Students of all majors are invited to a special CBE Lunchtime Learning presentation on Careers in Financial Planning. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, the median annual wage for financial planners or advisers was $90,640 in May 2017. Employment of personal financial planners/advisers is projected to grow 15 percent from 2016 to 2025, much faster than average for all occupations.
Attend this event to learn more about the pathways to careers in financial planning and the potential opportunities for Allegheny students with distinguished alumni presenters Stuart Armstrong ’81 and Blaine Aikin ’76. Stuart will share his improbable journey as an Allegheny graduate with a degree in biology from the laboratory to his career transition to financial planner where he pursues his passion for helping his clients to chart their course to financial independence. Blaine Aikin, CFP®, CFA, AIFA® served on the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards from 2013 until 2017, and as Chair of CFP Board in 2017. Blaine will enlighten us about the benefits for students who wish to add this prestigious certification to their Allegheny degree.
We will be serving free pizza for as long as it lasts – so mark your calendar for Thursday, September 6 for this special lunch hour event. Students will have to opportunity to speak with Stuart and Blaine during office hours following this presentation. Please contact Beth Ryan to schedule your appointment by stopping in at Quigley #224, email bryan@allegheny.edu or calling 332-2385.
Stuart Armstrong II
CFP®, CLU®, CLTC, ADPA®, AIF® Financial Planner
Since 1986, clients have chosen Stuart Armstrong as their lead advisor because he is able to help them chart their course to financial independence with patience, integrity and wisdom. Stuart graduated from Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Stuart has obtained various industry designations, including: CFP® (Certified Financial Planner®), ChFC® (Chartered Financial Consultant®), CLU® (Charted Life Underwriter®), CLTC (Certified in Long Term Care), ADPA® (Accredited Domestic Partner Advisor®), and AIF® (Accredited Investment Fiduciary®).
Stuart was honored to serve a three-year term from 2013 through 2015 on the National Board of Directors for the Financial Planning Association (FPA), the largest membership of financial planners in the United States. He is currently a member of the CFP Board Center for Financial Planning Advisory Council and also serves on the Mass Audubon Advisory Council.
In his spare time, Stuart is active in volunteering for various Boston area non-profit groups. Stuart can often be seen skiing, off to the movies and plays or out in his growing garden. Stuart has lived in the Boston area for over thirty years and he currently resides in Milton with his partner, Mike, and their cat Geo.
Blaine Aikin
Executive Chairman Fi360
Blaine is executive chairman of Fi360 and a recognized thought-leader in the field of financial advice and fiduciary responsibility. He joined Fi360 in 2005 as chief knowledge officer, became chief executive officer in 2007, and was named executive chairman in 2015. He led the rise to prominence of the company’s professional development capabilities, investment management platform for advisors, and business research and practice management services that help advisors and financial institutions profitably gather, grow and protect investor assets. His rich experience includes having been a financial planning practitioner, chief investment officer and corporate executive responsible for the design, delivery and management of investment products.
Blaine is a well-known speaker and author of numerous articles on the subjects of fiduciary responsibility and investment management. He is the author of the monthly Fiduciary Corner column in Investment News magazine. He has been named to Investment Advisor magazine’s IA25 list of the most influential people in the investment advisory community and one of the 10 most influential individuals in the 401(k) industry by RIABiz. He is currently chair of the Board of Directors for the CFP Board of Standards.
Blaine received a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Political Science from Allegheny College and his Master of Public Management and Policy degree from the Heinz School of Carnegie-Mellon University. Upon graduation from CMU, he was selected for the prestigious Presidential Management Intern Program. He is a Certified Financial Planner® (CFP® ) professional, Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA® ) charter holder and Accredited Investment Fiduciary Analyst® (AIFA® ) designee.
An avid outdoorsman, Blaine serves on the leadership council of the Pennsylvania Center for Private Forests and is active in the Pennsylvania Forest Stewards program.