Valhalla Business Advisors, LLC

*****Valhalla Insights Event re: Workforce Health: Publication reporting on April 11, 2025 Valhalla gathering***** Thank you to the Pennsylvania Business Central for sharing information with the public about our upcoming gathering on 4/11/25 at Toftrees in #HappyValley. Thank you, David N. Wells! From cutting-edge health initiatives to financial wellness solutions, we’ll explore what truly makes an impact and what employers should prioritize. Whether you're a business owner, HR leader, or advisor, this conversation will offer actionable takeaways. A reminder to RSVP to Tim Carroll at [email protected] to reserve a seat! We had a few new registrants schedule this morning!! Details can also be found on the Valhalla website at https://lnkd.in/eWuEKNuq #employeebenefits #insurance #HRconsulting #corporatefinance #valhallaessentials #healthcare

*****On Wellness Programs: A Call for Reevaluation***** A recent Oxford University study challenges the effectiveness of popular workplace wellness programs—including mindfulness apps, resilience training, and well-being coaching. Analyzing responses from over 46,000 workers, the research found no significant improvements in mental well-being for those who participated in individual-level interventions. In some cases, like resilience and stress management training, there were even negative effects. A recent The New York Times article reported on this. You can read it here: https://lnkd.in/gvuzRYSW The Journal of Industrial Relations research publication can be found here: https://lnkd.in/gMhcUPMk One notable -- and, to me, unsurprising -- exception to this was volunteering, which showed a positive impact on employee well-being, deriving from an improved sense of purpose. I feel this impact personally every time I spend time with State College Food Bank. (It was great to see you all this morning on Zoom!!) Employers should focus on systemic organizational changes—such as workload management, pay practices, and performance reviews - to truly improve employee well-being. This topic will be discussed at great length at our April 11 gathering in State College! I will post details in the comments section below... Please RSVP to Tim Carroll at [email protected]. Our panel is amazing!! -> Cassandra Kitko Benjamin Hulburt Zack Papalia, PhD, MPH Allison Hess #ValhallaEssentials - 38:? “While individual wellness programs can be well-intended, true employee well-being starts with addressing the broader working conditions that drive stress and burnout. At Valhalla, we take a holistic, autonomy-driven approach to ‘work-life balance’—creating sensible frameworks for professional life while supporting our team. We believe that a shared sense of service orientation and mission-driven purpose is essential to our culture and a key criterion for joining Valhalla." Best regards, Jens Thorsen March 3, 2025 at 12:23pm State College, Pennsylvania Stuart Bretz Mark Molckovsky, MD, MBA Tim Carroll Emily Felice Michael Knapp Rich Wilber Riley Hengler Ashlee Swank Holland Chavey Willie B.

*****Press Release: Valhalla Business Advisors and Aperture Insurance Solutions Announce Strategic Partnership***** We are very pleased to announce a partnership with our friends and colleagues at Aperture Consulting, LLC. The entire Valhalla team is excited about the opportunity to collaborate with Aperture. “This partnership reflects our shared commitment to delivering exceptional value and service,” said Jens Thorsen, Co-Founder of Valhalla Business Advisors. “Aperture has built a strong reputation for helping employers design benefits that employees love, supported by a personalized approach and deep industry expertise. I have immense respect for Rich Wilber’s leadership and the talented team he has assembled. Having worked together in the past, I’m excited to collaborate again and see what we can accomplish for our clients.” Operating as a Valhalla Business Advisors Partner Firm, Aperture will offer clients expanded services, a broader geographic reach, and enhanced industry insights. Both firms will continue to operate under their respective brands, delivering personalized solutions tailored to their clients’ needs. https://lnkd.in/gt5WaqJS

Congrats to everyone involved!! #NittanyNation!! #FTK #WeAre Four Diamonds, Penn State University, PENN STATE MILTON S. HERSHEY MEDICAL CENTER

*****#ValhallaInsights2025: April 11, 2025 at Toftrees in State College***** Join us for an engaging panel discussion on the evolving role of workplace wellness. Business leaders, HR professionals, and industry experts will share insights on strategies that drive productivity, well-being, and ROIC. Thank you to Cassandra Kitko, Benjamin Hulburt, Zack Papalia, PhD, MPH, and Allison Hess for joining this amazing panel!! From cutting-edge health initiatives to financial wellness solutions, we’ll explore what truly makes an impact and what employers should prioritize. Whether you're a business owner, HR leader, or advisor, this conversation will offer actionable takeaways. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain expert perspectives and network with peers shaping the future of employee well-being! Please RSVP to Tim Carroll in our office! Cc: Stuart Bretz, Mark Molckovsky, MD, MBA, Emily Felice, Michael Knapp, Willie B., Tammy Gentzel

#ValhallaEssentials - 33: “Culture isn’t just one aspect of the business game — it IS the game.” We are growing at Valhalla Business Advisors, LLC and thinking about how important our culture is to us. We are considering the addition of new teammates. Some quotes that resonate with our views: Mark Zuckerberg: "I think as a company, if you can get those two things right - having a clear direction on what you are trying to do and bringing in great people who can execute on the stuff - then you can do pretty well." Louis Gerstner, Jr.: "Until I came to IBM, I probably would have told you that culture was just one among several important elements in any organization's makeup and success — along with vision, strategy, marketing, financials, and the like... I came to see, in my time at IBM, that culture isn't just one aspect of the game, it is the game. In the end, an organization is nothing more than the collective capacity of its people to create value." Peter Drucker: "Culture eats strategy for breakfast." [Benjamin Heim, thank you for introducing this to me so many years ago... I have a handful of book recommendations from you on my shelf here at 110 Pine Hall Ct. Turn the Ship Around was particularly meaningful to me. Thank you again!!] Strategy matters. Execution matters. But in the end, an organization is only as strong as the collective capacity of its people to create value. Build the right culture, and everything else follows. #leadership #management

*****Continuous Glucose Monitors: Will Metabolic Monitoring Save American Healthcare? | Valhalla Insights***** In early 2024, Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) became available over the counter—putting real-time metabolic insights in the hands of anyone who wants them. The implications for personal health, innovation, and healthcare business models are enormous. We know diabetes is a massive and costly crisis. What if a simple tool could help individuals—and even employers—take proactive steps to prevent disease, lower costs, and improve quality of life? At Valhalla, we believe that tracking the right metrics leads to better decisions—whether in health or finance. We have been experimenting with CGMs personally, and the results have been eye-opening. Check out our latest post where we explore how metabolic monitoring could reshape American healthcare—and let’s talk about how we can drive these effects across our communities. What do you think? Are CGMs a game-changer or just another gadget? https://lnkd.in/ernrztha Stuart Bretz Jens Thorsen Mark Molckovsky, MD, MBA Tim Carroll Michael Knapp Emily Felice Tammy Gentzel Willie B. Rich Wilber We are particularly curious about the thoughts of Peter Attia, Jan Jensen, Jan Ulbrecht, Susan Trainor, Robert Saylor DDS, MBA, Cliff Bleustein,MD,MBA, Zack Papalia, PhD, MPH, Jim Mead, Mark Jacobson, and Brian McCleary. #employeebenefits #insurance #HRconsulting #corporatefinance #valhallaessentials #healthcare

Thank you to Pennsylvania Business Central for recognizing Valhalla’s Co-Founder Jens Thorsen as one of the region’s “Top 100 People.” The annual list recognizes “individuals whose remark-able contributions have made them stand out as true leaders” in the community. https://lnkd.in/e2WawNX9

*****2025 Happy Valley Events Calendar***** We believe hosting periodic seminars and panels on timely business topics that are important to clients, prospects, and other stakeholders in our communities adds value and builds community. Most of the past efforts we made were well received and we are doubling down on this aspect of our strategy. Our calendar for 2025 in Happy Valley is included here. We are still working on ideas for other markets where we operate with some concentration of clients and relationships. We appreciate the willingness of Tom Schrack, Benjamin Hulburt, Tye Cressman, Zack Papalia, PhD, MPH and Andy Dum, among others, to participate. We have really interesting stuff in the works for 2025. If you notice any of these topics and will be local to Happy Valley or interested in virtual attendance, please let any of us know. Have a wonderful day! #ValhallaEssentials - 29: "Seeking 'win-win' outcomes to transactions and relationships is not about being nice; It is certainly not a sign of weakness. It is a deliberate choice and world view that encourages collaboration, driving productivity and creating wealth. The world is richer when we look for ways to succeed together.? Look for 'win-win' whenever possible."

*****Testimonials and Gratitude***** I was working on an LOI for a possible partnership this morning when I was alerted to a message from my telephone. I was so pleased to see a testimonial posted to my Linked In account from my friend Bryan Davis from Red Reef Anesthesia. He shared this testimonial for Valhalla Business Advisors, LLC: "I cannot express enough how instrumental Jens and the team at Valhalla Business Advisors have been in the success of our company. Jens is not only professional and attentive, but his extensive knowledge truly sets him apart. Most importantly, he has been a genuine partner in our journey, always ready to provide support and guidance. I highly recommend Valhalla Business Advisors to anyone looking for a dedicated and knowledgeable business partner!" I met Bryan through our mutual friend, Willie B., a few years ago. Our team loves working with him and the Red Reef team. Bryan, thank you for the testimonial and I hope you have a great Friday!! #employeebenefits #insurance #HRconsulting #corporatefinance #referrals #testimonials #valhallaessentials #healthcare Best regards, Jens Thorsen January 24, 2025 at 9:48am State College, Pennsylvania