I started my financial planning career with Mass Mutual in Knoxville, TN. I was a career agent with them for five years. My specialty with Mass was family business succession planning. Just like I do today, I coordinated a team of advisors to help the family business with this vital planning.
In 2000 I left Mass and became an independent insurance agent to better represent my clients by offering them many company choices rather than just one. I became registered to sell investments in 1998. In 2015, I formed my own Registered Investment Advisor firm to become an investment advisor or a fiduciary. I focus on teaching clients the wisdom of how money and retirement income streams work for better stewardship.
To further my education, I received the Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP®) certificate. The certification is awarded by The American College of Financial Services, candidates must:
• Complete RICP® coursework within five months from the date of initial enrollment.
• Complete three in-depth online courses.
• Meet the experience requirements: Three years of full-time business experience within the five years preceding the date of the award. An undergrad or graduate degree from an accredited educational institution qualifies as one year of business experience.
• Sign and agree to abide by a Code of Ethics.
• Pass an exam administered by Pearson VUE Testing Center. Minimum test score 70%.
• When you achieve the RICP® designation, you are subject to the PACE Recertification Program, either earning 15 credit hours of educational activities in subject matter that is acceptable to PACE Recertification for the reporting period January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2015, and for every two-year period thereafter.
With the emotional and financial stress to an entire family if a one member needs long term care, I added another certification to better advise my clients. I earned my Certification in Long Term Care (CLTC®). The CLTC is a designation that focuses on the discipline of extended care planning. It provides professionals the critical tools necessary to discuss the subject of longevity and its consequences on their Client’s family and finances. To earn the designation, the following must be completed:
Complete course outline including:
- Extended Care: Family vs. Statistics
- Extended Care Services
- What Pays for Extended Care-Long-Term Care Insurance
- Proper Implementation of Long-Term Care
- The Ethical Promotion of Long-Term Care Insurance
Pass the certification examination of 100 multiple-choice questions accessible on-line.
To maintain the CLTC designation, all designees are required to complete the CLTC renewal course biennially and make an annual renewal payment to support the continuing education.
