Michael Pinkans
Owner
With over thirty years of industry experience, Mike was an executive in an insurance company home office in charge of marketing, product development, and sales and also worked in the insurance brokerage marketplace for many years leading institutional and national account teams.
Prior to joining The Leaders Group (TLG), an independent broker-dealer, Mike was an investment advisor and registered representative with Pruco Securities and Voya Financial Advisors.
Earning a 4-year Air Force ROTC scholarship, Mike earned a bachelor's degree in computer science from Union College in Schenectady, New York while cross-enrolling with Rensselear Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Troy, New York for Air Force ROTC.
After graduation, Mike was a communications officer, earning the rank of Captain while serving in the U.S. Air Force at Offutt AFB, Omaha, Nebraska.
While stationed at Offutt, Mike earned his Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
In 1991, he earned the Fellow, Life Management Institute (FLMI), the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), and the Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) designations. He completed his Master of Science in Financial Services (MSFS) degree in 1992 and Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation in 1994. In 1995, Mike obtained his Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation. Mike obtained his Master of Management (MSM) degree in 2000. He also holds FINRA Series 7, 24, and 63 securities registrations.
He has published articles in Medical Group Update, Probe, Financial and Estate Planners Quarterly and the National Underwriter. Life Insurance Selling, the National Underwriter and California Broker have quoted his research.
Mike was elected to the Board of Directors of the Vermont Chapter of the Society of Financial Service Professionals (formerly known as the American Society of CLU/ChFC), and served as a director from 1994 to 1995. He was on the board of directors of the Granite Hills Credit Union in Barre, Vermont for a number of years before it was acquired by another credit union. He is currently a member of the CFA Institute, CFP of Tampa Bay, and NAIFA-Tampa Bay.
Mike is currently secretary of his condominium association board of directors in Belleair, FL.
Mike enjoys living and working in Florida, but also visits his daughters and three granddaughters in Vermont whenever possible.