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

After Mike graduated from Bob Jones University in 1976 with a degree in accounting, 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 (CLU) designation. In 1982, he co-founded PlanFIRST, Inc. Mike became a Certified Financial Planner^TM (CFP^®) practitioner in 1985. He is a member and past president of the Financial Planning Association and a member of the Greenville Estate Planning Council. Mike became a Qualified Kingdom Advisor to provide a Christian aspect of counseling and investing for his clients. He is a regular speaker at retirement planning seminars for several corporations. Mike enjoys golfing and relaxing with his wife, Cathy, and four children. He is an elder at Palmetto Hills Presbyterian Church.

 

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

Jim received a degree in economics from the State University of New York at Fredonia in 1972. He received his master’s degree in 1973 and his Ph.D. in economics in 1979 from North Carolina State University. He is still a huge fan of the North Carolina State Wolfpack sports teams. He taught economics at Wake Forest University and Auburn University. While working for Milliken & Company he was responsible for overseeing more than $1 billion of retirement assets. Jim serves as the chairman of the PlanFIRST™ Investment Committee. He is a regular speaker at retirement planning seminars. He is a member of the Financial Planning Association and a Qualified Kingdom Advisor. Jim 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.

 

:: N. Mauldin Avinger, CFP^® – Advisor

Mauldin graduated from Clemson University in 1989 with a degree in business management. 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 and became a Certified Financial Planner^TM (CFP^®) practitioner. He is a member of the Greenville Estate Planning Council, Kingdom Advisors, and the Financial Planning Association. He attends Christ Church Episcopal where he is actively involved in the Christ Church Episcopal Preschool Board. In his free time, Mauldin enjoys running, gardening and spending time with his wife, Caroline, and their two young daughters.

 

:: Sherri White, CPA/ PFS - Advisor

Sherri graduated from Wake Forest University in 1987 with a degree in accounting. She worked thirteen years in public accounting at KPMG in Greenville. She was a financial planner and co-owner of Investment Concepts in Powdersville, South Carolina. Before coming with PlanFIRST™, Sherri was a financial planner and owner of Orbis Financial. Sherri is past-President of the Board of the Greater Easley Chamber of Commerce. She is a member of Kingdom Advisors, AICPA, and SCACPA. Her husband, Jeff, is pastor of College Park Worship Center in Greenville, South Carolina, where they enjoy worshipping with their daughter. Sherri enjoys reading and jigsaw puzzles when she has time to relax.

 

:: Leon Fayonsky – Advisor Emeritus

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. In 1982, he co-founded PlanFIRST, Inc. Leon 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. Leon is listed in Who’s Who in Finance and Industry. 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. Leon is semi-retired, which gives him more time to enjoy his favorite hobby of woodworking.

 

:: Hans Blake, CPA – Associate, Investment Research

Hans graduated with a bachelor's degree in accounting from Bob Jones University in 2004. The following year, he earned the Master of Accountancy degree at the University of South Carolina. After graduation, he moved to Charlotte, NC, where he began his family. Shortly thereafter, he became a licensed CPA for a large accounting firm, where he practiced U.S. and international tax compliance and consulting, transfer pricing, and investment analysis. In 2009 he began the process of becoming a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder and also took an opportunity to work with a Big Four public accounting firm in London, UK, where he focused on real estate, private equity, and hedge fund transactions. He enjoyed traveling throughout Europe with his wife and son before returning to his Greenville roots. His responsibilities at PlanFIRST™ include investment research and assisting the advisors. He is a member of Kingdom Advisors, FPA, AICPA, SCACPA, CFA Institute, and the CFA Society of South Carolina. Hans plans to sit for the final CFA Level III exam in June 2012 and to continue to use his talents in his church and the community.

 

:: Adam Kleinfelter, CFP^® – Paraplanner

Adam graduated from Clemson University with a degree in financial management in 2002. He is a graduate of the Queens University Financial Planner Program and has earned his Certified Financial Planner^TM (CFP^®) designation. Adam’s prior work experience includes Morgan Stanley, John Hancock Financial Services, and Vanguard on the Personal Financial Planning Support Team. He was also with Dehollander and Janse Financial Group. His job at PlanFIRST™ is to help the advisors work directly with clients to implement their financial-planning decisions. Adam and his wife, Brooke, attend Grace Church where they are members of the downtown service team. In their spare time, they enjoy surfing, hiking and boating.

 

:: Jonathan Burdette – Paraplanner

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. PlanFIRST™ hired him as a portfolio administrator to maintain and establish clients’ accounts, place trades, handle client requests for cash, create regular performance reports for the investment committee, and perform various research tasks. Jonathan is now a paraplanner, working with our clients to help implement their financial planning decisions.  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.

 

:: Justin Meade – Paraplanner

Justin graduated from Winthrop University in 2008 with a degree in marketing and finance.  He is currently working toward obtaining the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^TM (CFP^®) certification work experience requirement, after passing the comprehensive exam in 2009.  Justin’s prior work experience includes being a tax advisor at a national tax-preparation company and being a paraplanner at a fee-only, financial planning firm outside Atlanta, Georgia.  He joined PlanFIRST™ as a paraplanner to assist advisors in working directly with clients to implement their financial-planning decisions.  Justin attends NewSpring Church and is an avid cyclist, fisherman, and college football fan.

 

:: Courtney Cape – Portfolio Administrator

Courtney graduated from Clemson University in 2001 with a degree in financial management. Her goal was to work in a financial planning firm. As a portfolio administrator, her job is to maintain the clients’ accounts, place trades, and handle the clients’ requests for cash. She is responsible for creating and reconciling the clients’ rate of return reports. She also coordinates the minimum required distributions.

 

:: Morgan D'Avanzo – Portfolio Administrator

Morgan graduated from Anderson University in May 2010 with a degree in business management and human resources.  She joined the PlanFIRST™ team as a portfolio administrator. Her primary responsibilities are maintaining client records, placing trades, and opening new accounts.  Morgan and her husband, Mike, attend Capstone Church in Anderson, SC, where her husband is the youth pastor.  In her spare time, she enjoys working with the youth and college ministries at Capstone, reading, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.

 

:: Rhonda Scofield – Office Administrator

After Rhonda obtained her 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 PlanFIRST™. She handles the administrative responsibilities professionally. Her organization and efficiency help the operations at PlanFIRST™ run smoothly. She is an active member of Summit View Baptist Church. Her favorite way to relax is to curl up with a good book. She also enjoys spending time with her husband, Tom, and their three dogs.

 

:: Heather Mikhail – Administrative Assistant

Heather received a degree in music education (2002) and a master’s degree in counseling (2005) from Bob Jones University. She worked as an account executive/recruiter for an employment agency before coming to PlanFIRST™. She 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.