KIRSHNER & KLARFELD FINANCIAL GROUP - Key Persons
Ivan is one of few people to have achieved great success in two different careers.
During his first professional career as a dentist, he started a practice from scratch in Phoenix, Arizona shortly after graduating from the University of Tennessee Dental School. For 20 years, he went to work every day and provided excellence in patient care. While growing his practice, he raised 3 children, volunteered his time to serve underprivileged children, was a board member of local and state dental associations and joined the Board of Directors of the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America - Southwest Chapter
His health ultimately took a toll on his ability to work as a dentist, and after selling his practice 1990, Ivan entered the financial services industry. Because he could no longer practice as a dentist, it became his mission to help other dentists and medical professionals understand the importance of proper risk management and protection planning.
Soon after launching his second career, he met Michael Klarfeld, and together they co- founded Kirshner & Klarfeld Financial Group, LLC in Phoenix, AZ. Ivan thrived in his second career in the financial services industry, which lasted even longer than his career as a dentist.
As a financial professional, Ivan consistently ranked as one of Guardian's top Disability Income agents. He became a national resource for Disability Income insurance and a sought-after speaker at several dental schools around the country. While he lived and worked in Arizona, he had valued clients throughout the United States.
Ivan passed away on July 31, 2018. His contributions to his clients, the dental community and the insurance industry are simply immeasurable. He always put the interest of his clients above his own, and his legacy will live on as his clients continue to collect benefits and take comfort in knowing that their protection was properly addressed.
Jeffrey Kirshner learned at an early age the importance of proper protection planning after seeing his father have to sell his dental practice prematurely due to health reasons. Proper planning minimized the financial impact of disability on the family and allowed Jeff to continue pursuing his college degree with limited financial impact.
In 1991, he graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in accounting and went to work for Price Waterhouse Coopers in the San Francisco Bay Area. After earning his CPA and working several years in public accounting, he went back to school to earn his MBA in Finance and Entrepreneurship from the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California. Upon graduation, he went to work for Oracle Corporation where he implemented large scale financial and sales systems for medium to large companies.
Searching for a career with higher purpose and the ability to have a meaningful impact on those he worked with, he entered the financial services industry in 2001. He joined his father, who had since started a second career in the financial services industry, and Michael Klarfeld, both of whom were helping other dentists and physicians with financial planning with a focus on income and asset protection.
In 2002, Jeff was a founding member of Kirshner & Klarfeld Financial Group. Located in Scottsdale, Arizona, his Firm is now a member of the Pacific Advisors community.
Over the years, he has built his firm into a comprehensive financial planning and wealth management practice that works primarily with physicians, dentists, and entrepreneurs. Most of his clients are high net worth individuals, yet those that are just beginning their careers often have low or negative net worth due to significant amounts of school debt. He believes that teaching young professionals good financial habits early will help set them on the path towards becoming high net worth clients in the future.
In his practice, Jeff takes a very detailed and methodical approach when helping his clients plan for their futures. He helps his clients understand the interdependent nature of asset protection, wealth accumulation, retirement income planning, business transfer planning and legacy planning. His planning highlights inefficiencies in traditional planning and has a heavy emphasis on tax efficiencies with a focus on process more than product.
In addition to his CPA credential, Jeff also earned his Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) designation, a designation available only to CPAs that are members in good standing with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and that meet the comprehensive ethical, educational, and professional foundation as determined by the AICPA. He is also a member of the Arizona Society of CPAs, FINSECA, and Valley Estate Planners. He is happily married to his wife who he met in third grade and has a son and a daughter.
Registered Representative and Financial Advisor of Park Avenue Securities LLC (PAS). OSJ: 2875 Michelle Dr. # 110 Irvine, CA 92606, 909-4478215. Securities products and advisory services offered through PAS, member FINRA, SIPC. Financial Representative of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America® (Guardian), New York, NY. PAS is a wholly owned subsidiary of Guardian. Kirshner & Klarfeld Financial Group LLC is not an affiliate or subsidiary of PAS or Guardian. Not practicing CPA for Guardian or its subsidiaries or affiliates. CA Insurance License Number - 0D63609. Forbes Top Financial Security Professional award is not issued or endorsed by Guardian or its subsidiaries It is based on criteria developed and obtained by Shook Research LLC. No compensation was provided in connection with obtaining this rating; however, advisors may choose to pay Forbes and Shook for usage rights of the ranking logo. Past performance is not an indication of future results. 2023-165397 Exp 11/25
Jen Allen has joined Kirshner & Klarfeld Financial Group as a Relationship Manager and has served clients in various roles for 10+ years. She is excited to be part of a team that takes a holistic approach to financial planning so clients can live a good life for the rest of their life.
Jen is an avid runner and Toastmaster. She is currently working towards becoming a Distinguished Toastmaster and is the President of Speak Up Toastmasters in Chapel Hill, NC. A born and raised Texan, Jen currently resides in Central Texas with her husband and two dogs.
Michael Klarfeld started his career in financial services with a desire to create his own destiny, help others navigate life's uncertainties, and own a business with a lasting impact. Originally from New Jersey, Michael has been an Arizona resident since 1976. For over 40 years, Michael has forged lasting relationships with clients from many different professions, backgrounds, and cultures.
The impact of unexpected financial stress on Michael's family during his formative years ignited his passion for ensuring others could avoid similar challenges. He did not realize when he started that these experiences would give him some real insight into the consequences that affect businesses and families when proper planning is not in place.
In 1980, Michael was introduced to what was then the insurance-only industry. He began in a traditional role, working for Northwestern Mutual. At that time, he had very good mentors. Over the years, his business has evolved so that he's involved with many different aspects of his clients' financial and estate plans. Fundamentally, his business will always be about helping individuals and families create the lives and legacies that they want.
In 1991, Michael met Dr. Ivan Kirshner, who was starting a second career. They found that they had a lot in common in how they approached planning in general and more specifically, financial independence. This led to an informal partnership and lifelong friendship that laid the foundation for what would become Kirshner and Klarfeld Financial Group. In 2001, Ivan's son, Jeff, joined them and Kirshner and Klarfeld Financial Group was formed.
Michael's clientele primarily consists of medical and dental professionals and business owners. As his clientele gets closer and closer to retirement, he is spending more of his time helping develop retirement income strategies, legacy planning and business transitions. Having participated in many family or business situations where difficult dynamics are in play, he has developed empathy and skills when working with clients and their teams, especially when things are not always aligned.
Now, after four decades, Michael is more passionate and having more fun than ever. He remains committed to leveraging his experience to help as many individuals as possible. Many of his clients have become good friends, and he's honored to now be working with the second generation of many of his clients.
He and his wife, Ellen, recently celebrated their 45th anniversary and have two daughters, a son-in-law, and a granddaughter.
Michael attained his Chartered Life Underwriter® (CLU®) and Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) designations from The American College. He is a member of the Society of Financial Service Professionals, Greater Phoenix Chapter and the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors. He is also a member of the Million Dollar Roundtable and FINSECA, formally the Association of Advanced Life Underwriters.
In 2023, Michael was recognized by Forbes and SHOOK Research when he was featured in The Top Financial Security Professionals Best-In-State list, an annual ranking of financial security professionals from each state in the country.
Job Titles:
- Independent Agent
- Operations Manager
Rhonda Richardson began her insurance career with various national companies and global reinsurers before focusing on financial solutions for professionals, business owners, individuals, and families.
Rhonda graduated with honors from Roosevelt University and earned designations in Risk Management (ARM), Surplus Lines Insurance (ASLI) and Retirement Income Planning (RICP).
In 2000, Rhonda became an independent agent working diligently for clients to place appropriate coverage and obtain the correct risk/reward options and pricing for their situations. In prior roles as a commercial lines underwriter, operations analyst, and business auditor, Rhonda's attention to detail and relationship building now contribute decidedly to KKFG's delivery of unique planning and innovative strategies. She works closely with Michael, Jeff and all KKFG clients to deliver professional, personalized attention and service.