Cowan Financial Group Bios

Cary J. Cowan, Sr., CEO, Chairman, Division Manager

Cary J. Cowan began his career in the insurance industry in 1970. After establishing his own firm in 1979, he expanded his practice to include financial and retirement planning, investments, and business planning. Cary is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® professional, a Chartered Life Underwriter^®, a Chartered Financial Consultant^® and a Certified Wealth Strategist^®.

Cary feels that a true financial professional listens to clients and prospects and understands what is really being said. "You have to be empathetic to your client's needs and not your own pocketbook." His philosophy believes in forming long term relationships and not just clientele.

In 2000 Cary developed the Lifetime Financial Strategies Program^SM. This is a six step process which he believes assists clients in realizing their lifetime vision. Cary utilizes this process with all of his clients, ensuring that both he and his clients understand the goals and visions that his clients want to achieve.

He is the author of Lifetime Financial Strategies, a 21^st Century Financial Planning Process. It is a book based on the philosophy of relationships first, taking you through a case study of a couple needing help.

Cary is a registered representative and Member of the Board of Directors of NEXT Financial Holdings, Inc., and a Member of the Board of Directors for WE2. Cowan Financial Group is not an affiliate of NEXT Financial Group, Inc.

Cary is a member of the American Society of CLU & ChFC, PACE, the Financial Planning Association, the Society of Financial Service Professionals, and the National Association of Life Unerwriters. He is also a qualifying, life, and Top of the Table member of the Million Dollar Round Table.¹

¹Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) is The Premier Association of Financial Professions®. Each MDRT status designation is granted for one year only. All members must apply every year to continue their affiliation with the Million Dollar Round Table.

Contact Me: CJC@cowanfg.com

Kathleen A. Bishop, President, OSJ, Branch Manager

Kathleen joined Cowan Financial Group in 1989, as an Administrative Assistant to the Chairman and CEO.  In 2008, she was elected President and Chief Operating Officer of Cowan Financial Group.  Kathleen currently plays a major role in the succession planning for the firm.

 Kathleen is licensed as a General Securities Principal, Municipal Securities Principal, General Securities Representative, and Investment Advisor Representative.  In addition, she is licensed to transact Life, Health, Variable Annuity, and Long Term Care classes of insurance.  Kathleen has been in the insurance and financial services industry for over 25 years.   Kathleen is currently managing the firm and supervising the 40+ representatives that are under CFG’s Office of Supervisory Jurisdiction.  

 Kathleen is a Chartered Life Underwriter® (CLU), and in October of 2008, Kathleen earned her Certified Wealth Strategist® designation from the Cannon Financial Institute.

 Kathleen enjoys working with her clients and believes that you need to take a holistic approach to each client’s specific needs.  “Every client does not have the same lifetime goals or visions that they want to accomplish.  I believe you need to analyze each client’s specific needs, listen to what they are saying, and design a program that will work for that individual client.  You cannot place every person’s financial goals into a single mold, or plan.”

 Kathleen is a member of The American Society of CLU & ChFC and PACE, the Investment Advisory Committee and the National Association of Professional Women.  Kathleen represents Cowan Financial Group in the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce, and volunteers locally with St. Johns Wildlife Care.

 Contact Me: KBishop@cowanfg.com  

Michael F. Smithson, CWS^®

Michael F. Smithson is fully licensed as a securities representative which includes a General Securities License; a Uniform Securities Agent State Law License; and a Uniform Investment Advisor Law License. In addition, he is licensed to transact Life, Health, Variable Annuity and Long Term Care classes of insurance.

Michael joined Cowan Financial Group, Incorporated in August 2002 as an Investment Professional and Investment Advisor Representative with total responsibility for building a client based business centered on both the growth and the protection of his clients' assets. His primary focus is solving client wealth management issues by developing and implementing tactical and strategic wealth management solutions.

In September, 2008, Michael earned his Certified Wealth Strategist^® designation from the Cannon Financial Institute and in October 2008, he was appointed Vice President, Investments.

Prior to joining Cowan Financial Group, Incorporated, Smithson held a similar position with Prudential Securities Incorporated, a division of Prudential Financial, Incorporated, one of the largest financial institutions in the United States with approximately $600 billion in assets under management and administration.

Before joining Prudential, Michael held senior management positions with several Fortune 100 companies. He specialized in developing and implementing business strategies to solve complex business problems.

Smithson earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from West Virginia Wesleyan College in Buckhannon, West Virginia.

He represents Cowan Financial Group, Inc. in the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce where he served as a member of the Board of Directors for four years; he Chaired the Economic Development Council Membership Committee for 5 years; served as President of the Historic St. Augustine Area Council for three years; Chairs the Investment Advisory Committee and is Past Chair of the Ambassador Committee of the Chamber.

He is also on the Board of Directors of the St. Johns (County) Builders Council.

In June 2008, he was appointed to the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee by The Board of County Commissioners of St. Johns County Florida and was elected Chair by the committee members.

Michael and his wife Ellen have been married for over 45 years and are the proud parents of two grown children, Karen and Michael Jr. and four grandchildren.

Contact Me: MSmithson@cowanfg.com

A Personalized Approach
Cecil M. Bateman, CWS^®

Cecil Bateman is fully licensed as a securities representative, which includes a General Securities License; a Uniform Securities Agent State Law License; and a Uniform Investment Advisor Law License. In addition, he is licensed to transact Life, Health, Variable Annuity and Long Term Care classes of insurance. Cecil joined Cowan Financial Group in March of 2008. In September, 2010, Cecil earned his Certified Wealth Strategist^® designation from the Cannon Financial Institute.

Cecil offers knowledgeable financial advice and wealth management services. He advises clients who have business, family and/or individual assets for investments. He is experienced in assisting high-net-worth clients with financial and investment strategies, wealth transfer and preservation, retirement strategies and solutions, estate planning strategies, and concentrated stock strategies.

"My clients are comprised of families, individuals, and corporate executives who value the disciplined approach I bring to each relationship. I believe that most successful wealth management strategies look at the big picture. I endeavor to establish deep and valued relationships with clients to truly determine their needs and aspirations."

 Cecil has served on the Board of Directors of the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce and the chamber's Economic Development Council. He has also served several terms on the local United Way Board and its Executive Committee. He has also served on several committees with the local education systems such as Business Partners in Education, Aerospace Academy Advisory Committee, and St. Johns River State College Business Advisory Committee. He has also served for several years on the Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida Board of Directors.

He utilizes his personal experiences (Vietnam Veteran, Military and Private Pilot, Small Business Owner, and Manager at Northrop Grumman Corporation) to assist clients in making important financial decisions.

Education: BS - Valdosta State College
MS - Florida State University
FINRA Licenses: Series 7 and Series 66 (Series 63 and Series 65 Combined)
Florida License: FL-215 (Life, Health, and Variable Annuities)

Contact me: cbateman@cowanfg.com

Raymond Blackford  

Investment Advisor Representative

Raymond Blackford is fully licensed as a Investment Advisor Representative, which includes an Investment Company Products/Variable Contracts License; a Uniform Securities Agent State Law License; and a Uniform Investment Advisor Law License. In addition, he is licensed to transact Life, Health, Disability, Fixed Annuity, Variable Annuity and Long Term Care classes of insurance.

Raymond has developed a specialty in working with retirees and those about to retire who want to protect their principal and insure that their money lasts. Raymond started his career with John Hancock before joining Cowan Financial Group in May 2008.

He is an active Ambassador with the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce. On the weekends you can find Raymond and his family at a S.A.F.E (saving animals from euthanasia) Animal adoption event. Donating their time to help find dogs and cats a forever home that would have otherwise been euthanized. Raymond and his wife Elena have been married 11 years and have 3 great children.

Contact Me: RBlackford@cowanfg.com

Kenneth J. DiFiore, MBA

Chartered Financial Consultant^®

Kenneth J. DiFiore is fully licensed as a securities representative, which includes a General Securities License; a Uniform Securities Agent State Law License; and a Uniform Investment Advisor Law License. In addition, he is licensed to transact Life, Health, Variable Annuity and Long Term Care classes of insurance. Ken joined Cowan Financial Group in November of 2009.

Ken's stated mission is to achieve an unparalleled standard of excellence by providing personal service enabling clients to make intelligent financial decisions. A Comprehensive Wealth Management approach utilizing the Lifetime Financial Strategies Program ^SM is tailored to the client's personal values and lifetime goals. Ken strives to exceed client expectations while helping them realize financial independence.

Working closely with Small Business Owners, Ken's areas of specialization include Business Succession/Continuation, Defined Benefit, Executive Compensation, and Small Business (401k) Retirement Planning. He also advises clients on Estate, Retirement, and Tax Planning.

Ken thoroughly enjoys personally managing client portfolios making sure that in all cases liquidity needs, risk tolerance, time horizon, tax considerations, and any other client-identified requirements, are the basis for portfolio composition. Another area of focus is assisting clients with successful management of their liabilities.

Prior to joining Cowan Financial Group, Ken was the President of Strategic Investment Planning, Inc. which he founded in 1998. As the investment Management Director, Ken's primary responsibilities encompassed portfolio management, investment research, and investment management reporting and analysis. Ken's previous professional experience is with two independent national firms and a major Wall Street firm where he personally managed client portfolios and small business retirement plans. He has more than 16 years experience in the financial services industry.

Ken resides in Palm Coast and is an active member of the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce as an Ambassador and serves on the Board of Directors for the South Beach Business Council. Ken has previously coached youth soccer and served on the Board of Directors and as Treasurer for the Flagler/Palm Coast Kiwanis Club Foundation. He has been a Florida High School Athletic Association Basketball Official since 2006.

EDUCATION
Chartered Financial Consultant ^® (ChFC) designation -The American College
MBA - Stetson University, DeLand
MPA - Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton
BA - University of Central Florida

Contact Me: ken@cowanfg.com

James W. Goodfriend, Wealth Manager

Chartered Life Underwriter®

Chartered Financial Consultant®

Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow

Jim joined the Cowan Financial Group in January 2009. Prior to that, he was with Prudential Insurance & Finance Services and Prudential Securities Corporation for more than 30 years. He served in various capacities including insurance representative, financial advisor and Vice President of Marketing. "My experience and background enables me to offer my clients a total planning approach to their financial needs and objectives. It is imperative to combine asset protection and estate planning with the accumulation, growth and income objectives of my clients and their families."

Jim is a native of Philadelphia, PA and has been a Florida resident since 1974. Jim is fully licensed as an Investor Advisor Representative, which includes a General Securities License, and Uniform Securities Agent State Law License and a Uniform Investment Advisor Law License. In addition, he is licensed to transact Life, Health, Disability, Fixed & Variable Annuities, and Long Term Care Insurance.

Contact Me: JGoodfriend@nextfinancial.com