Chapter Meetings

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If you are not receiving program information via email, please contact fpasoco@gmail.com

Upcoming Meetings Preview:

Most breakfast meetings convene from 7:30-9:00 on the 2nd floor of the Hilton Garden Inn Downtown.

Please check the formal invitation below for possible venue changes and details.

September 19th - Legacy Planning by Steve Marken from Trustee Services.

October 17th - Health Care and Insurance Planning by Mandy Kobilan from Lighthouse.

November 15th - Robert Bertman CFA®, CSLP®, CFP® Cashflow, Planning, and Budgeting

December - Social Event

January 16th - Rich Arzaga CFP®, CCIM

February 20th - TBD

March 19th - TBD

April 16th - TBD

May 21st - TBD

June 18th - TBD

July 16th - TBD

August 20th - TBD

Upcoming Meeting Formal Invitation:

October 2023 - Mandy Kobilann from Lighthouse Group -

Health Care and Insurance Planning

Notice - Venue Change to Philanthropy Collective!

Tuesday, October 17th

7:30-8:00 am Breakfast Served
8:00-9:00 Program

Venue: Philanthropy Collective at 315 E Pikes Peak Ave #120, Colorado Springs, CO 80903. Venue Change!

Parking: Please utilize street parking today.

We will offer C.E. credit for CFP certificate holders.

Presentation Details: Please join us to learn about health care and insurance planning.
Guests: Please consider bringing a guest to an FPA meeting.

Guests may attend their first meeting free of charge. Subsequent meetings will include a $30 breakfast fee.
When RSVPing, please let Morgan know your guest's name to ensure we have a name tag for them and include them in our breakfast order count.

September 2023 - Legacy Planning

Tuesday, September 19th

Steve founded Trustee Services Group in 2009.

An accomplished attorney and consultant to wealth managers throughout the country, he is a nationally recognized expert adept at overseeing estate plans that holistically and multi-generationally integrate a family’s financial (material), human (people), and social (philanthropic) capital.

Recognized as a Certified Specialist in charitable tax planning by the American Institute of Philanthropic Studies, Steve intimately understands the role of philanthropy in the wealth equation and how such, when properly and intentionally embraced, can be a powerful antidote to the risk and challenge of “affluenza”, while also serving as an unparalleled means of uniting families around common values and interests in the building of a lasting family legacy.

With an accomplished professional background in law, tax, finance and philanthropy, Steve is privileged to share his diverse background and experience while serving families and their professional advisors nationwide.

Steve received his B.S. from Arizona State University and his Law degree from Southwestern University School of Law.

Presentation Overview:
Becoming a multi-generational wealth advisor during this Great Wealth Transfer.
We are currently in the midst of the “Great Wealth Transfer”, where current estimates of up to $85 Trillion will pass from one generation to the next between now and 2045. In other words, a vast majority of your client’s wealth will be changing hands in the next twenty years.
During Covid, countless individuals have chosen to update their estate documents. During this time and following, Trustee Services Group has had the occasion to speak with hundreds of families who have put in place or revised their estate plans. When asked, most of these families would like to have their wealth advisor involved with the next generation when they pass. Yet hardly any of the estate documents we reviewed reflected this fact.
What are some of the reasons for this marketplace disconnect?
How can wealth advisors better position their practice and services during this “Great Wealth Transfer” to become a family’s multi-generational wealth counselor?
This program will explore the marketplace challenges and opportunities for professional advisors in this regard.
Specifically explored and addressed during this interactive program will be:

Benefits of moving from a traditional estate planning process to a “legacy design” focus.
Use of “Directed Trust” language.
Pros and cons of a Co-Trustee and the involvement of a Trust Protector.

Program participants will come away better equipped with a deeper understanding of the tools and resources available to deliver what many of their clients desire . . . for the client’s team of wealth advisors to remain involved with their family wealth for the benefit of their next generation.

Guests: Please consider bringing a guest to an FPA meeting.

Guests may attend their first meeting free of charge. Subsequent meetings will include a $30 breakfast fee.
When RSVPing, please let Morgan know your guest's name to ensure we have a name tag for them and include them in our breakfast order count.

August 2023

Portfolio Management

Tuesday, August 15th

7:30-8:00 am Breakfast Served
8:00-9:00 Program

Venue: Hilton Garden Inn Downtown- 125 N Cascade Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80903. Please take the elevator to the 2nd floor.

Parking: Please utilize the parking garage beside the Hilton Garden Inn Downtown. Parking will be validated.

We will offer C.E. credit for CFP certificants.

Presentation Details: Please join us to learn about Portfolio Management from two Chartered Financial Analysts.

The presentation will discuss various aspects of the portfolio construction process – discussing client objectives, selecting the appropriate allocation for the client’s risk/return objectives, selecting appropriate benchmarks, implementing the portfolio, and evaluating the portfolio performance. CFP professionals are well versed in all aspects of financial planning, The presentation will include the perspective of two CFA Charterholders that can help FPA members think more deeply about how they can better serve their clients in the areas of portfolio construction and investment selection.

Aaron Thurston CFA® CFP®

Ameriprise Financial, Financial Advisor, Investment Manager – Eagle Rock Wealth Strategies, Ameriprise Financial
21 years of experience as a registered representative
Oklahoma Wesleyan University - B.S. Business Administration, 2002

Aaron manages relationships with about 150 client households, helping with investments and financial planning issues. Aaron also lead the investment analysis and recommendations for client portfolios across the practice.

Andy Brown CFA®

Andy started in financial services with Intrinsic, LLC performing compliance and fiduciary opinions regarding business valuation for private equity, public companies, and complex estates. He completed over 150 engagements covering estate gifting, complex securities, fairness opinions, and solvency opinions. Andy has worked as an Advisor at D.A. Davidson since 2022 and specializes in investments and portfolio management on his team.

He possesses Bachelor's Degrees from Western Colorado University in Accounting and Business Administration and a Master's of Science in Applied Quantitative Finance from the University of Denver. Outside of work, Andy is an avid outdoorsman, golfer, and enjoys spending time with his growing family and dogs.

Guests: Please consider bringing a guest to an FPA meeting.

Guests may attend their first meeting free of charge. Subsequent meetings will include a $30 breakfast fee.
When RSVPing, please let Morgan know your guest's name to ensure we have a name tag for them and include them in our breakfast order count.

June 2023

Economic Update

Please Join Us

Tuesday, June 20th
7:30-8:00 am Breakfast Served
8:00-9:00 Program
Venue: Hilton Garden Inn Downtown- 125 N Cascade Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80903. Please take the elevator to the 2nd floor.
Parking: Please utilize the parking garage beside the Hilton Garden Inn Downtown. Parking will be validated.
If you haven't already, RSVP yes or no to FPASoCo@gmail.com by June 14th.

We do plan to apply for and offer C.E. credit for CFP certificants.

Presentation Details: Economic Update by UCCS's Dr. Joe Craig
Dr. Craig will address the current state of the national economy, including but not limited to touching on inflation, interest rates, bank failures, housing, and jobs. Additionally, he will discuss the local economy, including housing, jobs, and population. Finally, he will touch on heavy-hitting and hot jobs within the financial industry.

Bio:
Dr. Joe Craig is an Associate Professor of Economics, Chair of the Department of Economics at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (UCCS), and the Interim Faculty Director for the UCCS Economics Forum. Professor Craig received his B.A. in Mathematics and Economics from Kenyon College and his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Colorado at Boulder. He is a specialist in applied economics and analytics, with publications ranging from cyclical capital hangovers and the effects of market restructuring,

Guests: Please consider bringing a guest to an FPA meeting.

Guests may attend their first meeting free of charge. Subsequent meetings will include a $30 breakfast fee.
When RSVPing, please let Morgan know your guest's name to ensure we have a name tag for them and include them in our breakfast order count.

May 2023

Secure Act 2.0

Please Join Us:

Tuesday, May 16th
7:30-8:00 am Breakfast and Networking
8:00-9:00 Program
Venue: Hilton Garden Inn Downtown- 125 N Cascade Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80903. Please take the elevator to the 2nd floor.
Parking: Please utilize the parking garage beside the Hilton Garden Inn Downtown. Parking will be validated.
Please RSVP to FPASoCo@gmail.com by May 12th.

We do plan to apply for and offer C.E. credit to CFP certificants

Presenter: Katie Schaffer and Robin Liontas with a Secure Act 2.0

Securing a Strong Retirement Act of 2022, or SECURE 2.0, is designed to expand access to retirement plans, simplify the process of contributing and withdrawing from retirement savings, and ease plan administration for employers. Signed into law Dec 29, 2022, the Act includes a series of effective dates for various key provisions.

April 2023

Ethics Presentation

Please note this presentation is two hours in length.

Please Join Us

Tuesday, April 18th:
7:30-8:00 am Breakfast Served
8:00-10:00 Program (2-hour presentation)

Venue: Hilton Garden Inn Downtown- 125 N Cascade Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80903. Please take the elevator to the 2nd floor.

Parking: Please utilize the parking garage beside the Hilton Garden Inn Downtown. Parking will be validated.

Please RSVP to FPASoCo@gmail.com by April 13th.

We do plan to apply for and offer C.E. credit to CFP certificants

Presenter: Michelle Dockter with an Ethics presentation.

Please note--this presentation will be two hours in length.

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March 2023

ESTATE PLANNING:

What you need to know to secure your health, finances, affairs.

Please Join Us for ESTATE PLANNING: What you need to know to secure your health, finances, affairs presented by Paul Mason

When: Tuesday, March 21st
Time: 7:30-8:00am Breakfast Served / 8:00am - 9:00am program
Venue: Hilton Garden Inn Downtown - 125 N Cascade Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Parking: Please utilize the parking garage besides the Hilton Garden Inn Downtown - Parking will be validated.

Cost: $0 for members; $30 for non members

Please RSVP to FPASoCo@gmail.com

We do plan to apply for and offer C.E. credit for CFP

Presentation Details:
Financial Advisors play an important role in assessing their client's individual needs and identifying opportunities to introduce them to an estate planning professional, as appropriate. Developing a tailored plan helps to ensure family wealth is protected and a proper estate plan is constructed.

As members of the Financial Planning Association, we often play a part in the implementation of our client's estate planning strategy. We look forward to hearing Paul Mason's discussion on the importance of securing a client's health, finances, affairs and working together to ensure their peace of mind.

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February 2023

Economics Outlook and Forces Shaping the Market:

Please Join Us Economics Outlook and Forces Shaping the Market presented by Bill Pugini

When: Tuesday, February 21st
Time: 7:30-8:00am Breakfast Served / 8:00am to 9:00am Program
Venue: Hilton Garden Inn Downtown - 125 N Cascade Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Parking: Please utilize the parking garage besides the Hilton Garden Inn Downtown - Parking will be validated.

Cost: $0 for members; $30 for non members

Please RSVP to FPASoCo@gmail.com

We do plan to apply for and offer C.E. credit for CFP

Presentation Details:
Please join us on February 21st to get perspectives from Bill Puggini CFA, Senior Portfolio Specialist with the Vanguard Group.
Bill will lead discussions on key economic issues and forces shaping the markets, focusing on fixed income. During this session, Bill will cover the Central banks' vigilance in the fight against inflation, predictions for global markets in the coming year, and a more positive outlook for long-term investors.

A Little About Our Presenter: Bill Puggini
Bill Puggini CFA® joined Vanguard in 2008. Before his current role, he helped build out the Vanguard Advisor Portfolio Analytics & Consulting offer. He
worked with advisors via data-driven consultations to aid in the portfolio construction process, giving him extensive insights into how top advisors around the country construct their models. Additionally, Bill served as an enterprise investment resource on strategic
initiatives, such as the launch of factor-based ETFs, which included designing and implementing Vanguard’s factor analytics tools for the web.
Bill earned a finance degree from the University of Arizona, and holds FINRA Series 6, 7, and 63 licenses, in addition to the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.

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January 2023

The Ideal Customer Experience:

Please Join Us for Ideal Customer Experience presented by H.B. Pasley

When: Tuesday, January 17th
Time: 7:30-9:00am Breakfast Served
Venue: The Philanthropy Collective - 315 E Pikes Peak Ave #120, Colorado Springs, CO
Parking: Ample Street Parking

Cost: $0 for members; $20 for non members

Please RSVP to FPASoCo@gmail.com

We do plan to apply for and offer C.E. credit for CFP
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November 2022

FPA SOCO Holiday Happy Hour:

When: Wednesday, December 7th

Time: 4:30pm to 6:30pm

Where: 616 N Tejon St. Colorado Springs, CO 80903

Cost: $0

RSVP Link: Please register here.

Message from Host:

You are invited to join your friends at the FPA of Southern Colorado for a wonderful Holiday Happy Hour on December 7th from 4:30pm to 6:30pm.

Craft cocktails, warm beverages, and small bites are provided.
Private venue address: 616 North Tejon Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80903. (Plan to pay for parking on the street.)
Please RSVP so we can plan to host you and your significant other. (Please use Link above)
Also, please bring your team members and invite anyone who would love to make a deeper connection with financial advisors in our area. What a great time to meet new people.
You may share this invitation!

Hosted by Nathan Johnson & H.B. Pasley. Call 719-243-4299 or 719-633-2515 with any questions you may have.

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October 2022:

The SECURE Act & What Lies Head for the U.S. Tax Code

When: Wednesday, October 26th
Time: 7:30-8:00am breakfast / 8:00-9:00am presentation plus Q&A - arrive at 7:30am for Breakfast!

Cost: $20 for Members / $25 for Non-Members / Complimentary for first time visitors

Location: SpringHill Suits by Marriott
Parking: Enter Hotel Garage from Tejon
Hotel Garage Parking will Be Validated

Please RSVP to FPASoCo@gmail.com by Tuesday October 25th.

1 Hour CFP CE Credit is pending approval.

Program: The SECURE Act, SECURE Act 2.0 & What Lies Ahead for the U.S. Tax Code
presented by Bernie Benyak, CPA,, CFP® & Rebecca V. Jackson, CPA, JD with Stockman Kast Ryan (skr+co)

The SECURE Act passed with bipartisan support in 2019 and became law on January 1, 2020. At that time, some of the specifics about how the Act was to be administered in practice remained murky. Since then, the IRS and regulators have weighed in and the rules have become clearer. In the meantime, Congress is actively considering SECURE Act 2.0 -- a series of bills that build on the SECURE Act -- which many anticipate will pass before the end of 2022. Our presenters will revisit the key provisions of the SECURE Act, discuss specific interpretations of the rules, and discuss what may lie ahead for the U.S. Tax Code.

Bernie Benyak is a Senior Tax Manager at Stockman Kast Ryan who has been in public accounting since 1995. His specialties include working with small business owners, relatively high net worth individuals, and real estate companies. He also provides financial planning and Social Security planning services and maintains his designations through the CFP Board and the National Social Security Association, LLC. Bernie is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the Colorado Society of Certified Public Accountants (COCPA) and is also a licensed Certified Financial Planner. He was involved in the Housing and Building Association of Colorado Springs and formerly served on the board of HBA Cares. In 2022, Bernie joined University of Colorado Colorado Springs College of Business as an adjust instructor of taxation.

Rebecca V. Jackson is a Wealth Planning Strategist who joined Stockman Kast Ryan in 2021. Rebecca began her career in public accounting in 1990 with Deloitte and Touche. During the years from 1993 – 2005, Rebecca served many businesses in Accounting and Business Management in telecommunication, construction and healthcare. She earned her CPA license in 1995, her LL.M in Taxation in 2010 and her JD in 2009. She practiced law for 12 years specializing in tax, business and estate planning as well as probate and trust administration. Rebecca is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the Colorado Society of Certified Public Accountants (COCPA) and serves as a board member for the Estate Planning Council of Colorado Springs.

Please join us for an insightful presentation and dialog.

1 Hour CFP CE Credit is pending approval.

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April 2022 – FPA SoCo Chapter IN-PERSON Event

Please join the Southern Colorado FPA for a timely update by J.P. Morgan on the markets and the economy. We encourage all members to support your local chapter by attending our first in-person program in over two years!

RSVP Required - Please RSVP to fpasoco@gmail.com by Friday, April 8th if you plan to attend!

When: Tuesday, April 12, 2022
Time: 7:30-8:00am breakfast / 8:00-9:00am presentation plus Q&A - arrive at 7:30am for Breakfast!

Cost: $20 for Members / $25 for Non-Members / Complimentary for first time visitors

Location: Epiphany located at 32 S Tejon St, Suite 200 in downtown Colorado Springs

Topic: Market & Economic Update - 1 CFP CE Credit Available!

Speaker: Joshua Feuerman, CFA, managing director, is a Global Equity Strategist. Josh joined the firm in 2012 from Foundation Capital Partners where he served as Chief Risk Officer. Previously, Josh ran his own investment firm, Btn Partners, where he managed a quantitative market neutral hedge fund. Prior to founding Btn Partners, Josh was Vice Chairman of the Investment Committee and Head of Global Quantitative Equities at Deutsche Asset Management. Josh was also Head of Active International Equities at State Street Global Advisors in Boston and an adjunct lecturer in the Finance Department at Pace University. Josh holds an A.B. in Economics and Romance Languages from Bowdoin College and an M.B.A. in Finance from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business.

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October 2021 – FPA SoCo Chapter IN-PERSON Event

When: Friday, October 22nd, 2021
Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm Mountain Time (US and Canada) - arrive at 11:30am for Lunch!

Cost: No charge. Lunch provided!

Location: Integrity Trust Conference Room - 13540 Meadowgrass Drive, Suite 100

Speaker: Joe Giulitto - Joseph has been in the financial services industry since 1998. Throughout his career, when working closely with industry professionals and clients Joe has followed the simple idea: If you can identify the need, then a solution is eminent. Joseph has a Bachelor's of Science in Business from the University of Southern Colorado and Harvard Executive Business School with a specialty in Global Economics and History. Joe resides in Colorado--and if you don't find him actively speaking, you will find him with his family, including his sons Joe, Vince, his wife of 21 years, Angela. His family enjoys every aspect of Colorado living.

Topic: Estate & Gift Tax Planning

CollegeInvest’s Estate and Gift Tax Planning course will explore how the flexibility and tax advantages built into 529 education savings plans can assist in minimizing estate and gift taxes. We will explore specific tax benefits for grandparents and how certain trusts interact and are affected by 529s. Also expect an overview of the basic 529 functionality including plan types, state tax benefits, and qualified and non-qualified distributions to help put estate and gift tax planning into perspective. 1 CFP CE Credit available.

Key Points:

Define the tax benefits for grandparent contributors and owners of 529s
Understand the forward gifting clause of 529 educational savings plans both conceptually and in application
Distinguish the difference between individual and trust ownership execution

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