top of page

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.

bottom of page