Team

Our experienced professionals have a tested track record of delivering for clients with compassion and attention to detail. Together, they can help you create a strategy to preserve and protect your assets so that you can focus on what you value most.

Advisors

Richard C. McCool

Partner, Wealth Management Advisor

Richard C. McCool began building the firm in 2002 with a vision of providing a proven environment of confidence, success, and trust for the firm's clients.

Richard and the firm strive to perpetually hone their skills at developing successful and productive strategies matched with the skills to communicate complex concepts with clarity and simplicity.

A hallmark of Richard’s work is the creation of unique and tailored strategies that incorporate seasoned foundations enhanced by tested leading edge techniques.

Licenses:

General Securities Registered Principal (FINRA Series 24)
General Securities Representative (FINRA Series 7)
Investment Company and Variable Contracts (FINRA Series 6)
Uniform Investment Advisor Registered Representative (FINRA Series 66)
Uniform Securities Agent State Law (FINRA Series 63)
Life, Health and Variable Annuity Licensed (FL 2-15)

Designations:

Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®)
Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®)
Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®)
Certified in Long-Term Care (CLTC®)
Certified Exit Planner (CExP^TM)
Accredited Estate Planner (AEP®)
Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP®)

Awards:

Million Dollar Round Table Life and Qualifying Member
Million Dollar Round Table Court of the Table Qualifier
Million Dollar Round Table Top of the Table Qualifier
North Florida Financial - President’s Trophy Recipient
North Florida Financial - Dr. Solomon Stephen Huebner Award Recipient
Strategic Wealth Specialists- President's Trophy Recipient

Registered Representative & Financial Advisor of Park Avenue Securities, Financial Representative of Guardian, Arkansas license # 7094164 and California license #0i59977

Bessann H. Watson

Partner, Wealth Management Advisor

Bessann H Watson joined the firm in 2005 and began a practice focused on sophisticated financial strategies. Founded in part on the depth and breadth of her prior multi-faceted career, she brings a background in business development, income producing real estate, and master planning.

Creating broad, deep and inspiring solutions to clients' challenges and hopes, Bessann has co-founded the firm with a focus on delivering graceful strategies and lifelong relationships with a tailored, productive, and individual approach.

Licenses:

General Securities Representative (FINRA Series 7)
Investment Company and Variable Contracts (FINRA Series 6)
Uniform Investment Advisor Registered Representative (FINRA Series 66)
Life, Health and Variable Annuity Licensed (FL 2-15)

Designations:

Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®)
Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®)
Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®)
Accredited Estate Planner (AEP®)
Certified in Long-Term Care (CLTC®)
Certified Exit Planner (CExP™)
Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP®)

Awards:

Million Dollar Round Table Qualifier
Million Dollar Round Table Court of the Table Qualifier
Million Dollar Round Table Top of the Table Qualifier

Registered Representative & Financial Advisor of Park Avenue Securities, Financial Representative of Guardian, AR insurance license #8087599, CA insurance license #0I59673.

Jake L. Newcomb

Wealth Management Advisor

Jake L. Newcomb came on board in 2020 with a strong accounting background determined to expand on his continued mission of helping individuals navigate the exciting and, often confusing, world of personal financial strategies.

Building on his in-depth knowledge of finance, accounting, and economics, Jake found the advanced strategies taught by the firm the perfect solutions for so many.

Helping individuals and business clients build solutions to the everyday and the complex challenges faced by each of us inspires Jake and allows him to deliver on that original mission.

Licenses:

General Securities Representative (FINRA Series 7)
Uniform Investment Advisor Registered Representative (FINRA Series 66)
Life, Health and Variable Annuity Licensed (FL 2-15)

Designations:

Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®)
Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

Registered Representative & Financial Advisor of Park Avenue Securities, Financial Representative of Guardian, CA insurance license #4058844. Not practicing CPA for Guardian or its subsidiaries or affiliates.

Jake R. Armstrong

Financial Representative

Jake R. Armstrong came on board in 2022 with a strong business background determined to expand on his continued mission of helping individuals plan for their future.

Jake was introduced to the firm and felt that the firm, and their mission, aligned with his passion of helping individuals. Jake spends his time building solutions for his clients that allow them to properly protect themselves and their families, ultimately creating the future they envision.

Jake is an excellent addition to the Blackwood team, combining his dedication to his clients, his commitment to his vocation, and his work ethic to serve.

Licenses:

Life, Health and Variable Annuity Licensed (FL 2-15)

Financial Representative of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America® (Guardian), New York, NY. Blackwood Financial Group is not an affiliate or subsidiary of Guardian.

Ben D. Boyd

Financial Representative

bboyd@blackwoodfg.com

Ben D. Boyd joined our firm in 2022 after spending over 14 years practicing as a clinical pharmacist. Having developed a personal interest in finance, he made the decision to turn his passion into his profession, moving from helping patients with their healthcare needs to helping clients with their financial needs.

Ben was introduced to the firm as a client when he started his pharmacy career. He knows from experience the firm's ability to help clients plan for the future, while also creating flexible strategies that allow for major life changes. Ben spends his time developing creative solutions for his clients that allow them to provide appropriate protection for their loved ones, reaching the goals they've dreamed of without sacrificing the needs of today.

Licenses:

Life, Health and Variable Annuity Licensed (FL 2-15)

Registered Representative of Park Avenue Securities LLC (PAS). OSJ: 3664 Coolidge Ct. Tallahassee, FL 32311, 850-562-9075. Securities products and services offered through PAS, member FINRA, SIPC. Financial Representative of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America® (Guardian), New York, NY. PAS is a wholly owned subsidiary of Guardian. Blackwood Financial Group is not an affiliate or subsidiary of PAS or Guardian.