JACKSON AREA ESTATE PLANNING COUNCIL

Kelly is a graduate of Michigan State University and began her career with Edward Jones in 2006 and became a limited partner in 2015. She holds FINRA series 7 and 66 licensing along with life and long term care insurance licenses. Edward Jones has thousands of people and advanced technology supporting her branch to help the serious long term investor reach their goals, along with branch office administrators Mary and Judi who have over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry and provide the highest level of service possible.  Kelly is originally from Jackson and now lives at Lake Somerset with her husband, Chris. They have two sons, Josh and Ben and enjoy travel, golf and college football. Kelly has been a lifelong runner, running for over 30 years.

 

Erik Smith, AIF, Financial Advisor, President, Generations Financial Planning

 

Erik has over 10 years of experience in helping people reach their financial goals. Now a Managing Partner of Generations Financial Planning & Wealth Management, he previously founded Erik Smith Investment which he has re-branded under the Generations name. Prior to that, Erik spent 3 years with Edward Jones. His interest and passion for investing started in high school when he wanted to start his career on Wall Street working at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).  He currently holds FINRA Series 7 and 66 licensing along with life and long-term care insurance licenses.  Erik earned the AIF Designation from the Center for Fiduciary Studies. The AIF Designation certifies he has specialized knowledge of fiduciary standards of care and their application to the investment management process.  Today, Erik works closely with his clients to develop a plan and ensures they understand the strategies selected to achieve their financial goals, recognizing the importance of periodic reviews to balance investments. His individualized, unique approach causes/allows him to get to know his clients on a very personalized level.  Erik grew up on a small farm in the Hillsdale area, served in the U.S. Air Force right out of high school, helping him understand the value of work and what it takes to make a dollar. He has lived in the Jackson area for the past twenty-plus years and is a valuable asset to his community. Erik has been a Rotarian since 2009, serves as a Board-member and current President of the Battle Creek Rotary Club, and has previously served as President for the Jackson Breakfast Club  (that’s Rotary, not the movie) in 2013-2014, as well as the Jackson Rotary Foundation.  Erik is married to his wife Taryn for nearly 17 years.  Taryn owns Advertising Solutions Today, which is the corporate “go to” for promotional products, with in-house screen printing and embroidery.  Erik has two children, a daughter who is 23 and a son who is 21.  He is also a proud grandparent of a 6 month old grandson.    Erik has found his passion as the Co-Owner  of an investment  with locations in Jackson, Battle Creek and possibly Kalamazoo.  Erik and Taryn love to ride the motor cycle with no agenda and nowhere to go.  Spring rides are best, offering so many sweet fragrances in the cool, fresh air.

 

Barry Malek, CRC®, CTFA®, AEP®, Assistant Vice President – Trust Officer, County National Bank 

 

Barry helps bank customers and new clients to better plan and more efficiently manage their retirement plans, trusts, investment portfolios, foundations and estates.  With 25 years of experience in his profession, Barry simply loves helping people.  He possesses both trust and investment experience with breadth and depth in each. Before joining CNB in 2011, Barry was with PaineWebber/UBS for seven years and later with National City Bank/PNC and Comerica Bank for twelve years; where he was responsible for both trust administration and investment management. During this time he managed the SE Michigan divisional office of Charitable and Endowment Services for National City (PNC) and later the Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust (ILIT) department for Comerica where he worked closely with the financial advisors, attorneys, life agents and CPAs who advise high-net-worth clients nationwide. Barry holds a B.A. from Cedarville University and has completed levels I, II and III of Trust School at Cannon Financial Institute. He is a Certified Trust and Financial Advisor (CTFA), Certified Retirement Counselor (CRC) and an Accredited Estate Planner (AEP). 

Membership and Service

• Financial and Estate Planning Council of Metro Detroit - Member

• Jackson Area Estate Planning Council - Member

• Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs of Jackson - Member

• Economic Committee for Jackson Chamber of Commerce - Member

• Previous President: Jackson Area Estate Planning Council

• Past Secretary: Jackson Art and Cultural Alliance

• Past Treasurer: Jackson Kiwanis Foundation.  

• Past Deacon and Small Group Leader: Local Churches

• Past Ambassador: Jackson County Chamber of Commerce

• Instructor & Assistant: Junior Achievement 

• Previous membership or leadership roles include:  Financial Analysts Society of Detroit, Planned Giving Council of Salvation Army of SE Michigan, SE Michigan Youth for Christ, Transportation Riders United and the City of Farmington Economic Restructuring Committee    

 

Barry was raised in the Grand Traverse region of Northern MI.  He loves Michigan and values living and working in a smaller city like Jackson, as well as being with a Michigan based community bank, which allows for better customer service and closer client relationships.  He and his wife, Lori, have an adult daughter, Angela, who works in the airline industry.  Among other things, they enjoy arts and culture, writing, speaking, theology, movies, painting, railroads, kayaking, cycling, running, golf and collectibles.  Barry and Lori reside in the Jackson area and absolutely love it here!

 

Moderator:  TBD