ANNUITY.ORG - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Outreach and Support Team
- Community Coordinator
Aimee Stemples is a senior at the University of Central Florida, and plans to graduate with a bachelor's degree in Business Marketing. Recently joining the Annuity.org team, Aimee brings with her a profound enthusiasm for personal finance. She is dedicated to bridging the gap between readers and valuable resources that enhance financial well-being.
Job Titles:
- Professional and a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® Professional. As a Senior Financial Advisor
- Senior Financial Advisor With Delta Advisory Group
Anthony DeLuca is a CFP® Professional and a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® Professional. As a Senior Financial Advisor with Delta Advisory Group, he adeptly manages a remarkable $170 million in client assets and plays a pivotal role in Delta's 401(k) team, guiding and educating participants towards financial empowerment.
Anthony's journey into finance marked a significant departure from his background in Civil Engineering, where he excelled before pivoting to pursue his true passion. In addition to his professional qualifications, he has held several security and insurance licenses including, currently, - the Series 65 NASAA Investments Advisers Law Examination, Florida 2-15 Life, Health and Variable Annuity Agent License; and formerly, the Series 7 - General Securities Representative, as well as the General Securities Principal License - Series 24.
Moreover, he actively participates in The Seminole County Leadership Program - Class 32 and dedicates considerable time to supporting foster children who have transitioned out of the foster care system. Collaborating with The Villages and IMPOWER program, he contributes passionately to this cause. Anthony is also deeply involved with Sharing Smiles, a charity focused on providing cleft lip and palate treatment in Latin American countries, and he offers ongoing support to Habitat for Humanity's Mentorship Program and the LLS Leadership committee.
Outside of his professional and philanthropic endeavors, he is an enthusiastic sports fan who competes in tennis, hockey and lacrosse. Despite his busy schedule, he finds time for his writing projects while enjoying the Florida Sunshine with his beloved adopted dog, Luna.
Job Titles:
- Investment Analyst and Stock Market Commentator
Job Titles:
- Business and Finance Reporter
Author Juliette Fairley is a business and finance reporter who has anchored online news reports for The Street and has written articles for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Financial Advisor and many other publications. Juliette, a lecturer and TV host, graduated from Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism. She is the author of four books published by John Wiley & Sons, including Cash in the City, which became a money reality TV show Juliette hosted on the Discovery Channel. She has been featured on radio and television networks, including CNBC, CNN and FOX. She has written about a wide variety of topics, including health, wellness, investing, law, real estate and insurance. She belongs to the American Society of Journalists and Authors.
Job Titles:
- Estate Planning Attorney and Managing Partner of Halperin Law Group
- Founding Member and Managing Partner of Halperin Law Group
Brett Halperin is the founding member and managing partner of Halperin Law Group (HLG). He focuses his practice on Estate Planning, Probate/Trust Administration, Elder Law and Asset Protection. Brett started HLG after becoming frustrated with the lack of personal attention given to clients by other law firms. He believes that every client, regardless of the size of their estate, deserves compassionate and professional legal assistance.
At HLG, Brett works with clients of all asset levels to help them plan their estates, including the transfer of assets and wealth to their preferred beneficiaries efficiently and economically. As part of his practice, Brett also assists clients in navigating the emotional and complex probate process after the loss of a loved one. Additionally, he is qualified to help elderly clients navigate the Medicaid application process and, if necessary, divest their assets to qualify.
Educating clients about the pitfalls of failing to plan is something that Brett takes seriously and is passionate about. He accomplishes this by speaking at seminars throughout the State of Florida, as well as by taking the time with each client to ensure their understanding of the nuances of their specific legal situation and their comfort with the prepared documents.
Brett has worked for both large and small firms since graduating from the University of Florida Levin College of Law. Before that, he earned a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Florida. He was selected as a member of Florida Blue Key, the University of Florida's oldest and most prestigious honor society. Currently, he volunteers his time with the Mission United Veterans Pro-Bono Legal Project, which provides free legal services for veterans and their families. He also volunteers with the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County, where he serves on the Board of Directors of the Young Adult Division and Men's Division. Brett is a member in good standing with the Florida Bar.
Brett E. Halperin, Esq.Estate Planning Attorney and Managing Partner of Halperin Law Group
Job Titles:
- Member of the Outreach and Support Team
- Digital PR Coordinator
Brooke works to establish and maintain Annuity's media presence and facilitates all end-to-end digital public relations efforts. Through targeted outreach to reporters, Brooke is dedicated to positioning Annuity.org prominently across news outlets in the digital landscape, enhancing brand visibility and reaching a broader audience.
Job Titles:
- Community Manager
- Member of the Outreach and Support Team
Caitlyn McGonigal manages Annuity.org's social media, and strives to connect readers with resources and information that are important to them. Caitlyn graduated from Drexel University in 2021 and joined the Annuity.org outreach team soon after. She is passionate about making information regarding annuities, structured settlements and personal finance accessible to consumers.
Charles Schwab is the leader of the discount brokerage market, offering low-cost options for investors, coupled with robust mobile technology and an array of supplemental offerings
Chip Stapleton is a FINRA Series 7 and Series 66 license holder and passed the CFA Level II exam in August 2022. He currently holds a Life, Accident and Health Insurance license from the state of Indiana.
As a financial advisor, Chip built a practice helping individuals and businesses achieve their financial goals. He has trained, developed and supported new financial advisors to build their own practices and help their clients achieve their goals. His experience includes helping with case design, product knowledge, investment analysis, investment recommendation, portfolio construction, asset management, financial statement analysis, business planning and business exit strategies.
Chip Stapleton | 0:24 Who are you and what do you do?
Chip Stapleton is a financial advisor who has spent the past several years of his career working primarily in financial planning and wealth management. He is a FINRA Series 7 and Series 66 license holder and passed the CFA Level II exam in 2022.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Writers & Researchers Team
- CEPF Financial Writer, Certified Educator in Personal Finance Learn More
- Personal Finance Questions
Job Titles:
- Financial Advisor for Edward Jones
- Insurance Agent and Financial Services Expert
- Licensed Insurance Agent
Christopher Magnussen is a licensed insurance agent and financial services expert with more than 20 years of investment experience at TD Ameritrade and other institutions.
He started his career out in reorganization and safekeeping, quality enhancement and trade research with TD Ameritrade before being promoted several times, holding management roles in accounts sales, account maintenance, national branch sales and new client development and business development.
After serving as a financial advisor for Edward Jones, Christopher took on a new challenge as a director of support services for Axos Clearing, a subsidiary of Axos Financial, where he managed a client services team and coordinated with broker dealers.
Job Titles:
- CFP®, CLU®Founder and President of CEG Life Insurance Services
Job Titles:
- Personal Finance and Income Tax Consultant
Job Titles:
- Licensed Independent Insurance Broker and Owner of HLC Insurance Broker, LLC
- Life Insurance Agent
Eric Estevez is an independently licensed life insurance agent who serves as a financial professional for a multinational corporation.
Upon graduating from William Paterson University with a bachelor's degree in accounting, Eric kickstarted his career as a financial institution auditor. His first day on the job was Sept. 15, 2008 - the day the stock market crashed.
For many years following, Eric specialized in federal, state and local compliance for businesses of all sizes. His experience in the financial realm also includes working as a freelance bookkeeper, as well as a freelance writer for websites such as HuffPost.com.
George F. Shave III, RICP®, is a principal and founder of SFG Annuity Advisors, a firm founded in 1997 to help consumers and advisors navigate the complex world of annuities.
George has been specializing in the mature marketplace since 1987. George's 30-year tenure in the financial services industry began in 1987 when he received his degree in financial services from Monmouth University.
In 2004, his commitment to the mature marketplace lead him to help the California Department of Insurance build the nation's first mandatory annuity training platform, a requirement that would ensure that advisors were providing competent annuity counsel to Californians. His course was the first credentialed program capable of fulfilling California's 8-hour annuity-training mandate. George also helped the state build its 4-hour annuity training platform. Today, almost all 50 states have adopted similar training requirements.
George's technical background and deep understanding of annuities and other mature market topics, such as planning for long-term care, have been featured in industry trade publications, including Senior Market Advisor and Life Insurance Selling.
In 2015, George received his retirement income certified professional (RICP®) designation, which covers the many aspects of building a solid retirement income plan, from The American College of Financial Services.
IRAs may have fees attached to them. They will be noted in your account paperwork if applicable to your IRA. Fees typically range from $25 to $50 annually, but vary across providers. Many institutions no longer charge IRA fees, so be sure to choose wisely to avoid unnecessary costs.
Job Titles:
- Contributor
- Expert Contributor
Jacob is a prolific contributor to esteemed financial publications like Forbes, Kiplinger and Kitco, with his insights frequently referenced in various literary works and academic studies.
Presently, he channels his expertise into Hedge Fund Alpha, a subscription-based platform renowned for furnishing exclusive insights and comprehensive data on the hedge fund landscape. Notably, Hedge Fund Alpha boasts one of the world's most extensive collections of hedge fund letters.
Job Titles:
- Certified Public Accountant
- Certified Public Accountant and Freelance Writer
Janet Berry-Johnson is a certified public accountant and freelance writer with a background in accounting and income tax planning and preparation. As a regular contributor to Forbes, LendingTree, Money Crashers and Self Financial, she helps make complicated accounting and income tax information accessible to readers.
Janet graduated Magna Cum Laude from Morrison University with a Bachelor of Science in accounting. In 2019, she was nominated as a top Women in Accounting by Practice Ignition and honored as a Top 100 Innovative Women in Tax by Canopy Tax. She was named one of the Top 100 Must-Follow Tax Twitter Accounts for 2020 by Forbes.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Writers & Researchers Team
- CAS®Financial Writer, Certified Annuity Specialist®Learn
Job Titles:
- Independent Insurance Agent and Financial Services Expert With Insuractive Who Has Previously Worked for Prudential Financial
- Licensed Insurance Agent
Joe Liekweg is an independent insurance agent and financial services expert with Insuractive who has previously worked for Prudential Financial and Bankers Life.
Joe has extensive industry expertise - he has managed his own financial services practices, guiding clients on strategies for building wealth and forecasting retirement planning needs, and has worked as a trainer for others in the financial services field. He has also served as an insurance advisor and agent.
Joe's areas of expertise include annuities, wealth management, life insurance and the professional recruitment and development of financial advisors and career agents. He has overseen the day-to-day operations of many financial services companies.
As an independent agent, Joe works with clients to provide financial options, strategies and solutions from a variety of financial services companies, finding the ones that are the best fit for his clients' needs.
He earned his Master of Business Administration with a concentration in business administration, management and operations at Kaplan University (now Purdue University Global). Joe's undergraduate degree is in management information systems from Central College in Pella, Iowa.
Job Titles:
- Managing Editor
- Financial Editor
Job Titles:
- Annuity.Org Outreach Coordinator
Annuity.org outreach coordinator Lauren Terfehr explains how Annuity.org is different.
Lawrence Delva-Gonzalez is a seasoned finance professional with a passion for community service and financial literacy. He serves as an auditor in his professional life, but his true passion lies in fostering socio-economic changes for BIPOC communities. He provides financial literacy education through articles, worksheets and speaking engagements.
With over a decade of experience working with schools and organizations, Lawrence has a strong passion for giving back to the community. He believes present actions yield significant future dividends.
Born and raised in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Lawrence is a proud Haitian-American. He earned his bachelor's in business management and French at Florida State University, where he also completed his master's in accounting with a specialization in taxation.
Lawrence's commitment to education extends beyond his own academic achievements. He has served as the vice president of education for a Virginia chapter of Toastmasters International and currently volunteers as a financial coach for the Prince George's Community College Center for Financial Empowerment.
He is also the founder of The Neighborhood Finance Guy, a resource dedicated to providing financial empowerment tips, general tax guidance, and quarterly conference calls for students and young professionals.
Lawrence believes that financial literacy is the civil rights movement of our community. He authored the Net/Max Financial Plan, a step-by-step pathway to financial success, and hopes to improve his community one person at a time.
In addition to his financial and educational endeavors, Lawrence is a decorated veteran Sergeant of the United States Marine Corps, having completed two tours under Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation African Lion. His proudest achievement was volunteering to aid the victims of Hurricane Katrina and Rita in rebuilding their city.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Writers & Researchers Team
- Financial Writer Learn More
Job Titles:
- Owner of Grand Anchor Insurance Solutions
Originally from Fayetteville, North Carolina, Michael is an alumnus of Pine Forest High School and pursued accounting at Methodist University.
Recipient of the 2024 Readers' Choice Awards for Best Health Insurance Agency in Myrtle Beach, Michael Jones owns and operates Grand Anchor Insurance Solutions, an independent agency specializing in health care insurance products. Although recognized for Medicare proficiency, Michael also possesses a robust foundation in employee voluntary benefits.
With dedication to client assistance, Michael educates individuals about health care choices, tailoring solutions to their lifestyles. Thorough research guides his approach - analyzing budgets, doctor preferences and medication necessities. These insights streamline his approach in ensuring customized plans that align with client requirements.
Job Titles:
- Digital PR Manager
- Media & Collaboration Requests
- Senior Financial Editor
Job Titles:
- Member of the Outreach and Support Team
- Digital PR Manager
Myrt Price is a former award-winning Broadcast news reporter and published author with close to two decades of experience covering local and national news stories. At Annuity.org, he helps create outreach strategies to land placements in some of the top publications across the country. Myrt attended the University of Mississippi and obtained a degree in Broadcast Journalism.
Job Titles:
- FLMI, RICP®Expert Contributor
Job Titles:
- Independent Accountant and Financial Coach
Peggy James, CPA, has spent the past several years working in higher education finance roles. After graduating from the University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Arts in government, she spent a number of years working in newspaper advertising before changing careers. She also has a Master of Accounting from North Carolina State University.
Peggy has experience in corporate and nonprofit accounting and finance, ranging from journal entries and bank reconciliations to management of a complex fiscal year-end close process with accruals and deferrals. She has developed budgets for both large and small programs and conducted financial training for faculty, staff and students. Peggy especially values making sure information about financial issues is communicated clearly and accurately.
Peggy understands that while some people love numbers as much as she does, others are less comfortable when it comes to money. Her hope is to demystify sometimes complex and confusing concepts and help readers get the information they need in a welcoming environment.
Peggy likes to say she was taught early on that polite people don't talk about money. She is confident that we could all learn a lot by being more willing to talk about money, how we use it and how it can help us achieve our goals.
Job Titles:
- CFP®Client Advisor for MEIRA
Job Titles:
- Member of the Outreach and Support Team
- Outreach Coordinator
In February 2023, Sam Levin assumed the role of outreach coordinator at Annuity.org. His passion for connecting individuals to beneficial financial resources at any point in their financial journeys is evident in his work. With the help of educational materials, professional guidance and innovative tools, Sam empowers individuals to make informed financial decisions.
Job Titles:
- Senior Financial Editor
- Writer, Editor
Savannah Pittle is an accomplished writer, editor and content marketer. She joined Annuity.org as a financial editor in 2021 and uses her passion for educating readers on complex topics to guide visitors toward the path of financial literacy.
Job Titles:
- CFP®, Licensed Life Insurance Producer Principal Financial Analyst for Annuity.Org
- Expert Contributor
Job Titles:
- Member of the Writers & Researchers Team
- Senior Financial Writer and Financial Wellness Facilitator Learn More
Job Titles:
- Expert Contributor
- Investment, Corporate Finance and Accounting Professional
Thomas Brock, CFA®, CPA, is a financial professional with over 20 years of experience in investments, corporate finance and accounting. He currently oversees the investment operation for a $4 billion super-regional insurance carrier.
Decades of experience in investments, corporate finance and accounting, and personal and small business financial consulting
Investment experience includes oversight of a $4 billion portfolio for an insurance group
Job Titles:
- Finance Manager
- Business Finance Manager
Timothy has served alongside CEOs and CFOs to provide deep-dive analytics that paint stories behind numbers and financial models. Timothy has been a consultant, accountant and finance manager in Fortune 500 companies.
Timothy currently serves as a business finance manager, where he researches ways to increase profitability within the supply chain, logistics and sales departments. He leads weekly calls with demand planning, sales, supply chain and executives to review trends and drivers impacting performance. He travels to various locations to train supervisors on financial understanding and minimizing cost overages.
He earned his Master of Business Administration at the University of Southern California. Timothy's undergraduate degree is in economics from the University of California, Los Angeles.