Education
June, 2019 - Present
Northcentral University
DCJ Candidate ("ABD") in Criminal Justice specializing in white-collar crime.
June, 2021
The American College of Financial Services
Ph.D., Financial and Retirement Income Planning
Dissertation: Fraud in Financial Services and Its Impact on Retirement Portfolios
July, 2016
California Lutheran University
M.B.A. in Financial Planning
May, 2008
St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary
M.Th. in Theology
Specialization: Dogmatic Theology
Thesis Topic: On First Principles & General Theories
January, 2006
Claremont Graduate University
M.A. in Philosophy
Specialization: Ancient Philosophy
May, 2004
Austin College
B.A. in Liberal Arts
Magna Cum Laude
Majors: Religion-Philosophy, Japanese
Senior Thesis Topic: The Portrayal of the Samurai Warrior Ethic in Contemporary Film
Departmental Honors / Deans List
Research & Publications
"Crime in the New U.S. Epicenter of COVID-19"
Crime Prevention and Community Safety
"Do CFP(r) Professionals Engage in Less Misconduct? Exploring the Importance of Job Classification When Comparing Misconduct Rates among Financial Service Professionals"
"The Forced Registration of Hedge Funds in the United States"
"Rational Agents in an Irrational World: The Effect of Fraud Shocks on Portfolio Success Rates"
"Victim Characteristics of Investment Fraud"
"Financial Elder Abuse: A (Dis)Confirmatory Analysis"
"Financial Services is Not a Profession"
"A New Client Localization Model for Client Reluctance"
"The National Incident-Based Reporting System and Financial Elder Abuse"
Awards, Recognitions, & Fellowships
February 21, 2019
Best Paper Award in Risk Management & Insurance
“Given the high number of submissions, your research epitomizes
the very best representation of quality academic research and writing
within financial planning and related disciplines.”
- Dr. Charles Chaffin, Director of Academic Initiatives, CFP Board Center for Financial Planning
October, 2018
Top 10 Download List, Social Science Research Network
Paper Title: “Victim Characteristics of Investment Fraud”
Topics: CJRN Victimization; CJRN White-Collar, Occupational,
and Corporate Crime; PSN Investment and Finance;
Journals: Consumer Financial Fraud; White Collar Crime;
Criminology; Household Finance; Types of Offending;
Behavioral and Experimental Finance (Editor’s Choice)
Fall, 2018
Featured Instructor: University of California Riverside Extension Insights
Biography was showcased in the professional fiduciary program
section of the university’s brochure and on the website.
September 1, 2016
Sievert-Sternberg Doctoral Fellowship
Inaugural fellow selected after rigorous application and
interview process. Includes research and teaching
responsibilities through the college at one or more centers
of excellence. Awarded for up to four full years.
July, 2016
Dr. J. Preston Jones Fellowship, Sigma Beta Delta
One of 28 fellowship awards for the 2016 year.
Only 28 of the 5,824 new SBD inductees received fellowships in 2016.
April 5, 2016
Sigma Beta Delta, International Honor Society in Business
Awarded to top 10% of students within School of Management.
December 10, 2014
Silver Anniversary Fellowship, California Lutheran University
Awarded to one student in each department/program within the
School of Management. Merit-based scholarship that was only
available that year to commemorate the School of Management's 25-year anniversary.
Employment
Spring, 2016 - Present
Instructor, Private Fiduciary Certificate Extension Program, University of California Riverside
Teaches:
“Overview of Fiduciary Management";
“Management of Estate Assets.”
Implements pedagogical methods both synchronously and asynchronously
in both online and live formats. Holds online office hours and provides timely feedback to student assignments. Applies career expertise to student learning with the aim of preparing students for their own careers in the private fiduciary industry.
April, 2012 - Present
Executive Vice President, George James & Associates
Write financial plans for clients. Train, certify and supervise financial planning personnel. Oversees client legacy planning. Assist President with organizational compliance and corporate
oversight. Establish corporate agreements between different companies in complementary industries. Assist sales force in executive luxury items. Network with other business professionals. Collaborate with other companies to establish joint venture opportunities in the commodities and disruptive agtech spaces.
May, 2011 - March, 2012
Registered Representative, Independent Capital Management
Prospected, met with, and sold products to financial advisory clients. Conducted analyses of client financial situations, providing suitable recommendations and products to meet client needs. Participated in sales meetings and twice weekly firm training. Held FINRA Series 6 & 63 licenses. Still holds California Life/Accident/Health insurance license.
Service
January, 2017 - Present
Reviewer, Journal of Financial Therapy
Reviewed submissions to the journal. Liaised with editor in improving paper topics for future publications. Analyzed qualitative and quantitative research for efficacy, readability, and applicability to the financial planning profession.
July, 2016 - Present
Volunteer, Oyez Project, Justia & Cornell University
Listens to Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) oral arguments and decisions. Identifies discrepancies between audio and visual transcripts. Records errors in online documentation and submits reports for correction.
November, 2015 - Present
Venture Captain, Inland Empire, Pathfinder Society
Oversees the Inland Empire Lodge of the Society. Coordinates weekly, monthly and quarterly meetings. Recruits other Venture Officers who share the mission and vision of the Society. Assists with the Grand Lodge of Los Angeles as needed. The Society focuses on team-building and cooperative exercises for all ages. Within the Inland Empire, we target high-school and college students for after school programs and other collaborative opportunities.