Frequently Asked Questions

I've been in the investment and financial planning business for more than 25 years. I earned a B.S. in Personal Financial Planning from Texas Tech University, began my career in Lubbock in 2002, and have served clients with Amicus Financial Advisors since 2009. Amicus is an SEC-registered investment adviser based in Lubbock, Texas.

My practice focuses primarily on faculty members and professors at colleges and universities across Texas, especially participants in the Texas Optional Retirement Plan (ORP). I also work with busy professionals and with pre-retirees and retirees who want a clear plan and straightforward advice.

Independent means I'm not employed by a bank, insurance company, or mutual fund company, and I'm not required to recommend any company's products. I work directly for the clients who retain my services. Objective means my recommendations are based on your needs, not on which product pays more. You'll always understand why I'm recommending something and what it costs.

Yes. When I provide investment advice, I act as a fiduciary, which means I'm required to put your interests first. Our fiduciary duty is acknowledged in writing and can be found in our client engagement documents.

We'll talk about where you are, where you want to go, and what's on your mind. There's no obligation and no hassle. If you choose to move forward, you'll receive a risk and reward assessment, a summary of the total costs of your current provider, an investment action plan, and an overall financial planning assessment.

There's no investment minimum to start but there is a minimum level of commitment and basic information sharing on your part to help us understand what you want to accomplish. The best way to find out if we're a good fit is to start with a conversation.

Risk tolerance is how much ups and downs in your investments you can handle, both financially and emotionally. I assess it through a questionnaire and, just as importantly, a conversation. 

We'll look at your ability to take risk, based on your timeline, income, and financial situation; your willingness to take risk, meaning how you feel when markets fall; and your need to take risk, meaning how much growth your goals actually require. 

It matters because a portfolio that's too aggressive can lead to panic during market drops, while one that's too conservative may not reach your goals. Getting this right helps you stick with your plan when it counts.

We'll schedule regular reviews, and you can reach out any time you have a question or your life changes. You'll always work directly with me and our team.

 For a complete description of fees and services, please see Amicus Financial Advisors' Form ADV Part 2A brochure and Form CRS.

Your assets are held by independent custodians, not by me. Depending on your accounts, we work with custodians and providers such as: Charles Schwab, Fidelity Investments, TIAA, and Pentegra Retirement Services. These are separate, unaffiliated companies. Custodians give our firm access to institutional trading, operations, and investment services. They generally don't charge clients for custody of their assets, but they may be compensated through transaction fees or other arrangements. Form ADV Part 2A describes these relationships in detail.

Yes. Your accounts are held in your name and you'll receive statements directly from the custodian. You can also view your accounts online whenever you like.  In addition, you can also access your accounts through our wealth management portal, this provides clients the opportunity to view most all of their accounts in one consolidated accesspoint. 

Absolutely. Many of my clients already had a provider when we first met. I'll review your current provider's total costs and investments and help you decide whether any changes make sense.

Eligible faculty generally choose between TRS and the ORP, and the election is typically a one-time decision with a limited window. I'll help you understand how the ORP works so you can weigh that choice clearly. For questions about TRS benefits, your institution's benefits office and TRS are the best sources.