Hickox named adviser at Brown, Lisle, Cummings

Brian Hickox has been named financial adviser at Brown, Lisle/Cummings Inc. His responsibilities include full-service financial planning for individuals and businesses. Hickox previously served as an assistant institutional sales trader at Merrill Lynch. He has a B.A. in finance from the University Of Georgia Terry College Of Business. He is licensed in state insurance, life, health, variable life and annuity.

PBN: What are you looking forward to in your new firm and what are your responsibilities?
HICKOX: I began my career as a financial adviser at a major [brokerage firrm] and, although I developed a strong foundation, I felt that too much emphasis was placed on what was best for the firm’s shareholders and not the client. I am very excited to have joined a privately owned firm.

PBN: What separates you from other financial advisers?
HICKOX: I believe what separates me is the role I play in my clients’ financial affairs. The very nature of being a financial adviser means I play an intimate role in not only a client’s investments, but with their goals and future. It is a responsibility I take very seriously and while things have improved, we are going through a very difficult time in the financial markets and economy. I take the time to learn the entire picture, including working with a client’s tax adviser and estate planner when necessary.

PBN: What should investors be focused on going into 2010?
HICKOX: Investors need to be conscientious of how their portfolios performed over the last few years, not let the past be their guide for the future, and revisit and re-evaluate their investment strategy. There are new opportunities for 2010 to take advantage of that previously were not available. One of the most significant events is the ability for individuals of all levels of income to convert a Traditional IRA, 401(k), SEP IRA, Simple IRA, and other qualified assets to a Roth IRA. While a conversion won’t make sense for everyone, it is a strategy worth investigating, as the benefits can be substantial. In most cases, the optimal time to convert will be in January, so it is important that individuals speak with an adviser that fully understands the opportunity and how to best implement the strategies involved. Executing a conversion earlier rather than later extends the timespan over which a client can determine if the move was advantageous for them. Because you have until October 2011 to make your decision permanent, it is like betting on a horse race after you have the results. &#8226