Giving back means giving of ourselves

Retired Orange County Public Schools educator/administrator and long time client Bob Neff makes a very special donation to the Gift for Teaching store in Sanford, FL. The donation included dozens of children's math games his late wife Cindy (also a retired OCPS educator) developed for her business "NEFFO" which she and Bob ran after retiring from OCPS. Store manager Becky Miller said the games would be very popular with many of the math teachers who frequent the store.

John with Congressman John Mica at the recent 9th Annual Central Florida National Academy Foundation scholarship ceremony, where Mica was the featured speaker. This year’s event was held at the Orlando World Center Marriott Resort, and 45 scholarships were awarded to NAF Academy high school students from Orange and Seminole County school districts. John has been a part of the Central Florida NAF program for seven years and serves as Chairman of the Central FL NAF Executive Board.

A bit of year-end levity after the 9th Annual Central Florida National Academy Foundation scholarship ceremony at the Orlando World Center Marriott Resort. Forty-five NAF Academy students received scholarships and heard from special guest speaker Congressman John Mica to end another successful school year for the Central FL NAF Academies and their students.

Pictured from left to right: Executive Board Chair, John Pinkley (Raymond James & Assoc.), Brenda Urias (AAA Travel), Richard Grace (OCPS), Patricia Breeding (OCPS) and Joshua Johnson (Rosen College of Hospitality Management)

Watch for John's advice in the Sunday "Tech & Money" section of the Orlando Sentinel. As a member of the Central Florida chapter of the Financial Planning Association, he and other certified financial advisors take turns answering readers' questions.

John recently chaired the breakfast scholarship presentation for outstanding students participating with NAF (National Academy Foundation). He has been an active member of NAF since 2004 and is currently Chairman of the Central Florida NAF Executive Board.

John is second from the right with other scholarship presenters.

What does the National Academy Foundation do?

• Build partnerships between high schools and businesses to develop career-themed academies - small learning communities where students create relevant, experience-based connections from rigorous study and practical work experiences.
• Help school districts create new and smaller learning environments for students. NAF focuses on small, career-themed learning communities supported by professional development and partnerships between schools and business.
• Create a strong sense of community and motivated, high-achieving students through research-based teaching and learning methods, professional development, and real-world work experiences that link a teen's career development with academic studies.
• Support a nationwide network of educators and Academies. NAF offers leadership, quality assurance, curricula, staff development, business partnerships, on-call assistance, and a community of colleagues working in "schools within schools" and individual small schools nationwide.

John is excited about his participation with MHNGS, a partner with the government, which provides behavioral services to active and veteran members of the military and their families. Naturally, John's expertise will be in counseling families on their spending, financial planning, and retirement options.

He spent the weekend of March 13 and 14 at a post deployment event for Army reservists from the 81st Unit out of Fort Jackson, SC and their families. Over 600 people attended. Below, John is advising one of the reservists on his financial situation and plans.

You can learn more about the Financial Planning Programs offered by MHNGS, as well as their other services by clicking HERE.