Primary Role: Wealth Advisor with Jackson/Roskelley Wealth Advisors, Inc. in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Website: www.jfawealth.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/drshebesta
Twitter: www.twitter.com/drshebesta 
Facebook: www.facebook.com/drshebesta 

Financial Planning Philosophy: Shebesta believes in offering a comprehensive and collaborative advice driven service model that focuses on the next generation of professionals to help them have their finances work for the life they are creating.

How did you hear about FPA NexGen?
When I first started out in 2006 I found it difficult to find peers who understood what I was dealing with as a younger planner. I would go to the chapter meetings and there were many other professionals who were in their 50's and 60's. I thought to myself, "Where are the young people?" I started looking around and stumbled upon FPA NexGen online. I then began following Michael Kitces and some of the other trailblazers in our profession through social media and heard about the FPA NexGen Gathering event. I attended in 2008 at St. John's University in St. Cloud, Minn. and have been hooked ever since. I have been to FPA NexGen Gathering many times since and worked to bring NexGen members together in the Greater Phoenix area.

What was it about the FPA NexGen community that you found attractive?
I was looking to meet and collaborate with other "next generation" financial planners who were dealing with a lot of the same issues I was while trying to establish themselves in the profession. Through FPA NexGen I found likeminded people who were out to make a difference around the country in financial planning. Like me, they saw the model was broken and wanted to take a different approach in operating a financial planning practice that was focused on advice – not product. That intrigued me and I have been set on that ever since.

I also enjoyed the fact that I could call on any number of individuals across the country to get advice on a client situation or make new connections with other professionals. My door has always been wide open for this group as they helped me feel a sense of community when I was in the beginning stages of building my business in Phoenix.

How has your involvement in FPA NexGen helped you professionally and personally?
FPA NexGen provided me a solid foundation for my leadership roles within the FPA of Greater Phoenix chapter. I consider myself a champion for younger planners in the Phoenix-area and I was at the forefront of creating a position on our board that is responsible for FPA NexGen locally. As the president of the FPA of Greater Phoenix chapter, FPA NexGen allowed me to differentiate myself from many other qualified members in our chapter. I was blazing a trail that had not been focused on before. Today, more than half of our chapter's board is comprised of younger financial planners.

 How is FPA NexGen helping planners today and what's in store for FPA NexGen in the years to come?
It is providing a common ground and community for the next generation of planners. They have a place to come to share what they are dealing with, the victories they are having and the challenges they are facing. Those affiliated have a built-in support system where peers will offer advice, provide guidance and be a sounding board. As for what's in the future…I think having robust local NexGen communities is what's next. A handful of FPA chapters have started to build local NexGen communities to engage younger planners, but it needs to be done across the association.

 What advice do you have for other young planners and students about FPA NexGen and why they should get involved?
My advice would be to join your local FPA chapter, engage whoever is responsible for FPA NexGen locally and then volunteer for any events or committees. And join FPA NexGen nationally and get active in online conversations that take place. Go to the FPA NexGen Gathering to meet likeminded people from across the country. FPA NexGen is a quality community of go-getters who are out to make a difference in the world of financial planning. Be a part of it!

Do you want to be like Darin and get involved and benefit from affiliating with FPA NexGen? If so, learn more about FPA NexGen and get involved today. You won't be sorry!