Meet: Verne W. Smith
Verne began his career in Los Angeles California in 1966 as a life insurance professional where quickly his career vaulted and he became a recognized success. Two years later, he accepted a position as assistant vice president of the south Pacific region responsible for Career development and ultimately was promoted to manager of a mega insurance agency in Burbank California for Pacific Mutual Life Insurance Company.
In 1973 Verne earned multiple licenses thus qualifying him to market securities and practice as a financial planner. In 1983, attracted by the beauty of the area, he and his family moved to Sedona Arizona without knowing a soul and opened an office and grew that office to considerable significance by industry and broker/dealer standards. His office was also a registered investment advisor and a national and international leader in insurance sales.
In 2005, Verne sold the securities portion of his practice retaining only the non-risk elements such as insurance, annuities, long-term care, Medicare supplement, disability income and family life planning components. Appropriately then, he named the business “Peace of Mind Solutions”, LLC.
It is Verne's committed belief that in retirement one should be able to enjoy the fruits of their years of labor without financial stress, in other words..."peace of mind".
Today, his practice serves the broad spectrum of clientele including individuals with sizeable estates as well as people of modest means and the small business owner. He collaborates with leading tax and estate planning attorneys and accounting firms, to ensure that his efforts for his clients are consistently timely accurate and appropriate.
As the managing partner of his firm, Verne has distinguished himself in three notable ways:
EXPERIENCE PROFESSIONALISM COMMUNITY.
Verne served as president of the Phoenix Chapter of the “Society of Financial Services Professionals” which is the premier organization for degreed and credentialed financial professionals including CLU, ChFC, JD, CFP, CPAs, and MBA’s. He also served with distinction on that organization's national board and concluded his tour as its vice president of the western region. He is also a member of the “Million Dollar Roundtable”
As a community leader, Verne’s accomplishments are many we will mention only a few:
Co-founder Sedona Jazz on the Rocks, Founder Sedona Youth Activities program, Founder Sedona Community Foundation (now a 5M$ Charity) 10 year board member Arizona Community Foundation which grew from $50M to $500M during his years of service, board member Orme School and president of the Sedona 30.
Verne holds a Master's Degree in investment management from the American College in Pennsylvania. He and his wife Mary ( a published author) live in Phoenix Arizona.