About Us

OUR FOCUS

As a successful business owner, your business presents priorities on a daily basis that require focus and dedication that most other individuals are not able to sustain. However, it’s this same focus and dedication to your business that can prevent you from allocating resources to fully realizing the financial opportunities available to you by integrating your personal and business planning.

That’s why many entrepreneurs turn to Scott Jones Financial. We focus all of our planning around your largest asset, your business, and we use strategies available to your business to help you achieve your personal financial goals. This distinction in our approach from the standard advisor can provide many benefits to you.

Scott Jones Financial is independently owned and is not bound to any one company, product or provider. As your planning advocate, we bring together the necessary resources based on your unique needs and deliver them with objectivity and superior personal service.

We provide specialized planning for business owners, with our typical clients being owners of privately- held enterprises with $5 million–$250 million in revenue. These small- to mid-sized businesses may not realize it, but they have access to many beneficial tax and financial strategies that are typically thought to be reserved for larger corporations. Our job is to help you understand what is available. The next step is to strategize, implement and integrate the most beneficial strategies for your particular situation.

OUR PLANNING PROCESS

While you may see your destination, the steps for getting there are often less obvious. At Scott Jones Financial, we believe that successfully reaching your goals requires knowledgeable advice and a customized plan that manages not only the opportunities, but also the risks that you may encounter.

To help facilitate the effective integration of business and personal planning, we use our flagship Business of Life™ planning process, as well as numerous tactical processes.

Together, these approaches provide an integrated and comprehensive suite of financial, estate, and tax planning, as well as investment and insurance advisory services designed to help you maximize your financial potential during your lifetime and through an ongoing legacy you can leave behind.

KNOWN FOR OUR EXPERTISE.

CHOSEN FOR OUR CARE.

OUR PEOPLE MAKE US WHO WE ARE

Our team is made up of skilled and experienced professionals from a variety of financial disciplines working together to provide seamless, tax-efficient solutions for optimizing your business and personal financial affairs. We have team members onsite at our main office in Charlotte, NC, as well as an external support network of specialists in business, tax, financial and insurance planning

Scott M Jones

CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®

MANAGING PARTNER
Scott@SJonesfin.com

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Mark Rothwell

CFP®

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
DIRECTOR OF FINANCIAL PLANNING
Mark@SJonesfin.com

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Dorothy Barbee

OPERATIONS ASSOCIATE
Dorothy@SJonesfin.com

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Jennifer Desberg

CLIENT SERVICE ASSOCIATE
Jen@SJonesfin.com

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Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States, which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

OUR BACK OFFICE TEAM

As a Member Firm of ValMark Financial Group, we work closely with an experienced support team with credentials spanning multiple financial disciplines—from legal, accounting, tax and financial advisory expertise to life insurance and retirement planning. This team of over 100 professionals serves as our back-office support staff and includes:

PLANNING SPECIALISTS AND ADVANCED CASE ADVISORS, including a team of attorneys, accountants, MBAs, Certified Financial Planners, Chartered Life Underwriters, and Chartered Financial Consultants, many of whom are FINRA Registered Principals who provide independent assessment and analysis of recommended product sets.

AN UNDERWRITING ADVOCACY TEAM with several former insurance company underwriting vice presidents, directors and medical directors, a licensed physician, and a staff of case management, business processing and policy service specialists.

KEY BACK-OFFICE TEAM MEMBERS

Tyler Denholm, CFA®, CMT

Vice President, Investment Management & Research

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CHRIS FINEFROCK, MBA, CFP®

Financial/Retirement Planning Specialist

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MICHAEL AMOIA, JD, LLM (TAX), CLU®, ChFC®

Vice President – Advanced Markets

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MICHAEL MICHLITSCH, MBA, CRPC®

Vice President, Inforce Insurance Solutions

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ERIC JOHNSON

Vice President, Underwriter

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Nicole Rigsby-Cheek, QKA, CPFA

Director Retirement Planning

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VALMARK: OUR STRATEGIC PARTNER

We are a Member Firm of Valmark Financial Group, a 59-year-old, invitation-only group of independent wealth and insurance advisory firms. Valmark employs over 100 professionals who provide a concierge level of support to each Member Firm. This enables us to leverage the knowledge and experience of these professionals to help us deliver innovative thinking and recommendations when helping our clients strategically plan for their futures.

As a collective group, Valmark Member Firms have over $50 billion of life insurance in force and an estimated $6 billion of assets under management, with an additional $25 billion of assets under management controlled through independent Investment Advisors associated with Valmark. This combined buying power gives us access to some of the nation’s top companies, products, and services, enabling us to advocate on behalf of our clients while maintaining independence.

Valmark Securities, Inc., our broker dealer, is a member of FINRA and SIPC, and is licensed in all 50 states for securities and insurance. The company has 122 independently-owned Member Firms throughout the United States. Its affiliate, Valmark Advisers, Inc., is a Registered Investment Advisor with the SEC. www.valmarkfg.com

Securities offered through Valmark Securities, Inc., Member FINRA, SIPC. Advisory services offered through Valmark Advisers, Inc., a SEC Registered Investment Advisor. 130 Springside Drive, Akron, OH 44333. (800) 765- 5201. Scott Jones Financial is a separate entity from Valmark Securities, Inc. and Valmark Advisers, Inc.
Customer Relationship Summary (CRS)

Scott M. Jones, CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®

Managing Partner

Scott@SJonesFin.com

A life-long Charlottean, Scott has been providing financial services to business owners, key executives, and business advisors since 1988. A specialist in Business Continuity Planning, Executive Benefits, and Wealth Transfer Strategies, Scott has made a career of understanding the issues facing business owners, and incorporates that insight and client advocacy into every aspect of his service delivery and planning processes. He additionally emphasizes a team approach by proactively coordinating with other client advisors to ensure that his clients’ financial affairs are properly integrated.

Scott’s three-decade career in business planning began with an eight-year tenure with The Principal Financial Group where he was in charge of running the company’s Charlotte Agency Business Center. He subsequently founded his own firm, Executive Financial, which specialized in Exit Planning for Business Owners, design and implementation of Executive Benefit Plans and Wealth Transfer Strategies. After 12 years, he merged his firm with colleagues Barry, Evans, Josephs & Snipes (BEJS) and became a Partner before starting Scott Jones Financial in 2017.

Scott holds the designations of Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®), and Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®). He is a member of the Association for Advanced Life Underwriting (AALU), the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA), the Financial Planning Association (FPA), the Society of Financial Services Professionals (SFSP), the Charlotte Estate Planning Council, and the Charlotte Benefits Forum.

Scott received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. During his time there, Scott was a four-year letterman on the varsity swim team and earned the distinction of “ACC Honor Roll,” which recognizes scholar athletes for excellence in both academics and athletics.

Scott and his wife, Vicki, live in Charlotte with their daughter, Savannah, and son, Daniel. A sports enthusiast, Scott enjoys golfing, water-skiing, snow skiing, and working out. He and his family attend Carmel Baptist Church and are active in The Charlotte Leadership Forum and the Dowd YMCA.

Mark Rothwell, CFP®

Chief Operating Officer

Director of Financial Planning

Mark joined Scott Jones Financial in 2021 with 10 years of industry experience and a successful history of exceeding client expectations. He oversees the business operations and personal financial planning. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) professional, he enjoys preparing and delivering comprehensive financial plans that are focused on helping clients achieve and exceed their financial goals. Mark is known for his ability to solve complex problems with a keen attention to detail and is energized by finding the best solutions for each client.

Mark was previously with State Street Corporation where he was a Vice President of private equity fund services. In that role, he was responsible for operational oversight and management of relationships with private equity clients. During his tenure, Mark helped build out a global operations team that leveraged different time zones to create a continuous workflow. In addition, he has been involved with re-engineering projects aimed to increase efficiency and reduce risk.

Mark grew up in Massachusetts and always had a golf club or hockey stick in his hands from the time he could walk. He attended Babson College where he studied finance and entrepreneurship. He and his wife, Victoria, live in Charlotte, NC where they enjoy spending time outdoors and are always looking for new hikes. He is getting used to the change from snow skiing to water skiing and appreciates no longer having to put his golf clubs away for the winter.

Dorothy Barbee

Operations Associate

Dorothy@SJonesfin.com

Dorothy joined Scott Jones Financial in 2024 with over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. After spending much of her career as a research analyst at firms including Nuveen/TIAA-CREF, JP Morgan, and Neuberger Berman, Dorothy is now using her skills to support business operations and service clients at Scott Jones Financial. Her analytical background and attention to detail are invaluable assets as she works to ensure our workflows and processes run smoothly.

Dorothy earned her undergraduate degree from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, where she studied Finance. She later received her MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University in Chicago.

When she's not having fun with spreadsheets, you'll find Dorothy hiking or traveling with her husband Joe, spoiling her two granddaughters, or enjoying a new restaurant or live music event with friends.

Jennifer Desberg

Client Service Associate

Jen@SJonesfin.com

Jen joined Scott Jones Financial in 2023 and provides white glove client service in assisting with the implementation of new business. She is always the first point of contact when a client has a service need.

Jen’s commitment to supporting clients and building lasting relationships has been a keystone throughout her career. Prior to joining the team, she supported an independent Financial Services Professional with Allstate for 4 years working with clients, agents, and carriers to ensure the smooth processing and delivery of life insurance policies and services. In the years between leaving a career in purchasing, and beginning one in financial services, Jen was primarily a full-time parent, with an eclectic collection of part time jobs in the fields of marketing, customer service, and retail.

Jen studied Theatre at first Bennington College in Vermont, and finally at Kent State University - after falling for an Ohio boy, Alex, who is now her husband of nearly 30 years. They reside in Akron Ohio where they raised their daughter Sasha, and sons Owen and Spencer. In her free time Jen enjoys hiking, gardening, photography, and travel.

TYLER DENHOLM, CFA®, CMTI

VICE PRESIDENT, INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH

Tyler Denholm is the Vice President of Investment Management and Research for our partner, Valmark Financial Group. His primary responsibility includes overseeing the investment management process and conducting research for TOPS®, TOPS® Strategic Allocation Portfolios and TOPS® Variable Insurance Trust. Specifically, he is responsible for portfolio design and portfolio management. Mr. Denholm regularly analyzes the TOPS® Portfolios and is heavily involved in the day-to-day operations of portfolio management. He also helps analyze our prospective portfolios, and we work directly with Tyler to determine which of the various Wealth Solutions would be the best fit for our clients. He earned his BSBA in Finance and Real Estate from the University of Akron, graduating Summa Cum Laude. In addition to his Series 7 and 24 registrations, Mr. Denholm is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®).

CHRIS FINEFROCK, MBA, CFP®

FINANCIAL & RETIREMENT PLANNING SPECIALIST

Chris Finefrock is the Senior Vice President of Financial Planning and Investments for our partner, Valmark Financial Group. In his role, he oversees and is a resource for the team responsible for all aspects of design and implementation of various brokerage, insurance and advisory solutions intended to assist investors with risk management and reaching their accumulation and/or distribution goals. He also oversees the practice management and financial technology area which assesses third-party vendor technology and assists Member Firms in the selection and implementation of processes within their practice. Lastly, he oversees the investment operations division including data processing, books and records retention, principal review and custodial platform relationships. In addition to his Series 7, 24 and 66 registrations and his Ohio Life, Health and Variable licenses, Mr. Finefrock holds a BSBA in Financial Services and an MBA in Finance from the University of Akron. He is also a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) professional.

MICHAEL AMOIA, JD, LLM (TAX), CLU®, ChFC®

VICE PRESIDENT - ADVANCED MARKETS

As Vice President of Advanced Markets, Michael works primarily with a select group of Valmark member firms, their clients, and clients’ advisors to implement advanced wealth transfer and business planning techniques that leverage the use of life insurance. With over 28 years of experience and a deep understanding of complex estate planning techniques, Michael works closely with both our life insurance case design and financial planning teams to create client deliverables that help illustrate how these techniques and strategies can maximize the ability for clients to efficiently transfer intergenerational wealth.

MICHAEL MICHLITSCH, MBA, CRPC®

VICE PRESIDENT, INFORCE INSURANCE SOLUTIONS

As Vice President of In Force Insurance Solutions for our partner, Valmark Financial Group, Michael leads the Valmark Policy Management Company (PMC) and Life Settlement teams. Michael is responsible for integrating strategies and solutions to maximize in force insurance business to best serve our clients. Previously, he was Manager of Practice Management at Securian Financial Services, Inc., a Senior Training Manager for Woodbury Financial Services, Inc., and Sales Manager for Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Mr. Michlitsch earned his MBA from the Opus College of Business at the University of St. Thomas and his BA in Management and Marketing from Bethany Lutheran College. He is a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor℠ (CRPC®) and carries the following Financial Services Designations: CFS, CIS, CFF, CES, CAS and CTS. In addition, he holds Series 7, 24 and 66 registrations as well as Life, Health, and Variable Life and Annuity licenses.

ERIC JOHNSON

VICE PRESIDENT, UNDERWRITER

Eric Johnson is Vice President of Underwriting for our partner, Valmark Financial Group. He is responsible for risk assessment appraisal, consultation and negotiation on behalf of Valmark Financial Group Member Offices and clients. Mr. Johnson brings more than 30 years of experience in impaired risk and jumbo case underwriting, reinsurance, sales and brokerage operations. He is a presenter at numerous industry seminars and workshops speaking on topics such as Challenging Underwriting Impairments, Jumbo Business and Brokerage Underwriting. Mr. Johnson earned his BA from Luther College and holds Minnesota Life, Accident and Health Insurance licenses. He is a member of the Association of Home Office Underwriters (AHOU) and the Twin Cities Association of Home Office Life Underwriters (TCAHOLU).

NICOLE RIGSBY-CHEEK, QKA, CPFA

PLANNING SPECIALIST

In her role as Director of Retirement Planning for our partner, Valmark Financial Group, Nicole is responsible for the management and support of our qualified plan business. She has over 18 years of experience in the financial services industry, with three of those years working for a Third Party Administrator (TPA). Nicole currently holds the QKA (Qualified 401(k) Administrator) and CPFA (Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor) designations from ASPPA. Nicole is a member of the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries (ASPPA) and the National Association of Professional Agents (NAPA). In addition, Nicole holds her Series 7 securities registration as well as Ohio Life and Health License.