Teaming up with Gleaners Food Bank

 On Saturday February 23^rd, Center team members and their families volunteered to support Gleaners Food Bank.  Jen Hackmann, Client Service Manager said we really pulled our weight.

Thank you, thank you for all the support for the 1^st Gleaners volunteering event - we had a total of 214 pounds of donations (I think Tim’s donation of multiple cans of fruit cocktail put us over the 200 pound mark),” Jen reported. “And according to the organizers at Gleaners, this food donation will provide 178 meals for our hungry neighbors in need.  Gleaners collects over 2.5 million pounds of food from food drives like ours and distributes the donations to more than 600 partnering groups in need each year.”

After an orientation and video introduction to Gleaners Food Bank, our volunteers got to work. We went from standing still, trying to figure out what we were going to be doing, to a full-on assembly line working at what felt like a 100 miles per hour.  Jen remembers saying to Troy Wyman, CFP ®and Gerri Harmer, Client Service Associate, “I have a new and GREAT respect for assembly line work!”  Apparently it is not as easy as it looks!  Some of us packed bags of fruit while others worked with packaged food, putting together large boxes of noon-perishable goods to be handed out to families in need. 

And despite the demanding morning of helping out at the food bank, we couldn’t get enough! We’ve already planned another Gleaners volunteer day on Saturday, September 21^st from 9am – noon.  Anyone who would like to join our group is more than welcome.  If you happen to get the volunteering itch on your own one Saturday morning, you can just show up at 9am on any Saturday at the Detroit Gleaners Distribution Center.  You do not need to be part of a group and the Detroit Distribution Center is the only site that takes “walk-in” volunteers.

Jen Hackmann Earns Registered Paraplanner℠ (RP®) Designation

 Congratulations to our Jen Hackmann for completing the Registered Paraplanner℠ course of study.  The curriculum encompassed the financial planning process and general financial planning concepts. We applaud Jen for her recent accomplishment as she passed a rigorous examination that tested her ability to synthesize complex concepts and apply theoretical concepts to real-life situations.

As a Registered Paraplanner℠, Jen will renew her designation every two-years by completing continuing education hours, reaffirming adherence to the Standards of Professional Conduct and complying with self-disclosure requirements. But she says she’s ready to start putting her recently tested knowledge to work. Jen explains,

It will be exciting to continue to broaden my knowledge base and be able to support the overall direction and vision of the Center’s financial planning process.”

Well done, Jen Hackmann, RP®

Let’s All Give Melissa Cyrus an Official Welcome!

 We would like to take a moment and officially recognize our newest team member Melissa Cyrus and applaud her recent accomplishment.  Melissa came aboard in May 2012 after two summer internships with The Center in 2010 and 2011. She has settled in nicely to her new role as a Client Service Assistant and recently passed the challenging Series 7 securities licensing exam as well as the Series 63 which cover state laws and regulations.  Congratulations Melissa!

Melissa earned her bachelor’s degree from Grand Valley State University with a double major in Finance and Economics.  When not at work, you might find Melissa playing basketball or running and in the summer she enjoys being on the water boating, kayaking or tubing. Melissa enjoys spending time with friends and family. And when it comes to mottos, she is a firm believer that you should be yourself because everyone else is taken.

Center Supports the IOG’s Programs to Engage and Educate Seniors

 The Center is proud of our partnership with the Wayne State University Institute of Gerontology (IOG).  The IOG is committed to engaging and educating seniors in our communities. One of their premier events is the Art of Aging Successfully Annual Senior Conference, which brings hundreds of seniors together to experience well-respected keynote speakers and break-out workshops promoting creative expression, social connection and information on ways to positively embrace all facets of aging.  In addition, time is provided to take a stroll through the Gallery Walk, which is a display of art created by local area seniors.  Sandy Adams has attended this event for the last three years and says, “Art of Aging is a wonderful event.  The energy and creativity of those that attend is inspiring.” This year’s conference will be held on Thursday, March 21, 2013, at the Greater Grace Conference Center in Detroit and is sure to be another sell-out event.  Sandy sits on the Board of Visitor’s for the Institute of Gerontology and will be representing the Center at the Art of Aging event.  To view the conference schedule or to register, go to http://www.iog.wayne.edu/seniors/art-of-aging.php.

Center Honored as one of Michigan's Healthiest Employers

 The Center was honored as one of Michigan’s Healthiest Employers.   The inaugural award recognizes companies that show examples of innovative programs that had an impact on both the wellness of the employees but also productivity for the companies.  

Center Planner Laurie Renchik, CFP® says, “Our Health & Wellness program has been going strong since 2007 and we are proud to share our success story with others. The credit for the award and recognition goes to Center team members who make health and wellness a priority in their lives.” 

Winners were chosen from the Metro Detroit area based on the number of global employees.  The Center took honors in the 5-99 employee category.

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The project was sponsored by Priority Health; data was collected by Indianapolis-based Healthiest Employer LLC. Crain's Detroit Business and MiBiz produced this promotional supplement as media sponsors of the project.

We don't do it for the recognition....but it's nice!

 Our unique professional staff continues to be sought after speakers, contributors to the media, and community leaders. More news may be found in the In The News and Awards and Recognition sections of our website.

• The Center was recognized among Michigan’s top 25 largest money managers in Crain's Detroit Business.
• Melissa Joy has twice received national recognition as one of eight people picked by Financial Advisor and Private Wealth magazines for their Research Manager All-Star Team.** She was most recently featured in an article titled "The All Star Game" in the October 2012 issue of Financial Advisor Magazine.
• The Center was recognized for the 5th consecutive year by the American Heart Association as a Fit-Friendly Worksite. 
• The Center was recognized by Research Magazine as  “A Cool Place to Work”
• In October, The Center was recognized as a finalist by Crain’s Detroit Business as one of Michigan’s Healthiest Employers.  
• Center team members Sandra Adams CFP®, Matthew Chope CFP® and Timothy Wyman CFP®, JD received recognition by Five Star Professional in the June 2012 issue of Hour Detroit magazine. They were named to the 2012 Five Star Wealth Managers list, a select group of wealth managers in the Detroit area.
• Team members contribute regularly to both the local and national media including; Forbes, The Detroit News, WDIV, Investment New, and The Wall Street Journal.

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* Recognition based on assets under management

** Award was based on job function of the person evaluated, fund selections and evaluation process used, study of rejected fund examples, and evaluation of challenges faced in the job and actions taken to overcome those challenges. Evaluations were independently conducted by Financial Advisor Magazine.

*** 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, fulfuillment of firm review based on internal firm standards, accepting new clietns, one and five year client retention rates, non-institutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered, number of client households served.

Serving Our Community and Profession

 The Center takes pride in serving our communities, our profession and each other.  Below you’ll find the many organizations supported by our team’s volunteer efforts.

• Sandy Adams, CFP® was appointed to the Board of Visitors for the Institute of Gerontology (IOG) at Wayne State University and also serves on the Legal and Financial Advisory committee for the IOG as well as a liaison to the Board of Visitors for the last two years.
• Marilyn Gunther, CFP® serves the Board of her community foundation in North Carolina
• Sandy Adams, CFP® and Julie Hall, CFP® led Junior Achievement activities.
• Dan Boyce, CFP® served on the Governing Board of an elementary charter school, as well as continuing on the Board of Trustees of Prescott College.
• Laurie Renchik, CFP® and Tim Wyman, CFP® participated in Leadership Oakland and Melissa Joy participated in Inforum’s Executive Leadership program.
• The Center proudly supported the local community and Gleaner’s Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan through the celebration of food, wine and art! The 9th Annual Vine & Dine, hosted by the Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce.
• Matt Chope, CFP® offered his thoughts on what it means to leave a Legacy of Value as part of the The Youth Diversity Symposium annual event developed by the Southfield Community Foundation.
• Carrying on a proud Center legacy (and following in Marilyn Gunther’s, CFP® footsteps), Sandy Adams, CFP® was appointed to the Board of Personal Financial Education Services, an Ann Arbor based non-profit organization with a mission of promoting personal financial education in Michigan and beyond and to empower youth and adults to build more stable financial futures through financial education.
• Dan Boyce, CFP® continued his leadership at the Institute for Sustainable Social Change in Prescott, AZ.
• Betsey Schrock, Bookkeeper/Office Manager, was elected president of Stagecrafters, a large community theatre organization located at the Baldwin theatre in Royal Oak.
• Troy Wyman, CFP® was elected to the Board of Directors of the Financial Planning Association of Michigan and to the executive board of the Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce.
• Melissa Joy, CFP® began serving on the Business Development Committee for Detroit Chamber Winds & Strings.

To find out more please feel free to contact the team member aligned with your organization of interest.

What You Can Look For in 2013

 On behalf of our 20 team members, Happy New Year! We enter into our 28^th year and will continue to serve with passion and the very best of our professional ability. In 2012 we experienced the rhetoric of a contentious presidential election and addressed difficult economic issues in Europe and beyond. While the Presidential election has passed, it's clear that much of the political turmoil remains. Like past years, we will help you navigate these issues as it relates to accomplishing your financial and life goals.

Economic Climate

At the time of this writing, the Fiscal Cliff deal known as the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 is newly minted. No doubt you have questions. Fortunately, the Fiscal Cliff and resulting income and estate tax changes have been on our minds and in our plans for much longer than the headlines. We continue to digest and analyze the new law and share our early analysis in the following blog 'How Will the Fiscal Cliff Deal Impact You?'

Education and Awareness

We will continue to provide a variety of educational sessions for 2013. In response to your feedback, you can expect to see our content delivered in a more innovative manner. We look to incorporate recorded webinars or conference calls that may be accessed at your convenience. Expect to see topics that address: Applying for Social Security, Medicare strategies, and a fall Investment Forum. 

Blogs:  Timely & Relevant Topics

The Oakland Press continues to endorse our Money Centered blog which provides actionable advice surrounding many of today’s financial planning and investment opportunities. It's a great way to share our collective wisdom and continues to stretch our leadership in the financial planning community. Money Centered speaks to our clients, professional relationships, and general public.

In addition to Money Centered, don’t forget to check out our other blog platforms. Center Connections help to keep our clients apprised of news, events, and announcements concerning your Center team. Our quarterly Investment Commentary shares our insights and thinking as it relates to both big picture and market-focused investment topics. As always, please feel free to forward our blog posts to those that you care about.

Wishing you a healthy and prosperous 2013!   

Happy Centerversary!

 The Center celebrates its 28th year! Founded in 1985, our success and longevity would not be possible without the support from our team members. Let's take a moment to recognize our individuals celebrating a Centerversary in the month of January. 

Top: Marilyn Gunther, Daniel Boyce; Middle: Marilynn Levin, Betsey Schrock, Laurie Renchik; Bottom: Troy Wyman, Julie Hall.

We would like to share a special thanks and Happy Centerversary to Marilyn Gunther and Dan Boyce, two of our founding partners. Thank you for building such a strong foundation that will serve us toward our Vision 2020 and beyond!

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Checkout our current blog posts HERE. See you there!