Mike's mission as a financial professional is to help every one of his clients lead a better, more secure financial life. Since June 1995, Mike has worked with families, business owners, physicians and other professionals, executives, retirees and pre-retirees on financial strategies to help them protect their income, provide for their employees and families, plan for a secure retirement, and leave the legacy they choose for their heirs and community.
Mike begins each new client relationship by conducting an thorough review of all his clients financial and legal documents to gain a complete understanding of each client's total financial picture. The planning tools he uses tests the outcome of each suggested scenario. He knows that no financial decision should be made in a vacuum because every decision can have a large effect on the client's financial future. Mike believes strongly in providing his clients with a financial education so they fully understand their options and can make educated decisions with complete knowledge of what actions they are taking and why these actions are appropriate for them. He always collaborates with the clients other advisors such as attorneys and CPAs to make sure that all recommendations fit together for the client's best interests.
Mike is a Special Care Planner capable of assisting families whose members have a physical, psychological or learning disability. Planning for these families is vitally important and requires the utilization of specific techniques, such as special needs trusts, so that public services are still available to the affected person. He has a thorough understanding of the financial aspects of working with special needs families, including Social Security integration. In addition, he can advise clients on the need for having a written life plan, which includes the discussion of guardianship and future living arrangements.
Mike is a Certified Family Business Specialist, receiving the designation in 2000 from the American College. This certification and training allows him to provide expertise to owners of family-owned businesses and closely-held corporations. Important issues like taxation, buy sell planning, business valuation, key person, and exit strategy planning for owners are several of the areas on which Mike can advise his clients. He has many years of experience in estate and tax planning concepts, and the emotional dynamics of family businesses and generational succession planning.
Mike has been and continues to be recognized for his financial services industry achievements. He is a member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA). He is very involved in the local community as a member of the Wichita Falls Bureau of Commerce and Industry and supports many local charities, non-profits and philanthropic efforts including participating and sponsoring the Autism Awareness WF 5K Run, The Boy Scouts of America, The Kitchen (providing meals to local elderly and adults with disabilities), Muscular Dystrophy Association, Big Brothers-Big Sisters, and Alzheimer’s Association to name a few. Mike is also a former President of Partners in Education (PIE), a PIE mentor and the Board of Governors for Texas Specialty Hospital.
Mike and his wife Tammie, who works side by side with him as his office manager, have been married since June 1980. Their favorite pastime is spending time with the family, which includes 2 daughters and sons-in-law as well as their grandchildren. When there is free time, they enjoy travel, fine dining, and an occasional round of golf.