Turning Point

Michelle K. Blair, RFC® Profile Interview

Our final editorial theme for the year deals with an assessment of what was accomplished in 2014 and moving forward to 2015. Michelle Blair, Vice President of Office Operations at the Design Capital Planning Group in Smithtown, New York is our cover story. She has a special attachment to the IARFC as this year she was voted onto the Board of Directors of the Association. She also is an ardent supporter of the National Financial Plan Competition. Michelle has over 30 years of experience in the business world and is a former small business owner. During her time as a business owner/operator, she managed a staff of 10 and was responsible for all business decisions. Michelle’s position at Design Capital consists of marketing, manpower development and management. She is responsible for the training and education of the existing staff as well as recruiting new hires. Michelle also coordinates and implements the educational workshops and courses offered by the Institute for Financial Education. 2014 Assessment While delving into Michelle’s assessment of her past year, her career and life in general, we found that she is a person of many talents, with abilities to handle multiple roles at one time. Here are her insights into her world… What are your significant professional achievements in 2014? In reflecting on the past year, I feel that my election to the Board of Directors of the IARFC really tops my list. The members are true professionals that participate in the Page 12

betterment of the entire industry, while still maintaining their own careers. It is truly an honor to be a part of the organization. Something else that comes to mind is my responsibility to maintain the Institute for Financial Education’s Board of Ambassadors. It is part of my position to handle the continuing communications with all our members, conduct the Board meetings and provide updates as they occur. In July we appointed a new Board member who was brought on at my suggestion and has proven to be a great addition. How did those achievements meet your own professional goals? I set high standards for myself and always deliver the best possible. Attaining a position as respectful and honorable as being elected to the Board of the IARFC, proves that building a relationship with an organization and developing the trust of the other members is something to be proud of. The IFE’s Board of Ambassadors is an influential group of top business executives and owners that offer great suggestions and input ideas to help us grow. Through this growth we are able to have an effect on financial literacy for the general public and convey a message of practice management skills to the professional. When I started at DCPG/IFE in February 2011, I was hired as an Administrative Assistant. Within 3 months I became Director of Office Operations, which prompted me to take the complete Financial Planning Process curriculum that the IARFC had written. I needed to know and understand what was happening around me; not only the mechanics of the paperwork involved, but the why and how of them. Those

6 classes gave me insight into so many new avenues of knowledge and education and I continued to grow from there. In September of 2013, I was promoted to Vice President of Office Operations. I was able to build on my previous business experience and continue to expand both professionally and personally. This was your first year as a Director on the Board of the IARFC. How do you feel about the direction of the Association and what they have accomplished last year? One my first Board contributions was to participate as a judge at the IARFC sponsored National Financial Plan Competition, both the semi-finals in Ohio and the finals in Las Vegas. The input from the other judges, as well as the students really started my first year off with enormous excitement. By far the greatest and most significant accomplishment of the IARFC, in my opinion, is the continued effort to develop the MRFC designation. The value of obtaining an accredited and accepted designation will be immense to all the members of the IARFC. I look forward to continuing with the Board and being involved in as many ways as possible. How do you feel you have helped that effort? Since my background is in business management, and not seeing clients, I bring a different perspective to the Board. The IARFC’s mission is to aide in the development of practice management skills, which in turn promotes the growth of the members and their teams. I consider my perspective to be a bit different from others on the Board, which adds a fresh approach. The Register | November-December 2014