Firm Happenings

Curtain Call

 The Center's Team enjoys sharing their knowledge with the press to help stories come to life, share facts and bring important topics to the forefront.  We are also honored when we are recognized by media and publications for our work and service to our profession. Here's what's new:

Center Included in 2013 Crain's List Largest Money Managers

Center for Financial Planning, Inc. has been recognized among the top 25 largest money managers in Crain’s 2014 Book of Lists. Ranked by assets under management. View Crain's List here.

Click here to view the profile of Timothy W. Wyman, CFP®, JD.

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Marilynn Levin reflects on her recent retirement

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 Client Services Manager Marilynn Levin recently retired after more than 20 years working at The Center. As she says goodbye, she leaves us with some parting thoughts on what might be ahead for her.

Now that I’m retired, I like to think of my days as vacation days and I am getting used to that luxury.  Many people have told me that retirement will keep me so busy that I won’t believe I ever had time to work!  Right now, I am considering many options to volunteer in a way that is meaningful to me, I am spending more time with my husband, and I am looking forward to seeing more of my 7 grandchildren.

People say old age is not for sissies, but I think the same thing can be said about what I’m going through. Retirement is not for sissies!  After almost 22 years at the Center, I am already missing my routines and my colleagues.  I was so fortunate to have worked with such an amazing and caring group of people.  We always found time to share our lives with each other – we laughed, cried, played, volunteered, shared pictures and really and truly cared about each other.

The same is true of the clients I was privileged to have assisted. I was privy to their thoughts and feelings, as well as their financial lives.  With many, we also laughed, cried and shared our family stories. I will miss those relationships, but look forward to seeing many of you at future Center events.

The Hebrew word Shalom means hello, goodbye, and peace. In parting, Shalom and I wish everyone an amazing 2014.

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State of The Center - A Year in Review

 Before we turn the page and welcome a new year, we want to share our look back at 2013 inside The Center.  From our Client Survey, we heard that you wanted to hear how The Center is doing from time to time.  Well, thanks to our long term and loyal clients, a dedicated team, our new business development focus, and last but not least, favorable equity markets, The Center experienced an exceptional 2013.  

A Record-Setting Year

Providing world-class service to our EXISTING clients is always priority number one. We serve 785 individuals & families representing record assets under our management of $847M as of December 27, 2013 up from $733M at the start of the year.

A Year of Goodbyes

We have been fortunate to earn the loyalty of team members as well as clients.  We take tremendous pride in providing a great workplace – and the longevity of team members shows it.  That said, 2013 might just be known as the “year of the retirement”.  We said goodbye (as team member but not as friend or client) to Marilynn Levin, Betsey Schrock, and Brenda Spencer. 

And A Year of Hellos

In 2013 we made the decision to increase the depth of our financial planning staff and feel very fortunate to have attracted Nick Defenthaler and Matt Trujillo to the firm in July. We also took the opportunity to add to our client service team with the addition of Kali Hassinger.

More Milestones

  • Our Center family continued to grow as Melissa and Jeff Joy welcomed Josie to their now family of 4 and Jennie and Kelly Bauder welcomed Emma.
  • The Center held its First Annual Family Picnic emceed by Dan Boyce and his friendly bullhorn.
  • Part of our Vision 2020 includes boosting our community involvement. This year we teamed up with Gleaners Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan and the Community Housing Network. We rolled up our sleeves and volunteered at the Gleaners food distribution center and helped sponsor Gleaners’ Vine and Dine fundraiser. We held a pro bono group presentation and one-on-one meetings with the staff of Community Housing Network as part of our “Helping Those That Help Others” initiative.
  • To help educate clients, we held events on topics such as Medicare and Investments.
  • And to add to the overall ambiance at The Center, we upgraded our Client Conference room table, chairs, and TV for both comfort and use of technology in meetings. 

New Partners

As a privately held firm we value our independence, as it allows us to be stewards to our clients, colleagues, financial planning community, and the communities we touch. All Center members have both the opportunity and responsibility to help create the kind of organization we envision. Our firm partners provide additional leadership and mentoring; perform at a high level consistent with our Firm values and have a financial commitment to the firm. Current partners include: Dan Boyce, Matt Chope, Marilyn Gunther, Melissa Joy, and Tim Wyman.  As of January 2014 we proudly welcome Sandy Adams and Laurie Renchik as partners.

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Happy Centerversary - The November/December Edition

 

In the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, some things get pushed aside. Sound familiar? Well, we may be a little belated on wishing Amanda Toia, Tim Wyman and Matthew Chope a Happy Centerversary, but it’s better late than never!

Client Service Manager Amanda Toia joined The Center team 3 years ago in November. With 3 years under her belt, Amanda says, “It has been a joy to come to the office each day surrounded by great people.  The Center is a wonderful place.  How lucky I have been these three years!” 

It was in December 17 years ago that now-Partner Matt Chope joined the Center.  When asked to reflect on his tenure, Matt offered his favorite quote by Yogi Berra: "In theory there in no difference between theory and practice but in practice there is.” Matt says it is humbling to work with so many financial advisors who get it and who are deeply dedicated to forging a good outcome for clients. 

Partner Tim Wyman is celebrating 14 years at The Center this month. When we pointed this out to him, he wondered where the time had gone. “Joining The Center 14 years ago was by far the best professional decision I have made and I feel very fortunate to be working alongside 19 other professionals committed to serving others.”

We’re feeling pretty fortunate for Amanda, Matt and Tim. Happy Centerversary to you all!


"I'm Going to Sleep Until I Wake Up"

 

We’re saying “See you soon!” (never goodbye) to our Bookkeeper/Office Manager Betsey Schrock. She joined our team in 2005 and now, as she prepares to leave before Thanksgiving, she takes a look back at how it all started.

At the age of 55, I was 30 years into ownership of a mental health clinic and my sons were about to leave home for college. I wanted to put them first and find a job with less responsibility, fewer hours, and more flexibility.

As any good client of the Center does, I consulted with my Planner regarding possible options to consider.  My husband and I had been clients of the Center for 12 years already, but I never expected to be offered a job as a part-time receptionist. I jumped at the suggestion!  It was like, I already know the people, I know the “corporate culture,” and the job would meet my needs.  How lucky could I be?

What started out as my part-time, short-term job, turned into a 10-year, second chapter in my career. Over the years, I picked up additional duties, such as accounts payable, receiving and processing client Annual fees, preparing financial statements, and other duties normally performed by an office manager.  I loved every minute of it.

So, I’m retiring (for real this time) just before Thanksgiving. And on my first day of retirement, I’m going to sleep until I wake up—no alarm will be set.  Then I will go to my local YMCA to workout.  But I won’t be on a clock--I will be able to spend a few more minutes with my work-out friends, catching up on family, redecorating, travel plans or whatever else is going on.  And, of course, I will finally get to all those ‘projects’ around the house that have been piling up over the years.

Speaking of travel plans, I will be doing some of that, too.  My husband Larry and I purchased a used Class A motor home this past summer, in anticipation of my retirement.  Larry still works as an Auto Show Manager for Ford Motor Company, but that is very part-time.  We made several trips this past summer but hope to spend even more time exploring the continental US, beginning next spring.

I will definitely miss the challenges I encountered with my work, though I hope to find something in the non-profit world to fill that void.  I will also miss the people; the true team effort that is in place at The Center. I will miss seeing our value of a “Balanced Lifestyle” at work—where there truly is an emphasis on a healthy workplace and a healthy life outside the workplace.

For those of you who are fellow clients of The Center, I hope to see you in the reception area, the halls of The Center, or at an upcoming client event—where we can compare notes about life and how wonderful it is!

Curtain Call

 The Center's Team enjoys sharing their knowledge with the press to help stories come to life, share facts and bring important topics to the forefront.  We are also honored when we are recognized by media and publications for our work and service to our profession. Here's what's new:

Center Recognized as one of Michigan's Healthiest Employers

The Center was recognized as one of Michigan’s Healthiest Employers for the second consecutive year.  Honorees were chosen from employers across Michigan whose policies and programs promote a healthy workforce. The Center took honors in the Metro Detroit Region competing with companies whose workforce size is between 5 and 99 employees.

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.

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 25th 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!  

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