Business Philosophy: Bill Dermann and Amy Smith have a combined total of nearly 40 years of experience in assisting individuals and companies with their financial needs. As a result of this experience, we fully understand peoples' concerns related to their long-term financial well-being as well as the importance of developing the trust and confidence essential to longstanding client relationships. Additionally, we are very much aware of the role that personal values, family concerns, and emotions play in both the formation and implementation of successful financial strategies. We seek to serve as our clients' chief financial advisor. In this role, we assist in the coordination of existing professional advisors such as tax accountants and estate planning attorneys. We can also utilize our own network of professional advisors to provide these and other needed services such as health and long-term care protection. Central to our concept of comprehensive financial planning is a process that includes the detailed profiling of each client's current situation, an analysis of their tolerance for risk, and an in-depth discussion of future lifetime goals and objectives. The tangible results of this ongoing process are the development of a meaningful financial planning blueprint for the future, a written investment policy statement, and personalized investment management strategies.

Investment Management Philosophy: The impact of the significant decline in the U.S. equity markets from 2000 through early-2003 was felt by all of us. The length and depth of this downtrend was unprecedented over the past several decades. From an investment philosophy standpoint, this decline was influential in causing our firm to move to an even more conservative posture — particularly for current and near-term retirees. In numerous recent discussions with our clients, it is readily apparent that capital preservation and moderate growth are much more preferable than significant direct exposure to the extreme fluctuations and uncertainties inherent in today's global economy. As world economic events continue to unfold, we expect these types of market characteristics to remain with us throughout the foreseeable future.

As a result, we strongly feel that in most clients' accounts, direct exposure to equity markets should generally be limited to a range of 40% to 60% of their total value based on individual needs and risk tolerance levels. While some exceptions for exposure outside these levels may be justified, we are of the opinion that the vast majority of pre-retirees' and retirees' investment accounts should reside within this general range.

A key component of our investment management philosophy is a belief in the broad diversification of investments across both traditional and non-traditional asset classes. This provides for unique growth opportunities as well as a cushion against some of the volatility inherent in more traditional equity holdings. Please be aware, however, that diversification does not ensure or guarantee against a loss.

We are also strong proponents of taking advantage of timely individual investment opportunities as they present themselves. This is particularly appropriate with regard to income-producing investments such as individual bonds and mortgage-backed securities as well as pooled energy and real estate products.

A key component of our investment philosophy is a belief in the broad diversification of investments across both traditional and non-traditional asset classes. This provides for unique growth opportunities as well as a cushion against some of the volatility inherent in more equity-oriented holdings.

We are also strong proponents of taking advantage of timely individual investment opportunities as they present themselves. This is particularly appropriate with regard to income producing investments such as individual bonds, mortgage-backed securities, and pooled energy and real estate products.

Our relationship with Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. allows us access to some excellent high quality investments which help us to achieve our clients' investment goals in a manner that matches their particular needs. While our investment philosophy will likely shift somewhat as market conditions continue to change over time, we feel that a relatively conservative posture that is diligently monitored represents the prudent course of action for most pre-retirees and retirees at the present time.