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WELCOME!

WELCOME!

We are a team of experienced financial professionals and staff WORKING TOGETHER FOR YOU. Combining a variety of backgrounds and experience, we serve financially your individual, family and business needs.

Our financial professionals are dedicated to helping individuals and businesses build their financial futures.

OUR APPROACH

OUR APPROACH

Rather than just recommending unrelated products, we consider your specific financial goals and investment objectives. Working together, we'll formulate a strategy to help you meet your goals. Then, if it is suitable, we will recommend the appropriate products and services to help you execute your strategy. We have good relationships with a variety of investment and insurance companies. Each financial professional is well trained and qualified and can advise on the best provider for your personal circumstances. We have made numerous commitments in financial education and financial management. Our clients are benefited with the foundation of protection, as well as tax efficiency and proper investment allocation to maximize growth of assets and income. Learn more by accessing our links above, below and to the side.

A look into our practice

We focus on the preservation, protection, and distribution of our client’s wealth. We work with high net-worth individuals, small business owners, physicians, and other professionals, helping them to create financial strategies to build, protect and transfer wealth. Our business focuses on the areas of asset accumulation and protection, and retirement and estate planning strategies, providing financial needs analysis, life insurance, annuities, and investments. Additionally, for small business owners and physicians in private practice, we offer business insurance, executive benefit and deferred compensation plans, business continuation and succession planning. Another area of expertise and focus is on qualified retirement plans.

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Our History

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EXPERIENCE

The associates and staff of Cornerstone Planning Group have more than 288 years of combined experience in insurance and financial services.

HOLISTIC APPROACH

Cornerstone Planning Group works with your CPA and attorney to form a coordinated team of professionals to assist with your financial needs. Additionally, our associates offer financial education and services to the clients of CPAs and attorneys and offer CPAs continuing education courses.


STRENGTH THROUGH UNITY

By choosing the associates of Cornerstone Planning Group you will have the added support of a leading financial protection and wealth management firm. They also have qualified for membership in the company’s Paramount Planning Group (PPG). The Paramount Planning Group is comprised of the most distinguished, innovative, and respected financial professionals affiliated with Equitable Advisors who meet certain eligibility requirements. PPG members are highly experienced at meeting the special needs of affluent individuals, corporate executives, and business owners, offering strategies to help clients work toward their financial goals.

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OUR SERVICES

As leading financial professionals in Oklahoma City, we also handle financial services for businesses of all sizes including benefit plans and succession planning. We focus on IRA rollovers from 401k's and also handle other aspects of the 401k business. Our approach is to offer a fully integrated financial program that takes into account your goals and objectives. One valuable service we offer is seminars on financial planning for employees. As experienced financial professionals, we help our clients with all of the issues they might have throughout their lives and offer a wide variety of financial services.

If you are looking for a financial professional, our holistic approach can be valuable, especially for business owners who need financial professionals to handle both their business and their personal financial management.

Financial Planning

We can provide you access to investment services and thousands of mutual funds from over 50 investment companies, and products and services from over 100 insurance companies.

Retirement Planning

We have access to investment management services, mutual funds, and financial products from an abundant list of investment and insurance companies.

Education Planning

Worried about the future cost of education? Let us help you understand all of your options.

Insurance Planning

In these uncertain times, insurance provides us with an added layer of protection. Let's discuss your options.

Business Planning

Running a successful small business takes skill and determination, even in the best of times. But today's economy presents special challenges. With credit tight, you may need a way to ease cash flow, keep operating smoothly, and grow your business.

Tax Planning

At the same time, you want to enhance your savings. The more you can put away today, tax-deferred, the better your chance at looking forward to retirement tomorrow.

Our professionals offer you a wide range of planning products for every need. We've been working with families for over 150 years. Our stability and conservative approach have earned us respect, so you can move forward with confidence. We will be happy to assist you with all your personal and business retirement and financial planning needs.

OUR TEAM

Jerry D. Kiefer, CPFA®

Founder / Retirement Planning Specialist

Jerry D. Kiefer began his career in financial services in 1992, after graduating from Oklahoma State University with a degree in Economics. He is a qualifying member of the MDRT, qualifying for a place at the Top of the Table. Active in the industry, he is a board member of the Oklahoma City chapter of NAIFA. Active in the community, he is a board member and past president of the Oklahoma 4-H Foundation; he is founder of PRO – Professional Resources Organization; and he is a deacon at Henderson Hills Baptist Church.

Darren Telford, J.D., CFP®, CPFA

Darren R. Telford, J.D., CFP®, CPFA graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and obtained a Juris Doctorate from Oklahoma City University School of Law in August 1988, completing the Bar in February 1989.

  • Earned his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional designation from the College for Financial Planning in 1993 and his Qualified Plan Specialist title in 2003.
  • Earned AXA’s Hall of Fame Award in 2005; which is the highest honored award that an Equitable Advisors associate can be awarded.
  • Is a member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA), Oklahoma City Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, Estate Planning Council, and Institute of CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™. He also belongs to the Million Dollar Round Table, and The Sterling Group of Equitable Advisors.
  • Developed the first Marketing Associate Trainee as well as sponsored associates in the Gold Mentor program with Equitable Life Insurance Company.
  • Has served as a member of the Oklahoma City University Law Alumni Board, National Agents Forum of Equitable Advisors, American Heart Association Board, and is also a member of the Chickasaw Tribe.

Darren has resided in Oklahoma City since 1975. He and Cheryl have been married since 1982 with seven children. He and Cheryl are members of Putnam City Baptist Church. Darren actively supports Olivet Baptist Church and Western Hills Church. At Western Hills Church, Darren served in the past as Personnel Committee Member, Chairman of the Finance Committee and Advisory Council member.

Darren enjoys playing basketball regularly and coaching his kid’s basketball, baseball/softball and soccer teams. Darren seeks to put his relationship with God first, his marriage second, family third and the rest of life after.

Equitable Advisors and its affiliates do not provide legal or tax advice. Please consult your legal advisor for such guidance.

CFP® and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ are certification marks owned by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. These marks are awarded to individuals who successfully complete the CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.

Qualified Plan Specialist title is awarded by Equitable Advisors based upon successful completion of an internal training program and written assessment.

Kevin P. Schwarz, CRPC, CPFA

Kevin Schwarz attended Oklahoma State University where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1989. After graduation he worked for Hemingson, Durham & Richardson in Dallas, TX. He also worked in the City Planning Department in Plano, TX. Since 1993 Kevin has worked as a financial professional focusing on company sponsored retirement plans for the last 15 years. He works with multiple company retirement plan clients in Oklahoma.

Kevin earned his Qualified Plan Specialist title with Equitable Advisors in 2003, and in 2009 he earned the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation (CRPC). He has been a member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA). Also he is a member of the Million Dollar Round Table. Kevin earned the Equitable Hall of Fame Award in 2015; which is the highest honored award that an Equitable Advisors. associate can be awarded.

Kevin has also served as a representative for the National Agents Forum (NAF) of Equitable Advisors. Kevin has served as a council member for the Edmond area YMCA.

Kevin has resided in Edmond, Oklahoma since 1995. He and Mackay, his spouse, have been married since 1996 and have 4 children. They are members of St. John’s Catholic Church.

FINRA registrations held Series 6,7,63 & 65

Equitable Advisors and its affiliates do not provide legal or tax advice. Please consult your legal advisor for such guidance.

Qualified Plan Specialist title is awarded by Equitable Advisors based upon successful completion of an internal training program and written assessment.

Jim A. Freudenberger

Financial Professional

Jim A. Freudenberger is a graduate of Oklahoma State University, with a degree in Agricultural Economics. He began his career in the financial services industry, by joining Equitable, in 1998.

He has since, become a Qualifying and Life Member of the Million Dollar Round Table, attained a position in the Equitable Hall of Fame and has served his peers as a past Oklahoma State President of the National

Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors. In his spare time, Jim enjoys oil painting, playing guitar, working out at CrossFit, and being involved in the lives of his four kids. He is an active member of his local church and community and will serve the Stillwater Lion’s Club chapter, as President, beginning in July of 2023. When not analyzing investments, Jim still enjoys getting on his tractor and playing in the dirt.

Jimmy N. Chiconas

Financial Professional

Jimmy N. Chiconas began his career as a financial professional in 1997 after a successful 19-year career in sales and marketing for the US Foodservice Company / Davis Division. Active in the community, he serves as treasurer on the board of directors of St. George Greek Orthodox Church and is food committee chairman for the Edmond Memorial High School Bulldog Marching Band, where he can be close to his 2 children, Nick and Alexandra. Jimmy just celebrated his 20th anniversary to his wonderful wife Kim.

Rebecca Rutledge

Administrative Assistant

405-946-9000

405-946-8690

rebecca.rutledge@equitable.com

Rebecca was born and raised right here in Oklahoma City.  Graduated High School from Edmond North in 2000.  Attended Oklahoma City University and the University of Central Oklahoma with an emphasis on European Medieval History and English Literature.  With dreams to be just like Indiana Jones from the age of 5, she continues her love of history on her own time.  Married in September of 2022 to the love of her life.  Together she and her husband, Ryan, enjoy the outdoors, board games, card games, and video games.  Along with a house full of fur-babies. 

 Left to her own devices, Rebecca enjoys multiple hobbies.  Reading, writing fiction, cooking, sewing, embroidery, knitting, spinning, and weaving.  She enjoys spending time in the sunshine and refers to herself as being “solar powered.”  With a love for quiet places in nature, you can sometimes find her sitting in the shade under a tree out a Lake Hefner. 

 

Rebecca has a background with multiple work experiences.  11 years working for the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Department, Financial Advice with focus on Debt Resolution, Document researcher with State Farm Insurance, and most recently as a Property and Casualty Claims Adjuster. 

John Wilson

Registered Sales Assistant

Beth Sawyer

Registered Sales Assistant

Beth Sawyer graduated from Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing in 1980. Beth’s early career was with AT&T. She then spent several years as a stay at home mom, and later resumed her career, working in financial services. Beth is a registered sales assistant and has worked with Jerry Kiefer since 2001.

Beth holds FINRA registrations 7 and 63 and is insurance licensed.

Beth has lived in Edmond since 1981. She is a member of Crossings Community Church. Beth’s personal interests include baking, learning about and appreciating art, walking and hiking, and international travel. She especially enjoys time spent with her children and grandchildren.

Caroline Taylor

Client Service Associate

Kristen Jones

Operations Sales Assistant

Clark Telford

Registered Sales Assistant

Anthony L. Howard, CLU, ChFC

Registered Sales Assistant

Anthony L. Howard, CLU, ChFC Graduated from Oklahoma City's John Marshall High School in 1964, and attended Oklahoma University and Oklahoma City University. He was named Outstanding Senior in the School of Management at OCU in 1968, and Graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree. Tony proceeded to Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia where he graduated Cum Laude in 1971 with a Master of Divinity degree.

Tony earned his Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) designation from American College in 1984 and his Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) designation from American College in 1986. Tony is a member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, the Oklahoma City Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, and the Society of Financial Service Professionals.

Tony and his wife Sharon are lifetime Oklahoma residents, and members of St. Luke's United Methodist Church. Tony is an active member and past president of the Oklahoma City Chapter of Hearing Loss Association of America, and has served on the Licensure Board for Speech Pathology and Audiology and the board of Hearts for Hearing.

Charles Dahlgren

Registered Sales Assistant

Sabrina Blevins

Administrative Assistant

Sabrina has been with Cornerstone Planning Group since 2022. Sabrina is the Administrative Assistance for both Darren Telford and Kevin Schwarz. She loves spending quality time with her family, baking and being outside. Sabrina has 16 years of experience in the medical field and enjoys caring for others. Her ideal place to live would be anywhere near the beach.

Rebecca Rutledge

Administrative Assistant

405-946-9000

405-946-8690

rebecca.rutledge@equitable.com

Rebecca was born and raised right here in Oklahoma City.  Graduated High School from Edmond North in 2000.  Attended Oklahoma City University and the University of Central Oklahoma with an emphasis on European Medieval History and English Literature.  With dreams to be just like Indiana Jones from the age of 5, she continues her love of history on her own time.  Married in September of 2022 to the love of her life.  Together she and her husband, Ryan, enjoy the outdoors, board games, card games, and video games.  Along with a house full of fur-babies. 

 Left to her own devices, Rebecca enjoys multiple hobbies.  Reading, writing fiction, cooking, sewing, embroidery, knitting, spinning, and weaving.  She enjoys spending time in the sunshine and refers to herself as being “solar powered.”  With a love for quiet places in nature, you can sometimes find her sitting in the shade under a tree out a Lake Hefner. 

 

Rebecca has a background with multiple work experiences.  11 years working for the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Department, Financial Advice with focus on Debt Resolution, Document researcher with State Farm Insurance, and most recently as a Property and Casualty Claims Adjuster. 

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

CALCULATORS

CALCULATORS

A host of financial tools to assist you.

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ARTICLES

ARTICLES

Educate yourself on a variety of financial topics.

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FLIPBOOKS

FLIPBOOKS

These magazine-style flipbooks provide helpful information on a variety of financial topics and illustrate key financial concepts.

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VIDEOS

VIDEOS

These engaging, short animations focus on a variety of financial topics and illustrate key financial concepts.

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GLOSSARY

GLOSSARY

Financial terms from A to Z.

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NEWSLETTERS

NEWSLETTERS

Timely newsletters to help you stay current.

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COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENTS

MEET WITH US TODAY AT ONE OF OUR OFFICES

MEET WITH US TODAY AT ONE OF OUR OFFICES

Oklahoma City:
4801 Gaillardia Parkway, Suite 202
Oklahoma City, OK 73142

Phone: 405.946.9000

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Edmond:
805 E. 33rd Street
Edmond, OK 73013

Phone: 405.715.2800

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Stillwater:
205 W 7th Ave., Suite 201C
Stillwater, OK 74074

Phone: 405.715.2800

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