Brian

About Brian

I am an ethical financial planning professional with 20+ years experience in employee benefits, sales, insurance, banking, credit union, brokerage, and investment advisory services. I am employed by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), as an in-house CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ for electric cooperative employees and their families. Blissfully, I do not have a \"book of business,\" and I work on salary, not a draw or commission.I have enough letters after my name to document that I know a little something, but generally follow Earl Weaver\'s credo that \"it\'s what you learn after you know it all that counts.\" As I get older, I understand that more.I am not actively looking for a new position, though am willing to have a professional conversation as opportunities may present. I maintain this profile to network, to further my connections in and outside my field, to learn more about the work of my friends, relatives and colleagues, and to keep my options open.Specialties: Master of Business Administration, Concentration in Finance, George Mason UniversityCERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ ProfessionalChartered Financial Consultant® Chartered Life Underwriter®Certified Employee Benefits Specialist®Registered Employee Benefits Consultant®Life Underwriter Training Council FellowLife / Health / Variable Insurance Licenses Property & Casualty License Notary Public, Commonwealth of VirginiaPreviously held NASD/FINRA Series 6, Series 7, Series 63, Series 66, Series 26 Licenses

Experience

1. Senior Investment and Retirement Planner

   NRECA

   Apr 2007 — Present · Arlington, VA, US

   Completing comprehensive financial retirement plans and assisting colleagues in doing same for participants in NRECA\'s retirement and benefit programs. Advised on asset allocation, contribution levels, appropriate budgeting and time of retirement, health, life, disability and long term care insurance, and explanation of defined benefit and defined contribution plan options. Position requires expert knowledge in a wide variety of financial planning relating topics as well as a gentle touch in reassuring and educating skittish investors with little to no functional investment experience. Concurrently training and providing technical support to staff in the development and adoption of new financial planning software. While at NRECA, completed graduate school, LUTCF designation, ChFC® designation, CLU® designation, CEBS designation, executive certificate program, and passed CFP® exam on first attempt.Gained from this position:* My CFP®, ChFC®, CLU®, RPA and LUTCF Designations, MBA with concentration in Financial Management, as well as Microsoft Office Specialist certifications.* Increased knowledge of retirement plans, investment advisory services, retirement planning software, internal mutual fund policies and procedures, defined benefit and defined contribution plans, technology, and working effectively with unsophisticated investors.* Substantially developed public speaking skills.* Learned I enjoy business travel to rural America, and likewise enjoy the various National Park Service sites.* Gained a lasting appreciation for adequately and responsibly funded defined benefit plans.* Learned every back way, alternate route and shortcut known to man between Manassas and Arlington.

Education

• George Mason University – Costello College of Business

  MBA, Concentration in Financial Management

  2005 — 2008

• Georgetown University

  Executive Certificate in Financial Planning, CFP® Certification Coursework

  2008 — 2009

• University of South Florida Muma College of Business

  Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate

  2021 — 2021

• University of Richmond - Robins School of Business

  B.S., Business Administration, Concentration in Marketing, Minor in History

  1994 — 1998