Philip C Benedict, CFP®
Founding Partner
Founder and President of Benedict Financial Advisors, Inc.
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER TM
Member of the Financial Planning Association
I started my college career at Duke University and after a couple of years I realized that my pragmatic nature would be better suited with a business education rather than a liberal arts education. I then transferred to Bowling Green University in Ohio. There I was fortunate to be able to teach three undergraduate courses covering stock market strategy, investments and financial statement analysis. I also developed, in conjuction with one of the professors, the technical portion of the account executives training course for one of the major stock brokerage firms and assisted him in writing two college textbooks on the stock market. In 1968, I received a B.S. degree in Business Administration with specialty degrees in Investments and Finance. The following year I received an Associates Degree in Real Estate Investments from the University of Toledo. It was obvious I was destined for a career in personal finance.
I spent most of my twenties working for a major income tax return preparation firm generally serving the dual role of supervisor and technical tax advisor. It was in this role that I realized that many people were in need of good financial advice.
Benedict Financial Advisors, Inc. was created in 1980. I am very proud to say that what started as a one-man show has now grown into a group of four individuals who share my commitment to our clients, who have the same lust to learn all we can about our industry and who have a passion to help our clients achieve financial independence and the contentment that comes with it.
Travis M James, CFP®
Managing Partner
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER TM
Member of the Financial Planning Association
I am a native of the Atlanta area. I attended Berry College on a Presidential Merit Scholarship. While at Berry I received a B.S. degree in Business from the Campbell School of Business and was awarded the Earl Roberson scholarship for outstanding achievement in Economics. My post graduate study for the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM designation was completed at Oglethorpe University.
My interest in the financial markets started at a very young age. I purchased my first security when I was only 17 and have been hooked ever since. It proved more difficult than I expected to start a career in financial planning WITHOUT taking a position with one of the large sales oriented banks or other financial organizations. Fortunately a friend referred me to a fairly small independent firm named Benedict Financial Advisors, Inc and Phil offered me a position to join the team. It has proved an ideal opportunity to grow within an independent planning office with Phil as a mentor. I believe we have structured our office in a manner that places us on the same side of the desk as the client. I enjoy the ability to apply independent research that WE select in our long-term investment strategies (rather than using whatever investments some home office tells you to sell).
I am a managing partner of Benedict Financial and a member of the firm’s investment committee. Within the firm, I focus on the application of independent research within our clients’ portfolios. I also create retirement income and estate plans to help protect clients against the multiple risks that face them in retirement and create a smooth transition to the next generation(s).
Mark A Beaver, CFP®
Managing Partner
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER TM
Member of the Financial Planning Association
I was born and raised in the metro Atlanta area. After graduating from South Gwinnett High School, I received an academic scholarship to attend Berry College in Rome, Georgia and received a B.A. degree in Psychology from The Charter School of Education and Human Sciences. I earned my CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM designation at Oglethorpe University.
I entered the financial industry when I was given the opportunity to come on board with Benedict Financial Advisors, Inc. I initially had an interest in finance and investments before I came to work here, mostly from what I learned from my Mother when I was younger. She used to teach my sister and me to save money, to start investing and not get into unnecessary debt. I was fortunate to have Phil as a mentor to initially learn the industry and help form the foundation to build my career.
I like helping people and truly impacting their lives in a positive manner. Money, in general, is probably one of the most difficult aspects of our lives. Saving, investing and managing one’s assets can be overwhelming for some people, and they want help making sense of it all. I enjoy helping clients create a financial plan and working with them to reach their financial goals. It is rewarding to see the confidence and peace of mind financial planning can provide.
Ashley A Thompson
Financial Advisor
I was born and raised in the Atlanta area and attended Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School. After graduating from high school, I attended Auburn University. I developed a strong interest in the financial industry while interning with Benedict Financial Advisors, Inc. the summer before I graduated from Auburn. After graduating from Auburn with a B.S. degree in Finance from The Lowder School of Business, I was offered a position with Benedict Financial Advisors, Inc.
My primary responsibilities for the company include investment account management and financial planning. I hold the following licenses: Series 7 and Series 66 with LPL Financial, and GA Insurance. During my last couple of years in college, I learned about many career opportunities within the financial industry and was eager to apply my education to the “real world,” but still didn’t know exactly what field interested me most. My experiences as an intern with Benedict Financial Advisors, Inc. made it all clear to me. The opportunity allowed me to truly observe the financial planning industry. After seeing the company’s genuine passion to help clients, I realized this was a perfect fit for me.
I enjoy being able to do something I love that has a positive impact on the lives of others. Proper planning makes all of the difference in the world. Seeing the struggles many face with managing assets and planning for the future, I have become extremely fascinated in the business and the positive impact it has on people’s lives.
Jean B Wilson
Events, Publications and Regulations
I grew up in a very small rural East Tennessee town of Newport and attended the University of Tennessee before moving to Charlottesville, Virginia. In Charlottesville, I worked for two years in the University of Virginia English Department – and the highlight of the job was meeting Robert Frost and William Faulkner! I moved to Atlanta in 1962 and in 1968 decided to stay home with my two daughters.
Many years later, in January 1990, I interviewed with Benedict Financial Advisors, Inc. and started working part time answering phones. The greatest benefit of working for Benedict Financial is that you are always learning – learning about people, investments, new computer programs, etc.
I now do the layout and editing of our firm’s newsletters: The Benedict Report, The Benedict Brief and From the Fifth Floor. I also maintain security registrations, renewal of and applications for insurance licenses and annual renewals for Benedict Financial Advisors, Inc. and Benedict Financial Group. I also prepare the annual ADV updates for Benedict Financial Advisors, Inc. with the State of Georgia. My other duties include the preparation and organization for two educational seminars: Breakfast with Benedict and Lunch with Benedict.