On December 29, 2022, SECURE Act 2.0 was made law through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023. Key components of the act include changes to Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) starting ages, changes to retirement plans, and the ability to rollover 529 assets to Roth IRAs.
I joined the firm in 2002. My role is portfolio manager responsible for customizing client accounts. I spend the majority of my day doing research, staying on top of portfolios and writing commentary and reports. I received a bachelor of science in Commerce with distinction from University of Virginia’s McIntire School with a double major in Finance and Marketing. I hold an MBA with a major in Finance and a concentration in investment management from The Wharton School of Business. I have earned the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation and hold membership in the CFA Society of Washington, D.C. and the New York Society of Security Analysts. Being a native Washingtonian, I enjoy being a DC sports fan and derive endless joy from futbol.
Mutual Funds
Darren graduated from Radford University. He is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA). From the College of Financial Planning, he has earned the following designations: Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist (CRPS®), Chartered Mutual Fund Counselor (CMFC®), Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS®).
Bonds
Wealth Management
As a CPA, in 2014 when I began my journey at SGK, I was intrigued with the opportunity of changing my path of being employed in public accounting to one of working with a successful wealth management investment firm where I could focus my skills in the area of compliance and facilitate management of the firm. I am a long standing member of the American Institute of CPA’s and the Virginia Society of CPA’s. I am active in my local community, and I am an avid gardener and reader.
I joined SGK in March 2020 to help with operations and the Client Services team. Since that time, I've transitioned to compliance and bookkeeping, helping to take care of the back end parts of the organization. I’m proud to call myself a member of this amazing team and work family. I recently finished my master's degree in accounting and am now studying for the CPA exams.
We utilize eMoney Advisor financial planning platform to forecast changes in net worth based on Monte Carlo simulation, assumptions on current assets, cash flow, inflation, and investment growth.
Retirement Planning
Darren is committed to analyzing the various options available to clients and offering them solutions that provide them the greatest amount of control and flexibility over their circumstances. Darren has worked with a variety of nationally recognized financial planning and investment management firms in the Washington metro area since 1993. For over 16 years Darren has managed affluent client relationships and worked directly with business owners, professionals, and retirees, strategizing retirement plan selection and implementing comprehensive retirement income planning solutions. This diverse wealth of experience he brings to his clients when developing comprehensive financial plans create a positive and productive wealth management experience. Darren is often invited as a guest speaker to discuss retirement planning and wealth management topics.
Annuities
We evaluate and determine the optimal start date for social security, pension lump sum or lifetime income options, and review any existing annuities for our clients.
Long Term Care
We model the potential impact of a long-term care event to our clients' net worth so together we can better evaluate their options.
Asset Management
College Funding
Above all else, we want to be your financial confidant. We are a resource for you to ask any financially related questions - education planning, buying/selling a home or business, understanding spending/saving picture, ensuring beneficiaries are up to date, etc. - we are here for you.