Carrots for a Cause: Our day at the Gleaners Food Bank

 You don’t think about the behind-the-scenes work that goes into a food bank until you roll up your sleeves and help. That’s what the Center team and our loved ones did on Saturday September 21 at the Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan. When we showed up at the Warren Distribution Center, many of us had no idea that we would work up a sweat and leave feeling so satisfied.

We separated into 2 groups, one packing 4-pound bags of carrots (the bags had to be exactly 4 pounds or Jen Hackmann’s astute 10-year-old daughter Jadyn would send you back to the bin to make your corrections). The other group helped in the packaged food assembly line putting together large bags of non-perishable goods to be handed out to families in need. 

The Center’s Jen Hackmann said pitching in gave her a sense of balance. “It’s personally rewarding to do these types of activities with my work and home families together.  I also really enjoy spending time with co-workers outside of the everyday work environment and getting to know the important people in their lives.”

Anyone interested in sending personal donations or finding out how to volunteer their time for Gleaners Community Food Bank can find out more at www.gcfb.org.

Center supports Gleaners Food Bank as a Presenting Sponsor at Vine & Dine

 As a presenting sponsor, The Center proudly supported our local community and Gleaner’s Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan.  The 10th Annual Vine & Dine, hosted by the Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce, is best described as a strolling food, wine and fashion event.  “What a wonderful excuse for an out-of-the-ordinary evening,” said attendee and Center Partner Melissa Joy. “It was such a pleasure to support Gleaner’s in such a unique way.”

Over the years, The Center has shared a strong partnership with the chamber through volunteerism or sponsorship.  This year's event was held Wednesday September 25^th at Neiman Marcus at The Somerset Collection.   The event featured a fall runway fashion show and more than 400 guests were in attendance.

Gleaners Community Food Bank provides surplus donated and low cost food and related personal care products to people in need in southeastern Michigan. For more information about Gleaner's Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan, please visit their website at: www.gcfb.org 

Happy Centerversary

 

Join with us as we celebrate two Centerversaries in the month of September.  Our Operations Manager Gregg Bloomfield is celebrating 6 years with The Center.  Gregg says, “My six years at The Center has flown by!   There have been a number of changes in that time, but what has not changed is our strong commitment to helping our clients live their best possible lives.”

Angela Palacios, CFP® Portfolio Manager has been a part of our team for 5 years.  Angie commented, “It is wonderful to come to work each day with such a great group of energized and engaged people!”

Time flies when you are having fun and we are happy to honor both Gregg and Angela on their “Centerversary.”  Not only do we value their experience and commitment ..... quite frankly, we just like having Gregg and Angela around!  

Join us in welcoming Kali Hassinger

We’re happy to announce the addition of another member to The Center team. As our new Receptionist, Kali Hassinger may be the person who greets you when you call or welcomes you into our office on your next visit. Branch Manager Tim Wyman summed it up well,

The receptionist position at The Center is critical in providing world class service to our clients. We are excited and fortunate to have Kali join current veteran Gerri Harmer as part of our welcoming team.

Kali is new to our area, having relocated to Michigan from the Philadelphia area earlier this year. “I am enjoying exploring Michigan and all it has to offer,” Kali says. She comes to us from the life insurance industry where she worked for the last six years. Her naturally outgoing personality makes her a great fit for her role in our office. And while she’s not working at The Center, Kali says she likes to stay active and spend as much time as possible with family and friends.

Join us in welcoming Matt Trujillo

 
There is a new face around our office and it belongs to Matt Trujillo. He’s one of our two new Support Advisors who will be working directly with our financial planners and our clients. The focus of the Support Advisor position and Matt’s new role is to assist our lead planners in providing an even deeper level of service to clients. Managing Partner Tim Wyman adds perspective.

Matt is uniquely qualified for this role and has hit the ground running. We are excited to have both Matt and Nick join the firm - two quality people who espouse our firm and service values.

Matt has almost six years of experience in the financial sector. When he’s not here at the Center, you might find him playing with his son, fishing or playing and teaching chess. He’s lived in Michigan for the past 18 years, but originally hails from Denver, Colorado.

When asked why our team felt like the right fit for him, Matt said, “I think of the Center as a family of advisors helping families of the community meet their financial goals.” Welcome to our growing family Matt!

Join us in welcoming Nick Defenthaler

 The Center team continues to grow this summer. One of our newest additions in the position of Support Associate is Nick Defenthaler.  As a Support Associate, Nick will be working with our lead financial planners (both behind the scenes and in client meetings) to help  provide an even greater depth of financial planning service for our clients.  Nick said he knew right away that he was a good fit for The Center.

Since the moment I walked in the door at The Center, I felt at home and where I should be.  Every single person at the firm has been overwhelmingly welcoming and helpful.

Nick was born and raised in Livonia, where he purchased a home in 2010. When he’s not working, Nick is a self-proclaimed die-hard hockey fan and loves to golf in the summer and to hunt in the fall. “Other than sports, I just enjoy spending time with my fiancé, Robin, and our one year old Black Lab, Jax.”

Before joining the Center, Nick began his career in 2006 as an intern at a small independent financial planning firm while attending college.  He graduated in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in finance from EMU and obtained the CFP designation in 2012.  In the coming years, he wants to return to school for a master’s degree. 

Managing Partner Tim Wyman adds the following.

Nick has amassed a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience in a short time and he will be yet another asset for our clients.

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)!

Happy Centerversary

 Join with us as we celebrate two Center team members Centerversaries.  Jennie Bauder a Client Service Manager at the Center who, as of this month, has been a part of our team for 10 years and Gerri Harmer a Client Service Associate, who has been part of our team for 6 years. We like to honor Center employees when they reach a "Centerversary" because we value experience and committment (and quite frankly, we just like having Jennie and Gerri around)!  

We are proud to take a moment and recognize both Jennie and Gerri.  Managing Partner Tim Wyman said it well, "We are fortnuate to have you both."  

When we asked Jennie how it felt to reach the 10 year mark she said, "Working at The Center has endless rewards and has given me so much over the last 10 years.  It is a workplace I enjoy coming to every day and has a family feel amongst my co-workers and Center clients."

Gerri had these thoughts, "It's exciting to work in such a positive team-oriented environment with phenomenal staff and absolutely wonderful clients."

Serving our community and profession

 

Leadership Oakland announced the list of graduates of the 2012-2013 Cornerstone Program class. Among the 53 individuals representing businesses and non-profit agencies completing the requirements of the year-long leadership development program was our own Tim Wyman, CFP® JD.  When asked about his experience Tim said, “The program exceeded all of my expectations.  The experience provided a tremendous opportunity for both personal and professional growth as I continue to serve clients at The Center and the community.”  A graduation ceremony was held at the Fieldstone Golf Club in Auburn Hills where participants were recognized for their commitment to community and the program as well as a greater understanding of local issues.

Tim traveled to northern Michigan to begin the program with a kick-off leadership retreat held in early September.  The retreat was followed by monthly day-long sessions that delved into issues facing the region.  Tim remarked, “My appreciation of the wonderful resources and people in our region has increased tenfold.  My 52 class cohorts, along with the many people I met serving others in our region, have inspired me to be a better husband, father, business leader, and contributor to our community.”  Tim and his fellow graduates are now linked to one of the most powerful business networks in Michigan. Way to go Tim!

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!