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Boulder’s Impact Wealth Advisors named FIVE STAR Wealth Manager by 5280 Magazine & ColoradoBiz Magazine

Posted by Jerry Lewis on November 9, 2010 at 4:34pm

BOULDER – G. Anthony Harrigan and Ken Finkel, principals of Impact Wealth Advisors, Ltd. in Boulder (www.ImpactWealth.com), were awarded the FIVE STAR Wealth Manager title for 2010 by 5280 Magazine and ColoradoBiz Magazine in Denver.

The 2010 FIVE STAR Wealth Manager award is granted to an elite group, representing less than 4 percent of Denver area wealth managers. The award is based on how clients and financial services industry professionals evaluate their experience in working the individual wealth managers and not on the company’s sales volume.

Harrigan, a resident of Broomfield, and Finkel, who lives in Boulder, started their Boulder wealth management business in 2008 to offer holistic financial planning that focuses on a client’s life goals and aspirations, not just their investments.

As a local Boulder business, Impact Wealth Advisors is a strong believer in community partnering, and presents its own Impact Award to an area nonprofit each quarter.

A national research company under the direction of Crescendo Business Services conducted research for the FIVE STAR Wealth Manager list, published in the November issues of 5280 and
ColoradoBiz.

To be selected for the FIVE STAR award, survey recipients are asked to select wealth managers whom they knew through personal experience, and to evaluate them on nine criteria: customer service, integrity,
knowledge/expertise, communication, value for fee charged, meeting of financial objectives, post-sale-service, quality of recommendations and overall satisfaction.

About Impact Wealth Advisors Ltd.

Impact Wealth Advisors in Boulder, Colo. provides holistic wealth management planning that focuses first on clients’ life goals and aspirations to improve the chances of achieving the future they
envision. Impact Wealth offers objective and independent investment counsel on retirement, education, estate planning, insurance analysis, tax minimization, charitable giving, real estate, family legacy and wealth succession. Visit online at www.ImpactWealth.com.

SRI in the Rockies Conference to Celebrate 20 Years

Posted by Erik Keith on June 1, 2009 at 5:04pm

SRI in the Rockies, the largest and longest-running sustainable and responsible investing conference in the world, will mark its 20th year and highlight growing opportunities for investors who embrace innovative investment strategies targeted on environmental, social, and governance factors. More than 650 attendees from the U.S. and around the world are expected to gather October 25–28, 2009 at the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa in Tucson, Arizona. The 20th Anniversary SRI in the Rockies Conference. From Crisis to Opportunity: Investing for a Sustainable Economy, will be presented by First Affirmative Financial Network in collaboration with the Social Investment Forum. “Sustainable and responsible investing is moving rapidly to the forefront of investment strategy,” said Steve Schueth, President of First Affirmative. “This year’s conference has a particular responsibility to highlight how we all can play a crucial role in finding real market solutions to the world’s environmental and social problems and make money in the process.” The 2009 conference list of speakers include: James K. Galbraith, PhD, the Lloyd M. Bentsen chair in Government and Business Relations and professor of Economics at the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin; Mindy S. Lubber, president of Ceres, the leading U.S. coalition of investors and environmental leaders working to improve corporate environmental, social, and governance practices; Auden Schendler, executive director of Sustainability at Aspen Skiing Company; and Andy Serwer, managing editor of FORTUNE magazine. Visit SRI in the Rockies (http://www.sriintherockies.com) to access speaker photos and bios. Lisa Woll, CEO of the Social Investment Forum, said: “The 20th anniversary of SRI in the Rockies occurs in a year in which there already have been significant steps forward in the national commitment to advancing policies that support good governance, transparency, and concerted attention on environmental and social issues within businesses and financial institutions. With national attention on addressing the financial crisis and regulatory frameworks, dealing with climate change and creating a clean, green economy, and looking at broad social and governance issues including executive compensation and mortgage and credit card reform, we believe that more individual and institutional investors will become socially responsible investors.” As the premier industry event, SRI in the Rockies attracts a wide range of investment professionals—from financial advisors to institutional investors and mutual fund companies, as well as social research and proxy voting organizations. Members of religious organizations and social change non-profits, and officers from community development banks, credit unions, and related organizations also will be in attendance. “Given the growing global awareness of investing for a more sustainable future, this year’s conference is all about identifying opportunities that are presenting themselves at this important juncture in the history of investing,” said Schueth. The 2009 conference will benefit from the support of leaders in the SRI industry including Calvert, a mutual fund company that for 30 years has been offering the nation's largest array of sustainable and responsible mutual funds. Calvert is unique among sponsoring organizations in that it has been a supporter of all 20 SRI in the Rockies conferences. For a full list of sponsoring organizations, visit http://www.sriintherockies.com/sponsors.jsp.

First Affirmative Announces “BaseCamp SRI” Conference Series for Financial Advisors Who Work with Socially Conscious Investors

Posted by Erik Keith on March 10, 2009 at 11:41am

First Affirmative Financial Network, a leading provider of investment management and consulting services to financial advisors and their socially conscious clients, is rolling out a new regional conference series designed to help investment advisors and financial planners accelerate the move to socially responsible investing (SRI).Each BaseCamp SRI is a one-day event specifically designed for investment professionals seeking to help their clients direct investment capital in ways that are positive, healthy, and transformative.The five-city series starts in Denver on March 26, 2009 with subsequent stops in Portland (April 28), New York, (May 18), San Francisco (June 4), and Seattle (July 9). There is no charge for qualified advisors to attend a BaseCamp and lunch will be served. For more information and to register, go to http://basecampsri.firstaffirmative.com.“Like a mountaineering base camp, BaseCamp SRI is designed to help an advisor make it to the top,” said First Affirmative President Steve Schueth. “The sustainable and responsible investing landscape is an exciting one, and each BaseCamp will be packed with good, timely information presented by experts and peers.”As the producer of the annual SRI in the Rockies Conference, First Affirmative is uniquely positioned to assist in the professional growth of investment advisors who work with investor clients interested in green investing and integrating social responsibility or sustainability into the investment process. Each BaseCamp SRI will provide valuable skills and strategies investment advisors can implement immediately—practical information and tools to better serve the unique needs of socially conscious investor clients, including:• Creating an environment of trust conducive to meaningful conversations about the issues clients and prospects care deeply about.• Developing the confidence necessary to initiate conversations about combining social responsibility with investment performance.• Understanding the available resources, including investment products, social networks, discussion forums, Q&A listings, a network of local experts, and a community of peers.• Learning about critical and controversial global issues to help clients make informed choices.First Affirmative has focused on quality portfolio management for socially conscious investors since 1988. Says Schueth, “Whether you call it green, values-based, socially responsible, or sustainable investing, portfolio management should be prudent and rewarding for both investors and advisors. When it comes to investing, there’s no longer any reason to separate good fortune from good will.”MORE ABOUT FIRST AFFIRMATIVEFirst Affirmative Financial Network, LLC (www.FirstAffirmative.com) is an independent fee-only Registered Investment Advisor (SEC File #801-56587). The company manages over $500 million in client portfolios and offers consulting and asset management services through a nationwide network of investment professionals who specialize in serving socially conscious investors. First Affirmative produces the annual SRI in the Rockies Conference in collaboration with the non-profit Social Investment Forum. The 20th annual SRI in the Rockies Conference (www.SRIintheRockies.com) will be October 25–28, 2009 at the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa, Tucson, Arizona.For more information about BaseCamp SRI, go to http://basecampsri.firstaffirmative.com or contact Danielle Burns at 877-542-8583 /danielleburns@firstaffirmative.com.

Geneos Wealth Management to Provide Technology Platform for Leading Broker/Dealer

Posted by Erik Keith on April 20, 2009 at 8:54am

Gentech LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Denver-based Geneos Wealth Management, Inc. providing technology solutions to the financial and medical services fields, today announced an agreement to provide its industry-leading Nexus technology platform to Kaiser and Company, a broker/dealer headquartered in Cheyenne, Wyoming.The current version of the Gentech Web-based application automates many of the tasks associated with an independent financial advisor’s business, including account opening, compliance, and reporting. A fully open architecture system, Nexus enables its users to utilize data in multiple formats and applications and allows comprehensive paperless document imaging.“The Nexus design provides for a very rich application that delivers more features and useful functionality than many people thought possible,” says Dean Rager, Senior Vice President for Gentech. “That makes it a great fit for multi-faceted firms like Kaiser and Company.”Kaiser and Company is a full-service FINRA member broker dealer offering general securities, insurance and investment products, and financial planning services to clients through a network of registered representatives and registered investment advisors. The firm has been serving clients in the Northwestern region of the United States for over 30 years.“We make every effort to provide our investment professionals with the most efficient and effective support available,” said Todd P. Bishop, President and CEO of Kaiser and Company. “We think the Gentech Nexus technology is the superior application for our representatives to run business the way they want to run their business.”Nexus is a full-fledged technology platform designed to be nimble and agile in a fast-changing compliance environment. But while more than 70 different reports are available in the full version of Nexus, Gentech allows its users the ability to pick and choose the components that best suit their independent practice. “There’s no comparing Nexus’ data power over any other competing system,” says Rager, “but the system can exist in many different forms. There is no paying for things you don’t need with Nexus.”About Geneos Wealth ManagementGeneos is a leading broker/dealer headquartered in Denver, CO, providing financial and estate-planning services through a select network of registered representatives. The firm’s 260 high-quality advisors around the nation represent over $7 billion in client assets under management. Geneos advisors offer a complete array of wealth management products, including mutual funds, alternative investment options, fixed and variable annuities, and life insurance company products. For more information, visit http://www.geneoswealth.com.

Global Financial Crisis Takes Center Stage at Socially Responsible Investment Industry Conference

Posted by Erik Keith on October 21, 2008 at 10:35am

Socially responsible investment industry leaders will focus considerable attention on the global financial crisis at the 19th annual SRI in the Rockies Conference October 26-28, 2008.A record 720 participants are expected to converge on The Fairmont Chateau Whistler, in Whistler, British Columbia. Several of the scheduled conference sessions will feature experts discussing how socially conscious investors can help to reshape the future of the global financial system around the principles of transparency, fairness, good governance, and long-term thinking, including:• A CEO Roundtable on Industry Trends;• A Banking Sector panel focused on Sustainable Global Finance;• A session on Philanthropy and Mission-Related Investing;• An expert panel on the Sub-Prime Mortgage Situation;• A roundtable discussion with International SRI Industry Leaders;• A discussion about how wise management of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues can reduce risk and position companies to excel over the long term; and• A Special Session that will focus specifically on the global financial crisis.“This is a unique opportunity for SRI leaders to strategize on integrating the principles of socially and environmentally responsible investing – such as responsible corporate governance – into the nation’s financial infrastructure moving forward,” said Lisa Woll, Chief Executive Officer of the Social Investment Forum (SIF).SRI in the Rockies, a collaboration between First Affirmative Financial Network and the Social Investment Forum, is the premier annual conference for the sustainable and responsible investment (SRI) industry in North America.“The financial crisis has put a spotlight on some of the worst practices on Wall Street, many of which socially conscious investors have worked to remedy over the years,” said George R. Gay, CEO of First Affirmative Financial Network and a Director of the Social Investment Forum. “We believe that a more socially responsible approach to investing can—and should—play a role in helping to transform the investing world.”SRI in the Rockies takes place against the backdrop of an industry that continues to expand rapidly. According to the SIF’s “2007 Trends Report,” nearly one out of every nine dollars under professional management in the U.S. in 2007 was involved in SRI. From 2005-2007, SRI assets increased more than 18 percent while the broader universe of professionally managed assets expanded less than 3 percent.

MASTERPIECE SOLUTIONS LAUNCHES ART GALLERY SOFTWARE UPGRADE

Posted by Erik Keith on October 10, 2008 at 11:27am

Masterpiece Solutions, the leader in comprehensive point of sale and business management software for art and antique galleries, artists and other independent retailers, today announced the upgrade of its Masterpiece Manager software and the introduction of its innovative Masterpiece Success Package. The advancements give galleries and artists a state-of-the-art, integrated gallery management solution, including advanced inventory controls, customer management, point-of-sale and web integration combined with an effective service program.Utilized by more than 5,000 independent retailers, Masterpiece Manager was designed for gallery owners by gallery owners to increase the operating efficiency and simplify processes to give gallery owners and artists the freedom to focus on the art and not the paperwork. For nearly 15 years, Masterpiece Manager software has integrated point of purchase with inventory and customer relationship management. The newest version of Masterpiece Manager has advanced those features with a more customer-friendly interface, enhanced reporting capabilities and additional sales tools, while also enhanced capabilities to manage and synchronize the bricks and mortar store front with the online store front.“Masterpiece Solutions is the one-stop-shop business solutions provider for gallery owners and artists,” said Kevin Warr, CEO of Masterpiece Solutions. “Our long history of serving the gallery and artist market combined with what is certainly the most advanced and affordable POS and business management software, Masterpiece Manager, makes us the best business partner for galleries to save time, make money and improve their retail and online image.”As a complement to the new version of Masterpiece Manager, Masterpiece Solutions has also introduced the Masterpiece Success Package, simplifying the relationship and extending a galleries’ visibility online. The Masterpiece Success Package includes:• Free upgrades forever• Unlimited phone and online technical support• QuickLink — The system easily synchronizes in-store and website inventory, so galleries can accurately track inventory• Free listing on ArcherExchange — With more than $300 million in inventory on ArcherExchange, it has become one of the most visited art websites. Current galleries on ArcherExchange have claimed that it has increased their qualified lead generation by as much as 30%.To learn more about Masterpiece Solution’s products and services, visit www.masterpiecesolutions.com or call 303-225-0330 today.

SRI in the Rockies to Honor Community Investors

Posted by Erik Keith on October 8, 2008 at 2:46pm

Investors who earmark at least one percent of their capital for community investment will be honored at the 2008 SRI in the Rockies Conference, the premier annual conference for the sustainable and responsible investment (SRI) industry in North America.“Community investing, a core SRI strategy, has successfully served the same populations currently reeling from bad loans made by predatory lenders,” said Lisa Woll, chief executive officer of the Social Investment Forum (SIF). “Continuing to expand the pool of funds available for community investing is more important now than ever before.”SRI in the Rockies is collaboration between the Social Investment Forum and First Affirmative Financial Network. More than 700 participants are expected to gather in Whistler, British Columbia, Canada, October 26–28, 2008 for the 19th annual SRI in the Rockies Conference.Community investors’ direct capital to communities underserved by traditional financial services, providing access to credit, equity, capital and basic banking products that economically distressed communities and lower-income borrowers otherwise would not have.Community investing is the fastest growing component of SRI. Investment in the field has increased from $5.4 billion in 1999 to more than $25 billion in 2007. The goal of the “1% or More in Community Campaign” is for SIF members to help push community investment in the United States to $30 billion by 2010."The ‘1% or More for Community Campaign’ has the potential to impact wide-scale investor action across the investment community, positively impacting the economically disadvantaged communities of the hurricane-torn gulf coast, other low-income communities across the United States, and in developing countries around the world," said William Bynum, executive director, Enterprise Corporation of the Delta.SIF and Co-op America co-founded the “1% or More in Community Campaign” in 2001 to advance community investing among Social Investment Forum members by encouraging them to shift one percent or more of their investment dollars into community investing, thus making financing available to economically distressed communities and lower income families.SIF members who have met the campaign challenge will be honored during a breakfast at SRI in the Rockies on October 27th. More information about the Social Investment Forum along with a current list of SIF members who have achieved the “1% or More in Community Investing Campaign” goal is available at www.communityinvest.org.

MASTERPIECE SOLUTIONS OFFERS GALLERY OWNERS AND ARTISTS ASSISTANCE DURING RECESSIONARY TIMES

Posted by Erik Keith on November 13, 2008 at 10:28am

Masterpiece Solutions , the leader in comprehensive point of sale and business management software for art and antique galleries, artists and other independent retailers, today announced a comprehensive program that offers assistance during this tough economic climate. The recently released Masterpiece Success Package offers much more than back-end software by offering a suite of products that helps small organizations stay above water during retail slowdown.“Masterpiece Manager can do two critical things: drastically reduce operating expenses AND significantly expand reach to consumers via Archer Exchange and a personalized website,” said Kevin Warr, CEO of Masterpiece Solutions. “When every dollar and minute counts, our valuable service package helps galleries and artists stay in business by letting us take over their time intensive back-end work and marketing efforts.”In one push of a button, Masterpiece Manager effectively cuts out time, money and manpower to achieve measurable results. On the back end, the savvy software handles inventory management, synchronizing online and in-store supply, data entry and more. To reach customers more swiftly, Masterpiece Solutions also offers comprehensive web services and listings on Archer Exchange (http://archerexchange.com/), the fastest growing online marketplace for fine art.“Over a decade of developing our suite of services has led us to knowing precisely how to contain costs and drive sales,” added Warr. “It is in recessionary times when business owners have the opportunity to take a hard look at how to maximize their time and outsource with confidence.”Utilized by more than 800 independent retailers worldwide, Masterpiece Manager was designed for gallery owners by gallery owners to increase the operating efficiency and simplify processes to give gallery owners and artists the freedom to focus on the art and not the paperwork. For nearly 15 years, Masterpiece Manager software has integrated point of sale software with inventory and customer relationship management.The Masterpiece Success Package includes:• Free upgrades forever• Unlimited phone and online technical support• QuickLink — The system easily synchronizes in-store and website inventory, so galleries will never again lose customers due to a website displaying wrong information• Unlimited listings on ArcherExchange — With more than $300 million in inventory on ArcherExchange, it has become one of the most visited art websites. Current galleries on ArcherExchange have claimed that it has increased their qualified lead generation by as much as 30%.To learn more about Masterpiece Solution’s products and services, visit www.masterpiecesolutions.com or call 303.225.0330 today.

Five Reasons for Art Galleries and Artists to Embrace Technology during Tough Economy

Posted by Erik Keith on February 2, 2009 at 2:22pm

1. It’s Time to Break Out of Your Four Walls. An individual or brick-and-mortar establishment has boundaries. However, with the vast reach of the Internet, there are endless opportunities to sell your art to consumers across the globe. Millions of consumers are embracing online art research and consumerism. Whether you use your own website or a site like www.masterpieceonline.com to promote your artwork, it’s time to get in the game!2. Recession isn’t a Time to Waste Time. Inventory tracking alone can be confusing, tedious and time consuming. Allowing software to manage your inventory process will give you back time and sanity to channel into other parts of your business.“Masterpiece enables me to be in all of my galleries every day. I can tell what sold and what is in inventory, out on approval, etc. at the touch of a button,” said Zelma Legendre, owner of Thornwood Gallery (two in Houston and one in Dallas). “With the Masterpiece server, all of my galleries are connected. If we get an e-mail inquiry we can answer it immediately without calling the other galleries. This makes us more efficient with our time and easier for our customers to get answers quickly.”3. It’s Time to Eliminate Operator Error. Humans are prone to error. Have you ever forgotten to log a sale? Do you have too many artists to manage consignments effectively? Do you use archaic systems for ringing in sales that result in more work on the back end? Technology is not as intimidating as many people seem to think. Instead, it can be helpful, and will simplify tasks that often lead to mistakes.4. You Deserve a Business Team. Money is tight; margins are slim. Not many galleries have business managers, marketing teams, web developers and accountants. Paying those salaries would sink most small businesses. But the solution is simple – and affordable.Masterpiece provides business support at the click of a mouse. With Masterpiece Solutions, websites can be customized to display and sell your artwork to online shoppers. When you run into a problem, Masterpiece’s technical support team will walk you through the solution. “Our clients constantly tell us that we have the best website and we love the technical support! When we need them, they are there,” added Zelma.5. Informed Decisions = Better Decisions. With art to sell and a business to run, there are “must haves” and “nice to haves.” Reporting often falls in the latter category. However, the intelligence that business reports provide can be invaluable. Tracking trends such as customer buying history, seasonal sales and profit and loss can drastically impact your business decisions. In fact, most insurance companies want client businesses to have a system for inventory. With Masterpiece, the system is in place and will help to lower your costs in the long run.“Through Masterpiece Solutions, you can have an all-in-one marketing and business team that can increase your business potential exponentially,” said Kevin Warr, CEO of Masterpiece Solutions (http://www.masterpiecesolutions.com). “From an effective website that engages your consumers to an effective inventory management system to point-of-sale and reporting capabilities, financially, there is no way to go wrong.”Utilized by more than 800 independent retailers worldwide, Masterpiece Manager was designed for gallery owners by gallery owners to increase the operating efficiency and simplify processes to give gallery owners and artists the freedom to focus on the art and not the paperwork. For nearly 15 years, Masterpiece Manager has integrated point of sale software with inventory and customer relationship management. Independent artists also find tremendous value in their artist-specific software: visit http://www.masterpiecemanager.com/artistfnb.html .To learn more about Masterpiece Solution’s products and services, visit www.masterpiecesolutions.com or call 303.225.0330 today.

David Brancaccio, Stephen Lewis and Barbara J. Krumsiek Lead Speaker Line-up at 19th Annual SRI in the Rockies Conference

Posted by Erik Keith on September 24, 2008 at 2:00pm

Award-winning veteran journalist David Brancaccio, Stephen Lewis, Former Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations and Barbara J. Krumsiek, Chair, CEO, and President of Calvert Group, Ltd. are among a powerful group of speakers and topics slated for the 19th annual SRI in the Rockies Conference, October 26–29, 2008.Mr. Brancaccio, host of the PBS news magazine NOW and author of Squandering Aimlessly; will moderate a roundtable on industry trends at SRI in the Rockies, which will be held at The Fairmont Chateau Whistler in the stunning Canadian Rockies in Whistler, British Columbia. This year’s meeting is expected to draw a record 700 sustainable and responsible investment (SRI) industry practitioners and professionals from related fields in the United States, Canada, and around the world—the largest gathering in the conference’s 19-year history.The 2008 conference theme is Beyond Borders: Investing & Partnering for a Sustainable World. Sessions will focus on sustainable finance and investing, ramifications of the credit crisis, business ethics and transparency, new trends in shareholder activism, climate change, various emerging issues and industries like clean tech, the latest on community investing, and a host of other topics.In addition to Mr. Brancaccio, plenary speakers include:• Doug Bauer, Senior Vice President , Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors• Melissa Brown, former Executive Director, Association of Sustainable and Responsible Investment in Asia (ASrIA)• Timothy "Scott" Case, Technologist, Entrepreneur, Inventor: Co-Founder, priceline.com• Michelle Chan, Program Manager, Green Investments Project, Friends of the Earth; President of BankTrack• Dave Chen, Venture Capitalist; Chairman of the Oregon Innovation Council• Matt Christensen, Executive Director, European Social Investment Forum• Eugene Ellmen, Executive Director, Social Investment Organization, Canada• Sarah Forrest, Executive Director, Goldman Sachs Sustain, London• Reynold Hert, President, CEO and Director, Western Forest Products Inc.• Jennifer James, Urban Cultural Anthropologist• Michael Jantzi, President and Founder, Jantzi Research• Barbara J. Krumsiek, Chair, CEO, and President of Calvert Group, Ltd.• Valerie Langer, Director, BC Coast Campaigns, ForestEthics• Kenneth G. Lay, Vice President and Treasurer, The World Bank• Stephen Lewis, Former Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations• Ross McMillan, President and CEO, Tides Canada Foundation• Ken Melamed, Mayor of the Resort Municipality of Whistler, BC• Sandra Odendahl, Chair, North American Task Force, UN Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI)• Jack Robinson, Founder, Winslow Management Company• Richard Russell, Board President, The Russell Family Foundation• Art Sterritt, Executive Director of the Coastal First Nations• Lisa Woll, CEO of the Social Investment Forum (U.S.)SRI in the Rockies is a partnership between First Affirmative Financial Network and the non-profit Social Investment Forum (SIF). The conference attracts a wide range of investment professionals—from financial advisors to institutional investors and mutual fund companies—as well as social research and proxy voting organizations. Members of religious organizations and social change non-profits, and officers from community development banks, credit unions and related organizations also will be in attendance.

Note: this page contains paid content.

Note: this page contains paid content.

Note: this page contains paid content.