About Jeff Stark
Jeffrey M. Stark, MBA, CFP® is an Financial Advisor with LPL Financial in Lafayette, California. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and has over 44 years experience helping clients work towards achieving their financial goals. As a fiduciary to advisory clients, he acts in their best interests.
"I try to be the kind of Financial Advisor I would want to have, if I were looking for an advisor."
Area of Focus. His experience includes the areas of personal financial planning, customized retirement income strategies, investment management, annuities, life insurance, long-term care planning, Social Security claiming strategies, and Medicare enrollment decisions.
Educational Workshops. Jeff also hosts educational workshops and Zoom conferences on a variety of planning topics such as savvy Social Security and Medicare planning. He is also been a guest speaker to groups and organizations on various financial planning issues.
Memberships. Jeff is a member of the East Bay Chapter of the Financial Planning Association, the Estate Planing Council of Diablo Valley, CalCPA Association, and is actively involved in the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, the Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce, and the annual East Bay Women's Conference.
Education. Jeff received his BA degree from Muskingum University in New Concord, Ohio. He studied at the University of Munich in Munich, Germany during his junior year and graduated from Muskingum with honors. Since the mid-1970's Jeff's career has been in the financial services industry focused on helping clients work towards achieving their financial goals.
Questions & Answers
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I've always been motivated by the desire to help make a meaningful difference in the financial lives of my clients. Without question, that is the most emotionally rewarding part of my practice. Knowing that I have contributed to the financial well-being of my clients and their families gives me a tremendous amount of personal and professional satisfaction. I am grateful for the trust my clients have placed in me and for the opportunity to help them.
Q: What is your goal for clients?
A: My goal is to help my clients determine what's important to them, personally and financially, and then develop a realistic plan to work towards those goals. My ultimate goal is for them to feel financially confident and in control of their finances, and to look forward to their future with confidence and optimism, so they can enjoy doing the things they love the most.
Q: How do you work with clients?
A: I strive to build long-term relationships with my clients as a valued advisor. I do that by listening carefully, asking a lot of questions, and thoroughly understanding their financial situation and what's important to them - their goals and concerns, and priorities. I put their interests first, help them take action on important issues, and establish integrity through my word and actions. I constantly look for ways to improve my clients' financial circumstances and bring those opportunities to their attention.
I try to be the kind of Financial Advisor I would want to have, if I were looking for an advisor.
My business goal is to take care of my clients in such a manner that they would be happy to introduce me to their family, friends and colleagues who they would like to help in the same professional manner as they had been helped.
Q: In your practice you also focus on advising women. Why is that?
A: A majority of my clients are women - most are retired or approaching retirement, many are single through divorce or widowhood, and others are business owners and career women with families. Working with my female clients over the years I have come to understand and appreciate the unique needs and financial challenges women face at various stages in their lives, and I bring that perspective to every one of my clients relationships. One of my goals is to encourage their full participation in financial decisions and to make sure that their views are understood and that their "voice" and "heart" are heard. My ultimate goal is for them to feel empowered and confident and to "own" their financial future.
Q: What else about you that people would find interesting?
A: I have always enjoyed the learning experience, the “aha!” moment of insight and understanding, especially when I was a student in college and graduate school. As a student I was fortunate to have several exceptional teachers that instilled that passion within me, and I want to pass on that “joy of discovery” to my clients as well. I guess I'm a teacher at heart. I love to teach. A colleague of mine use to call me "the professor”. I'm a strong advocate of educating clients on money matters because I believe it leads to greater understanding of their financial situation and helps to make better financial decisions and mitigate mistakes.
Q: What do you like to do outside the office?
A: My wife, daughter and I are avid golfers. We enjoy playing golf together almost every weekend and take golf vacations every year. Our favorite nearby golf get-a-way is in the Graeagle area in the Sierra Nevada mountains, about an hour north of Lake Tahoe California. When I am not on the course I enjoy power walking for exercise, reading, gardening, and doing handyman projects around the house and yard. My wife and I enjoy the satisfaction of completing projects and seeing a job well done.