Local Advisor wins National Award - InvestmentNews “40 Under 40” List
Birmingham, AL (PRWEB) June 22, 2015 -- Grinkmeyer Leonard Financial, a full-service financial advisory firm in Birmingham, AL, today announces that its Partner and Advisor, Valerie Leonard, AIF® has been named to the InvestmentNews “40 Under 40” list for 2015. The list is published in the June 22 issue of InvestmentNews and featured online.
Valerie started her career with American Express Financial Advisors in 2002, graduated with a BS in finance from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2003, and formed a business partnership with Trent Grinkmeyer in 2004 at American Express Financial Advisors, now Ameriprise Financial. Because of their intense desire to provide the highest quality of independent advice and the most suitable products to their clients, Valerie and Trent joined forces with Commonwealth Financial Network in 2007.
Valerie holds the Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) designation as awarded by Fiduciary360; she is currently serving on the Retirement Advisory Council at Commonwealth Financial Network; she has been recognized as a member of the Advisory Council at Fidelity Investments for multiple years; and she is a proud member of Retirement Plan Advisory Group (RPAG), the Financial Planning Association (FPA), and the National Association of Plan Advisors (NAPA). Valerie has been named to Employee Benefit Adviser's 2015 Rising Stars in Advising List.* Valerie is an investment adviser representative (IAR) with Commonwealth Financial Network, she holds FINRA Series 7 and Series 66 securities registrations, and she is licensed in multiple states for life, health, and disability products.
“It is with great pleasure that I congratulate Valerie Leonard on being recognized by InvestmentNews and honored on this list of noteworthy industry professionals,” said Wayne Bloom, CEO of Commonwealth Financial Network®, Grinkmeyer Leonard’s independent broker/dealer–RIA. “Valerie exhibits the qualities of a successful advisor. She is deeply focused, inspiring, innovative—and just getting started.”
Bloom concluded, “With the industry taking an increased focus on millennials and the future of investing, Valerie is one of the passionate, mindful advisors who will lead the charge on how the industry evolves and supports the changing needs of investors. Commonwealth will continue to provide the forward-thinking support and industry-leading technology Grinkmeyer Leonard Financial deserves.”
“I’m honored to receive this recognition,” says Valerie, “and I remain focused on my commitment to provide the highest quality financial advice and life coaching my amazing clients deserve. I feel like I’m changing lives every single day and am humbled that God has blessed me with the ability to affect change in this world of uncertainty and volatility. I’m passionate about my clients and plan to continually challenge myself on their behalves.”
The second annual “40 Under 40” project spotlights 40 dynamic honorees, all under age 40, who were selected from a pool of approximately 1,200 nominees by a panel of reporters, editors, and other representatives of InvestmentNews. Winners were chosen based on their level of accomplishment, contribution to the financial advice industry, leadership, and promise for the future.
About Grinkmeyer Leonard Financial
Grinkmeyer Leonard Financial is an industry leader for offering independent, customized service solutions for employers looking for full-service defined contribution and healthcare consulting services and individuals and families needing investment management and wealth management advice. As a boutique firm, they have been able to quickly adapt to changing economic, regulatory and legislative environments and have experienced significant growth over the past 10 years. Located at 1950 Stonegate Drive, Suite 275, Birmingham, Alabama, the firm prides itself on crafting unique strategies for each client. For more information, please visit http://www.grinkmeyerleonard.com
Trent Grinkmeyer, Valerie Leonard, Jamie Kertis and Caleb Bagwell are Registered Representatives and Investment Adviser Representatives with/and offer securities and advisory services through Commonwealth Financial Network, Member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser. Fixed insurance products and services offered through Grinkmeyer Leonard Financial or CES Insurance Agency.
*Employee Benefit Adviser’s annual list honors standout benefit advisors under the age of 35 with a five-year track record of demonstrating fresh talent and making a difference in the benefits industry. This year, winners were selected based on criteria including rate of industry participation, client size, and retention, as well as community service and other examples of an overall commitment to service excellence.
Jennifer Cowsar, Grinkmeyer Leonard Financial, http://www.grinkmeyerleonard.com, +1 205-970-9088, [email protected]
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