Succeeding in a business that involves lending money is a two-step process. First, learn everything there is to know about lending. And second, seek an experienced technology professional who can provide the foundation for that lending. Preferably, Allied Business Systems (ABS), the leader in financial software.

For nearly 35 years, hundreds of companies have turned to ABS for high-quality, cost-effective loan origination software solutions. “Our software offers direct and indirect loans, sales finance, real estate with escrow, plus many other types of loans,” says Billy Cutshaw, president and CEO. “If a business lends money, we have the experience and expertise to meet its needs. Our products cover the entire loan process: application, loan decision and origination, collection, solicitation and general ledger.”

As a pioneer in both the types and number of services offered, ABS is constantly creating new ways to improve client efficiency. For instance, when all branches of a business operate with exclusive ABS software solutions, the result is typically higher profits for every branch as well as the entire company.

ABS has a history of providing quality products that give its clients a competitive advantage. Other software packages can’t compete with the ease of use and complete synergy offered by absVision® and absSterling Loan Management Technology®.

Taking Service to the Highest Level
But it’s not just software, it’s also service that sets ABS apart. The firm’s employees are second to none in willingness, loyalty and innovation, with a deep and comprehensive knowledge of lending that includes areas like delinquency, solicitation, earnings and more. The ABS staff routinely comes through with time- and money-saving solutions that keep clients ahead of the game.

“As president and CEO, I strive to lead with honesty, integrity and a strong work ethic,” says Cutshaw. “Our company motto is, ‘Our Client’s Success Is Our Success.’ We don’t just follow it, we live it fully – every day. We understand that in order for our clients to be successful, they must have a solid foundation on which to conduct their business. That’s what we’re all about. That’s what our software and our service provide.”

4848 Mercer University Drive | Macon, GA 31210
800-727-7534 | 478-474-7601 | www.alliedbiz.com

The Enterprise Asset Management Experts
Cohesive Information Solutions Helps Organizations Improve Productivity and Reduce Costs

Even the newest, best and most sophisticated capital equipment isn’t of much use if it isn’t being used appropriately or working properly. Yet many organizations lack the necessary processes, organizational structure and technology to take full advantage of their production assets and keep them in optimal condition.

A partner like Cohesive Information Solutions makes a world of difference for organizations looking to achieve operational excellence through optimization of their asset reliability and availability.

The Kennesaw, Ga.-based company has been helping organizations apply industry best practices for enterprise asset management (EAM) and optimize their EAM technologies since 1998. It serves a variety of asset-intensive industries, including energy and utilities, by offering unique solutions aimed at improving physical asset reliability while reducing the associated costs of maintenance.

“We are experts in enterprise asset management,” explains Cohesive President George Lowry. “What we do is help companies optimize their production operations through the implementation of reliability-based work management processes and effective use of their related technology investments.”

For most customers this means using an EAM solution like Maximo®, an IBM software tool that helps organizations “catalog their assets and implement maintenance strategies to ensure their assets are always in working order,” Lowry says. Cohesive is an IBM premier business partner and North America’s number one Maximo reseller to commercial markets.

The company provides end-to-end Maximo services, from software sales, consulting and implementation services, to ongoing support 
and license maintenance.

Bridging the Gap Between Business and Technology
Cohesive’s industry experts – “individuals who have actually sat on the customer’s side of the table,” Lowry says – serve customers in diverse industries including utilities, energy, aerospace and defense, manufacturing, education and public sector agencies. “One of our recent energy customers, which moves natural gas, was using antiquated asset management technology and had very immature asset management practices – and, in some cases, no asset management practices at all,” Lowry says. “Some of their people were basically working from tribal knowledge. Since becoming a customer, the company has been using Maximo to improve their enterprise asset management program efficiency. The result is better equipment reliability, optimized workforce performance and full visibility of their related costs.”

Ultimately, Lowry says, it’s all about applying and managing the process changes that enable bridges to be built between business goals and related technology investments. “Deploying the technology is the easy part. The real challenge is embedding the appropriate EAM business practices and sustaining them.  Those who focus on following the process and using the technology appropriately have much greater potential of achieving their operational goals.”

125 TownPark Drive, Suite 240 | Kennesaw, GA 30144 | 678.233.1280
www.cohesivesolutions.com

Not-for-Profit Insurer Provides Exceptional Service

How do you choose the best health plan for your family or your employees when most plans today are basically the same? How do you distinguish one health plan from another as benefits and pricing become increasingly homogeneous?

It’s a dilemma for individuals and employers everywhere. But not for the growing number of people and small companies in Georgia that have made Alliant Health Plans their clear choice. The not-for-profit, boutique health insurer is based in Dalton, with operations in Kennesaw, Georgia.

A niche player from the start – “We have never tried to be all things to all people,” says Al Ertel, chief operating officer – Alliant focuses exclusively on serving the needs of small businesses and individuals.

“What really sets us apart is our people – and the service they provide to every one of our plan members,” says Emma Stacey Leigh, senior sales executive and government affairs liaison. “We do everything possible to provide a hassle-free experience, and our members appreciate it.”

“Phone calls are answered by people who address the issue at hand quickly and efficiently,” Leigh says, “with critical customer service matters referred to the highest level of management as appropriate.  We are a not-for-profit company. We don’t have constant shareholder pressures to influence decisions. Instead, we focus on providing the best value for the premiums paid by our hard-working members.”

Provider-Owned, Georgia-Based
Alliant was founded in Northwest Georgia by medical providers 15 years ago. The organization remains provider owned and Georgia based, entering additional markets in the state at the request of other provider organizations.

“We try very hard not to get in the way of the doctor-patient relationship,” says Mark Mixer, vice president of sales and marketing. “We believe in allowing the clinical professionals to do what they do best: treat patients. As a result, we enjoy a true partnership with our physicians 
and hospitals.”

Alliant is careful to choose only seasoned professional insurance agents to represent it in the marketplace, and is committed to not competing with them. “It’s part of our commitment to the communities we serve,” Ertel explains, “and an approach taken by no other insurance carrier. Additionally, our commitment to helping people is led by our long-term staff tenure.  The average employee has been with the company for 10 years.”

“Everyone should compare prices and plan offerings when choosing a health insurance company. That goes without saying,” Mixer says. “But when these are equal, what really matters is exceptional service.”

600 TownPark Lane, NW, Suite LL-1000 | Kennesaw, GA 30144 | 877-668-1015 | www.alliantplans.com

WorkingBuildings® Expands Globally, Sets Benchmarks for Optimal Building Operations

The opening of the WorkingBuildings office in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is the latest in a series of expansions of the Atlanta-based Owner’s Representative firm. With offices located across the continental United States, this expansion is a logical next step for the 13-year-old team of engineers, architects, and sustainability consultants.

“As the world globalizes rapidly, owners are challenged to deliver complex design and construction projects based on regional realities and resources,” says WorkingBuildings Managing Principal and President Michael L. Weiss, PhD, ABD, HCCP. “Understanding best practices across the globe and modifying them to meet local needs without sacrificing performance or requirements are tasks few firms have accomplished and WorkingBuildings excels at. We are brought on to share our substantial understanding of how buildings should work on projects throughout North America, the Middle East, South America, the Pacific Rim and Asia proper.”

Weiss founded the employee-owned company in the late 1990s with a single $1,700 contract. With five divisions, WorkingBuildings, WorkingLaboratories, WorkingHospitals, WB Global Advisory, and CxAlloy Software Solutions, and with regional offices spread across nine states and two continents, it is now on the Inc. 500/5000 2012 list of the nation’s fastest-growing privately held companies.

The company’s meteoric rise in a competitive global marketplace is due to its unique approach to owner representation – an approach that covers every aspect of the most complex, mission-critical facilities from planning through operation. “We lead owners through the big picture while we focus on the details,” says Weiss. “In the end, they have a facility, a campus, or even an entire portfolio that operates as envisioned. We’ve even acted as operators for complex projects after close-out, allowing owners to concentrate on their core service.”

WorkingBuildings brings together a multidisciplinary team of internationally recognized thought leaders in their areas of expertise who introduce best practices from around the world. “Through our leadership and innovative products like quality management software that is now the gold standard in the field, our team is actively setting the benchmarks for optimal building operations worldwide,” says Weiss.

WorkingBuildings’ leadership is perhaps nowhere more apparent than in the fields of sustainability and compliance. Delivering over 200 LEED-rated buildings, it is the recipient of the President’s Award for its work with the Sandia National Laboratory. It is the official Sustainability Sponsor of the 2012 Cityscape Riyadh Summit, where Weiss was a keynote speaker and hosted an award ceremony. WorkingBuildings recently agreed to work with Brazil’s primary biosafety organization, ANBio, to develop a program to audit and help manage and control the numerous biosafety issues in hospital and laboratory environments.

“We are redefining the traditional role of the project consultant to perform as a sustainability advocate for the owner,” Weiss says. “For instance, we urge that any green practices be coupled with return on investment. If there is no ROI, it’s not sustainable.”

www.workingbuildings.com | +1 678-990-8001 | info@workingbuildings.com

Everyone is looking for fulfillment.

Especially manufacturers and marketers tasked with shipping countless products all over the world. Customers are eagerly waiting for their packages, and that’s what fulfillment is all about. It is the art and science of getting those orders from the warehouse and into the customer’s hands.

Making it happen is a family-run company just outside of Atlanta, Georgia. When someone places an order, Fulfillment Services International (FSI) picks the items from its warehouses, packs them for safe transit and ships them to one of over 170 countries. For clients needing mass-produced kits, FSI assembles them for packing and shipping.

FSI has the capacity to accommodate megacorporations with thousands of orders per day, yet is small enough to work with start-ups. Unlike typical fulfillment providers that require minimum volumes, FSI likes to look at the client’s potential, knowing the payoff can be huge when a new product takes off.

“Many of our largest clients started out small, and we’ve grown together,” says Forrest Marbutt, VP and General Manager. “Rather than forcing clients into a cookie-cutter mold, we offer custom solutions that create valuable opportunities. Maybe that means a custom database application or online reporting solution on the IT side, or maybe it means a streamlined process on the operations side. Because we can do that, the result is continued growth from clients who can’t find these services elsewhere.”

Tracking Packages Like Never Before
One of FSI’s most innovative developments is FSI Track, an online package-tracking tool that allows clients to track the status of their kit-packing jobs all at once, instead of one at a time. Designed by the company’s in-house IT staff, FSI Track lets clients see which kits have been delivered and which are still in transit. It’s one thing to tell a client whether a particular package was delivered. It’s quite another to say, “Of those 10,000 shipments, here are the 10 that are still in transit.” It’s a big reason so many clients send their kit-packing jobs to FSI.

An order accuracy rate of 99.9 percent doesn’t hurt, either. Nor does the fact that FSI is a family-oriented business. Employees have been with the company an average of seven years, almost unheard of for a 16-year-old business. FSI has made Inc. magazine’s list of the 5000 fastest growing private companies for four years running.

How do they do it? “We’re big enough to handle whatever our clients throw at us,” says Marbutt, “and small enough that our clients won’t get lost in a sea of other clients. Through teamwork and a can-do attitude, we get the job done right and on time. We understand the bigger picture and treat our clients and employees as if they’re going to be with us forever.”

7800 The Bluffs, Suite C
Austell, GA 30168
678-391-5980
www.fsifulfillment.com

Aligning Your Technology to Achieve Your Business Goals

Local or Cloud-based. Microsoft or Apple. Office or Salesforce.

“It doesn’t matter what technology a company uses,” says Darrell Rodgers, president of Emerald Data Networks, Inc. “I’m vendor agnostic. The important thing is that a company’s technology achieves its business objectives.”

The Atlanta-based IT firm works with businesses of a variety of types and sizes, on both an ongoing and project basis, setting up data networks, implementing communication solutions, installing security and audiovisual systems.

Often that means working with and building on technology already in place. Other times it means starting from scratch. “I approach every customer as a unique situation,” Rodgers says.

For example, the company recently replaced an Atlanta bakery’s 15-year-old phone system with an up-to-date VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) system. “Now they can call internally to their five stores in the metro area without paying for outside phone lines; they save money every month,” Rodgers says. “They can also transfer calls between sites, monitor phone availability at each site and make do with less staff without missing a call at any of their stores.” The new system also allows the bakery to add new sites anywhere in the world it wishes.

The owner of a manufacturing company is now able to oversee his workers and monitor all systems – whether off site with a client or while relaxing on the back porch of his lake house. “He can even make phone calls that appear to be coming from the office,” Rodgers says.

Some clients want EDN to do everything technology-related for them, including managing subcontractors.  Others, including Delta Air Lines and Black Box International, have special projects that require EDN’s specific expertise.

 The Business Technology People
“While most people think of technology as an expense, I know better,” says Rodgers.  Instead of trying to persuade customers they need to upgrade their software or buy a new server, EDN holds planning meetings with clients every year to determine how to achieve their business goals. “With the right technology,” Rodgers explains, “employees can do their jobs faster and better, and a company is much more likely to be successful. That’s why we’re vendor agnostic. We are achievement people, not salespeople.”

5064 Roswell Road | Suite B-102 | Atlanta, GA  30342
678.302.3000
info@emeralddata.net  | www.emeralddata.net

While looking for effective strategies to retain and reward the best employees, HR professionals are simultaneously challenged to offset inevitable increases in the cost of employee health benefits, comply with historic legislative changes such as PPACA and find the right mix of benefits options. “The issue has been escalating for more than three decades,” says Scott Hankins, president and CEO of ShawHankins, Inc., one of the leading employee benefits firms in the Southeast.
“Employers have adopted numerous strategies to control costs such as changing plan designs, shifting costs to employees, enhancing technology and better utilization management. These strategies have been helpful but cannot produce enough long-term improvements in the cost of employee health care and coverage.”

According to Hankins, a common-sense solution has been hiding in plain sight. “The industry has been slow to recognize the value of implementing a well-designed, comprehensive worksite wellness program. These programs address the underlying problem of employees’ and dependents’ poor health status. Worksite wellness programs provide a measurable return on investment that continues to be realized year after year.”

ShawHankins’ experience with over 400 clients in the region over several years confirms wellness programs definitely are bending the medical cost trends downward. A 700-employee public sector organization asked ShawHankins to analyze its health care program and learned that far too few employees underwent important screenings such as mammograms or PSA tests.

ShawHankins’ recommendation to start a wellness program led to a 10 percent reduction in claims and savings in overall employee health care costs of $800,000 on an eight million dollar budget in the first year. After the ShawHankins team oversaw the opening of a complete on-site wellness clinic the following year, the client continued to enjoy reductions in costs and no increase in liability.

“On-site health clinics are a platform for the wellness plans to create opportunities for savings with every visit and every prescription,” explains Hankins. “And as employees find it easier to be followed intensely by their healthcare professional team, they are more apt to identify early signs of conditions such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Early intervention is significant because in any given year the majority of high-cost medical claimants didn’t realize they had medical conditions the year before.”

770-382-0951
or 800-994-7429
shawhankins.com

ShawHankins is based in Cartersville, GA, and has offices in Albany, Cumming, Rome and St. Simons Island, GA, and Birmingham, AL.
For information please contact Kathryn Bryant, Business Development Director, at 678.535.6363 
or 800.994.7429.
ShawHankins, Inc. celebrates 50 years as a market leader in employee benefits

Gracious Retirement Living on a Grand Scale

It’s the retirement setting so many dream of: gently winding streets and walking trails on a lush 28-acre campus. Cocktails on the terrace. Exercise with a personal trainer. Exquisite dining. Activities for every interest. Everything a retiree could need or want.

Welcome to The Village at Germantown, a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) located just outside Memphis in the idyllic town of Germantown. Here in this calm, carefree oasis, residents are free to pursue their dreams, enhance their well-being and leave everyday concerns behind.

“Our residents can do it all here,” says Village Marketing Director Pam Leet. “Surrounded by a culture of wellness, they’re more apt to stay motivated and get the full benefit of our programs. Many say it reminds them of life on a cruise ship, but it’s also home.”

Abundant Living at Every Stage of Retirement
As a CCRC, the Village combines independent living, assisted living and skilled nursing care. Thus, residents can “age in place” in their spacious apartments and luxurious, two-bedroom villas without ever having to move or worry about home maintenance or repair.

Opportunities for fun, friendship and fulfillment abound: a clubhouse, an on-site movie theater, a woodworking shop and a resident garden, just to name a few. With a wealth of programs and activities—along with a fully equipped fitness center and exercise classes designed by Methodist Healthcare—The Village aims to help residents stay fit, active and engaged for many years to come.

Healthcare Resources Are Second to None
The Village’s Skilled Nursing Center has become the short-term rehabilitation site of choice for many Germantown-area orthopedists, thanks to its private rooms and low staff-to-patient ratio.

“We have a team of qualified physical, occupational and speech therapists to assist those who need help with regaining mobility and relearning basic daily living skills interrupted by stroke, accidents, surgery or other conditions,” says Village Health Center Administrator Sally Ostheimer. “We’re proud that more than 80 percent of our short-term rehabilitation residents return 
to a higher level of mobility.
Our mission is to help retirees continue to age successfully.”

7820 Walking Horse Circle | Germantown, TN 38138 | 901-752-2500
www.village-germantown.com

“Every detail of our campus–underground parking, personal outdoor balcony or patio for every Independent Living residence, a new aquatics and wellness center, wonderful dining venues, a club room, and other beautifully appointed public spaces–has been designed with our residents’ tastes in mind.”

12000 Turnmeyer Drive | Hunstville, Alabama 35803
(256 )881-6717 | (866) 881-6717
www.redstonevillage.org

Today’s retirees aren’t willing to settle for traditional senior living, nor should they. They’re highly educated, world travelers and accustomed to the finer things in life. They expect their chosen address to reflect that. Danberry at Inverness understands and has set the bar for today’s more aptly named “lifestyle communities,” says Lori Krueger, Danberry Marketing Director.

Danberry at Inverness is a Daniel Corporation community, located just outside of Birmingham in Hoover, Ala. It’s a unique community that reflects a complete break from ordinary senior living, says Krueger. “We’re a full-service community with dozens of opportunities to stay active and engaged.” Danberry at Inverness offers a wide range of first-class amenities and services, including chef-prepared meals, an indoor saltwater swimming pool, exercise classes and state-of-the-art fitness equipment, a full-service spa, a pub, educational and cultural programs, concierge service and personal Town Car transportation.

Celebrating Life with Style
Danberry at Inverness offers the choice of cottage ownership or apartment rental for its independent living residents. Neither requires a large entrance fee up front, says Krueger.  “This is a significant benefit in an economy where people may be having trouble selling their previous homes,” she adds. Private assisted living suites are also available with the same level of exceptional design and natural flair, offering 24-hour nursing supervision.

The atrium lobby features a fireplace, waterfall, stained-glass windows and a European feel that is echoed throughout the community. “It sets the mood for a retirement lifestyle emphasizing natural beauty and personal fulfillment,” says Krueger. “Who wouldn’t want to enjoy every day as if you are on a vacation in a wonderful resort with everything?”

235 Inverness Center Drive
Hoover, AL 35242
205-443-9500
www.DanberryAtInverness.com

Personalized Wealth Management The David Group at Morgan Stanley

Many economists have expressed concern about another possible recession in the near future, perhaps more severe than the recent one. More than ever, particularly for families and individuals with substantial wealth, it is critical to seek guidance from knowledgeable advisors.

In Georgia, The David Group at Morgan Stanley helps take the worry out of wealth management for affluent individuals and families who are seeking ways to protect their money. Many of the firm’s clients are successful professionals, retirees and high-net-worth families with complex planning and business-related issues.

“As a team, we offer diverse talents and leverage our expertise to the customers,” says Robert K. David Jr., Senior Vice President – Wealth Management. “We truly care about our clients and put them first.”

As a Morgan Stanley team, The David Group offers the resources and collective experience of one of the world’s most respected financial firms. But as a family team, the David Group takes pride in providing the highest possible level of personal attention, providing unbiased advice and portfolios tailored to each client’s unique financial circumstances.

The David Group advises clients in all aspects of their life and business where money is a factor, often in collaboration with the client’s tax attorney, CPA or other advisors.

“When we first sit down with a client, we want to learn about their concerns and needs,” says Kendrick David III, Financial Advisor. “We try to take the emotion out of investing and get the client to let us worry about their portfolio.”

With over 40 years’ experience in wealth management, Robert David started The David Group in 2009, on the heels of the Wall Street meltdown. In spite of the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, he and his team have continued to guide their clients through these difficult times.

“We are continually looking for ways to improve our business and do more for our clients,” says Britt David, Financial Advisor. “With this approach we strive to guide our clients through not only the good times, but the bad ones as well.”

945 Broadway, Suite 105 | Columbus, GA 31901 706.324.5471 / 800.638.5989 www.fa.smithbarney.com/david

Robert K. David Jr. is a Financial Advisor with the Wealth Management division of Morgan Stanley in Columbus, Ga. Although Robert K. David Jr. has compensated Forbes to have his profile promoted in its publication, it is not a solicitation nor intended to provide individually tailored investment advice. The strategies and/or investments referenced may not be suitable for all investors. The views expressed herein are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect the views of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, Member SIPC. This article is directed to residents in the states where Robert K. David Jr. is registered. For more information, please go to my website: www.fa.smithbarney.com/david

Personalized Strategies and a History of Trust First City Capital Management, Inc. Savannah, Georgia

In volatile markets, thoughtful, conservative investment management helps avoid erratic and emotional decisions. “Panic is the enemy of long-term capital appreciation,” explains Edgar “Ned” L.T. Gay, CFA, President of First City Capital Management, Inc., an SEC registered investment advisory firm. “Patience coupled with a personalized and balanced portfolio are critical attributes of a deep-rooted investment approach and greater peace of mind.”

While the challenges of the current economic environment are unprecedented, Gay as well as the other principals, E. Lane Curlee III, CIO, Sr. Vice President, and E. Bryan Connerat Jr., CTFA, Vice President, are no strangers to booms and expansions, recessions and contractions. With 100 years of combined experience, the firm has been managing assets for individuals, families, trusts and estates, retirement plans and other organizations since 1976.

“One of the most rewarding aspects of our business is developing close relationships with our clients. In many cases, the ultimate compliment occurs when we are asked to continue to manage investments for both second and third generations. We have helped clients navigate through periods such as the dot-com bubble in the late ’90s as well as the 2008 financial crisis. Now with the large U.S. debt, budget deficits, the impending ‘fiscal cliff,’ European contagion, contraction in international markets, and other threats looming, our clients have continued to trust our investment approach and graciously refer others to us,” says Curlee.

Central to First City Capital’s approach is the firm’s dedication to a high level of communication with its clients and their trusted advisors – attorneys, CPAs and others. “Communication is key,” says Connerat. “Before making any recommendations, we take our time developing an in-depth understanding of each client’s needs, risk tolerance, and other factors that we believe would be material to constructing an appropriate portfolio specific to their situation. In addition, an ongoing review of their holdings hopefully gives us the best opportunity to meet their expectations.”

The team manages both equity and fixed income portfolios. However, for most clients, it emphasizes a balanced approach, allocating assets among stocks, bonds, and cash reserves based on the firm’s strategy with respect to the debt and equity markets. “We emphasize fundamental analysis combined with a complement of technical research to help guide us when to be more defensive or opportunistic,” says Curlee.

“Any investments we make are based first and foremost on our clients’ best interests,” says Gay. “As independent investment advisors, we are not affiliated with anyone and work solely for our clients.”

136 Habersham Street | Savannah, Georgia 31401 912-233-5492 | 866-257-1415 (toll free) | www.firstcitycapitalmanagement.com

There’s No Substitute for Leadership Kiker Wealth Management Creates a Plan and Then Follows It

Personal financial management is really no different from any other pursuit. To be successful at it, you have to start with a plan. Then you have to execute that plan. It’s all very simple – if you’re an expert wealth manager. If not, you may need some help.

Paul Kiker Jr. believes he has an unfair advantage, and not just because he’s an expert wealth manager. As president of Kiker Wealth Management, he understands the prevailing financial environment, but beyond that, he strives to understand his clients – their hopes, dreams, goals and aspirations. Using this intimate knowledge, he is able to help provide the guidance his clients need as they travel down the often precarious path of financial management. “What people really need from their advisor is leadership,” says Kiker. “They need someone to help them determine their goals and objectives and guide them with prudent and wise financial decisions. For my clients, I am that leader. I am their financial quarterback, executing the agreed-upon game plan, providing the leadership to keep them moving downfield.”

Part of this quarterback’s job is coordinating with his clients’ other financial experts, such as CPAs, attorneys and estate planners, to make sure all centers of influence are working together to achieve client goals. In addition, Kiker coordinates all of his clients’ families’ investment decisions while helping to keep all financial documents current and up-to-date. It’s all part of the high level of customer service clients have come to expect from Kiker Wealth Management.

The firm’s independence is what really sets it apart. “My only shareholders are my clients,” says Kiker. “I have no ‘preferred fund families’ to push, or back-office bean counters telling me what I need to be moving this month. My independence gives me the ability to focus on every client’s personal goals and help achieve them with all available tools. Our full disclosure of fees shows clients we always have their best interest in mind.”

Kiker’s independence has also allowed him to build an outstanding team. He surrounds himself with more staff than he needs – individuals who share his single-minded, client-first vision. “We’re committed to making a lasting impact on the people we are fortunate to serve,” says Kiker. “Above all else we want them to know we’re on their side, and we care for them deeply.”

788 West Church Street Jasper, GA 30143 706-253-7285 | www.kikerwealth.com

Advisory services offered through Kiker Wealth Management. Securities offered through Resource Horizons Group, L.L.C. Member FINRA/SIPC.
Kiker Wealth Management and Resource Horizons Group, L.L.C. are not affiliated.

Simplified Wealth Management
Eaglehead Group at Morgan Stanley

When it comes to your investment portfolios, simpler is decidedly better, says Chuck Kennedy, CPM®, Senior Vice President, Financial Advisor of Eaglehead Group at Morgan Stanley. “‘Getting back to first principles,’ individual stocks and bonds have worked, and should continue to do so in the long run. Complex investment products tend to lack transparency and liquidity, and may incur additional fees.”

Another aspect of simplicity, according to Kennedy and his partner, Senior Vice President, Financial Advisor Kathryn Senkbeil, is limiting a portfolio’s holdings to 20-25 stocks. “We believe more concentrated portfolios are most cost- and tax-effective over an extended time period,” Senkbeil says. “The common consensus is that a well-balanced portfolio with approximately 20 stocks may help reduce market risk. We believe over-diversification diminishes the effect of big gainers, and may significantly impact your bottom line.”

Eaglehead Group seeks to invest the equity portion of each client’s portfolio in the same carefully researched 20-25 stocks. Portfolios are managed on a discretionary basis, including Kennedy’s and Senkbeil’s.

Holistic Wealth Management
Eaglehead Group offers a total approach to wealth management, including transparent portfolio management; access to a suite of lending products; and estate and financial planning. “We’re not salespeople,” Kennedy stresses. “We’re financial advisors.”

“Our clients enjoy the best of both worlds,” Senkbeil says, “the personal touch of an intimate, independent practice and the resources of a leading Wall Street firm.” Clients appreciate the group’s responsive, professional service, attention to detail and frequent communication. In turn, the practice enjoys many long-term relationships.

The two partners manage the majority of client assets themselves. While alternative investments are available to clients who desire them, most portfolios comprise a blend of stocks and bonds, with the precise allocations determined by each client’s unique circumstances. “We strive to make sure all of our clients are committed to working with us and comfortable with the investment choices we make on their behalf,” Senkbeil says. “Financial shows and ads create confusion for investors,” states Kennedy. “We have been successful using a discipline based on pricing, not forecasting.”

Eaglehead Group at Morgan Stanley 3280 Peachtree Road N.E., Suite 1900 | Atlanta, GA 30305

Chuck Kennedy and Kathryn Senkbeil are Financial Advisors with the Global Wealth Management Division of Morgan Stanley in Atlanta, Georgia. Although Eaglehead Group has compensated Forbes to have its profile promoted in its publication, it is not a solicitation nor intended to provide individually tailored investment advice. The strategies and/or investments referenced may not be suitable for all investors. The views expressed herein are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect the views of Morgan Stanley, Member SIPC. This article is directed to residents in the states where Eaglehead Group is registered. For more information, please go to our website: http://fa.smithbarney.com/eagleheadgroup

Investment Strategies for the Future Munro Legacy Planners helps people prepare for a comfortable retirement
With the global economy in turmoil and uncertainty over the future of taxes, health care, Social Security and a host of other variables, it’s hard to know which way to turn when planning for retirement. A recent survey by the Employee Benefit Research Institute found that just 52 percent of Americans are confident they will be financially comfortable as they grow older—far fewer than in recent years. Not so at Atlanta-based Munro Legacy Planners, where clients’ retirement portfolios are carefully balanced to help guard against devastating losses during economic downturns, while still positioned to take advantage of upswings when times are good.

“When people first come to us, surprisingly, many of them have the same basic stocks and bonds allocations they had when they were younger,” says President Barry Munro. “It’s the old ‘buy and hold’ strategy, but that’s too vulnerable in today’s world, and many retirees’ portfolios have taken huge hits. We think a better tack is to create larger, safer buckets for retirees striving for a 5 percent to 6 percent return. Then, with smaller amounts we can actually be aggressive and opportunistic in upswings without endangering the client’s lifestyle in retirement. That provides peace of mind in good and bad times.”

Munro Legacy Group is a company helping families. Munro manages the firm with his two daughters and representatives who share his faith and a belief in doing the right thing. As an independently owned Registered Investment Advisor (RIA), Munro Legacy Planners offers objective advice and investment opportunities it believes to be in the client’s interest, often in collaboration with the client’s other advisors, such as attorneys and accountants. Portfolios are tailored to each client’s unique financial circumstances, goals and risk tolerance, with the utmost transparency.

“Our hands never touch the client’s money,” Munro says. “Our clients maintain control. We are their planning partner.”

Munro works with many fund managers, including Gradient Financial Group, LLC, which offers access to actively managed portfolios such as the very popular Gradient 50 Managed Stock Portfolio. This consists of 50 of the biggest balance sheet, dividend-paying stocks. Munro also offers a number of products designed to produce tax-free income, legally. “It is inevitable that Congress will eventually have to raise taxes and cut spending,” Munro says. “One of the greatest threats to IRAs and 401(k)s is that down the road they could lose as much as 40 percent of their value to taxation. We can help you take steps to protect your money.”

321 Creekstone Ridge | Woodstock, GA 30188 | 770.321.6648 | www.BarryMunro.com

Advisory Services offered through Munro Legacy Planners LLC.
A Registered Investment Advisory Firm.

Realistic Expectations Are an Essential Part of Any Retirement Plan

You’ve been getting ready for years, faithfully putting away money in 401(k) plans, IRAs and other investment vehicles in anticipation of the time when you would no longer work. Now comes the hard part: managing your retirement money so it meets your needs and lasts your lifetime.

“It is crucial that people in or near retirement have realistic expectations,” says Todd Hicks, founder, CEO and president of Allegiance Retirement Solutions in Lawrenceville, Ga. “A good, sound retirement plan based on reasonable assumptions for future returns is a must for anyone hoping to enjoy a successful retirement.” According to Hicks, a reasonable assumption in today’s environment is an average market return of around 4-6 percent. Strategic Retirement Guidance for 30 Years
One of the largest wealth management firms in the Atlanta area, with managed assets of $165 million, Allegiance Retirement Solutions has been providing strategic retirement guidance for 30 years. Hicks and his team have 77 years of combined experience in asset management and retirement planning. The firm also offers will, trust and estate planning; Medicare and Social Security planning; long-term care and life insurance; and a variety of other services to help pre-retirees and retirees achieve their goals. A personal retirement coach is available to help clients in all aspects of their financial life.

“We provide transparent, independent advice, with no conflicts of interest,” Hicks says, in affiliation with LPL Financial, the nation’s largest independent broker-dealer, as reported by Financial Planning magazine, June 1996-2012, based on total revenue. “Our clients’ goals are the deciding factor in every recommendation we make as we guide them into and throughout their retirement years.”

Clients benefit from frequent portfolio reviews, with access to highly trained financial consultants who, in turn, have access to the LPL Financial research team of 30+ Certified Financial Analysts as needed.

“Retirees today face the most difficult financial and economic environment in our generation,” Hicks says. But with Allegiance Retirement Solutions to guide them, clients can be confident their retirement plan is on solid ground and moving in the right direction.

1790 Atkinson Road, Suite C | Lawrenceville, GA 30043 404-815-9470 | www.plan4retirement.com

Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through The Retirement Coach, a registered investment advisor and separate entity from LPL Financial.

NASCO Increases Efficiency and Reduces Costs for Blue Cross® and Blue Shield® Plans

In the insurance world, and the health insurance world in particular, information and its management are increasingly important.

This is why Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) Plan executives turn to NASCO to streamline data flow. Along with increased efficiencies, the company brings significant cost savings by managing more information better – creating the capacity for its Plan customers to grow their business without adding staff.

Lauret Howard, NASCO’s vice president of strategy, brand and risk management, as well as its chief compliance officer, says the company is owned by six BCBS Plans and markets only to Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans. NASCO provides them with information technology solutions in the areas of member enrollment, billing, claims processing and customer service. Howard says with the advent of healthcare reform regulations, development of public and private health insurance exchanges, and the need for ICD-10 (diagnostic classification) conversion, the company is well positioned to provide Plan customers with data migration solutions for most or all of their claims and member-processing needs. Volume goes up, unit cost goes down, economies of scale come into play, and plans save money. “The cost of new capabilities and regulatory compliance is paid from our investment budget, and there’s no charge-back to any of our customers,” she says. “And with our committed business, by 2014 we will be processing approximately 27 percent of all Blue Cross and Blue Shield members across the country.”

Consistency in data and the ability to support health insurance administration for a BCBS Plan’s entire market is an important advantage. NASCO offers a single-system structure and platform that make eligibility, member and benefit information consistent across the country – a key consideration for large companies whose employees are located coast to coast. “In addition to large employers, NASCO’s single system supports individual, small business and government products, simplifying administration and lowering costs for our customers.”

Obviously, security is essential, and NASCO, as a data custodian, takes this very seriously. Information is encrypted, the system is monitored for vulnerability and intrusion detection, and access is on an authorized basis.

Howard says NASCO will process about 220 million claims this year, and about 320 million by 2014. Supporting that growth is a key focus. “Efficiency is really important, and that’s why we believe we have a strong value proposition.”

1200 Abernathy Road NE, Suite 1000
Atlanta, GA 30328 | 678-441-6000
www.nasco.com