Planning for Life's Journey
              Our Team
The dedicated staff of Marca® Life Planning is ready to answer your questions with quality advice on financial life planning, investments strategies, and managing the effects of aging. During 2010, the professionals at Marca® Life Planning managed 160 client relationships with over $68,000,000 in investments and helped over 300 individuals and families create plans for every stage of life.

Our office is located just off Hwy. 280, on Inverness Center Parkway, in Birmingham, Alabama.
Jeanne Carlson Smith, RLP, CFP, RN, President of Marca Life Planning, Birmingham, Alabama
Jeanne Carlson Smith President
RLP®, CFP®, RN
Jeanne is one of the nation's leading experts in later life planning and managing the challenges of aging and chronic conditions. Most recently, she earned the prestigious Registered Life Planner (RLP®) designation. Her career in financial services as a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) has prepared her to offer a holistic approach to those seeking security in later life. Jeanne directs strategies that allow her clients the confidence to dream their true passion while prioritizing life events.

With over 30 years of experience in healthcare services, she has long been dedicated to serving older adults. She has experience as a Home Health Administrator, Care Manager and Geriatric Nurse Practitioner. She also pursued additional training and certification as a Registered Financial Gerontologist.

Her broad scope of experience in healthcare and financial matters enable her clients to achieve a measure of success far greater than simply having money available for life course events. She is a frequent speaker on a variety of topics including planning for the effects of aging and chronic conditions, normal aging changes, and financial planning for later life security.

Jeanne received her nursing degree in 1976 from the University of Alabama in Birmingham and, in 1993, a Master’s degree in Geriatric Nursing from the University of Michigan.

Fun Fact:
During her college days, Jeanne made extra spending money by typing term papers (with a Smith-Corona typewriter) for 50¢ a page.
Ellen Newport, CMC, CRTS, Marca Care Management, Age in Place, Birmingham, Alabama
Ellen Newport
CMC, CRTS
As the Director of our Age in Place programs, Ellen specializes in designing and implementing plans for aging and its unique challenges. Her education in psychology and geriatrics, along with her work experience in interior design, makes Ellen uniquely qualified to work with seniors and design solutions for their aging needs.

With her experience as a Certified Care Manager (CMC) and Certified Relocation and Transition Specialist (CRTS), Ellen meets her clients at their point of need whether it is maintaining a still active lifestyle or assisting with a transition to a more supportive environment. She provides services such as home safety evaluations, reorganizing and/or downsizing, and relocation from one house to the next home. For clients who wish to remain in their present homes but need additional support, Ellen coordinates services for transportation, bill pay assistance, chores and home maintenance, and coordination of medical services.

Her Age in Place clients include individuals who want to stay in their own homes for as long as possible, families who want to reduce crises related to unexpected events, and medium-size businesses who want to provide a low cost eldercare benefit to their workforce.

Ellen graduated from Roanoke College in 1984 with a degree in Psychology and, in 1986, gained a degree in Interior Design from Southern Institute.

Fun Fact: Ellen grew up in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia and loves to relax by hiking through nature.
Tyler McGuire, Associate Advisor, Marca Life Planning, Birmingham, Alabama
Tyler McGuire
CLTC, CRPC, Associate Advisor
As Associate Advisor, Tyler specializes in long-term care insurance planning and is certified in Long-Term Care (CLTC). As a CLTC, Tyler ensures his clients’ long-term care risks are coordinated with programs like Veteran’s Aide and Attendance, Community Living Assistance Services and Supports Act (Class Act), and long-term care partnership programs.

In addition to maximizing Federal and State opportunities, Tyler uses his knowledge to design plans that consider personal and family resources along with private insurance. He balances the risk of longevity and disability with current and future cash-flow needs. When appropriate, Tyler offers long-term care resources through the Area Agency on Aging or affiliate programs like Marca Life Planning’s Age in Place initiative.

On average, Tyler’s clients are between the ages of 40 and 65 and want to maintain independence, choice, and control as they age. With his experience as a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), he specializes in the pre- and post-retirement needs of individuals while transforming the retirement planning process into a positive experience. He also works with businesses and associations to design solutions to reward and retain employees, improve productivity, and/or increase membership.

Tyler holds a degree in Finance and Economics from the University of Alabama.

Fun Fact: In his spare time, Tyler plays the drums for events around Central Alabama.
Jeff Cotney, CFP, JD, Associate Advisor, Marca Life Planning, Birmingham, Alabama
Jeff Cotney
CFP®, JD, Associate Advisor
In addition to his experience as a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), professional, Jeff brings his legal expertise to the clients of Marca Life Planning. He has specific knowledge of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”) and has assisted individuals in obtaining the pension and welfare benefits to which they are entitled under the act.

Throughout his career, Jeff has witnessed firsthand the importance of financial planning. He strives to set himself apart from other advisers by combining the skills and insight acquired from his legal background with a principled focus on the needs of his clients. In 2010, Jeff joined Marca Life Planning and its unique business model in order to better provide his clients with the type of personal service they deserve.

Jeff holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Alabama and graduated with honors from the University of Alabama School of Law in 1999.

Fun Fact: As part of his undergraduate studies, Jeff interned at FAME studios in Muscle Shoals, where music legends such as Aretha Franklin and Wilson Pickett recorded a number of their greatest hits.
Corie Coyne, Marketing Manager, Marca Life Planning, Birmingham, Alabama
Corie Coyne
Marketing Manager
With experience in financial services and project management, Corie creates and executes strategic marketing plans and initiatives. She is responsible for marketing communication, PR, and conceptual design and development of all advertising campaigns and marketing collateral.

To facilitate brand development and lead generation, Corie combines wired marketing with traditional, offline marketing. She manages Marca’s online presence, which includes the Marca Life Planning websites and social media including Twitter and Facebook . Corie also coordinates and produces client and prospecting events.

Corie holds a double degree in Finance and Mathematics from the University of Alabama.

Fun Fact: Corie was a four year member of the University of Alabama Million Dollar Band.
Donna Sisson, Life Planning Coach and Counselor, Marca Life Planning, Birmingham, Alabama
Donna Sisson
M. Ed, LMFT, LPC, CPA
Life Planning Coach and Counselor
Donna provides coaching and financial therapy to our Life Planning clients. She creates an environment that enables them to understand their motivations and increases the awareness of their relationship and reactions to money. Through dynamic coaching, Donna allows individuals, couples, and families to realize their life goals while prioritizing the challenges along their journey.

Donna has over 25 years combined experience in business management, consulting, coaching, and counseling. She holds a Bachelor of Science from UC Berkeley Business School and a Masters in Education from the University of Montevallo.

Donna is a Certified Public Accountant, Licensed Counselor, and a Certified Life, Executive, and Business Coach.

Fun Fact: Donna is a true Southerner at heart but loves visiting her native home in the San Francisco Bay Area to soak up the beauty and the culture.
Pam Bedsole, RN, Community Care Liaison, Marca Life Planning, Birmingham, Alabama
Pam Bedsole
RN
 Community Care Liaison
As Community Care Liaison, Pam fosters a closer connection between Marca Life Planning and the local community. She provides awareness and education on the importance of proper care for the aging population. Pam regularly attends local events and encourages strong relationships with hospitals, senior centers, and churches.

In multiple locations across the Southeast, Pam has experience in various fields of nursing including cardiovascular, intensive care, emergency room, and patient education. She prides herself on serving the community through volunteer work. Currently, she volunteers at UAB Hospital.

Pam gained her nursing degree from the University of Alabama in Birmingham School of Nursing.

Fun Fact: Pam is a past president of the Pell City Garden Club.
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