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Cultivating a Community of Commitment
Held for the second consecutive year, the Advanced Special Needs Planning Symposium brought together professionals dedicated to working with special needs clients for two days worth of advanced learning sessions meant to improve participants’ understanding of special needs, disability, and long-term care planning. According to the managing director of the American College Center for Special Needs Joellen Meckley, JD, MHS, ChSNC®, the event served as a positive sign of The College’s support for advanced continuing education for practitioners in the field that have dedicated much of their practice and lives to serving this unique group of individuals.
Commitment to Quality Education
After initial opening remarks, the Advanced Special Needs Planning Symposium transitioned into its educational sessions. Featuring a number of high profile speakers, these presentations offered attendees insights into advanced techniques to assist special needs clients focused in areas such as tax, care management, housing solutions, advocating for clients, and more. When asked about the value of these sessions, Meckley stated, “People walked out with new tools, tips, techniques, (and) professional connections that they can incorporate into their practice immediately.”
The first day of the symposium ended with a networking reception that allowed the conference’s attendees an opportunity to meet and discuss the day’s events as well as the unique idiosyncrasies of their practice. Meckley, when reflecting on this networking event, stated that it brought a lot of value to attendees by bringing together seasoned professionals who may live across the country from one another to talk about their highly specialized practice and share advice with one another. It also served as a major learning opportunity for newer practitioners, offering them the chance to establish personal connections with veteran advisors. Meckley stated, “That kind of thing always goes hand in hand with this type of planning. It’s always a team effort.”
A Deep Dive on ABLE Accounts
The second day of the symposium kicked off with a learning session led by Jerry Hulick, a principal with Caring Consulting Group, and Eric Ochmanek, program director of ABLE Today. The two provided attendees with a detailed presentation on ABLE accounts and how financial planners can use these accounts to the benefit of their special needs clients. Learners received in-depth information on strategies for leveraging ABLE accounts, updates on legislation regarding these accounts, and specific tips and techniques that could help them make use of the information they were gaining in their own practices.
Closing the Symposium
Meckley shared some encouraging thoughts as the second day drew to a close.
"A lot of people here are very passionate about what they do and they have this personal sense of meaning in what they do. It's a unique room to be in."
- Joellen Meckley JD, MHS, ChSNC®
By serving this highly specialized group of practitioners who served a very specific client base, Meckley believes The College is making important strides in the field of special needs planning. “We’re…the only conference that I’m aware of that is specifically designed for financial professionals who are practicing (special needs planning)…There’s other education opportunities out there for them, but we are really kind of carving out a path here that is unique to The College.”
By allowing participants to take part in such a gathering, The College demonstrated a strong commitment to the specialized knowledge it touts as the backbone of their educational offerings. By helping experienced professionals become even better at what they do through highly specialized knowledge, The College makes good on its mission to improve society for the betterment of all Americans.
To learn more about The College’s efforts in the special needs community, visit the Center for Special Needs and the Chartered Special Needs Consultant® (ChSNC®) pages.
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What’s Next in Lifelong Learning
In this episode of our Shares podcast, Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer Jared Trexler and College President and CEO George Nichols III, CAP® sit down for a wide-ranging discussion on The College’s major accomplishments in 2024, how the financial services industry and higher education are changing, and how The College is moving to meet the moment in 2025 and beyond.
George Nichols III, CAP® currently serves as the 10th president and CEO in the storied history of The American College of Financial Services. Nichols joined The College after a 17-year stint at New York Life, where he held principal roles in sales, P&L, strategic initiatives, and public policy. In 2007, Nichols was named to the company's executive management committee. He also served as executive vice president in the Office of Governmental Affairs. Before joining New York Life, Nichols was the state of Kentucky's first Black insurance commissioner, leading regulation of the state's $10 billion insurance industry through his expertise in health insurance reform and financial services integration. He gained this knowledge through stints as the executive director of the Kentucky Health Policy Board, vice president of marketing for Athena of North America, executive director of product development with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kentucky, CEO of Central State Hospital in Louisville, and executive assistant to the Commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Mental Health Services.
Nichols has been acclaimed for his efforts to drive transformative change in diversity, equity, and inclusion in the financial services profession and elsewhere. Savoy, a leading Black business and lifestyle magazine, named him among the "Most Influential Black Corporate Executives" twice: in 2012 and 2018; and among the “Most Influential Black Corporate Directors” in 2021. He was named to Forbes' inaugural 2021 edition of "The Culture 50 Champions." Nichols was also honored as one of "The Ten to Watch in 2021" by WealthManagement.com, and in 2022, he won a ThinkAdvisor LUMINARIES award for Executive Leadership, followed by InvestmentNews’ recognition in 2023 for the year’s See It, Be It role model. Additionally, Nichols is the inaugural recipient of the Alonzo Herndon Award by Business Insurance Magazine.
Any views or opinions expressed in this podcast are the hosts’ and guests' own and do not necessarily represent those of The American College of Financial Services.
More From The College
- See More Content from Our President
- View Our Strategic Priorities
- Enroll in Our Tax Planning Certified Professional™ (TPCP™) Program
Celebrating Our Most Loyal Supporters
The American College of Financial Services is committed to delivering the highest quality applied education to the professionals entrusted with the public’s financial wellbeing. The yearly President’s Dinner serves to highlight what’s new and exciting at The College while recognizing the significant contributions of some of the generous supporters who help make it all possible.
Awards Presentation
Each year, the President’s Dinner includes a series of award presentations to recognize the contributions of financial services leaders who have inspired us with their passion and commitment to helping The College achieve its mission.
Congratulations to this year’s recipients:
Huebner Gold Medal: Sy Sternberg, CLU®
Sy Sternberg. CLU® is the former chairman and chief executive officer of New York Life Insurance Company. He joined the company in 1989 as a senior vice president, was elected vice chairman of the board in February 1995, and became president and chief operating officer in October 1995. He became chairman and CEO in 1997 and remained CEO until his retirement in 2008.
President’s Award: R. David Fritz Jr., CLU®
R. David Fritz Jr., CLU® is the co-founder and managing partner of Executive Benefits Network and a 38-year veteran of the financial services industry. David began his career in the insurance industry in 1986 after graduating from Williams College with a BA degree. David started at UNUM Life Insurance Company as a group sales representative in Washington, DC, and then later became an employee benefits manager in UNUM’s Milwaukee, WI office. David joined Northwestern Mutual in 1993 and founded Executive Benefits Network 23 years ago. He specializes in the design, funding, securing, and administration of non-qualified deferred compensation plans and bank-owned and corporate-owned life insurance programs.
David and his wife Molly are very active in philanthropic efforts. He is a past trustee of The American College of Financial Services and currently serves on the President’s Council. He and Molly live in River Hills, Wisconsin with their six children.
Alumni Hall of Fame: James A. Petersen, PhD, MSM, MSFS, CPMBC, CFP®, CLF®, CPBL, ChFC®, CLU®, CASL®, RICP®, WMCP®, ChSNC®, CRPC®, CAP®, AEP®, CEPA®
Jim Petersen is the chief executive officer (CEO) and founding principal of Diversified Professional Coaching, LLC. Jim is also the president and owner of the Professional Business Coaches Alliance, LLC, which is committed to training and supporting the future of professional business coaches. In addition, Jim is a serial entrepreneur who is involved in a variety of businesses including a car wash and a bio-hazard cleanup company.
As Roger Hull/James S. Bingay Chair of Leadership at The College, Jim is the program director for the Chartered Leadership Fellow® (CLF®) Program and serves in an emeritus capacity on the Alumni Council, as well as outgoing chair of the American College Center for Military and Veterans Affairs advisory council.
Second Century Society: Charles R. (posthumously) and Mary M. Wright
Charles (Chuck) and Mary Wright met at Yankton College in Yankton, South Dakota. Together, they were leading donors to The College, with an emphasis on the American College Center for Women in Financial Services.
Chuck was senior executive vice president and chief agency and marketing officer at State Farm Insurance Companies. He later served as chairman of the board of trustees and was a driving force behind the creation of the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® (CAP®) and Chartered Advisor of Senior Living® (CASL®) designations.
Mary’s years of service through philanthropy led her to complete her CAP® designation, which she would use to help others engage in philanthropic work as well. As a passionate lifelong learner, Mary continues to carry on Chuck’s legacy by laying the foundation for the Wright Fellowship under the Center for Women in Financial Services.
The College is proud to recognize Chuck and Mary’s continued impact.
Women Working in Wealth: Leslie Susanne Calkins, MSFS, CLU®, ChFC®, CASL®, RICP®, CAP®
Leslie Susanne Calkins has a passion for sharing and giving back. She utilizes the knowledge she gained from The College to better serve her community through her career at State Farm. Education and philanthropy were key values in her family, which continue to inspire her today.
Since receiving her MSFS degree, Leslie is proud to share how each course has made her more confident, knowledgeable, and able to help others in so many ways. She continues to give back by serving as an annual senior counselor at the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards. This leadership conference changes the lives of high school students in Colorado and Wyoming and is the highlight of her year.
NextGen Financial Services Professional Award: Gloria S. Garcia Cisneros, CFP® & Brandon Lovingier, ChFC®, MQFP™
Gloria Garcia Cisneros is a Wealth Manager in Los Angeles with the firm LourdMurray. As a first-generation Mexican immigrant, she's passionate about empowering underserved communities through financial education. Gloria holds various degrees from UCLA in applied mathematics and Spanish community and culture. She is actively involved in various professional and community initiatives, serving on committees and advisory boards for organizations where she contributes to developing financial education programs and increasing diversity within the finance industry.
Brandon Lovingier has a passion for helping people with their finances. While on active duty in the Army, Brandon pursued his education, earning the Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) designation in 2022. He’s also one of the first to hold the Military Qualified Financial Planner™ (MQFP™) designation. He’s currently pursuing the Accredited Financial Counselor® (AFC®) designation. His blog, Enlisted Money, helps enlisted service members on their own personal finance journey, while his book, Enlist to Wealth, is currently in the editing stages. He is set to retire from the Army in February 2026, when he will return to Kansas City with his wife and son to continue pursuing his passions.
Venue
A sophisticated staple of Center City, The Four Seasons at the Comcast Center is located in Philadelphia’s tallest building, complete with unobstructed city views, luxury hotel rooms, and access to conference and event spaces. Guests were treated in high style as The College celebrated the accomplishments of distinguished honorees.
The President
President and CEO of The College George Nichols III, CAP® presided over the 2024 President’s Dinner. He reflected on a transformative year while looking toward the future. In recognizing the community that makes up The College, George invited guests to lead the way for the financial services profession by uplifting and benefiting society. It was an inspiring message reminding all in attendance that the arc of change requires forward-thinking and innovative leadership.
2024 NextGen Financial Services Professional Award
The NextGen Financial Services Professional Award honors young professionals under the age of 40 who made a significant impact in the financial services industry and have shown outstanding performance and leadership in their careers, with a desire to give back to the community.
The winners from 2024 include:
Gloria S. Garcia Cisneros, CFP®
Gloria Garcia Cisneros is a wealth manager in Los Angeles with the firm LourdMurray. As a first-generation Mexican immigrant, she's passionate about empowering underserved communities through financial education. Gloria holds various degrees from UCLA in applied mathematics and Spanish community and culture. She is actively involved in various professional and community initiatives, serving on committees and advisory boards for organizations where she contributes to developing financial education programs and increasing diversity within the finance industry.
Brandon Lovingier, ChFC®, MQFP™
Brandon Lovingier has a passion for helping people with their finances. While on active duty in the Army, he pursued his education, earning the Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) designation in 2022. He’s also one of the first to hold the Military Qualified Financial Planner™ (MQFP™) designation. He’s currently pursuing the Accredited Financial Counselor® (AFC®) designation. His blog, Enlisted Money, helps enlisted service members on their own personal finance journey, while his book, Enlist to Wealth, is currently in the editing stages. Brandon is set to retire from the Army in February 2026, when he will return to Kansas City with his wife and son to continue pursuing his passions.
2024 Women Working in Wealth Award
The Women Working in WealthSM Award was created to showcase and celebrate women who have rolled up their sleeves to advance women in financial services through mentorship, sponsorship, and advocacy. The American College of Financial Services presents the award to a mission-driven and passionate female professional who is making a significant impact in financial services. The College is proud to announce Leslie Susanne Calkins, MSFS, CLU®, ChFC®, CASL®, RICP®, CAP® as the 2024 recipient.
Leslie has a passion for sharing and giving back. She utilizes the knowledge she gained from The College to better serve her community through her career at State Farm. Education and philanthropy were key values in her family, which continue to inspire her today.
Since receiving her MSFS degree, Leslie is proud to share how each course has made her more confident, knowledgeable, and able to help others in so many ways. She continues to give back by serving as an annual senior counselor at the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards. This leadership conference changes the lives of high school students in Colorado and Wyoming and is the highlight of her year.
Honoring 2024 Hall of Fame Inductee Jim Petersen
The American College of Financial Services’ Alumni Hall of Fame was established in 2005 to recognize graduates of The College's designation, certification, and degree programs who have made extraordinary contributions in time, treasure, effort, and energy to the institution, their community, and the financial services industry as a whole. The College is proud to announce Jim Petersen as the 2024 inductee.
Jim is the chief executive officer (CEO) and founding principal of Diversified Professional Coaching, LLC. Jim is also the president and owner of the Professional Business Coaches Alliance, LLC, which is committed to training and supporting the future of professional business coaches. In addition, Jim is a serial entrepreneur who is involved in a variety of businesses including a car wash and a bio-hazard cleanup company.
As Roger Hull/James S. Bingay Chair of Leadership at The College, Jim is the program director for the Chartered Leadership Fellow® (CLF®) Program and serves in an emeritus role on the Alumni Council, as well as the outgoing chair of the American College Center for Military and Veterans Affairs’ Advisory Council.
A seasoned financial services executive with more than 41 years of experience in the investment and financial services industries, Jim is an expert in the fields of financial planning, retirement planning, and leading large financial planning organizations.
2024 Second Century Society Inductees
Founded in December 2019, the Second Century Society recognizes generous benefactors who have made lifetime gifts reaching $1 million or more of philanthropic impact. The College is proud to announce Charles R. (posthumously) and Mary M. Wright as the 2024 inductees.
Charles (Chuck) and Mary Wright met at Yankton College in Yankton, South Dakota. Together, they were leading donors to The College, with an emphasis on the American College Center for Women in Financial Services.
Chuck was senior executive vice president and chief agency and marketing officer at State Farm Insurance Companies. He later served as chairman of the board of trustees and was a driving force behind the creation of the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® (CAP®) and Chartered Advisor of Senior Living® (CASL®) designations.
Mary’s years of service through philanthropy led her to complete her CAP® designation, which she would use to help others engage in philanthropic work as well. As a passionate lifelong learner, Mary continues to carry on Chuck’s legacy by laying the foundation for the Wright Fellowship under the Center for Women in Financial Services.
The College is proud to recognize Chuck and Mary’s continued impact.
2024 President’s Award Recipient
Conferred by The American College of Financial Services’ President and CEO, the President’s Award recognizes the leadership and generosity of select benefactors and volunteers. The College is proud to announce the 2024 winner: R. David Fritz Jr., CLU®.
David is the co-founder and managing partner of Executive Benefits Network and a 38-year veteran of the financial services industry. He began his career in the insurance industry in 1986 after graduating from Williams College with a BA degree. He started at UNUM Life Insurance Company as a group sales representative in Washington, DC, then later became an employee benefits manager in UNUM’s Milwaukee, WI office. He joined Northwestern Mutual in 1993 and founded Executive Benefits Network 23 years ago. He specializes in the design, funding, securing, and administration of non-qualified deferred compensation plans and bank-owned and corporate-owned life insurance programs.
David and his wife Molly are very active in philanthropic efforts. He is a past trustee of The American College of Financial Services and currently serves on The College’s President Council. He and Molly live in River Hills, Wisconsin with their six children.