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 five 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
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 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 then 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 cannot tell you how much I enjoy being able to apply independent research that WE select in our long-term investment strategies (rather then using whatever investments some “home office” tells you to “sell”).
Within the firm, I focus on the application of our research within our clients’ portfolios. It is very rewarding to create long-term strategies that will help families achieve their goals. 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
Managing Partner
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 hold the following security licenses: 6, 7, 63 and 65 with LPL Financial, and I’m also currently enrolled in the CFP program at Oglethorpe University. My primary focus in the firm includes advising clients on various aspects of financial planning and investment account management.
I got into the Financial Industry, specifically planning and investments, when I got the opportunity to come on board with Benedict Financial Advisors, Inc. I initially had an interest in finances 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. So, when the opportunity came up to get into the industry, I naturally wanted to take advantage of it.
After working here for some time, another reason for doing this became apparent to me: The ability to help people and truly impact their lives. Money, in general, is probably one of the most difficult aspects of our lives. Saving, investing, and managing one’s money can be overwhelming for some people, and they need help making sense of it all. When I can help clients reach their financial goals and, in turn, change their life… that is why I’m a financial advisor.
Ashley A Thompson
Financial Advisor
I was born and raised in the Atlanta area and attended Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School. In 2002 I graduated high school and began college at Auburn University. After interning with Benedict Financial Advisors the summer before my senior year at Auburn, I developed a strong interest in the industry. I graduated from Auburn in 2006 with a B.S. in Finance from The Lowder School of Business, and began working for Benedict Financial in July of 2006.
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 at Auburn, I learned about many career opportunities within the industry and became excited 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 made it all clear to me. The opportunity allowed me to truly observe the financial planning industry. After seeing the company’s passion to truly help people, I realized this was perfect for me. Working for Benedict Financial has allowed me 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. Having seen a large portion of my generation with little concern about 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 retired in 1968 to stay home with 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 three industry newsletters written by Phil: The Benedict Report, The Benedict Brief and From the Fifth Floor. I also maintain Phil’s 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, for which Phil Benedict is the speaker.