Seasoned Garrett Network Advisor Turns Over Reins to Next Generation

    BALTIMORE, MD, February 06, 2014 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Anna Sergunina started working with Jim Ludwick's MainStreet Financial Planning firm seven and a half years ago as his administrative assistant.

On January 1, 2014 Ms. Sergunina became President and owner of the company that Mr. Ludwick founded in a home office in 2002. Today, the company has five offices, in 4 states and continues to expand. In recent years, Ms. Sergunina has taken the lead in that expansion.

"Although an administrative position was a good gateway into the hourly fee-only financial planning field, at that time my original goal was to learn from Jim and take this knowledge and experience to the next level", stated Ms. Sergunina.

As a baby boomer, Mr. Ludwick knew he had to have an exit strategy when starting a company in his mid-50s. Meanwhile, Ms. Sergunina was well on her way to becoming a Certified Financial Planner practitioner when she was hired, and passed her comprehensive exam two years after joining the firm.

"I knew that Jim was a highly respected and accomplished financial planner and that I was very fortunate to be able to develop my skills under his supervision and direction," the newly installed owner explained. "Now I'm able to take that experience and find like-minded planners to expand the reach of hourly, fee-only financial planning services, based on the model Jim adopted from Sheryl Garrett who formed her hourly planning network of financial planners in 2000," she remarked. Ms. Sergunina has asked Mr. Ludwick to train the firm's new planners just as he trained her.

"I'm privileged to be able to expand on a great foundation," she exclaimed. "I look forward to seeing more people from all walks of life being able to avail themselves of hourly financial advice from planners under the MainStreet Financial Planning banner."

This the first time in the history of the Garrett Planning Network that a generational transition of this kind is being implemented, according to Sheryl Garrett, the network's founder. The two financial planners hope that their experience will provide valuable insights to other planners who are putting their own succession plans in place.

Several industry groups have asked the former and current owners to detail how they conceived and executed a successful succession plan. A webinar and participation in a panel discussion are under development.

Mr. Ludwick, plans to work full time for the next few years. "At some point I will stop taking on new clients and just help the new planners with their clients. I will continue to service existing clients as long as they have confidence in my skills and I'm able to provide answers to their questions and help them make good financial decisions. I will continue my blog, my radio show and my tweets."

"Thank you everyone for a wonderful 12 years as the founder and owner of MainStreet Financial Planning. I couldn't have done it without Anna, and now she can't do it without me, or at least that's what I'm telling myself!", concluded the founder of MainStreet Financial Planning.

MainStreet Financial Planning (MSFP) is a fee-only, project or hourly practice. We are based in Odenton, Maryland with additional offices in Washington, DC, Santa Barbara, California, Burlingame, California, and New York City. MSFP does not sell products or manage money. The firm solely provides advice. For those at a distance we use Skype and other online tools to save time and money.

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