Building a Plan from Your Priorities

Growing up in Wayne, Nebraska, Eric learned the values of a strong Midwestern work ethic and a long term, conservative approach to money. After studying both finance and communications in his undergraduate studies, he realized the importance of financial literacy for folks working towards long-term goals. A passionate advocate of education, he obtained his MBA while working full-time. It’s important to him to stay educated about important factors in financial planning and capital markets as well as better ways to teach and guide others as they work towards their own priorities. Eric has great respect for Dave Ramsey and his track record of helping people get out of debt and create a better relationship with their giving, saving, and spending. He is a member of the SmartVestor Program and has taken and facilitated Dave Ramsey’s personal finance program called Financial Peace University.**

Eric is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner and holds his Series 7, Series 66, Insurance, Annuity, Long Term Care, and Disability licenses and is an independent, registered representative with Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC.

Life is not meant to be lived for money, but with it! Eric enjoys spending time with his wife, Hillary, and his faithful four-legged friend, Eleanor Rigby (Ellie), exploring the country and world and appreciating the many delicious restaurants that Omaha has to offer. When he wants to take a break from numbers, he also enjoys experimenting in the kitchen and making the best sounds he can on his guitar.

SmartVestor is an advertising and referral service for investing professionals (“SmartVestor Pros”) operated by The Lampo Group, LLC d/b/a Ramsey Solutions (“Ramsey Solutions”). Pursuant to an arrangement between Ramsey Solutions, Southwestern Investment Advisory Services, Inc. and your advisor, your advisor pays Ramsey Solutions a flat monthly fee to: (a) be a SmartVestor Pro, (b) advertise services through the SmartVestor website, and (c) receive client referrals in the form of an initial introduction to interested consumers who are located in your advisor's Pros geographic region. Southwestern Investment Advisory Services, Inc. does not endorse and are not affiliated with Ramsey Solutions, except with respect to the arrangement described above, and neither Ramsey Solutions nor its agents are officers or employees of Southwestern Investment Advisory Services. Further, neither Ramsey Solutions nor its agents are authorized to provide investment advice or act in any way on behalf of Southwestern Investment Advisory Services, except in connection with providing your contact information to your advisor.

Ramsey Solutions' relationship and agreement is between Southwestern Investment Advisory Services only. Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. is not affiliated with the solicitor arrangement between Ramsey Solutions and Southwestern Investment Advisory Services.

**Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse the opinions or services of the SmartVestor Program or the Financial Peace University program.

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

Before joining Southwestern Investment Group, Carlleen Sturdivant previously worked in the travel industry as an HR talent coordinator for two years. Prior to that, she worked in the human services field for 10 years, assisting individuals with preparing and gaining employment.

In her current role serving the Eric Shapiro Wealth Team and the Brand Kew Wealth Team—both based in Omaha, Nebraska—Carlleen assists the financial advisors and provides clients with quality service. She routinely contacts internal and external customers to obtain, clarify, or provide facts and information. Carlleen also schedules and coordinates meetings, events, and appointments for advisors.

While looking for a financial advisor that aligned with their values, Carlleen and her husband were drawn to Eric Shapiro’s heart of a teacher and quickly became clients. Later, while looking for a new employment opportunity, Carlleen learned about the Client Services Associate position and jumped at the chance to be a part of the Southwestern Investment Group team.

When it comes to what Carlleen loves most about working at Southwestern Investment Group, it’s the support she receives from everyone in the company. Carlleen truly enjoys her amazing team, and she comes to work with a smile on her face, knowing that the work her team completes every day positively impacts the lives of others.

Outside of work, Carlleen enjoys dancing in Zumba class and hanging out with her husband and their two adult children and their families. Carlleen loves being a grandma, and she has a passion for helping family and friends find work and life balance.

Chris Cotignola is a Financial Advisor with Southwestern Investment Group and has the pleasure of serving clients of the Shapiro Wealth Team as part of the company’s Mentee Program. Originally from Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, Chris brings with him a diverse background having spent the first 9 years of his career as a high school band director. Every day he gets to draw from his experience as an educator to help guide clients to achieve their financial goals.

Chris and his wife Paige first came to know of Southwestern Investment Group as clients of Eric Shapiro after they went through Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University. Having worked hard to live on a budget, get out of debt, and save for the future, Chris knows the importance of having a financial plan and carrying it out. As a client of the company, joining Southwestern as an advisor felt like coming home.

Outside of the office, Chris maintains an active schedule as a professional musician. He is the adjunct saxophone professor at Iowa Western Community College in addition to running his own private studio. He and his wife enjoy playing music together in a variety of groups as well as spending time with friends, family, and their two dogs Marley and Henry. In the little free time he has, you’re likely to find Chris on the soccer field or golf course.

Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse the opinions or services of Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University

Aaron is the newest member of the Shapiro Wealth Team. After years of dedicated work in the customer service contact industry, he took an interest in finance in 2017. This led him to work for a large retail broker and later moving to advisor support. It was extremely important to Aaron, when moving to the next phase of his career, that any new venture would be customer centric with an emphasis on putting people first. In his role with the Shapiro Wealth Team, Aaron will be the primary point of contact for clients; making sure every client is served in a way that will continue to bring them success!

What attracted Aaron to the Southwestern Investment Group and The Shapiro Wealth Team is their clear dedication to keeping the client first by making the relationship the priority and servicing clients accordingly. Aaron looks forward to adding value to this already amazing team!

In his free time Aaron is an avid gamer and sneaker collector. However, his favorite way to spend time outside of work is being a dad to his boys Aaron Jr. and Noah. They enjoy playing basketball, football and an infinite amount of made up games. They also love wrestling and making as much noise as possible.