Michelle, a lifelong Wichita Falls resident, joined Personal Money Planning in 2005, making her a Financial Services Industry veteran. In 1993, she began her career primarily in banking and consumer lending. She moved to Personal Money Planning in 2005 and has been there ever since. Her responsibilities here have ranged from Office Manager to Human Resources Manager, Chief Compliance Officer, Managing Director of Operations, and more. In 2018, she added President to her list.
Michelle holds the Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®) and Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC®) designations, as well as the Certified Educator in Personal Finance (CEPF®), Accredited Domestic Partnership Advisor (ADPA®), Certified Estate Planner (CEP®), Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional (FPQP™), Certified Financial Fiduciary®, Certified Credit Counselor (CCC), and Certified Financial Health Counselor (CFHC). She also has the Series 65 license, which allows her to act as an Investment Advisor Representative and provide investment management advice. Michelle has also completed her coursework in the highly prestigious CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification program, is working on her Master Certified Estate Planner (MCEP®) designation, and has a popular personal finance blog called Fix Your Budget. Many of Michelle's financial articles can be read in the Wichita Falls Times Record News each month.
As Chief Compliance Officer (CCO), she ensures that management and employees follow regulatory agency rules and regulations, that company policies and procedures are followed, and that organizational behavior complies with the company's Code of Ethics. She is a member of the DFW Compliance Professionals, the National Society of Compliance Professionals, and the Society for Financial and Career Consulting Professionals.
Michelle values being a part of the community as well. She is a Sustainer for the Junior League of Wichita Falls, where she has served in a variety of leadership roles. In addition, she has served on the boards of the Wichita Falls Human Resource Management Association and Associated Business Partners. She also serves as a FINRA Arbitrator and sits on the Certification Committee of the National Association of Certified Financial Fiduciaries.
Michelle graduated Summa Cum Laude from Wayland Baptist University with a Bachelor's degree in Occupational Education with a Business specialization.
Michelle studies regulations and laws for hundreds of hours each year in order to maintain her level of expertise in areas such as compliance, investment management, personal finance, behavioral finance, consumer finance, and financial planning.