Out with the Old and In with the New!
Thank you all for a Great Year in 2014. On behalf of our team, we are excited to start 2015!
Our team is poised and ready to move ahead full steam into the New Year. We stand ready to help each of our clients in all areas of Employee Benefit Consulting; especially with the full force of Health Care Reform, Medicare assistance, and Financial Planning. Last year, we found the opportunity to work with many affiliates in our industry, such as CPA’s, Attorney’s, Property and Casualty Agents and Banks. As a result, we’re happy to consider a few new offices as part of our “Client Service Team,” and we look forward to our continued relationships with each of them.
The challenges of 2014 required our office to embrace a wealth of new knowledge. Dave, Devan and Kristen spent many hours in planning forums, staff symposiums, due diligence trips as well as countless training sessions to deepen their knowledge not only of our affiliated industries, but also on current economic outlooks and trends. Between the three of us, we visited many states across the country to hear from top keynote speakers, economists and other experts in the Financial Services and Employee Benefits industry. Our team brought back many fresh ideas we can use as we continue providing the top levels of service our clients deserve.
To touch base on a more personal note…
Dave found 2014 challenging in many ways, and once again is sincerely grateful for the family, friends, staff, and business relationships that allowed 2014 to end on a favorable note. The ever-changing aspects of HealthCare Reform has us working hard to keep our clients well informed, and a volatile investment market and slow growing economy continues to keep us on our toes. A couple new business relationships have offered some exciting opportunities for us, which makes me even more excited to enter 2015. Outside the office, I’m proud to brag of my step-daughter’s recent graduation from Penn State, my daughters continued drive to add another certification to her Special Needs Teaching degree (also from Penn State), and the anticipation of a third grandchild due in 2015, to bring our total grandkids to 3.
Devan is extremely excited to jump into this New Year, and quite anxious to use the knowledge and experience acquired in 2014. With the first large phase of Health Care Reform kicking in last year, Devan spent countless hours enhancing her knowledge almost daily, regarding new regulatory and compliance issues. She continues to realize how challenging, but exciting this industry can be, especially with the many changes this industry forces us to embrace. With her eagerness and devotion to our practice, Devan hopes to attain additional certifications and further continue her education. Devan appreciates the many new clients acquired in 2014….the greatest benefit being the new relationships forged in the process.
Kristen can’t help but reflect on a great year. Like Dave, she also acquired her Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation from the College of Financial Planning. For the second year in a row, she was awarded one of five “Staff of the Year” awards, chosen from all of our Broker/Dealer’s staff members across the country during a staff forum in Austin, Texas. Already she has a lot to look forward to in 2015. Not only does she love talking to and seeing clients each and every day, but she’ll also be joining the committee to lead this year’s Staff Symposium in St. Louis. Outside the office, Kristen is continuing her studies to finish her Masters of Business Administration degree. Most importantly, her daughter, Teagan, continues to be her greatest accomplishment and together with her husband, enjoyed their first family trip to Disney in May. Look forward to more news on their family, especially when Teagan is joined by her new baby sister in April!
Shelly is also looking forward to 2015. As Dave’s life partner, she realized many of the same challenges as Dave did in 2014, and is also very grateful for the closeness of family and friends that allowed 2014 to end on a positive note. In addition to her many duties here in our office, she found time to continue her education in the field of Massage Therapy, and Detoxification (re-word for appropriate title). She continues to be the front-line person our clients have the pleasure of talking to when they stop to visit, and enjoys the many relationships that have developed over the years. It is Shelly’s Daughter that Dave referenced as a new graduate from Penn State’s main campus, and Shelly can never find enough time to spoil her grandson and granddaughter. I’m betting the third grandchild due this year, will not be left out.
We feel very fortunate to have met the people we service daily, and we truly enjoy and respect the relationships we’ve formed over many years. We would like to welcome the many new clients acquired in 2014, and say “THANK YOU” to those who referred their friends and family to us. Our office is incredibly grateful for the opportunities to work with each of you, the blessings we find in doing so, and for the new relationships we hope to find in 2015.
