several foreign countries.

Don graduated from Concordia College, Moorhead, MN with degrees in Math, Physics, English and Psychology. He had no career direction whatsoever. He began in the life insurance business as an actuarial intern, moved to the marketing dept, and eventually moved to Colorado to go into partnership with an established business insurance specialist. Don took over the company in 1983, and has developed a specialty in introducing charitable planning concepts to families that own companies and who are lifetime supporters of various non-profit causes.

Don lives with his wife of 40+ years on top of a 9000-ft mountain west of Colorado Springs. He has 3 grown children and a handful of grandchildren.

Specialty

The design and funding of business succession and estate plans for families that own companies

Qualifying* & Life Member of the Million Dollar Round Table (since 1978)

Active Member of: National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors

Society of Financial Services Professionals

Estate Planning Council of Colorado Springs

Frequent speaker at national conferences on topics related to Business Succession and Estate Planning – recent engagements include:

• Public Accountants Society of Colorado
• Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry
• Painting and Decorating Contractors of America
• CALU Sales Congress
• Society of Financial Services Professionals Continuing Education Seminars
• Numerous National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors meetings

Articles published in national publications including:

• American Society of CLU & ChFC, “Estate Planning News & Views”
• “Insights & Strategies-Financial and Estate Planning”
• Colorado Springs Business Journal
• Manulife Advanced Sales JournalMinnesota Mutual – “Agenda”
• Christian Business Men’s Committee – “Contact”

Pass It On, Inc.

Original practice established in 1947. Currently serves a national clientele in the areas of:Business Succession Plan DesignEstate Planning for Owners of Closely-held CompaniesExecutive Benefits for Key Employees of Private CompaniesBenefit Plans for Executives of Non-Profit OrganizationsPractical Use of Charitable Planning Concepts

Misty Meschter has been professionally affiliated with Pass It On, Inc. since 2012, although her real affiliation dates back to 1983.  Misty is the third generation of Pass It On, Inc. and originally worked for the company doing data entry in 2000.  She rejoined Pass It On as its successor in March, 2012.

As the daughter of a business owner who works with other business owners, Misty was raised with an acute awareness of the great blessings and potential problems that accompany family-owned businesses.  Her specialties include the design and funding of business succession and estate conservation plans, as well as continuing to ensure the success of existing plans, for families who own companies.  She is dedicated to building lasting relationships with clients and their families.  Her greatest privilege is being a steward and friend to the multiple generations of the families and companies that have become part of the Pass It On family over the years.

An avid athlete who loves to play, Misty attended Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA with Presidential Academic and volleyball scholarships.  She graduated in three years with honors, Dean’s List all three years and a B.A. in Business & Economics.  Knowing she wanted to work with business owners someday, Misty sought out experience in management, marketing and running a business.

She spent two years at Lost Valley Ranch in Colorado, a AAA-four-diamond-rated resort, where she created and implemented a group sales and marketing program.  In 2006, Misty moved back to California where she began working for Manna Development, the local franchise of Panera Bread bakery-cafes.  She was fortunate to gain valuable and diverse experience during her time with Panera, and when she left in 2012 to join her father, she was responsible for sales, marketing and the catering operations and personnel in 18 locations throughout San Diego.

Misty and her husband moved back to Colorado Springs to build their home in 2017, and now live on the top of the mountain where she grew up with their two young sons and pup. They attend Mountain Springs Church and love being close to both their families so their boys can grow up with their grandparents and cousins as a huge part of their lives. Both Ryder (Misty's firstborn) and Wyatt (born in 2020) have spent first several months of their lives in the office with mom, learning the family business just in case!

Sandi has been a member of the Pass It On, Inc. team since 1994 and is in charge of accounting, payroll, and agent licensing. She and her husband, Randy, were born and raised in Minnesota and moved to Colorado Springs in 1983. They have two adult children, a daughter who lives here in the Springs and a son who resides in the Dallas area.

Vickie has been on staff since August 2004. As the Executive Assistant to Don & Misty, she enjoys greeting our clients with a friendly hello. She schedules our clients, prepares for meetings and does follow up. 

She and her husband Tim moved to Colorado Springs in March 1993. They have two grown children and one grandson. Vickie has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Home Economics-Interior Design from Cal State University, Northridge. She is an active member of her church and runs a small floral design business specializing in weddings.