Qualifications

Vic Hess, President of ButtonWood Advisors, LLC, has been successfully guiding client families on how to resolve their financial problems and achieve their goals since 1979.

In his pursuit to help families sustain and preserve their wealth and lifestyles he has obtained the following professional credentials:

CPA - Certified Public Accountant

PFS - Personal Financial Specialist

CFP® - Certified Financial Planner

AIFA® - Accredited Investment Fiduciary Analyst

CFE - Certified Fraud Examiner

AEP® - Accredited Estate Planner

CCPS - Certified College Planning Specialist

CIMA® - Certified Investment Management Analyst

Want to know what the above credentials mean?  Click Here

 

Vic adheres to the philosophy of the three distinct phases of financial planning:

Building Wealth

 

Distributing Wealth

 

Transferring Wealth

 

All of these phases must be built on a strong foundation of Wealth Protection and covered by the Umbrella of Taxation.

 

Beginning his career in finance almost 30 years ago, Vic realized that it was not what a family made that determined their wealth it was what they kept.  Since that time he has spent his life learning the rules, regulations, tricks, and traps on how to help families keep more of what they make.

Vic brings experience and expertise to ButtonWood Advisors, LLC.  He knows what works and what doesn't when guiding clients to building a brighter financial future.  Vic has worked successfully through all types of markets and economic conditions; this has allowed him to hone his ability in guiding his clients with a steady hand.

Vic has a Bachelors degree in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  Before founding ButtonWood Advisors, LLC in 2000 Vic held the position of President for one of largest privately held companies in Oregon, as well as Chief Financial Office of fortune 500 company; SYSCO Corporation.

Vic and his wife Vera live in Tucson, Arizona.  They have three children and a wonderful yellow Labrador dog. When Vic isn't studying to keep up on his many certifications you can find him brushing up on his Presidential and military history or fine-tuning his skills as a pilot.

Resources

Vic has resources...As a member of The Garret Planning Network Inc. (GPN).  He has access to the knowledge and experience of over 300 like-minded financial advisors.  Clients benefit from his independent, personalized advice, and resources available via this network of allied professionals. 

 

 

We are also part of the ElderCare Matters Alliance.  Click on the logo below to find out more information.

 

NICCP Web Site

Milton Edward Ames, Jr.

AAMS®, CFP®

Milton is a 1973 graduate of Virginia Tech with a bachelor’s degree in accounting.  He received a M.B.A. in 1984 from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.  Milton is an Accredited Asset Management Specialist™ and is a Certified Financial Planner™.

Mr. Ames is dedicated to ethically coaching families toward a satisfying financial future. He is committed to long-standing relationships with clients who are accountable for their decisions while verifying and understanding what their advisors are doing for them.

During his 30 year professional financial career Milton has served client needs at several firms:

Milton Ames joined the TIAA-CREF Trust Company in April 2001 as a Senior Trust Consultant in Newport Beach, Ca.  In 2005 Milton became a Wealth Management Advisor with TIAA-CREF Wealth Management Group. In both capacities Milton served affluent clients and their families as a proactive advisor offering ideas, alternatives and suggestions to many financial and non-financial issues. Milton remained at TIAA-CREF until 2008.

Milton also was a Financial Consultant for wealth management and planning with U.S. Bank Private Financial Services in Las Vegas, Nevada (2000-2001).  In addition he has over 14 years of experience as a portfolio manager for Bank of America’s Private Bank (1985-1999) in Las Vegas and Newport Beach, Ca. Milton served four years as a financial consultant with Merrill Lynch (1981-1984) in Las Vegas.  

Over his broad financial services career Milton has managed short-term as well as long-term investments for large employee benefit, institutional, endowment and personal clients. He continues to consult on issues revolved around investment management, retirement planning, tax minimization, insurance strategies, wealth transfer and legacy planning. Milton currently serves a limited number of clients through Ames Financial Group, a firm he founded in 2009.

Milton served the country as an aviator in the U.S. Air Force and California Air National Guard for 28 years. He is an instrument rated commercial pilot and actively flies for personal enjoyment and relaxation.

Milton lives in southern Arizona while finishing up a limited-term military commitment through October 2011. Milton is a Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Air Force. He and his wife like to spend quiet time at their get-away home in southern Utah’s color country.