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Headshot of Debra Bennett

Debra Bennett

  • MSFS, CFP®, ChFC®, CLU®
  • Franchise Field Vice President

37

Years with Firm See more information

94%

Territory Retention Rate See more information

My territory

Hawaii

How I work to support your success

I am responsible for ensuring that advisors have access to resources to run and grow their practice. By combining the vision you establish for your practice with the support from my team and resources from Ameriprise, you'll have the opportunity to experience growth, equity ownership and success.

My team and I will work with you to:

  • Transition your practice, providing customized support and best practices
  • Operate with independence, knowing that support is available when needed
  • Drive practice value or equity
  • Understand how to effectively operate as a CEO of your practice

Career highlights

  • Provide coaching and mentoring to both independent and employee advisors in Hawaii (2005-present)
  • Selected and developed new advisors in Seattle/Bellevue and greater area of WA (2002-2005)
  • Personal practice in Hawaii, Virginia and Washington states (1986-2001)

Other interests

  • Past Board member — Junior Achievement of Hawaii
  • Past Chairman of the Board (2012) and past President (2011) FPA of Hawaii
  • Travel, dance, and spending time with family

My Leadership Team

Headshot of Maureen Tashman

Maureen Tashman

Recruiting Director - Hawaii

Responsibilities

Maureen is responsible for sourcing and evaluating experienced advisors, including franchisees, associate financial advisors and advisors coming from acquired practices.

Mike Takazono

Mike Takazono

Sr Manager, Franchise Recruiting and Engagement

Responsibilities

Mike works closely with successful teams to help them to find and develop new talent; this includes support staff, associate financial advisors and experienced advisors wanting to join a team. He also works with new advisors joining our firm to guide them through a successful transition and onboard process. Mike is also available to assist advisors with business planning and determining which corporate resources to work with for coaching and support.

Headshot of Michelle Long

Michelle Long

Regional Sales Director

Responsibilities

Michelle specializes in helping advisors drive growth through new business opportunities. She is the primary point of contact for increasing assets and revenue through product solutions.  Additionally, she works with advisors on strategies to move up market and go deep with their best clients.

Headshot of Eric Kelley

Eric Kelley, CRPC™, BFA™

Sr. Regional Sales Manager

Responsibilities

For advisors interested in growing their client acquisition business and improving their marketing strategies, Eric coaches advisors on how to incorporate a systematic marketing process within their practice. He helps advisors share their story, promote their brand, leverage online resources and be proactive in the digital world of social media. 
For advisors interested in growing their financial planning business, Eric works with advisors to create a systematic process for their practice. He helps identify how to engage clients/prospects in advice conversations and produce simplified deliverables to increase capacity and drive business through the financial planning client service model.

Headshot of Helene Berndt

Helene Berndt

Field Engagement Coordinator

Responsibilities

Helene provides administrative and operational support, and also coordinates meetings, training and seminars. Helene is the point person for advisor questions, and proactively works with advisors to ensure they receive the support they need.

Headshot of Keziah Babu

Keziah Babu

Administrative Assistant to FFVPs in PacWest Region

The Senior Scheduling Assistant focuses on scheduling meetings, expense management, capturing activities in CRM and booking travel for the FVPs in the region. 

Headshot of Akhil Saini

Akhil Saini

Administrative Assistant to FREs in PacWest Region

The Scheduling Assistant focuses on scheduling meetings, expense management, capturing activities in CRM and booking travel for the FREs in the region.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) owns the CFP® certification mark, the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification mark, and the CFP® certification mark (with plaque design) logo in the United States, which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.
This information is not intended as an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, a franchise. It is for informational purposes only. MN Permit #F-3872. Ameriprise Financial, 50601 Ameriprise Financial Center, Minneapolis, MN 55474 MN Permit #F-3872.
Practice growth results not guaranteed.
Investment advisory products and services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC, a registered investment adviser.