Planners’ Perspective: The story of the “accidental professional”

 Part 2 of a series that will shed some light on who we are and why we love financial planning. Partner Dan Boyce wasn’t always conducting business at the Center. In fact, he conducted in an entirely different realm before he found financial planning.

The year was 1979 and, as a musician, I had just finished leading and conducting a successful performance of the Troy Community Chorus in Handel’s Messiah.  I was an independent contractor in the Troy Community Education department and was required to attend a continuing education workshop on a Saturday.  At my table, I was seated with a woman who offered “financial planning” as a Community Ed course selection—I was floored, at the time, that one could actually make a living doing this type of work.  This subject had always been an interest of mine, but I stumbled into financial planning almost accidentally when the profession was still in its infancy.

Within two years of that chance meeting, I had started my CFP designation, gotten licensed in securities and insurance, and hung out my shingle.  I took an educational approach to developing a clientele—teaching hundreds of folks in the basic tenets of financial planning—and my clientele grew rapidly.  Many of those early clients are still with the Center.  I helped start two firms, the second of which became the Center for Financial Planning in 1985, and I’ve never looked back.

I tell my clients that, as proud as I am of the work I have done with them over the years, I am most proud of the sustainable organization that I helped create and build.  We, at the Center, hire carefully chosen and extraordinary people who are fully dedicated to helping our clients meet their goals and achieve their dreams. 

Kick-starting the School Year

 If you are a parent, you no doubt remember that first day sending your child to kindergarten.  If you were like me, you were as nervous as they were (or maybe more). Would they like it?  Would they fit in?  Would the school call and say come get your child?  Well, on August 7th my wife Jen and I sent one of the kids off to school. This time it was our oldest Matt.   Matt will be a sophomore at the University of Kansas.  Matt, a soccer player in high school, made the KU football team as a place kicker.  So while his studies will not start for a few weeks - he is off to football camp.  The initial depth chart has him as one of three competing for the starting place kicker job and we couldn’t be more proud.  And, much like Matt's first day of kindergarten, we're a bit nervous to boot!  While he may or may not ever get a chance to kick in front of 60,000 screaming fans - he has several fans at home wishing him and the Jayhawks well and good luck.  

Happy Centerversary

 

Melissa, Sandy and Jaclyn hit new milestones . . . . .

Join with as we celebrate three Centerversaries in the month of August.   Sandy Adams, lead planner is celebrating 17 years with The Center.  Sandy says,  "The anniversary reminds me of how lucky I am to have found The Center.  I feel like I have grown up and matured as a persona nd as a professional with the help of the Center team and clients."

Melissa Joy, Director of Investments at The Center has been a part of our team for 14 years. Melissa describes her tenure here by telling us, "The Center is so much more than a place of employment for me.  It's been a home for the last 14 years and I'm grateful for everyone I've been able to work with over those years. Here's to the next 14!"

And though she might seem like a relative newbie compared to Sandy and Melissa, our own Investment Research Associate Jaclyn Jackson hit the 5-year mark in August.  We like to honor Center employees when they reach a “Centerversary” because we value experience and commitment (and quite frankly, we just like having Melissa, Sandy and Jaclyn around)!

Planners’ Perspective: Sometimes a Little Stubbornness Helps

 Part 1 of a series that will shed some light on who we are and why we love financial planning. Learn how partner Marilyn Gunther used what she calls stubbornness to pioneer her way into an unknown field.

Upon completing my master’s degree at Iowa State University in the late ‘60’s, and waiting for Ron Gunther to finish his Ph.D., I had the good fortune to be hired as adult education specialists in Consumer economics.  The University allowed faculty to audit any course on campus at no cost if there was room. I took full advantage of the opportunity and scouted out noted professors in subjects I had not ventured to study.

The school of social work had an outstanding professor who taught a trilogy of classes on counseling which I thought would be of interest.   Each week we were told to apply principles discussed in class to a case study.  I asked the professor if I could use personal financial situations. Keep in mind, personal financial planning as a profession was an unknown concept at the time.   He kindly told me the course had nothing to do with finance and politely told me, “No.”  Since that is a word I never liked, I finally persuaded him to let me try.  He agreed---I am sure a bit intrigued. And so, each week I dutifully turned in my paper, which focused on a family financial planning problem and how to counsel with families to give them assistance.   We had many discussions over the months.  The professor was very helpful and at the end of the classes he smiled and said, “You really do have something here”.  Well I did not just convince him, I convinced myself about the need for personal financial planning and counseling.

Today Iowa State University has a degree in personal financial management and counseling. I would like to tell you I influenced that development but it was more likely the times.  I did very much appreciate the opportunity to secure a direction that would be come an extremely satisfying life long vocation.

The Prescott tragedy hits close to home

 Founding Partner of The Center, Daniel Boyce, lives in Prescott, Arizona, just miles from where the Yarnell Hill Fire that took the lives of 19 firefighters. The tragedy was the greatest loss of life for firefighters since Sept. 11, 2001 and hit very close to home for Dan and his wife Sue. He shares his thoughts:

The loss of 19 elite Arizona firefighters is a devastating blow for our small city, made all the more poignant for all of us since the same crew had been active in putting out a larger fire much closer to Prescott just a week or so earlier. That fire started just 4-5 miles due west from our house, and within 9 hours was over 5,000 acres in size. Had the wind been from another direction, we would have quickly been in the "line of fire"; as it was, we had our car packed with our most important stuff, our cats sequestered to be able to grab them quickly, and were ready to evacuate if the winds had shifted. But thanks to more than 600 firefighters battling for over a week on rugged terrain, in the end there were amazingly no structures burned or serious injuries.

The Yarnell Hill Fire, where the tragedy occurred June 30^th, is about 15-20 miles south of us. We saw the air tankers loaded with fire-retardant slurry headed in that direction--run after run--little did we know what would ensue. Things around here have been tinder dry, and it has been unusually windy, making fire conditions extremely hazardous.

Sue and I sang in the choir at the memorial service for the 19 firefighters from Prescott. It was held at the largest arena in the area and still thousands who couldn't fit in sat outside to watch the service on jumbo screens. Though Sue and I don't know any of the fire victims personally, in a town of this size (~100,000) there is generally only one, or at most two, degrees of separation. It was an extraordinarily moving service and it reminded me once again how fortunate we all are, and how important it is to share our gratitude with those we care about.  So I'm doing just that.  Thank you for being an important part of my life.

Triathletes come in all Shapes and Sizes

 This is my second year of triathlon competitions.  I use the term “competition” loosely as I am not going out there to compete against others, just myself.  For the first time in my life I woke up last year and said, “I’m going to complete a triathlon this summer.” What was really astounding is that I had never swam, didn’t own a bike and rarely ran.  With hard work, I not only met my goal but completed three of them.  Finishing the final event of the season was very bittersweet, a relief that I could take a break but sad because I enjoyed them so thoroughly. 

But the winter flew by and before I knew it, it was time to start training again.  This year I am doing the exact same series of triathlons that I did last year.  It is a familiar course which makes it easy to track my progress in fitness level from one to the next. 

I was surprised this year to notice many of the same people that I saw last year out there.  It got me thinking what a great crowd it is.  On June 19^th, about 500 people started the race and 430 completed it.  What really struck me about the crowd is how triathletes can come in all shapes and sizes.  Of course there are the super fit people who look like they eat nothing but birdseed for 3 meals a day and they finish without even breaking a sweat (yes you may read the slight jealousy in my writing).  Those aren’t the people who impress me though.  The people who impress me are the people who believe they can do something and set out to achieve it.  Many are moms that are obviously stretched for time, much like me.  Others are trying to lose weight and yet others are just trying to stay fit as they age.  In fact, the largest age brackets were people in their mid-30’s to 50’s!  This proves it doesn’t matter what stage in life you are in, just that you get out and do something!

Welcome to our New Summer Intern

At the Center, we value developing the next generation of financial service professionals.  For the last six years our Summer Internship Program has provided an opportunity for college students to gain first-hand experience working in a financial planning firm.  This year we welcome Zachary Gould as our newest summer intern.  Zach is a Senior at the University of South Carolina and is double majoring in Finance and International Business.  He will primarily be supporting the Investment and Financial Planning Departments. In addition Zach will have opportunities to participate in unique education, training and staff shadowing to round out his experience at The Center.  Zach says, “I am thankful for the opportunity to intern at The Center this summer and look forward to learning the art of financial planning from such a passionate and knowledgeable group of people.” 

Some fun facts:

• Zach just finished a studying abroad in Paris at the America Business School
• He enjoys playing ice hockey and basketball
• Member of Soundcheck, an all-male a cappella group, and Alpha Lambda Delta Honors Society

Welcome, Zach! 

Pretty in Pink!

 We’re happy to spread the word that It’s A Girl! Center Client Service Manager Jennie Bauder and her husband Kelly announced the arrival of their new, darling daughter, Emma.  Jennie and Kelly tell us they are having the “time of their lives” welcoming their first child into this world.  She’s a sweet little treasure that looks like her daddy except for the adorable dimples she got from mom.

Emma Bauder was born on May 30, 2013 at 9:25 a.m.  She weighed in at 9 lbs. 5 oz. and measured 21 ¼ inches long.   Baby Emma, mom, dad and Maggie (the family pet dog) are all doing well. 

Congratulations Jennie!

Kacy Supporters Helped Take a Step Toward a Cure

 On Sunday May 5^th the sun was out and we had the largest crowd yet as more than 400 runners, walkers, bikers and dogs turned out to support Kacy Wyman and the Cystinosis Research Network.  Contributions are still coming in and we are grateful and proud to share that our community of supporters has raised near $30,000 for the Cystinosis Research Network. These funds will help with continued research projects to improve the quality of life for those dealing with Cystinosis and other rare diseases, and ultimately a cure!

The last 12 months have been exciting for the Cystinosis community and Kacy. Recently the eye drops that Kacy takes each hour have been FDA approved, meaning the drops are now covered by insurance. This makes them more affordable and accessible for many families. Also, a slow release (12 hour) drug called Procysbi is expected to be available this year allowing kids (and their parents) with Cystinosis to hopefully get a full night sleep for the first time in many years. There is still much work to be done to find a cure and our fundraising is having an impact for Cystinosis and other rare diseases. Kacy's mom Jen Wyman continues to be active with the Cystinosis Research Network where the feeling is that these two advancements should have a positive impact on kids dealing with the disease.

The fun run/walk, like anything worthwhile, could not have been such a success without the help of so many people. Michelle & John Kelly, Kristin Prebay, and Jeff & Kathy Abrash have helped every year with food. Carrie Olds and Suzanne Neff have been stalwarts rounding up many route volunteers. Lori & Hadley Horton, Mike Neff, and Nona Cleary pitched in where needed every year as well.  This year we are thankful to Kristin Cullen for arranging the donation of T-shirts. The list goes on….our generous sponsors… colleagues at The Center…Kacy’s swim club Atlantis……..all of these “little things” are not little….they add up to make a great event and we thank you all!

The CRN Fun Run/Walk has become a staple in our community. It is an important day for Kacy and for finding a cure. But as I (Kacy's dad) like to say, more than anything, the day is about HOPE. When you choose HOPE anything is possible. The support you all provide year after year gives us hope….hope for better treatments….hope for a cure…. Thank you!

Happy Centerversary

 While the Center celebrates 28 years serving our clients, our newest Client Service Associate, Melissa Cyrus, is also celebrating a milestone … her first “Centerversary” with us. 

We are proud to take a moment and recognize Melissa. It was a year ago May 14^th that she added her enthusiasm to our team.  Melissa said the momentous occasion sort of snuck up on her, telling us, “It’s been a year already?  Hard to believe … it went by so fast!  I feel very fortunate to be working at such a wonderful place surrounded by such awesome people.  It sure makes the time fly.” 

Guess Melissa just proved the old adage Time flies when you’re having fun. And all that wisdom from someone who has only been around for a year. Just wait to see what she has to say on her 10^th Centerversary!