our team

PlanFIRST™ uses a team approach for our clients’ portfolios and financial planning. All advisors sit on the Investment Committee and participate in determining the asset allocations. All advisors are kept informed on all clients’ portfolios. A detailed summary of the recommendations discussed during every client meeting and phone call is entered into our database to be reviewed by all appropriate team members. This helps assure that the recommendations are consistent and accurate. Each of the advisors has a specialty, such as estate planning or insurance, and can be brought in for consultation. PlanFIRST™ also has a network of outside professionals, such as Certified Public Accountants and attorneys, who can be consulted when needed.  Any of the advisors should be able to answer questions that the client might ask.

 

advisors

:: Mike Miller, CFP – Principal

When Mike graduated from Bob Jones University in 1976 with a degree in accounting, he knew that he did not want to become a certified public accountant. He started working at a local insurance company where he eventually became assistant manager of the agency branch. While there, he earned the Chartered Life Underwriter designation. He knew there was more than insurance planning to offer his clients.  His desire was to expand beyond that to more detailed financial planning. In 1982, the Lord led him to co-found PlanFIRST, Inc., one of the first fee-only financial planning firms in the upstate of South Carolina. To become an expert in financial planning, Mike earned the Certified Financial Planner designation in 1985. He is continually taking courses and researching articles to keep up to date on asset management and portfolio designs. Being a member and past president of the Financial Planning Association and a member of the Greenville Estate Planning Council have given him opportunities to meet other professionals whom he can call on to assist in client’s estate planning needs. Wanting to also provide a Christian aspect of counseling and investing for his clients, Mike became a Qualified Kingdom Advisor. Mike is not only concerned about making money for his clients, but one of his goals is to give accurate financial information to the general public. Several corporations and churches have hired Mike to speak on retirement planning and asset management.  Mike enjoys answering questions for callers on his weekly radio show, Talking Money, on 94.5 FM, WMUU. In cooperation with WYFF News 4, Mike acts as guest host on Project Economy, where he answers questions for the TV viewers. During most lunch hours, Mike can be found on the racquetball court. Another way that Mike unwinds from the tensions of his business is golfing with his wife, Cathy. Many times he will invite clients to join him so they can get to know each other in a more casual setting. He actually won two gold medals at the Senior Action Golf Tournament. (Of course, he was the only one participating in his age group.) Mike’s four children keep him involved in their lives with their diverse interests. Mike is a member and plays an active role at Palmetto Hills Presbyterian Church in Fountain Inn, South Carolina.

 

:: Jim Rook, Ph. D. – Vice President and Chief Investment Officer

Jim received a B.A. degree in economics from the State University of New York at Fredonia in 1972. He went on to get his Masters degree in 1973 and his PhD in economics in 1979 from North Carolina State University. Eager to share his knowledge of economics, he taught at Wake Forest University and Auburn University. Jim joined Milliken & Company as an operations research analyst. When he became director of benefits in 1984, he was responsible for overseeing more than $1 billion of retirement assets. Governor Campbell appointed Jim as chairman of the Data Oversight Committee for South Carolina in 1993. Governor Sanford reappointed him to that position until he resigned in 2007. He received an award for his faithful work on that committee. While working with Mike on the retirement planning seminars at Milliken, he became interested in PlanFIRST™. In 2002, Jim joined the PlanFIRST™ team as an advisor and analyst. Along with Mike, he enjoys speaking for retirement planning seminars. Jim serves as the chairman of the PlanFIRST™ Investment Committee. Through the Financial Planning Association, he is in contact with other financial professionals. As a Qualified Kingdom Advisor, he can help clients who are looking for a moral and Christian emphasis for their investments. He is a lay leader at St. James United Methodist Church and also serves as vice chair of the board of pension and health benefits for the South Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church. Jim enjoys reading and traveling with his wife, Sarah and two daughters. Sarah also has her PhD in economics, which leads to interesting discussions at home. If you go in Jim’s office, it will be obvious that he is a huge fan of the North Carolina State Wolfpack sports teams.

 

:: Jim Roach, ChFC – Advisor

Jim received his B.S. degree in Transportation from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 1978. His financial services career began in 1981 when he joined a national insurance company. While there, he acquired a Series 7 (General Securities license in 1985) as well as a Chartered Life Underwriter and Chartered Financial Consultant designation. He also holds a Series 66 (Uniform Investment Advisor Law Exam).  His desire was to become more involved in financial planning and asset allocation. He continued his career working for a trust service company for seven years. By serving as different officers in the Wade Hampton Sertoma Club, he was able to reach out to his community. PlanFIRST™ hired Jim in 2004 as an advisor. He is the past president of the Upstate South Carolina Society of Financial Services Professionals. As a Qualified Kingdom Advisor, his desire is to encourage clients to invest with the Kingdom of God in mind. He teaches Sunday school at Rock Springs Baptist Church in Easley, where he attends with his wife, Wendy, and their three children. When he is not working, he enjoys being outside, running, backpacking and trout fishing. An accomplishment that he can brag about is twice completing the New York City Marathon.

 

:: N. Mauldin Avinger, CFP – Advisor

Clemson University is Mauldin’s alma mater, where he graduated in 1989 with a B.S. degree in business management with minors in marketing and finance. Mauldin’s career focus for the past twenty years has been in the area of wealth management. Prior to joining PlanFIRST™, he has held the roles of private banker, employee benefits consultant, and senior vice president in the trust and investment management divisions for both regional and national financial institutions. During this time, he graduated from Cannon Financial Institute’s Personal Trust and Employee Benefits Schools. He also obtained his Certified Financial Planner designation. PlanFIRST™ hired Mauldin in February of 2008 as a financial advisor. He is a member of the Greenville Estate Planning Council, Kingdom Advisors, and the Financial Planning Association. He attends Christ Church Episcopal in Greenville where he is the chair of the Christ Church Episcopal Preschool Board. In his free time, Mauldin enjoys running, gardening and expanding his culinary skills. He especially enjoys the time he can spend with his wife, Caroline, and their two young daughters.

 

:: Leon Fayonsky – Advisor

Leon is proud to say he graduated from Furman University in 1957 with a degree in economics. He began his career in the financial services business by joining a national investment management company. Leon then became associated with a regional insurance company. While working in the insurance industry, Leon became aware that there were more financial needs with which his clients needed help. In 1982, he co-founded PlanFIRST, Inc., one of the first fee-only financial planning firms in the upstate of South Carolina. Professional financial planning and asset management of his clients was his goal. Leon also brought his own humor into the retirement planning and estate-planning seminars PlanFIRST™ hosted for several corporations. He served as past president of the Upstate South Carolina Society of Financial Service Professions, Life Leaders, and also the Greer Chamber of Commerce.  Another accomplishment is that he is listed in Who’s Who in Finance and Industry. Leon is now semi-retired, so he is able to choose when he works. Leon and his wife, Joann, are members of Fairview Baptist Church, where he enjoys teaching Sunday school. He enjoys spending time with his two children and four grandchildren who live in Greenville. Leon enjoys woodworking and has made many beautiful pieces of furniture for his home. 

 

support team

:: Rhonda Scofield – Office Administrator

After Rhonda obtained her B.S. degree in office administration from Bob Jones University in 1981, she stayed at the school, working as an administrative assistant for several years.  From there, she worked for an engineering firm and a marketing company before joining the PlanFIRST team in October 2000.  She handles the administrative responsibilities professionally, and her organization and efficiency help the operations at PlanFIRST run smoothly.  Mike Miller and Jim Rook depend on Rhonda to discreetly handle issues that clients might have.  She is a member of Summit View Baptist Church, where she plays the keyboard, sings in the choir, types the weekly bulletin, and works in the nursery, when needed.  Her favorite way to relax is to curl up with a good book.  She also enjoys spending time with her husband, Tom, and their two dogs.

 

:: Heather Mikhail – Administrative Assistant

Heather received both a B.S. in Music Education (2002) and an M.S. in Counseling (2005) from Bob Jones University.  She worked as an account executive/recruiter for an employment agency before coming to PlanFIRST™ in August 2008.  She has been an excellent addition to the team and helps keep the office organized.  Whether they call with a question or walk through the door for a meeting, clients have come to know her cheerful voice and smiling face.  Heather and her husband, Steven, enjoy traveling. In her free time Heather also enjoys playing the flute, reading, and baking.

 

:: Courtney Cape – Portfolio Administrator

Courtney graduated from Clemson University in 2001 with a B.S. Degree in financial management. Her goal was to work in a financial planning firm. She started working at PlanFIRST™ in July of 2001.  As a portfolio administrator, her job is to maintain the clients’ accounts, place trades, and handle the client’s requests for cash. She is responsible for creating and reconciling the clients’ rate of return reports. She also coordinates the minimum required distributions for all applicable clients.  In her free time, she enjoys gardening and cooking.

 

:: Jonathan Burdette – Portfolio Administrator

Jonathan graduated from Furman in 2006 with a degree in Economics. He lived and worked in Pawley’s Island, South Carolina, before moving back to Greenville. His desire was to get into the financial planning business. PlanFIRST™ hired him as a portfolio administrator in July of 2007.  His job is to maintain the clients’ accounts, establish new clients’ accounts, place trades, handle client requests for cash, create regular performance reports for the investment committee, and perform various research tasks as the need arises. He is a member of Mitchell Road Presbyterian Church. Along with his wife, Margaret, he enjoys experiencing new things with their two young daughters. Whenever he gets a quiet moment, he enjoys reading a good book.