Associates

Chris has over 25 years of experience in the financial industry. Chris specializes in comprehensive planning for families, business owners and executives. He has helped hundreds of families take a common sense approach to their financial planning. Chris holds the Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®), Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP®) and Certified College Planning Specialist (CCPS®) designations from The American College. Chris is also a licensed insurance professional and investment advisor representative. These credentials are testaments to his skills for developing lifetime income in retirement.

Chris is a partner of the Eagle Team Financial Pros, a financial services training organization and a Master Mentor of the Money-Trax system, Circle of Wealth. As a mentor and trainer, Chris helps advisors across the country with their client’s unique situations. Chris is a United States Navy veteran whose training in mechanical engineering gives him an inherent ability to solve problems. He is also a loving husband & proud father of four children. In his free time, he trains in self-defense and enjoys hopping on his Harley Davidson.

I learned a lot about this business from my father. He spent over 40 years in business, 20 of which I was by his side. Many referred to my Dad as a math genius, building his own calculators and spreadsheets long before Microsoft existed. People were impressed with all the calculations he could do in his head. What I found more impressive was his ability to communicate with people. He could filter complex problems into simple, funny stories with easy to understand solutions. Even today, I still use many of Dad’s old software tools and calculators. Dad passed away in 2008 and he took the math genius with him. But he left with me a love of people and the ability to make the complex into simple. In working together I will tell you stories and use parables that I heard him tell many years ago. I hear him thru my words and the message is just as strong and powerful today as ever before. When I’m not enjoying time with clients, you’ll find my three boys and me at my wife’s family ranch in North East Texas. Our weekends there are filled with running cattle and building fences. My boys are growing up. My oldest is an Aggie and my middle son is headed that way this fall. My youngest is still kind enough to let me coach his baseball team and enjoy his competitive spirit. My bride of 23 years runs our home and graciously allows us to think “The Boys” are in charge. As you can tell, my family is important to me. They give me meaning and purpose and they help clarify what is most important in life. I know you feel the same about yours. When you walk through our doors you become one of the family.

Thinking about your money should probably be at the top of your “To Do” list, but you find lots of other distractions that are more fun and exciting. You see, after over 20 years of helping folks plan for their financial future I have learned that it’s not about money at all. It’s about your dreams and goals, your kids and grandkids. It’s about your dignity and self-reliance. It’s about your legacy. When I earned my business degree from Baylor (a double major in Financial Services/Planning and Insurance Studies) I was taught to focus on the math and the numbers. So, of course, we will look at all of the details, and we are really good at that part of the process. But, we are also really good at focusing beyond the numbers. We are really good at focusing on you. When I think about my own personal financial planning, I don’t see numbers. I see my Baylor sweetheart of over 20 years. I see our 4 kids. I see dance recitals and cheerleading competitions with my two girls. I see baseball and basketball games with my two boys. And, coming very soon, I see Baylor tuition bills!! I see a future of what could be. What do you see? If you are like me, you see everything but the numbers. I focus on your numbers so you can focus on everything else.

Steve is a Master Mentor and past trainer with the Circle of Wealth. He specializes in training financial advisors, CPAs, life insurance and annuity agents. His focus is on the appropriate application of financial strategies and products. Steve is also the Past President and Board Member of the Community Hospital foundation and a member of the Lion’s Club.

Greg carries the Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) designation. He followed his parents into financial planning back in 1988 and then co-founded, VIP Financial Associates LLC. in 2002 with his mother. He is also a partner with Eagle Team LLC, where he has trained over a 1000 financial advisors across the US. Knowledge is a core value to Greg as he helps educate clients on how to minimize current and future income taxation, how to maximize their tax deductions, how to help pay for college and other major purchases, how and when to guarantee retirement incomes, how to minimize investment and interest risk, how to minimize and even eliminate life insurance premiums on life policies that are intended for estate purposes, and how small businesses and family farms can fund their buy sell agreements or equalize their estates without negatively impacting their current and future cash flow.

Greg will tell you that he believes that the financial institutions have done a woefully inadequate job of not only educating Americans, but also financial advisors as well.

If you ask Greg why he does what he does, he will tell you that he enjoys empowering people with knowledge, so that they can meet their goals, live their dreams, and lead a fulfilled life.

Greg currently lives with his wife Renee in Hudson, WI. He has three grown children. He enjoys volunteering, hunting, fishing, hiking, travelling, boating, shed hunting and skijouring with his dog, and helping maintain the family farm.

David J. Gagnon is a skilled Financial and Tax Advisor, with over 33 years of experience. He has a deep understanding and expertise in the areas of Income & Estate Tax Planning, Asset Protection, Wealth Management, Retirement & Income Distribution Management, Multi-Generational Planning, Succession & Exit Planning for Business Owners, and College Planning.

David holds the designations of CPA (Certified Public Accountant), RFC (Registered Financial Consultant), and CFS (Certified Fund Specialist). These certifications are earned by competency in education, licensing and tenure in the accounting and financial planning fields.

Investment Advisory Services offered through Retirement Wealth Advisors, Inc. (RWA) a Registered Investment Advisor. Mark J. Orr and RWA are not affiliated. Investing involves risk including the potential loss of principal. No investment strategy can guarantee a profit or protect against loss in periods of declining values. Opinions expressed are subject to change without notice and are not intended as investment advice or to predict future performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Consult your financial professional before making any investment decision.

This information is designed to provide general information on the subjects covered, it is not, however, intended to provide specific legal or tax advice and cannot be used to avoid tax penalties or to promote, market, or recommend any tax plan or arrangement. Please note that Mark J Orr and its affiliates do not give legal or tax advice. You are encouraged to consult your tax advisor or attorney.

Life insurance and annuity guarantees rely on the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing insurer. Any comments regarding safe and secure investments, and guaranteed income streams refer only to fixed insurance products. They do not refer, in any way to securities or investment advisory products. Fixed Insurance and Annuity product guarantees are subject to the claims‐paying ability of the issuing company and are not offered by Retirement Wealth Advisors, Inc. All life insurance and annuity products are sold separately through Mark J. ORR, CFP, RICP. PROACTIVE Tax Planning services are also offered separately through PROACTIVE Tax Planning, LLC.