Strategic Alliances
Michael Binger, CFA®, PRESIDENT
GRADIENT INVESTMENTS, LLC
Mr. Binger is the President of Gradient Investments. He has been with Gradient Investments since 2012 and has more than 30 years of total investment management experience. Mr. Binger’s prior roles include managing multi-billion dollar investment products for a large institutional asset manager. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota and is a CFA® charterholder. We believe that he brings a depth of market experience that is rare within the industry and has been a featured contributor with several media outlets including CNBC, Fox Business, Barron’s, and The Wall Street Journal.
This endorsement of Gradient Investments, LLC is provided by an investment advisor who refers clients to Gradient Investments, LLC. A conflict of interest exists because this investment advisor receives a portion of the annual management fee charged by Gradient Investments, LLC, based on the assets under management of this investment advisor’s clients. This endorsement could assist in the investment advisor increasing the assets placed with Gradient Investments, LLC, and therefore their compensation. These investment advisors are not affiliated with or supervised by Gradient Investments, LLC.
Kris Boyd, Attorney
Kris Boyd is a vibrant estate planning attorney whose practice concentrates on advising clients in preparing their assets for protection and distribution through wills, trusts, powers of attorney, living wills and guardianships. Kris has been featured in magazines such as Little Rock Family and AY and on radio shows like The Family Money Show and The David Lukas Show. Kris is also the author of the popular article “Heir-ors In Judgment” featured in legal websites and journals. Kris graduated from the Oklahoma City University School of Law with his Juris Doctorate after graduating from the University of Arkansas with a major in Communications and a minor in Political Science. Kris clerked for Douglas W. Coy in Little Rock, Arkansas, who specializes in the areas of estate planning and tax law. Kris also clerked for Jerry Kirksey & Associates in Edmond, Oklahoma. He was also an associate attorney for the firms of Zlotogura & Zlotogura and Looney, Nichols & Johnson in Oklahoma City, OK, where Kris gained extensive experience in the area of civil litigation. Kris is licensed to practice law in the States of Arkansas and Oklahoma. Kris serves on the Board of Directors for the Central Arkansas Hope Ambassadors for The American Cancer Society and the Wilbur D. Mills Treatment Center Fundraising Board. Additionally, Kris is a guest presenter for seminars on estate planning, designated beneficiaries and asset protection.
John F. Hughes (Fred), Independent Health Insurance Advisor
Fred has worked in customer service all his life. He was in the grocery business for 26 years with his final position being Store Director for Albertsons in St. Augustine Florida. In 2005 his store was sold and he wanted to start a new career. He became a captive agent for an insurance company in Florida. After a trip back home to visit his parents in Arkansas in 2006, Fred and his wife decided to move back to Arkansas for him to continue his career as an independent insurance agent and to help take care of his and his wife’s parents.
A few of the Companies he has been appointed with as an independent agent is Blue Cross, Aetna, Humana and United Health. He is very familiar with the different plans that are offered by the companies in order to better serve his clients. He is now on Medicare himself which puts him in the unique position to understand the needs of his clients and help them through the confusing choices they need to make.
He also understands the needs of the family, because he is helping to raise his 3 grandchildren, a grandson and twin granddaughters. The new plans with the Affordable Care Act have changed the landscape of health insurance for family’s and individuals. Fred has been working with his clients on the Marketplace since its conception and has been staying up to date on new and developing issues.