Richard Walters, Senior Vice President, Investment Advisor Representative

Rick is the Senior Vice President of Innovative Financial Group and the site manager for the Atlanta branch. He is responsible for developing and managing the overall strategy of the Georgia offices and ensuring the infrastructure effectively supports the firm’s financial representatives and clients.

Since 1995, Rick Walters has consistently demonstrated passion, dedication, and commitment to service in the financial services industry. He believes his long-term success stems from taking a personal and genuine interest in each client – who they are, what they care about, and their unique financial needs and dreams.

Rick shares an innovative process with clients that will help them identify, establish, and follow through on their financial goals. Their financial goals could include personal insurance planning, wealth management or solutions for small business owners. His primary focus is to provide confidence in their investments to each client by implementing a detailed strategy, and in the long term to guide them step-by-step towards clearly defined targets, adjusting the course as necessary along the way. Rick believes that the real benefit of a sound financial strategy is knowing you have honored the commitments to yourself and the people who matter most to you.

Rick is a graduate of the Virginia Tech class of 1991, with a degree in finance from the Pamplin College of Business. He resides in Alpharetta with his wife, Nicole, and three children, Harrison, Grayson and Lucas. Rick is active with the Atlanta Business Alliance network, and is a member of the Buckhead Club. He and his family are active at St. Ives Country Club, where he enjoys golfing.

Mark Widlowski, CLU ®, CLTC ®, Investment Advisor Representative

As an agency manager and partner of IFG Atlanta, Mark is responsible for the ongoing support and growth for each advisor, as well as providing vision and direction for the firm overall. He understands that a winning formula requires the right mix of strategy, dedication, teamwork and experience. He believes in a team approach to financial strategies, utilizing a range of resources and professionals to fully explore the opportunities available to each client in order to custom-fit a solution in line with their personal lifestyle or business goals.

As an experienced Advisor with Innovative Financial Group, his passion of client focus and service helps to ensure each client is planned, prepared and organized for the inevitable issues they will encounter. He listens to his clients’ hopes and concerns to establish a plan to help them stay on track for the commitment they have made to themselves and the people that matter most.

Since 2003, Mark has put a high emphasis on education. He has earned his CLTC ® (Certified in Long-Term Care) and CLU® (Chartered Life Underwriter) designations.

After establishing his career in Warner Robins, GA, Mark and his wife Karen moved to John’s Creek, GA. His son Kevin recently graduated from Savannah College of Art and Design with a degree in animation; Kasey, his youngest son, is enrolled at North Georgia College and State University. As an active member of the Atlanta chapter of NAIFA (National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors) and is Vice President of the Georgia Northeast BNI – Metro Business Builders. In his spare time, he enjoys officiating basketball at the high school level.

Herman (Tommy) Thompson, Jr.- CFP®, ChFC, Investment Advisor Representative

As the firm’s investment specialist, he is responsible to help educate not only his clients but each of the advisors at the firm. With a passion for teaching, Tommy ensures each of his clients knows and understands each step within the plan before it is executed. That same passion helps with the education of each advisor.

Since 2004, Tommy has earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certificate and ChFC (Chartered Financial Consultant) designation. As the investment specialist, he strives daily to help his clients make sound financial decisions and navigate the investment world. Because the economic and investment landscape can change overnight, Tommy tirelessly reads, conducts research, and meets with money managers to improve the value he brings to his clients.

Tommy is a Georgia original. His fraternal line traces military service all the way back to the American Revolution. His maternal line is believed to have been in Georgia since the end of the War of 1812. A proud graduate of the University of Georgia (2003), Tommy had double majors of Marketing and Risk Management/Insurance. In 2007, Tommy married Dr. Amy Thompson (Mercer 2007) at Corinth Baptist Church of Dekalb County; the Thompson family has been active in the church since 1950. Today, Tommy and Amy continue that tradition working with the youth of the church.

Rikki Brumbalow, New Business Manager

Rikki Brumbalow was drawn to the world of life insurance at a young age. When she was 9 years old, her father passed away and the importance of life insurance made a big impact. Rikki’s grandfather was a lifelong life insurance agent and has always encouraged her occupation in this field.

After attending Kennesaw State University, and working as a Special Events Manager, Rikki came to Innovative Financial Group in 2011. Since the passing of her father, Rikki’s passion has been client service. As new business manager, she has a direct impact on the client experience, from application to policy delivery. She works closely with each advisor and client to ensure timely processing and ultimately making sure the insurance needs of the client and their family are addressed.

A resident of Cherokee County since age 6, Rikki lives in Woodstock with her husband, Travis, who is the Executive Sous Chef for Dunwoody Country Club. During their engagement, the couple was featured on the WE Network’s bridal television show “Get Married”. The Brumbalows have two awesome cats, and Rikki is an active volunteer with the Atlanta Humane Society.