Tim's vast business experience includes 18 years of industrial sales and marketing positions with two Fortune 500 companies, and 30 years as a self-employed Financial Services Representative. He began his financial services career with New York Life in Atlanta. Ten years later he founded his own practice. Tim is a Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), a Registered Representative, an Investment Advisor Representative, a Licensed Insurance Agent, and has completed the two-year Financial Planner Program at Oglethorpe University. Tim is the owner of the Eckel Financial Network, and Rural Electric Planning Group, both located in Cumming, Georgia. The firms' primary focus is on retirement planning - managed growth and predictable income generating strategies. Income distribution planning, investment selection, Social Security maximization, healthcare planning, tax planning, and risk management are prime considerations in plan design.
Professionally, Tim conducts educational programs on the use of financial products and services for retirement. Social security, healthcare, and tax-advantaged cash accumulation and income distribution are amongst the subjects. In his leisure, Tim enjoys golf, travel, and spending time with his family. Tim resides in Cumming, GA. He has two adult children, Blake and Brittney, who are married and live in the Atlanta area. And, he has three grandchildren. His son, Blake, joined his practice ten years ago.
Building financial strength in today's environment involves more than chasing high earnings. It takes an integrated strategy that includes distribution planning, investment selection, tax planning, and risk management.
We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity and professionalism in our relationship with you, our client. We endeavor to know and understand your financial situation and provide you with only the highest quality information, and services. While developing a customized financial program, we will walk you through a step-by-step process that will help make you feel confident in your decisions.
Once your goals have been established, we will customize appropriate strategies to suit your vision and objectives. We can help you execute a sound financial strategy utilizing the following products and services:
Protection for the "what ifs" of life
Tax management
Investment management
Retirement strategies
Insurance and annuity products
Professional money management
Social Security maximization
Healthcare preparedness
Estate conservation and Wealth Transfer products to help you reach your goals.
Blake Eckel
Blake is a dedicated financial professional with 10 years of experience. He is committed to helping individuals and families secure their financial futures through thoughtful retirement planning and risk management. As a licensed insurance agent, he specializes in guiding clients to make informed decisions that protect their loved ones and build lasting financial security.
His passion for retirement planning is rooted in his belief that early preparation is key to achieving long-term financial independence. He understands that while government and employer-sponsored retirement plans are valuable, personal responsibility plays a critical role in creating a secure retirement. With a consultative and client-centered approach, Blake helps clients identify their financial goals and develop personalized strategies that align with their unique needs and aspirations.
Blakeââ¬â¢s youth is not just a point of pride, itââ¬â¢s his greatest asset. It fuels his ambition, enthusiasm, and willingness to embrace innovative solutions in retirement planning. By combining fresh perspectives with a strong foundation of industry knowledge, he positions himself as a trusted partner and advocate for his clients.
A native of Georgia, Blake lives in Cumming, GA, with his wife, Ashley, and their two children, Larkin and Lennon. Outside of his professional life, he is passionate about technology and embraces its potential to enhance client engagement and service.
Blake holds an active insurance license for Life, Accident, and Sickness in Georgia, North Carolina, Michigan, Mississippi, and Pennsylvania.
Please note that Blake does not hold a securities license and is not affiliated with Dempsey Lord Smith.
General Information |
| Firm Start Year: | 2000 | |
| No. of Employees: | 2-4 | |
| Insurance License#: | 432256 |
| Name of Broker/Dealer: | Dempsey Lord Smith, LLC |
| Name of Custodial Firm: | NFS, Schwab, Fidelity |
| States Licensed in: | GA, OH, MS |
| Number of Years with Current Firm: | 25 |
| Work Experience: | Following his honorable discharge from the U.S. Army, he entered the building material distribution business with Owen-Corning Fiberglas. He held sales, marketing, and distribution and product management positions. In 1992 he began his career in financial services as an agent with New York Life, in Atlanta, GA. Individual Life insurance, small business insurance needs, 401k retirement plans, and estate planning were emphasis areas. Continued learning and development were and remain high priorities. In 2000 Tim and his partner formed the Bales and Eckel Financial Group, which transitioned to the Eckel Financial Network. |
| Work with the following types of clients: | Individual Investors, Businesses, Non-Profit Organizations |
| Foreign Languages Serviced: | English |
| Advisory Services Provided: | Risk Management, Money Management, Wealth Management, 401K Rollovers, Financial Planning, Insurance Products & Annuities, Financial Advice & Consulting, Financial Planning for Individuals, Retirement Planning |
Services |
| Investment Types: | Mutual Funds, Alternative Investments, Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), Insurance, Annuities, Socially Responsible Investments (SRI) |
| Can meet clients in the following ways: | Email, Phone, Our Office, Your Office, Your Home, Video Conference |
Qualifications & Memberships |
| Insurance and Annuity Licenses: | Accident, Annuity, Health, Life, Variable Annuity, Long Term Care, Disability, Variable Life |
Firm Information |
| Assets Managed by Advisor: | Several Million |
Compensation and Fees |
| Fee Structure: | Fee-Based |
| Minimum Portfolio Size for New Managed Accounts: | $500,000 |
| Compensation Methods: | Commissions, Hourly, Based on Assets |
Financial Services |
| Retirement Planning
Eckel Financial Network is a small, local firm that takes pride in its personalized and comprehensive approach to retirement planning. Our goal is "quality" not quantity. We emphasize tailored strategies and close client relationships. Unlike larger firms that may use standardized solutions, we take the time to understand individual goals, family dynamics, and financial priorities. This hands-on approach allows for customized income strategies, investment strategies, tax planning, and estate guidance that align with each clients unique situation. Our clients experience direct accessibility to us, fostering trust and ongoing communication. Our direct access to some of the largest financial institutions in the industry provide us with a network of expertise to address the needs of our clients. In addition, we have local relationships with tax and legal professionals. While larger firms may offer extensive resources, Eckel Financial Network excels in providing dedicated attention and flexible solutions that evolve with clients changing retirement needs and life circumstances. |
| 401K Rollovers
When thinking about 401k rollovers, it's important to look at the situation you're currently in. This will help best determine what course of action should be taken. We talk with the previous provider and the new provider to fully understand the process. Then we get the correct paperwork, help you fill out everything properly, and follow-up with all parties involved to ensure your rollover is a smooth process. |
| Insurance Planning
Insurance planning is crucial for individuals nearing or in retirement to protect their wealth and ensure financial security. Life insurance can provide income replacement, debt coverage, and perhaps, is the most tax-efficient way to transfer wealth. Estate planning with proper insurance strategies helps minimize taxes and preserve assets for the heirs. Long-term care insurance is vital to safeguard retirement savings from costly healthcare expenses, ensuring individuals maintain safety, dignity, and independence while reducing the financial strain on loved ones. There are many Long Term Care "hybrid" solutions that are often overlooked .We are quite knowledgeable on the features, benefits, and applications of most life and "hybrid" insurance products. |
| Wealth Management
We have a variety of options available ranging from conservative to aggressive investment strategies, in both "qualified" and 'Non-Qualified" tax categories: Annuities (fixed, indexed, and variable), Mutual Funds, Exchange Traded Funds, professionally managed funds, alternatives, and Direct Indexing of individual stocks are all possible allocations. |
| Financial Planning for Businesses
Limited. We will work with businesses to provide "key man", "buy-sell" agreements, "non-qualified" deferred compensation, and a variety of "qualified" retirement plans. |
| Tax Advice and Services
We have local CPA's to which we refer our clients. As well, one of our major investment services offers a tax management service that calculates and then efficiently liquidates assets to help reduce tax consequences. |
| Investment Advice & Management
See "Wealth Management" section. Clients have investment goals, risk tolerances, and time horizons. The discovery of this information is critical in determining advice given. As an Investment Advisor Representative and a fiduciary, the goal is to find "suitable", cost-effective investments for our clients. |
| Financial Planning for Individuals
Individual Retirement Planning for ages 55+ is a primary emphasis of our practice and marketing efforts. Please see "Retirement Planning" section for details. |
| Money Management
We do not manage money ourselves. We direct a client's money to professional money managers and insurance companies who manage for growth and/or income, manage risk, and expenses. There is an advisory fee for this service. |
| Estate Planning & Trusts
We have attorneys, both locally and nationally, who offer estate planning and trust services. Our role is to act as the "quarterback" of these legal professionals to help ensure the best outcome for our client. |
| Annuities
We are well-versed when it comes to annuities. There is an array of them offered by dozens of quality insurance companies. Find an advisor who can help differentiate and place you with the right product from the best company to meet your stated goal. We've mastered this! |
| Risk Management
Individual risk tolerance is assessed and matched with potential growth and income solutions. The management of "risk" and/or needed protection is provided by the professional money managers and insurance companies to help meet short and long term goals. We, the advisor, monitor performance and suggest a corrective course, if needed. |
Disclosures |
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WiserAdvisor provides referrals to financial professionals. WiserAdvisor is not a current client of advisor or advisory services. Financial professionals pay cash compensation for these referrals, which creates the incentive for WiserAdvisor to make these referrals, resulting in a conflict of interest. |
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Additional Detailed Disclosures |
Disclaimer |
| Securities offered through Dempsey Lork Smith, LLC Member FINRA/SIPC Advisory services offered through Dempsey Lord Smith, LLC. |
Registered Representative:
Yes
Investment Advisor Representative:
Yes
Acknowledged fiduciary:
Yes
Compliance Disclosures in Last 5 years:
I have a clean record
Criminal Disclosures in Last 5 years:
I have a clean record
| Mon. | 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Tue. | 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Wed. | 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Thu. | 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Fri. | 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Cumming | Alpharetta |
| Roswell | Dawsonville |
| Gainesville | Buford |
| Dahlonega | Canton |
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