Advanced Solutions Group

The Advanced Solutions Group comprises of eight experts representing the major product lines that run through Simplicity Investments, and each member of the group acts as a representative of our firm.

The purpose of this group is to be a resource for Simplicity Investments’ financial professionals to reach out to in times of need. This includes, but is not limited to, providing assistance, guidance and education to those who have questions about difficult cases, lines of business and more.

Please scroll down the page to learn more about the group.

Jimmy Jacobs | Variable Annuities

Milestone Financial Solutions
Chesterfield, VA
(804) 768-0541
jimmy.jacobs@milestonefs.net

James A. “Jimmy” Jacobs, CLU, ChFC began his financial services career with Equitable Life Assurance Society of U.S. (now Equitable) in January 1971. This past January he celebrated 51 years in the financial services business.

After 47 years with AXA Equitable, he fully retired in September 2018, affiliated with Pinnacle, and joined The Leaders Group, transferring over 2,000 policyholders.

When he left Equitable, Jimmy ranked among the top 25 in lifetime production among all Equitable associates in the history of the company. The last three years, since joining The Leaders Group, Jimmy has finished third among 300 retail producers in total production and the top producer in Variable Annuity sales in 2019 and 2020 and second among all producers in 2021.

His company, Milestone Financial Solutions, employs five staff people. Brandon Smith, MBA, CLU, is his junior associate.

During his career, he has been extremely active in the industry: NAIFA member for 51 years, MDRT for 50 years, and the Society of Financial Service Professionals (FSP) since 1976, serving on various boards and committees, member of AALU (now Finseca) since 1990, and the Life Foundation Board from 2007-2011. Currently, he is also a member of the Forum 400 and Life and Qualifying Member of Top of the Table division of MDRT.

Jimmy has spoken to numerous Life Underwriters groups throughout the United States and Canada, including Million Dollar Roundtable seven times, Top of the Table and NAIFA main platform in 2015.

Over the years, he also has been active in the community. Some highlights include past president Petersburg Breakfast Kiwanis Club, past president Petersburg YMCA, and past chairman Petersburg United Way Board. He served as chairman for three Petersburg High School Mega Reunions where an average of 500 people attending each of the three-night/four-day events – Virginia Beach 2000 and 2007 and Williamsburg, VA in 2015. In January 2021, he rotated off the Chesterfield Arts Foundation Board which coordinated the fund raising for the $17.5 million Chesterfield Baxter Perkinson Arts Center completed in 2020.

Jimmy and his wife, Isabel, have two married children and three grandchildren.

Robert Amoruso | Variable Life

Gideon Strategic Partners LLC
Santa Monica, CA
(413) 563-8760
amoruso@gideonsp.com

Robert Amoruso is the Founder and CEO of Gideon Strategic Partners, a boutique investment advisory firm based in Santa Monica.

Robert founded Gideon in 2012 while at AXA, and the firm became independent four years later. Over the years, Robert has led Gideon in defining and implementing its long-term strategic vision, and under his leadership, Gideon has grown into a firm that oversees more than $650 million in client assets.

Robert’s mission has always been to bring new energy into the wealth management industry while leveraging technology to provide Gideon’s clients customized financial planning and impeccable service.

As an advisor to family offices, entrepreneurs, and executives, Robert also provides clients with proprietary access to registered and non-registered investments, with a unique focus on tax-efficient alternatives. He has deep expertise in all facets of personal and corporate financial planning.

Robert’s career in financial services began in 2007 at Van Eck Global. He joined AXA in 2008 as a Financial Consultant and was later promoted to Regional Vice President, a role in which he helped build and lead AXA’s largest and top-producing U.S. team. Robert won several awards for production and management, including Circle of Excellence, Summit, Hallmark I, and the Management and Development Award. He was inducted into the Sterling Group and Elite Producer Group. He was a qualifying member of the Million Dollar Round Table.

Robert graduated summa cum laude from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, R.I., with majors in finance and entrepreneurship. He received the Retirement Planning Specialist Certificate from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Executive Education. He has completed the Alternative Investments Certification at the Harvard School of Business, covering private equity, private debt, secondaries, real estate, and venture capital investments.

Robert maintains the FINRA Series 7, 24, 63, and 65 securities licenses and life, accident, and health insurance licenses. In addition, Robert holds the Certified Exit Planning Advisor designation from the Exit Planning Institute.

Robert grew up in western Massachusetts. Outside the office, he enjoys reading and music and supports people, causes, and charities he believes in. Other interests include travel, exercise, and spending time with his friends and family.

Michael Liebeskind | Private Placement Life Insurance

Golconda Partners LLC
New York, NY
(917) 781-0160
michael.liebeskind@golconda.com

Michael graduated from Princeton University in 1981. He began his professional career with the accounting firm of Coopers & Lybrand, where he became a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in 1984. He earned his Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from New York University in 1986 and is a member of the New York State Society of CPAs, the Estate Planning Council of New York City, The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), and the Yale Insurance Study Group.

Michael is licensed to broker life insurance and annuities in: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.

Michael maintains the following securities licenses: Series 7, Series 24, Series 28, Series 63, Series 65. He is a registered representative of Simplicity Investments, Member FINRA/SIPC, 475 Springfield Ave. Summit, NJ 07901, (303) 797‐9080.

Frank Warner | Mutual Funds

Gintz Warner CPA
Silverdale, WA
(360) 286-2829
frank@frankwarnercpa.com

Frank Warner has over 40 years of experience in the financial services industry. In addition to being an expert in college and retirement financial planning, he is the owner of his CPA firm located in Silverdale, WA where he has been since 1981.

Frank graduated from Lehigh University in 1970 with a BS in Business Administration. Although he has no idea where his diploma is, he can still readily locate his lime green pure polyester slacks and plaid sport jacket, the true uniform of the 1970’s. In 1975, he received his MBA from Pace University in New York City and reluctantly traded in his fine polyester blends for the more traditional suits required to be worn as an employee of Price Waterhouse and Co. on Wall Street. After working way too much overtime and being concerned about riding the New York subways at odd hours of the night armed only with a necktie and a calculator, he donated his Brooks Brothers suits to Goodwill and took a job with Union Carbide as controller for their salmon and trout raising facilities in the Seattle area. When the company sold that business, he was offered a job transfer to the company’s chemical and plastics division in Texarkana, Arkansas. As difficult as it was to turn down a job in a factory that produced the raw materials for those fine polyester treads from his past, he decided to remain in the Pacific Northwest rather than accept a job in the direct path of tornadoes and overwhelming humidity.

In addition to his CPA career, he competes for the United States in Masters Swimming having won numerous national and world titles over the last 35 years. The latest event he competed in was the FINA World Masters Swimming Championships in Gwangju, South Korea in 2019.

Josh Curtis | Starlight Portfolios

Clarity Financial, LLC
Lincoln, NE
(402) 436-2596
josh@clarityfinancial.co

Josh lives in Lincoln Nebraska with his wife Stephanie and two kids Noah and Addy. Josh started in the industry in 2011 as a career agent with Ohio National. In 2015 he created Clarity Financial, LLC.  In the early stages of building Clarity, he began searching for a new income model for his clients in retirement. The ideal model would deliver higher potential withdrawal rates, reduce sequence-of-returns risk, and help clients stay invested during volatile markets. This new strategy developed into what’s now called the Portfolio Waterfall™. The strategy has been reviewed by several CFA’s and analysts at some of the largest firms in the industry.  Josh is qualified as a Top of the Table and Court of the Table MDRT member and is an expert contributor for RetireGuide.com.  He has been involved in NAIFA throughout his career and is currently president elect for the local Financial Services Professional organization.

Brandon Smith| 401(k)s/Qualified Retirement Plans

Milestone Financial Solutions
Chesterfield, Va.
(804) 768-0541
brandons@milestonefs.net

Brandon Smith is a dedicated financial consultant and planner based in Chesterfield, Virginia. Since graduating from The University of Mary Washington with a Master of Business Administration in 2015, he has dedicated his time to cultivating knowledge and experience in the financial services industry, and is currently in pursuit of his Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA®) credential. His diverse skillset and expertise enable him to offer comprehensive short-term and long-term financial and business planning catered to the needs of each client.
Brandon decided to begin his career by relocating to the Richmond, VA area where he became part of Jacobs Financial Group, which has since transformed into Milestone Financial Solutions. Since 2016, Brandon has consistently delivered exceptional value and expertise to both clients and our firm, as well as continued his education in the industry.

As an Eagle Scout, he deeply understands the significance of trust and dedication. Brandon is wholeheartedly committed to the success of the individuals and businesses that rely on Milestone for their financial security. When he’s not immersed in financial matters, you’ll find Brandon exploring the great outdoors. He enjoys biking, camping, and hiking through Virginia’s beautiful State Parks. His wife, Rachael, and their dogs, Luca and Sully, often accompany him on these adventures.

Credentials
LUTCF Designation (2017): Demonstrating commitment to lifelong learning and professional growth.
CLU Designation (2021): Recognizing expertise in insurance and estate planning.
ChFC Designation (2023): Highlighting comprehensive knowledge of financial planning.

Farid Mokhtarian | Equity Index Annuities

Kylas Insurance & Financial Services
Torrance, CA
(310) 698-0698 x224
farid@mykylas.com

• Over 28 years of experience in the financial planning and services industry
• BA in Business Administration with concentration in Classical Finance
• Retirement Strategy Program graduate from globally distinguished The Wharton School of Business
• Certified 401k Professional- Graduate of the Retirement Advisory University® in collaboration with UCLA Anderson School of Management
• Registered Financial Consultant designation (RFC®)
• Registered Investment Advisor (RIA)
• Certified In Long Term Care designation ( CLTC)
• Certified for Covered California Program
• Insurance Licensed for Life Insurance, Medical, Disability, Long Term Care and Property & Casualty
• Series 6,63, & 65 securities licenses for variable and indexed annuities, investments, mutual funds, and fee-based professionally managed accounts

Recognitions

• Author of the book, “What they don’t teach you in Medical & Dental School”
• Distinguished recipient of multiple President’s Awards
• Recipient of multiple Master Council Awards

Ben Tiller | Fee-based

Simplicity Investments/TLG Advisors
(303) 531-7559
ben.tiller@simplicitygroup.com