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Team MPACT
One Team. One Approach.
The Advisors
Eric Vander Drift - CFS®, MSM, Managing Partner
Eric N. Vander Drift is one of the founding partners and currently serves as Managing Partner. Eric brings over 30 years of business and financial experience to the MPACT team. He is uniquely qualified to work with business owners, having started and built several small and mid-size closely held corporations prior to entering the financial services industry. Eric has a B.S. in Mathematics from Southern Methodist University and a Master of Science degree from the University of Texas at Dallas. He served as a Naval Officer and a Naval Aviator. He is a Certified Funds Specialist, completed the Advest Institute program at Harvard University, and obtained a Retirement Planning Specialist designation from The Wharton School of Business.
Contact Info:
Email: evanderdrift@mpactfinancial.com
Phone: 972.726.5904
John C. Farris - CFS®, Partner
John C. Farris is also a founding partner and has more than twenty years in both public and private business serving in a variety of management and leadership capacities. John completed the Retirement Planning Program at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania and earned the Retirement Planning Specialist designation. He lives in Park Cities and serves on the Public Works Advisory Council and has served as finance director of the BSA West Park District, the BSA Troop 82 Executive Board and as a BSA Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 82, Dallas, Texas.
Contact Info:
Email: jfarris@mpactfinancial.com
Phone: 972.726.5901
Crystal Arredondo - MBA, Partner
Crystal Arredondo was born and raised in Germany. She moved to Texas following her parents’ decision to retire after serving an overseas career in the Armed Forces. Seeing firsthand the difficult transition to civilian life after retirement, Crystal obtained her MBA in Finance at the University of North Texas and began her career as a financial advisor. She also attained the Retirement Planning Specialist designation from the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania. As the daughter of an immigrant mother who owned and operated a small family business, she especially enjoys helping women and business owners make decisions that affect their financial independence. She served as the 2015-16 Chair for the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) and currently serves at the 2016-17 Chair for the NAWBO Institute of Entrepreneurial Development.
Contact Info:
Email: carredondo@mpactfinancial.com
Phone: 972.726.5924
Raegan Arrington - NSSA, Partner
Raegan Arrington began her professional career with the Social Security Administration after graduating from Wheaton College near Chicago Illinois. She spent almost 6 years becoming knowledgeable in Social Security law and received awards for public service, technical expertise, and production. Raegan made the transition to the financial industry in 2006. She currently holds the designation of National Social Security Advisor and is the Director of Business Development for MPACT. She is passionate about serving her community and currently sits as a Director on the Irving Healthcare Foundation and Baylor Irving Hospital Authority boards. She was the co-chair of the Dallas County Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in 2013 and 2014. Raegan is a member of the PTA at Grapevine Faith Christian School and attends Irving Bible Church.
Contact Info:
Email: rarrington@mpactfinancial.com
Phone: 972.726.5925
Vatsal Assar - CPA, Partner
Vatsal Assar was born in Pittsburgh, PA and grew up in Temple, TX. He began his professional career at Deloitte & Touché, LLP where he spent two years in both the Assurance & Enterprise Risk Services group, as well as the Financial Advisory Services group. After that, he spent three years at Highland Capital Management, LP, a hedge fund in Dallas, TX, as a portfolio analyst in the Structured Products group. He has a Bachelor of Business Administration and Masters in Professional Accounting from the University of Texas at Austin’s McCombs School of Business. He also earned his designation as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in 2006. Vatsal earned his Series 7 and 66 registrations (held through Commonwealth Financial Network) and made the transition to advise clients on a more personal level in 2009.
Contact Info:
Email: vassar@mpactfinancial.com
Phone: 972.726.5907
Philip Strunk - CFP®, CPA, Partner
Philip Strunk is a native of Houston, TX. Philip earned his Bachelor of Business Administration and Masters in Professional Accounting from the University of Texas at Austin’s McCombs School of Business. He earned his designation as Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in 2004 and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (TM) certification in 2010. Having started his career with Deloitte & Touche, LLP in 2005, Philip spent a year and a half in Deloitte’s Audit and Assurance Services group and provided a variety of financial services for a number of Fortune 500 companies. He decided in late 2006 that his talent and passion for investments were best suited for working with smaller groups and individuals. After obtaining the required securities registrations and insurance licenses, Philip became a financial advisor. The impact was plainly visible and more fulfilling. Philip serves as the Investment Director for MPACT.
Contact Info:
Email: pstrunk@mpactfinancial.com
Phone: 972.726.5915
Kim Tillinghast - Principal, Partner
Kim Tillinghast began her career in the banking industry in 1985. Kim graduated with a degree in Finance from West Texas State University in 1990. Shortly thereafter she started her brokerage career at a traditional wirehouse in downtown Los Angeles, California in 1991. After relocating to Orange County in May of 1993, Kim brings over 30 years in the banking and finance industry with experience ranging from designing, developing, employing and maintaining complex investment strategies, Pension Plans, Employee Stock Option Plans, Corporate Finance, Estate Planning and Transition. Outside of her career, she has been Co-Chair of the Dallas County Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 2103 and 2014. She continues to serve on multiple emergency animal response teams including HSUS, UAN & ASPCA. She is a member of the Zoological Society of San Diego and is a worldwide adventure traveler.
Contact Info:
Email: ktillinghast@mpactfinancial.com
Phone: 972.726.5906
Karthik Muraliraj - RMA®, Partner
Karthik Muraliraj was raised in Fort Worth, TX and developed an interest in investing and economics at a young age. After graduating from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics with a minor in Business, he started his career as a financial professional in 2008. In 2013 he received his Retirement Management Analyst (RMA®) designation. Since moving to Dallas he has been an active member in the community, volunteering with such organizations as the Network of Indian Professionals, Dallas Autumn Ball and Reading Partners. He is an avid sports fan and also enjoys supporting his alma mater as a proud member of the Texas Exes Dallas Chapter.
Contact Info:
Email: kmraj@mpactfinancial.com
Phone: 972.726.5921
Economic Advisor
W. Michael Cox, Ph.D.; W. Michael Cox & Associates
Dr. Michael Cox served as the former Chief Economist and Senior Vice President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas for 25 years advising the President on monetary and other economic policies. He holds the unique distinction of being the Federal Reserve System’s only Chief Economist in history. He is widely published as the author of numerous op ed articles for The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, USA Today, Financial Times, and Investor’s Business Daily and his book, Myths of Rich and Poor, was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. Dr. Cox is a frequent guest on national radio, television and Internet programs, including ABC’s John Stossel program, CNN, C-SPAN, Fox News, ReasonTV, Voice of America, and National Public Radio. His YouTube video “Would You Give Up The Internet For 1 Million Dollars?” went viral in Europe and won awards. He has thirty-nine years of university teaching which include Virginia Tech, University of Rochester and Southern Methodist University (SMU). He is the Founding Director of the O’Neil Center for Global Markets and Freedom at SMU’s Cox School of Business. Dr. Cox is a Chief Economic Advisor to MPACT Financial Group.
*W. Michael Cox & Associates, MPACT Financial Group and Commonwealth Financial Network are separate and unrelated entities
Advisor Support
Bob Vander Drift
Phone: 972.726.5912
Email: bvanderdrift@mpactfinancial.com
Licenses Held: Insurance – Life and Health
Core Values
Trust
We recognize that trust must be earned. Our firm believes in a holistic and comprehensive approach to planning that involves a multi-step process. Clients get to know us while we demonstrate our expertise and cultivate assurance. We always keep in mind the level of confidence required for someone to entrust us with their life savings. The gravity of this is a driving force in our commitment to deliver quality advice.
Excellence
MPACT pursues the highest level of quality in all we do. As a result, we implement strategies that pay special attention to the important details in our clients’ lives. We believe true excellence is best accomplished through a team approach with the collaboration of experts. Our partners specialize in business, retirement, tax, estate and charitable planning. The experience offered by our founding members combined with the longevity of our younger partners creates assurance of a seamless engagement now and in the future.
Character
We have a stewardship mindset as it relates to our company, community and clients. Our firm fosters this culture and takes pride in delivering it through our team of professionals and staff. This is also demonstrated in our members’ commitments to make a positive difference in the community, through a variety of passions and philanthropic efforts. Ultimately, we aim to enrich our client relationships through frequent, meaningful and forthright contact.
This communication strictly intended for individuals residing in the states of TX, CA, NJ, GA, AZ, CO, OH, OR, FL, OK, NM, NC, IL, MT, MS, MA, CT, VA, WA, DE, KY, LA, UT, DC, HI, MD, NY, PA. No offers may be made or accepted from any resident outside these states due to various state regulations and registration requirements regarding investment products and services. Investments are not FDIC or NCUA insured, are not guaranteed by a bank/financial institution, and are subject to risks, including possible loss of the principal invested. Securities and advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network, Member FINRA & SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser. Fixed insurance products and services offered through CES Insurance Agency or MPACT Financial & Insurance Services.
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