John C Simkins

John C SimkinsJohn C SimkinsJohn C Simkins
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John C Simkins

John C SimkinsJohn C SimkinsJohn C Simkins
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  • Christmas Drop In

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About Me

My Favorite Things


When I'm not drowning in work emails or dissecting portfolio reports, my wife Susan and I morph into intrepid explorers. Our ultimate escape? Jetting off to uncharted corners of the globe, immersing ourselves in vibrant cultures, and logging miles on foot to unearth hidden gems.

Walking is our secret sauce—it's how you truly pulse with a place. Skip the rushed tours and sardine-packed buses; we lace up our sneakers and plunge in. From Tokyo's neon-lit chaos to Lisbon's sun-dappled cobblestone lanes, every stride uncovers stories, serendipitous smiles, and delights no guidebook can capture.

Here's where I outshine Susan (don't tell her I said that): I'm the die-hard foodie of the duo. No trip is complete without stalking local delicacies. I'll happily haul her to Taiwan's sizzling night markets for stinky tofu adventures or Auckland's waterfront stalls for the freshest catch. Pro tip: That bizarre-looking dish? It's usually the gateway to your wildest culinary tales—and our best laughs.

My History



Born and raised in a small town in western Pennsylvania, I grew up where Friday night lights and church potlucks formed the heartbeat of our tight-knit community. My father, a professor at the local university, instilled in me a love for learning, while my mother, a substitute teacher at nearby middle schools, showed me the joy of nurturing young minds.


Summers were for adventure: family road trips camping from the majestic Rocky Mountains to every state along the East Coast, discovering the vast beauty of our country one mile at a time.


After high school, I earned a degree in Foodservice Management, kicking off a career that took me across Kansas, down to Florida, and to countless stops in between. But no place ever truly felt like home. I've always been drawn to Pennsylvania's four distinct seasons, the rolling hills ablaze in autumn splendor, and the warm, neighborly rhythm of life.


In my 30s, after years of wandering and chasing something more, I returned to Pennsylvania—where I truly belong—to raise my family and pivot to a new path in financial services. I completed my investment training in the Twin Towers in New York, co-founded Stewardship Advisors LLC, and have dedicated the last 30-plus years to building a secure future for my loved ones right here in the place that shaped me.


This journey has taught me that home isn't just a location—it's the foundation for everything that matters.

My Faith Journey

 

I was raised in a Christian home, immersed in United Methodist tradition. My parents modeled faith through action: every Sunday, we attended church—no exceptions, no excuses. Even on family trips, we'd hunt down a local congregation and return with attendance certificates as proof. For me, church meant suiting up: crisp shirt, tie, vest, and a pocket watch tucked neatly inside. It was ritual, routine, expected.


College shattered that rhythm. Faith, once woven into my weekly fabric, began to feel like an inherited obligation rather than a personal conviction. In adulthood and marriage, church attendance dwindled to Christmas and Easter—polite nods to tradition, carefully avoiding deeper commitment. I feared slipping into a works-based theology, where salvation hinged on performance rather than grace.

Then came our second child—our first son. He lived exactly two months before slipping away. In the crushing silence of grief, I faced the question I'd long evaded: Was God real to me, or just a borrowed belief? The pain stripped away pretense, forging a faith I could finally claim as my own. It ignited an unquenchable hunger for Him—a pursuit that still burns today.


In the depths of that sorrow, two Mennonite women arrived unannounced, bearing meals and an invitation to their tiny country church—cows grazing lazily beside the gravel lot. Their quiet kindness shattered my illusions: salvation isn't earned through effort or attire; it's a gift, freely received.


One simple meal in crisis unlocked eternity. It birthed a grace-filled relationship with God that has fueled my lifelong pursuit ever since. What began in loss has become my greatest gain.


My Education and Professional Designations

 

"The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled." — Plutarch


Raised by two educators, I learned to treat knowledge as a lifelong pursuit rather than a fixed endpoint. From an early age, I developed a habit of asking "why," then "help me understand," and finally "show me"—a sequence that fueled deep comprehension and hands-on mastery. Whether discussing Friedrich Hayek's views on free markets or laying a tile floor, I approach every subject with the same curiosity and rigor.


Education & Designations

  • 1982–1986 Bachelor of Science from Indiana University of Pennsylvania Member, Kappa Delta Rho Fraternity (Class of ’86/’87)
  • ~1997–1998 Series 7, 63, and 65 Licenses FINRA/NASD Entry into the securities industry (licenses no longer active)
  • 2020–2021 CFP® – Certified Financial Planner® CFP Board Comprehensive financial planning certification earned through two years of rigorous study and examination
  • 2021 ChFC® – Chartered Financial Consultant® The American College of Financial Services Advanced credential with focus on life insurance, estate planning, and tax strategies
  • 2023–2024 CIMA® – Certified Investment Management Analyst® Investments & Wealth Institute, taught in partnership with Yale School of Management Two-year executive program completed November/December 2024 Curriculum: modern portfolio theory, risk management, behavioral finance, institutional investment strategy


These milestones represent thousands of hours of coursework, examination, and real-world application—spanning undergraduate foundations, regulatory expertise, and elite certifications in financial planning and investment management.

John C Simkins

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