About Us
Jack Keeter, Study Group Leader
Jack Keeter is an expert in “thinking outside of the box” when it comes to prospecting and sales strategies for insurance agents and financial advisors. Jack Keeter Marketing opened its doors to agents and advisors nationwide to show them how to simply, yet effectively, grow their practice and “not be the best kept secret in their communities”. Built from the success that Jack has experienced as an advisor, his commitment to others is to utilize his experience and success to provide the tools and coaching needed to strengthen their personal practice and create exponential opportunity.
Jack began in financial services in 1994 as an advisor. Adhering to the production goals set before him as a first year advisor, Jack created his own unique marketing systems to meet and surpass yearly requirements. While most advisors in their first year of the business trust cold calling or lead generation sources to gather prospects, Jack paved a different road. He began exhibiting at RV shows and meeting local retirees, he contacted HR managers and CPAs and formed professional alliances within his community. Jack didn’t keep his talents as a financial advisor the best kept secret in town; he made his voice and wisdom known in his community.
Jack began focusing primarily on the affluent and retirement markets in 1995. It was then that he witnessed the challenges that his Uncle Paul Miller experienced with the health care system and his financial affairs as he lived through the last days of his 91 years of life. Jack was amazed at how disorganized retirement could be without proper planning. There was a lack of good information being given to the nation’s growing retiree population, and Jack decided to strive to do his best to inform investors of how to plan for the distribution of their life savings in the most tax advantageous manner. In 1999, Jack founded, Jack Keeter & Associates because he wanted to be able to offer affluent and retired investors prudent, unbiased advice.
Jack’s unmatched success has often warranted him the stature of keynote speaker at many industry affairs. It isn’t solely because of his accomplishments that he receives these honors, but because of the passion he has in what he does and the enthusiasm he delivers to his audience Jack Keeter’s Biography with new ideas and the motivation they need to succeed. He has a sincere interest in improving the lives of those that work with him, not just for his personal clients, but for every agent and advisor he works with, which ultimately benefits their clients as well.
Through the Jack Study Group, Jack is letting the secret out about how to be successful in a financial practice. A philosophy that he lives by as a personal producer is; “No one can benefit from your wisdom and experience but you, if you keep your wisdom and counsel a secret.” He also applies this philosophy to his sales and marketing company. He shares his experiences and talents to teach and benefit other agents and advisors who want to mirror his success. He’s created a number of unique systems and products during his rise to success, and has been sharing these ideas with others. He has trained over 14,000 financial advisors how to use his marketing strategies to build their businesses. Jack created “Wish List Marketing™” which describes simple things you can do to increase your exposure and build profitable relationships in your community. Using those ideas, along with a dozen other prospecting, networking and sales strategies, Jack has successfully built his business. Jack has opened the doors to his practice through the Jack Keeter Marketing and his systems are now available to other agents and advisors.
Jack has received many distinguishing awards within the financial services industry. Most notable is his induction into the 2003 Senior Market Advisors Hall of Fame.
Jack has been a featured columnist for the magazine “Senior Market Advisor®. He has appeared on CNBC and CNN Radio as the Host of “Well Preserved with Jack Keeter”.
Senior Market Advisor Magazine called Jack “One of the skilled few”.
His greatest accomplishment in life is his bond and love for his Wife Colleen and their four children, Darla, Zachary, Grace and Ellie.
Jim Brogan, Study Group Leader
Jim Brogan, MBA, is a well-known financial educator, author and radio talk-show host. Jim was named the "2011 National Advisor of the Year" by Senior Market Advisor magazine, an industry leading publication for advisors specializing in retirement planning services.
Each weekend, Jim hosts “More Living with Jim Brogan,” East Tennessee’s valuable resource for citizens over age 50. This interactive talk show can be heard each Saturday morning from 9:00 - 10:00 am on NewsTalk 98.7 FM, WOKI. Each Saturday, Jim and his nationally-recognized guests address a broad range of issues of importance to retirees and soon-to-be retirees. In addition to his radio show, Jim is a contributor for WBIR Channel 10 NBC and FOX 43, and appears multiple times each month to discuss topics impacting retirees and soon-to-be retirees.
During the week, Jim serves as President and Founder of Brogan Financial, a business he has dedicated to serving the tailored and often complex financial needs of retirees, as well as those getting ready to retire. In addition, Jim also serves as the Chief Investment Officer of Brogan Financial, managing all client investment portfolios.
Jim teaches courses through the Professional and Personal Development Department at The University of Tennessee, and the Business and Community Outreach Department at Pellissippi State Community College. Jim also serves on the Advisory Council for The University of Tennessee’s Department of Finance.
Because of his extensive knowledge and experience, Jim is recognized as one of the nation’s top experienced professionals on the IRS’s complex rules governing retirement account distributions.
Jim began working with Jack Keeter in early 2005. In five short years working with Jack, Jim experienced tremendous growth in his personal production. New assets gathered increased from approximately $5 million per year to $35 million per year, while business efficiency and profitability increased as well.
Jim is a lifelong East Tennessean. He is committed to the local community and volunteers with his church and several charitable organizations in the area. He currently resides in Knoxville with his wife, Dee Dee, and children, Mary Caroline and Elizabeth Grace.
Curt Whipple, Study Group Leader
Due to his vision, leadership and extensive experience, Curt Whipple has earned a place among the top one percent of advisors nationwide.
Curt, a native of Michigan, began his career in the financial planning field over 30 years ago, and established the C. Curtis Financial Group in the greater Detroit area in 1986. As President and CEO, his primary responsibilities include leading the firm’s continued growth strategies, as well as counseling individuals and corporations on achieving their financial goals.
Under his guidance, Curt’s firm has grown to include a second office in Nashville, Tennessee. Overall growth for the firm since 2001 has increased by over 1,000 percent, and in 2010 alone revenues have exceeded $3 million.
A graduate of Biola University, the internationally-known speaker and author of two books holds the Certified Estate Planner (CEP) designation. Curt has been married to his wife Connie for 32 years. They have two children, Kelly and Kristopher, and two grandchildren, Eisley and Nora.
Scott Skalisky, V.P. Marketing
Advisors working with Scott Skalisky will learn that he has a tremendous amount of perspective in this industry as he has done it all. Starting in 1984 as a captive agent, Scott then enjoyed bouts as a Regional Marketing Rep at two different major insurance carriers. Then, following a successful term with one of the nation’s largest AMOs, Scott went into personal production for six years, rounding out a career with a wealth of experience.
Scott first met Jack Keeter shortly after his induction into the 2003 Senior Market Advisors Hall of Fame. They soon became trusted friends, both with a passion to serve Advisors.
Jack Keeter Study Group is pleased to have Scott on the team as one of the talented Sales Coaches working with Advisors. He also manages the Administrative Office and Team. Scott truly enjoys the one-on-one support he gives Advisors. He uses his personal experiences to help educate and encourage Advisors to think “outside the box.”
Scott feels with his position at Jack Keeter Study Group that he is “back home”. He explains, “My favorite position in the industry has been coaching and serving the advisors, why? Because I feel it is what I am meant to do. It comes naturally to me and I love to help advisors with their success.” And this is what he does well. Whether he is mentoring a newer advisor or helping a seasoned advisor find prospects (another one of his favorites), Scott is all about serving.
Scott believes his greatest accomplishment in life is his love and bond for his wife, Diane, whom he believes is his own special angel, and his son, Elijah, who is eleven years old.
Kelley Collins, Director of New Business
Kelley has been in the insurance and financial services industry for 25 years. For the last 13 years she has worked as an office manager for a small insurance agency and an annuity marketing consultant with one of the largest FMO’s in the nation. She has earned the designation of Certified Annuity Specialist (CAS) and holds a Kansas Insurance license.
Kelley joins Jack Keeter Study Group as the director of new business. She feels her understanding of insurance products and the sales process will greatly benefit the advisors she supports. Her hands on approach will help to get business paid in a timely manner and keep advisors informed on the status of their business.
Kelley, a native Texan, currently lives in Olathe, Kansas with her husband Robert and 11 year old daughter, Ashlee. Her passions are playing golf, reading, church and her family.
Randee Davis, New Business
In 1995 Randee started her financial services career as a marketing specialist with Jackson National Life. She was responsible for the development and implementation of marketing strategies, which helped add new clients and strengthen existing relationships. Since then she has worked as a marketing associate and as an annuity service representative for one of the nations largest AMO’s. She also has earned the designation of ACS (Associate, Customer Service)
Randee joins Jack Keeter Study Group as a Senior New Business Representative. With her knowledge of the business and her customer service skills, she is a great and valuable addition to our team.
She enjoys spending time with her family, friends and her three “furry kids”. She is very passionate about animal rights.
Joyce Patterson, Director of Licensing & Contracting
Joyce has been in the financial and insurance industry her entire career spanning over 20+ years. She started out as an Administrative Assistant at a banking institution. She managed an accounting department for a local office of the FDIC, and then went on to be an Executive Assistant to a CPA. This lead Joyce to one of the nation’s largest AMOs where she was the Manager of Licensing and Contracting.
This experience created the opportunity for Joyce to become the Director of Licensing and Contacting for the Jack Keeter Study Group.
When talking to Joyce about licensing, you quickly find out that she truly enjoys her position, and is an expert in this area. She says her goal is “to make the licensing process as painless as possible for our advisors.”
Joyce, and her husband Sean live in Merriam, KS.
Diane Skalisky, Events Coordinator
Advisors working with Diane Skalisky will learn that she is a bundle of joy as she shares that “my role is to plan and coordinate all of the ‘fun stuff’ and do whatever possible to make your experience at one of JKSG’s events unforgettable!”
As Jack Keeter Study Group’s Event s Coordinator, Diane truly is a person with a servants’ heart.
Yes, she is the wife of Marketing Vice President and Sales Coach, Scott Skalisky, who introduced Jack to her strong people and planning skills. She states that “we are both strong believers in the process that the Jack Keeter Study Group provides its’ Advisors and see great things for the future of this company. We feel blessed to be working with such an awesome group of people!”
Diane’s background is not in the financial services industry, but with her tremendous “people skills” and marketing background, she knows what it takes to host success events. She attributes much of her wisdom from working with the Dale Carnegie team, not only in sales, but also as an instructor of their principles of “How to Win Friends and Influence People.” Diane used this experience will working for a nationally recognized company in the field of employee recognition solutions, O.C. Tanner, Inc. She recalls that “we had some of the best events and meetings…so it was a good fit when Jack asked me to help with coordinating some of the awesome events and activities we have had and planned for the future.”
Diane is a graduate of Kansas State University – with a BS in Management and Marketing. She loves to watch her “Wildcats” play football – especially now that Coach Snyder is back!!!
This past year, Diane and Scott have started running – and actually did a couple of 5K races and made it through their first 4 mile run. They enjoy being out on their motorcycle and spending in the sun. Elijah (my stepson) keeps us busy during the summer and holidays (some of you might have met him on the cruise). He is growing up so quickly!