Dennis Stearns, CFP®, ChFC

Sr. Partner

Greensboro, NC | 336-230-1811

Overview

Dennis is the founder of Stearns Financial Group and is nationally recognized for complex ultra-high net worth financial planning and the effect of Super Trends on clients’ investments, businesses/careers and the economy. He is the author of several books and is regularly quoted in major publications including the Wall Street Journal, NY Times, Kiplinger Finance, Financial Planning magazine and the Journal of Financial Planning.

Dennis has advanced training in investment planning, financial planning, business planning and estate planning.

The Financial Planning Association calls Dennis “one of the leading financial scenario experts and futurists.” He has considerable experience with “Super Trends,” or how the convergence of globalization, technology accelerators, the global age wave and other forces will dramatically impact our investments, our financial planning, our careers and our lives in the future.

He is a featured speaker at many regional and national conferences and economic events and regularly leads and participates in think tanks on financial planning and investment topics. Dennis is also often asked to provide “best practices” workshops for financial advisors and planners.

Dennis has also written articles and spoken frequently on how to avoid the “villains of decision making,” coaching clients on how to make better decisions in personal finance, careers, businesses and in life.

Education

• BA – Finance, University of South Florida

• MS – Financial Services, American College

Credentials & Professional Associations

• Member of the Family Wealth Advisors Council, an invitation-only study group of prominent fee-only wealth management firms based around the U.S.

• CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) practitioner

• Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC)

• Former Member – Journal of Financial Planning Editorial Advisory Board

• Former Member – AAII National 401(k) Advisory Panel

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. (CFP Board) owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, CFP® (with plaque design), and CFP® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

Awards & Publications

SFG in the News Posts:

• Dennis Stearns, Andy Clark co-author story for Journal of Financial Planning

• 4 super trends and 5 key questions for financial planners

• The Journal of Financial Planning interviews SFG President Dennis Stearns

Articles published in:

• TheStreet.com

• Journal of Financial Planning

• NY Times

• Wall Street Journal

• AAII Journal

• AICPA Journal

• Journal of Retirement Planning

• Triad Business Journal

Authored Publications

• CEO Road Rules – Right Focus, Right People, Right Execution

• Caught in the Middle: How Does the Sandwich Generation Woman Not Get Squeezed?

• Fourth Quarter Fumbles: How Successful People Avoid Critical Mistakes Later in Life

• Fourth Quarter Champions: Putting an exclamation point on the 4th quarter of life

Community Service

• Chair, YMCAs of Greensboro Foundation and Investment Committee

• Board of Directors, Bikes for Kids foundation

• Board of Directors, NC A&T State University Endowment Board

• Former Board of Directors, Greensboro Partnership (and Executive Committee); Chair, Entrepreneur Connection

• Former Board of Directors, Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro (and Executive Committee)

• Board of Directors, Gateway University Research Park

• Former Chair; Board of Directors, Greensboro Symphony

• Former Member/Chair; Board of Directors, YMCA of Greensboro:

• Former Member, Leadership Greensboro Advisory Board

Community Awards

• Triad Business Journal Most Admired CEOs

• YMCAs of Greensboro NASDAQ community leaders award

• TD Ameritrade Community Heroes

• Greensboro Chamber Small Business Advocate

• Leadership Greensboro Medal of Honor

• Business Leader Entrepreneur of the Year

• Leadership Greensboro National Community Service Award