Center Team Back from RJ Conference with Ideas for the Future

Though the sun was shining brightly over the pool outside our Las Vegas hotel, our team turned a blind eye each morning and dove into work. Of The Center’s 18 employees, 17 of us made the trip to the Raymond James National Conference for Professional Development. We make it a point every year to get as many hands on deck as possible. Not just for the learning opportunities, but because it’s a great chance for us to do some off-site team building. This year we went with a mission: Find take-aways we could put into action for our clients. In this video, we share just a few:

KACY WYMAN 9TH ANNUAL FUN RUN/WALK BENEFITTING CYSTINOSIS RESEARCH NETWORK

Contributed by: Timothy Wyman, CFP®, JD

On Sunday May 3rd we will hold the 9th Annual Cystinosis Fun Run/Walk in honor of our daughter, Kacy Wyman.  In the past we have had over 350 walkers and runners support the event and Kacy.

Kacy will begin a new stage in her treatment as she is expected to have a kidney transplant in early June 2015.  She continues to be an inspiration to many each day. Her required medicine regime is challenging each day (37 pills a day, eye drops 8-10 times per day and 7 liters of water) – but she doesn’t let it stop her from living each day to the fullest.   

Your financial support is making a difference in Kacy’s life and all of the children enduring this rare disease called Cystinosis (Sis-ta-know-sis). Your support drives research and gives us hope that a cure will be found. We understand that there are many worthy causes and feel very fortunate that so many have supported Kacy’s cause in the past – and appreciate you considering attending or making a financial contribution for our event. Thank you again for considering.

With Love & Gratitude, Tim & Jen Wyman

Center Team Members Participate in Money Smart Week

Contributed by: Center for Financial Planning, Inc.

April is Financial Literacy Month and when it comes to financial literacy, knowing how to manage your money is a big part. That’s why the “Money Smart Week” public awareness campaign was created by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago in 2002. This year it falls on April 18 – 25th. The goal is to help consumers better manage their personal finances. This is achieved through the collaboration and coordinated effort of hundreds of organizations across the country, including local organizations like our Financial Planning Association of Michigan. Other involved include local libraries and corporations that are dedicated to promoting financial literacy (like the Center for Financial Planning!).

Programming is offered to all demographics and income levels and covers all facets of personal finance. Melissa Joy, CFP® and Sandy Adams, CFP® are again volunteering at their local libraries where they will be offering presentations to the public on financial planning topics. To find an event to attend in your neighborhood, click here: Money Smart Week®.

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Links are being provided for information purposes only. Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse, authorize or sponsor any of the listed websites or their respective sponsors. Raymond James is not responsible for the content of any website or the collection or use of information regarding any website's users and/or members.

Slightly Off-Center: What is the one thing you cannot do without?

Contributed by: Center for Financial Planning, Inc.

There’s a lot you know about our team at The Center … but we’ve dug up answers to some questions you might have never thought to ask.

My water bottle – take that thing everywhere –Jennifer Hackmann

Coffee/Caffeine –Matt Trujillo

Iced Tea –Melissa Joy

The gym or working out – I’m not an exercise fanatic by any means but I have to be active at least a few times a week or I just don’t feel like myself –Nick Defenthaler

Wise Words from the Women who Founded The Center

Contributed by: Laurie Renchik, CFP®, MBA

30 years ago, Marilyn Gunther and Estelle Wade, along with a select group of financial planning professionals, joined together to establish the Center for Financial Planning.  Back then financial planning was still an emerging profession. Marilyn Gunther and Estelle Wade were trailblazers who became influencers in a new, primarily male-dominated profession.  They took leadership roles in professional organizations with a commitment to strengthen the standards of financial planning practitioners and enhance the public’s understanding of the financial planning process.

Unwavering commitment to The Center values and a comprehensive financial planning foundation that were envisioned by Marilyn and Estelle in 1985 are still firmly anchored in our business today. In fact, if you visit our Founders’ conference room, you’ll find yourself surrounded by wise words from these two women:

“The art of financial planning is listening to clients with your eyes, your ears and your heart.” –Marilyn Gunther

 “From the beginning we have strived to treat every client with respect and honesty while helping them meet their short-term and long-term financial goals.” –Estelle Wade

While Marilyn and Estelle have retired, they continue to serve as role models for women at The Center.  Today, their leadership torch has been passed on to three female partners Laurie Renchik, CFP®, Sandy Adams, CFP® and Melissa Joy, CFP®.  This March, in honor of Women’s History Month, we give a special word of thanks to Marilyn and Estelle. They created our workplace, they changed our profession, and they lead the way.

Laurie Renchik, CFP®, MBA is a Partner and Senior Financial Planner at Center for Financial Planning, Inc. In addition to working with women who are in the midst of a transition (career change, receiving an inheritance, losing a life partner, divorce or remarriage), Laurie works with clients who are planning for retirement. Laurie was named to the 2013 Five Star Wealth Managers list in Detroit Hour magazine, is a member of the Leadership Oakland Alumni Association and in addition to her frequent contributions to Money Centered, she manages and is a frequent contributor to Center Connections at The Center.

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Five Star Award is based on advisor being credentialed as an investment advisory representative (IAR), a FINRA registered representative, a CPA or a licensed attorney, including education and professional designations, actively employed in the industry for five years, favorable regulatory and complaint history review, fulfillment of firm review based on internal firm standards, accepting new clients, one- and five-year client retention rates, non-institutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered, number of client households served.

Meet our Newest Team Member: Jim Smiertka

Contributed by: Center for Financial Planning, Inc.

When asked for his favorite financial planning quotes, our newest team member Jim Smiertka gave us these:

                         "Most people don't plan to fail; they fail to plan."

                         "How you live tomorrow, depends on how you invest today."

At the office, Jim is working as a Client Service Associate/Support Advisor. He’s learning his new CSA duties & working with our financial planning team, while also studying for the CFP exam, with the goal of becoming an Associate Financial Planner. Outside the office, you might find him enjoying Mexican food or working it off by playing soccer or basketball.

We’re a pretty tight-knit team at The Center, so of course, we wanted to know all about Jim. Here are a few of our favorite answers:

What led you to the financial planning field?

I actually started college with a general business / computer applications focus, but my first major was actually Occupational Therapy. After nearly completing the degree, I had a change of heart. I transitioned to the business college at Western Michigan Univ. and Personal Financial Planning was the major I was drawn to.

What made you take a job with The Center?

The Center was offering a job that matched my preferences perfectly, and out of all the places I interviewed at, it stood out the most due to the new office design and all of the staff that I came in contact with. I knew The Center was at the top of my list. :)

Do you have a personal philosophy on saving?

It is very important to start saving early in your working life. You can save less if you start earlier! The effect of compounding interest cannot be understated.

State of The Center: 2014

Since 1985, The Center has been a passionate advocate for the clients we serve. We take great pride in the success of our clients and are equally proud that so many clients take an interest in our firm.  In that spirit, we are excited to share some of our happenings & successes in 2014.

Growing The Center

As in the past, providing world-class service to our existing clients is priority number one.  We now serve roughly 820 individuals and families representing assets under our management of $897M as of December 31, 2014.

Moving The Center

To better serve clients and team members, we moved into larger and more collaborative space in July 2014.  Many of you have had the opportunity to visit and the feedback has been positive.  Thanks to changes in the commercial real estate market, we were able to make substantial changes to our space in a cost effective manner.  Technology has been enhanced to improve client annual review meetings and the new Center Café provides a generous space for team collaboration.

Changes at The Center

As shared last year, 2013 was a year of goodbyes as three long term team members began their retirement (fortunately we see them all….just now as clients of the firm). Our new team members stepped in, up and then some.  Associate Financial Planners Nick Defenthaler and Matt Trujillo have added a level of planning capability for clients. Office Manager Nancy Sechrist hit the ground running in a variety of areas – not the least of which was with our office move.  Additionally, several team members increased their knowledge and training to serve clients by completing the Certified Financial Planner™ program, completing securities licensing, as well as specialized training through the Sudden Money Institute. In 2014 we were fortunate to attract three valuable interns, and one of them, Nick Boguth, will be joining us midyear after graduating from the University of Michigan.

Making our Mark

The Center and our team members continue to be leaders in our communities and profession.

• Center recognized in Crain’s 2014 Cool Places to Work Award Program! To see what helped us make the cut, watch this cool video.

• Our co-founder Marilyn Gunther received the Raymond James 2014 Women of Distinction Award. The award is given to women advisors who are exceptional in both their professional and personal contributions.

• Daniel Boyce received an Honorable Mention Lifetime Achievement Award from Investment News. He was recognized for his ongoing contributions to the Detroit Chamber Winds & Strings.

• We’re not just focused on financial health at The Center. Our core value of leading healthy, balanced lives was recognized with three different awards. We were named a finalist for the 2014 Governor's Fitness Awards, the American Heart Association picked us as a Fit-Friendly Worksite for the 7th year running, and Corp! Magazine chose us as one of Michigan's Best & Brightest in Wellness.

• For the second consecutive year, The Center was recognized as one of the Detroit area’s largest money managers by Crain's list.

See a full listing of our Awards & Recognition by clicking here.

Educating our Clients

We continued our efforts to provide meaningful education in a variety of areas impacting our clients’ lives. In addition to our ongoing commitment to provide relevant, timely blogs and videos, we held sessions on Medicare & Investment Planning.

Unforgettable 2014 Moments

Many of our Center team members attended the Raymond James National Conference in Washington DC to improve their skills, engage in team building, and witness the First Annual (?) bull riding contest between Kali Hassinger & Matt Trujillo. Watch our video to see more about the best things we learned at the conference.

Melissa Cyrus became Melissa Parkins after her wedding to Kevin Parkins in October (the photos are wonderful!).

And lastly, 2014 will be remembered as the year it snowed a lot in Michigan! Perhaps that’s why we now serve clients living in 37 different states?

From all of us at Center for Financial Planning, we thank you for the opportunity to serve you and your loved ones.  We appreciate your continued confidence and trust and will work diligently each day in 2015 to provide world-class service.  Congratulations to all on a successful 2014 and here’s to 2015!

Links are being provided for information purposes only. Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse, authorize or sponsor any of the listed web sites or their respective sponsors. Raymond James is not responsible for the content of any web site or the collection or use of information regarding any web site’s users and/or members.

Memorable Marriage of Art & Music

Imagine creating visual art while soaking up a classical music concert performed just for you. That was the concept behind the Detroit Chamber Winds & Strings (DCWS) 2014 Rendering Beethoven Concert which explored art, music, and abstract expressionism.

The Center proudly sponsored the first-of-its-kind performance, held at the College for Creative Studies. DCWS musicians performed Beethoven’s Serenade Op. 25 for Flute and Strings. The music served as inspiration for visual arts students and faculty who created abstract works of art before a captivated audience. The exploration of the connection between the visual arts and music was a memorable and thought-provoking experience for all in attendance.

Links are being provided for information purposes only. Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse, authorize or sponsor any of the listed web sited or their respective sponsors. Raymond James is not responsible for the content of any web site or the collection or use of information regarding any web site's users and/or members. C14-038752

The Center Wins Our Coolest Award Yet

We made Crain’s List’s coolest places to work list!  Crain'sCool Places to Work recognition program honors employers that go the extra mile to make employees feel appreciated — as judged by the employees themselves.

The program was open to Michigan businesses, nonprofits and government entities. An organization must have at least 15 employees at a Michigan location to be considered.

Harrisburg, Pa.-based research businessBest Companies Groupgathered data and conducted surveys on each organization to create the final rankings. The rankings are divided into three groups according to organization size, as measured by employee count.

Best Companies ranked 75 companies to receive the badge of Cool Place to Work. We took honors in the category for 15 – 49 employees. 

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