Financial Capital Markets Show

About the speakers

Robert Balentine – Balentine

Click here to listen to Robert Balentine – Speaker Segment

Robert Balentine is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Balentine, the Atlanta-based independent investment advisory firm. In 1987, Robert founded Balentine & Company, which grew to become the largest independent investment advisory firm in the south. In 2002, the firm was acquired by a large public company where Robert become CEO of their investment management business, managing more than $36 billion in assets. Five years ago, he and his partners became entrepreneurs once again and created Balentine as an independent firm.
Robert began his career with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, where at the age of 28, he was elected the youngest vice president in Merrill Lynch history. In 1987, he and his father co-founded Balentine & Company, which grew to become the largest privately-owned investment counseling firm in the Southeast. In 2002, the firm was acquired by Wilmington Trust Company where Robert served as Executive Vice President and Chairman and CEO of Wilmington Trust Investment Management. There, his Atlanta-based team managed over $36 billion in assets for clients throughout the United States.
Robert has held a variety of leadership positions in the community. He was Chairman of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Vice Chairman of the Woodruff Arts Center and Chairman of the Salvation Army Atlanta Boys & Girls Clubs. He is a 20-year member of Vistage, an international organization of CEOs; founding president of The Southeastern Horticultural Society; and a member of the Elachee Nature Center Advisory Board. Robert is also founder of the Southern Highlands Reserve (SHR), a nationally recognized native plant arboretum in western North Carolina, and in 2014 was honored for his work with SHR by Invest in Others in its annual Community Leadership Awards.
Since its founding in December 2009, Balentine has grown to nearly $2 billion in assets, employing 25 people in two offices and has been named one of the Top 50 fastest growing RIAs by Forbes and a best place to work in Money Management by Pensions & Investments. In addition, the Metro Atlanta Chamber awarded Robert with the Entrepreneur of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013. In August of this year, Robert was named one of the nation’s “Top 100 Independent Financial Advisors” by Barron’s.
Company Contact Information
3344 PEACHTREE ROAD
SUITE 2200
ATLANTA GA 30326
Main Phone: (404) 537-4800
Fax: (404) 537-4848
www.balentine.com
LinkedIn Profile: www.linkedin.com/pub/robert-balentine/1a/552/869

JIM COOK, ChFC, CFS – National Financial Services Group Click here to listen to Jim Cook – Speaker Segment

James L. Cook serves as CEO of National Financial Services Group (NFSG), a comprehensive financial services firm headquartered in Atlanta. Under his leadership, which began in 2000, the firm has become one of the premier financial services companies in the Southeast having grown from a single office of 16 associates to over 125 financial services professionals with offices in Georgia, Florida, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.
NFSG has a long proud history. Through its association with National Life Insurance Company (NLIC), NFSG can trace its roots back to 1896, the year the first NLIC agency opened in Atlanta. Over the years, the firm’s name has changed but its solid reputation for excellence in service and long-term client relationships has endured. Jim’s steadfast commitment to on-going training and education builds the intellectual capital of the firm and enables the firm’s financial professionals to stand out among their peers in the industry.
NFSG was recognized as the top National Life agency from 2005-2010 and for the past ten years, it has been ranked as one of the top agencies for insurance and assets under management by the Atlanta Business Chronicle. The firm has been the recipient of numerous GAMA International Awards which recognize exceptional agencies and firm leaders around the world. These awards include the Master Agency Award (five times), the First in Class Award (six times) and the International Management Diamond Award (eight times). Jim served for four years as a GAMA International Board Member.1
A 1981 graduate of Western Illinois University, Jim earned his Certified Fund Specialist® designation in 1995 and became a Chartered Financial Consultant® in 1997. He is past President of NAIFA Atlanta and served as a board member for three years. Jim has traveled to Washington D.C., along with NAIFA leaders from across the country, to discuss important industry issues with members of Congress.
Jim and his wife, Belynda, live in Cumming, GA and have three daughters. They are members of Johns Creek United Methodist Church. During his occasional free time, Jim can be found golfing or cheering on the Atlanta Braves.
Company Contact Information
1050 Crown Pointe Parkway
Suite 1700
Atlanta, GA 30338
Main Phone: (770) 512-5100
Fax: (770) 512-5154
www.nationalfinancialservicesgroup.com
LinkedIn Profile: www.linkedin.com/in/cookjim

BRAD STONECIPHER – Peachtree Planning Corporation Click here to listen to Brad Stonecipher – Speaker Segment

Brad Stonecipher has over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. He was previously employed with Trust Company Bank, Merrill Lynch, and Robinson Humphrey, before joining Peachtree Planning in 1995. Brad currently oversees Peachtree Planning’s Investment Department which includes, Operations, Compliance, and Investment Product Sales. He is responsible for over 90 registered representatives who currently manage over $2.6 billion of their clients’ assets.
Brad is the recipient of several professional organizational awards. He has served as a member of the Field Advisory Board for Park Avenue Securities (PAS) and for Guardian Insurance & Annuity Company. He helped develop and implement the PAS Investment Specialist Training Program, a program that has trained over 200 Investment Specialist’s throughout the country.
He graduated with a BBA, from the University of Kentucky. He is a member of the IAFP, International Association of Financial Planners, a member of the Atlanta Chapter of the ALU, Association of Life Underwriters, and a member of GAMA International, The General Agents and Managers Association.
Brad lives in Buckhead with his wife, Iris, and their son, Nick, and daughter, Haley. They are members of Peachtree Presbyterian Church.
Company Contact Information
5040 Roswell Road
Atlanta, Georgia 30342
Main Phone: 404-260-1600
Fax: 404-260-1700
www.peachtreeplanning.com

LinkedIn Profile: www.linkedin.com/pub/brad-stonecipher/19/b93/646