The Planning Group

Since 1972, The Planning Group is a multi-disciplinary wealth management firm that specializes in helping clients find better answers to make better decisions about their financial affairs. Strategic planning is accomplished by focusing on one's entire estate by blending the issues of income, estate taxes, investments, business, charitable planning, and insurance regulations into a plan where all of the pieces fit together with a more effective outcome."

In addition to experience, and providing clients a wealth of education, The Planning Group has built a loyal following of clients due to the extraordinary advice and service they strive to provide.

Accolades and Awards:

Top Financial Advisors. 2011 Phoenix Business Journal

An Interview with The Planning Group. Forbes Magazine April 7, 2008

Voted one of: Top 25 Independent Investment Advisors 2009 Book of Lists. Phoenix Business Journal

The Most Dependable Wealth Managers of Arizona, 2006. Phoenix Magazine

The 10 Most Dependable Financial Planners of the Southwest, 2006.

Spirit Magazine, Southwest Airlines

Top 25 Independent Investment Advisors. 2010 Phoenix Magazine

Accredited Business by the Better Business Bureau

Member of Ethical Business Standards of the Better Business Bureau

The Planning Group's Investment Professionals:

	Reid Johnson President Reid@theplanninggroup.com Reid S. Johnson is a noted wealth manager, authority, author, consultant, and lecturer. For the past 39 years, he has advised individuals throughout the country in the areas of investment, tax, retirement, insurance, and estate strategies. He is a contributing author of the seven estate and financial planning books: Wealth Enhancement Preservation - Practical Answers from America’s Experts; Ways and Means; Maximize the Value of Your Retirement Savings; 21st Century Wealth – Essential Financial Planning Principals; Strictly Business – Planning Strategies for Privately Owned Businesses; Giving – Philanthropy for Everyone; Love, Money, Control; and Living & Learning – Achieve Retirement and Education Security. Reid is the President of The Planning Group of Scottsdale, LLC, a Wealth Management Firm, a Registered Investment Advisor with the SEC, and a partner/owner in four other financial/investment firms. He spent 10 years as a regional estate-planning specialist with the firms of Merrill Lynch (handling 9 offices) and EF Hutton/ Shearson/Solomon Smith Barney/Morgan Stanley(handling 16 offices). In addition, Reid has been an adjunct faculty member of the College for Financial Planning (for their CFP courses), the American College (for their CLU & ChFC courses), as well as Parkland College where he designed and then later taught their first financial planning program. He has served as an educational consultant for the National Center for Financial Education and has been a featured financial columnist for newspapers in Arizona and Illinois. Reid has spoken at various programs across the United States, including the advanced estate-planning program at Purdue University, the MDRT’s Top of the Table, as well as other national, state, and local groups. Reid is also the Chief Compliance Officer for the Broker/Dealer firm Meridian United Capital, a member of FINRA. We make a meaningful difference in our client's lives by guiding them to make smarter decisions and be able to take more effective action about their personal and family wealth management. Strategic planning is accomplished by focusing on one's entire estate and blending the issues of income and estate taxes, retirement and financial planning, investment management, business planning, charitable planning, and insurance. Degrees and Professional Certifications MSFS Master of Science in Financial Services American College, Bryn Mawr, PA MSM Master of Science in Management American College, Bryn Mawr, PA CFP Certified Financial Planner College for Financial Planning, Denver, CO Fellow of the Esperti Peterson Institute The Global Center for Wealth Strategic Planning AEP Accredited Estate Planner National Association of Estate Planners ChFC Chartered Financial Consultant American College, Bryn Mawr, PA CLU Chartered Life Underwriter American College, Bryn Mawr, PA CRPC Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor College for Financial Planning, Denver, CO CAP Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy American College, Bryn Mawr, PA CEBS Certified Employee Benefit Specialist The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania RFC Registered Financial Consultant RHU Registered Health Underwriter National Association of Health Underwriters LUTC Life Insurance Training Consultant National Association of Health Underwriters RFP Registered Financial Planner
	Scott Christie Senior Planning Consultant scott@theplanninggroup.com Scott has worked in the financial services industry for 27 years. After graduating from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, he spent the next 20 years working with his father at their firm Life Designs Associates, Inc. Scott was instrumental in developing the “Life Planning” strategy used by Life Designs in its primary market focus, the senior executive market, in the Minneapolis, St. Paul area. Scott joined The Planning Group in 2001 and brings a wealth of experience and planning knowledge to the firm and its clients as a Senior Plan Advisor. Scott holds several professional designations, including the American College’s CLU – Chartered Life Underwriter, and the ChFC Chartered Financial Consultant designations. In addition, Scott is a registered representative with the NASD holding Series 6, 22, 63 and 66 licenses.
	John Aitchison Vice President - Wealth Manager john.aitchison@theplanninggroup.com John has over 30 years of business and management experience both in and outside of the financial services industry. After graduating from Fort Wright College in Washington, John continued his career with two major companies Pepsi Co and later Kellogg’s throughout the U.S. finishing his career at Kellogg’s in as a Managing Director for Kellogg’s. From there John made a career change into the financial services industry with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney in Phoenix with a focus on Financial Planning and Portfolio Management. John joined The Planning Group in 2010 and brings his unique background and experience to benefit our clients. John holds the following professional designations, Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor® from College for Financial Planning, Denver Co, Guided Portfolio Manager, from Morgan Stanley Smith Barney. John is a registered representative with Meridian United Capital holding a Series 7, 66 & 63.
	Erik Duncan Vice President - Wealth Advisor erik.duncan@theplanninggroup.com Erik Duncan is a Vice President / Wealth Advisor with The Planning Group of Scottsdale, LLC (“TPG”). Erik attained his MBA in Finance from The Wharton School of Business in 1998 and specializes in the following areas with clients working within the education, law and small business sectors: Investment Management Comprehensive Financial Planning Business Succession Estate Planning Prior to joining TPG Erik founded and operated Duncan Financial from 2003 to 2010. Within this practice he assisted high net worth clients with investment, estate and business succession planning. Following his MBA studies at the University of Pennsylvania he worked for several years on Wall Street in the investment banking arena for Smith Barney/Citibank and Prudential Securities Incorporated. While at Smith Barney Erik collaborated with U.S.-based and international corporations on mergers/acquisitions, initial public offerings and debt restructurings. At Prudential Securities Incorporated Erik’s team facilitated initial public offerings and mortgage securitization for U.S.-based real estate corporations. From 1992-1996 Erik held several key professional roles at The Washington Post Publishing Company within the Marketing and New Products Development groups. Erik received his BA from Tufts University in 1988 and subsequently studied jazz, songwriting and guitar performance at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. While in Boston he formed a professional songwriting partnership that toured and performed throughout New England in the early 1990's. Erik is a member of the Phoenix Country Club and is a past volunteer in the Emergency Room and Trauma Center for Banner Good Samaritan Hospital.
	Terry Ransom Financial Consultant - Wealth Manager terry.ransom@theplanninggroup.com Terry has over 20 years of business and management experience both in and outside of the financial services industry. After graduating with a MBA in Finance from Seattle Pacific University, he went on to earn a Juris Doctorate in Law from the University of Washington. Terry began his Financial Services career as a Supervisor with the Federal Reserve Bank, prior to his Management positions at both Bank of America & JPMorgan Chase Bank. Terry then made his transition to a Financial Advisor with Ameriprise Financial, where he was awarded the Chairman's Award for Financial Planning after his first year with the firm. Terry joined The Planning Group in 2011 and brings his extensive financial background and business experience to benefit our clients. Terry is a registered representative with Meridian United Capital holding a Series 7, 66 & 63, and is currently in the process to complete his Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation with the College for Financial Planning of Denver, CO.