I served in the US Army as a Signal Corps officer for almost 30 years after being commissioned when completing ROTC at Northeastern University. During my last tour of duty in the Army, while searching for a new career, I started the Boston University's program in Financial Planning. Upon retirement from the Army I went to work as a mid-level executive and department head at GTE Government Systems. I continued study in financial planning, ultimately earning a Diploma in Financial Planning and sitting for the last of the six sequential examinations for the CFP credential which I earned about six months after retirement.
I founded Power Plans while working at GTE and continued my independent practice as a CFP practitioner and state-registered investment advisor on a part-time basis. I primarily accepted family members and a selected few others as clients. In 2000, when GTE and Bell Atlantic merged to form Verizon, I "retired" from GTE (executive buy-out) and decided to devote my efforts to the financial planning profession. Since that time I added clients to my small practice; generally accepting only those that fit my model of serving those that were in need of service or were a challenge or were referred to me by a friend.
In 2008 I "capped" my practice at about 30 clients and $30 million in assets under advisement and have allowed that base to attrit in preparation for actual retirement. Because I have an adequate income as a retired Army Colonel of almost 30 years service and Social Security, I am able to operate my business with very modest income needs. This allows me to do significant pro bono work, serve on several non-profit boards, and contribute to my community, both professional and local.