A Bellefontaine High School graduate who has recently relocated back to the area from San Diego is enjoying working in her hometown and having the opportunity to provide comprehensive financial planning and investment advice to clients with a personal and professional approach, bolstered by her background in counseling.
Jessica Simmons of Aurora Wealth Advisors, 101 N. Main St., a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services LLC, said she and her husband moved back to Central Ohio in early 2018.
She had previously worked as a Certified Financial Planner in San Diego with Ameriprise at Aurora Wealth Advisers, and she reached out to Jeff Martin at his Bellefontaine Ameriprise office. It turned out he was looking for someone to take over the business as he planned for his upcoming retirement, which now is quickly approaching.
“The same week I reached out to him, he happened to be looking for someone with local ties to take over here,” Simmons said from her Bellefontaine office. “It was amazing how well everything worked out.
“I love working here and being a part of the friendly downtown Bellefontaine environment. It is different than the San Diego office in that we often have people stopping in just to say, ‘Hi!’”
While acclimating to her new role, Simmons said she has enjoyed the many introductions to Martin’s longtime clients who he has gotten to know after his 30 years in the business. The office also has longevity in the community as well, as it was founded in the 1960s by Phil Contner.
“Jeff has a great rapport with his clients, and I appreciate all of his help and expertise as I get to know the clients, too,” the 1999 BHS graduate said.
In 2019, Simmons related that Martin joined their team at Aurora Wealth Advisors, linking the Bellefontaine Ameriprise office with offices in San Diego and Pasadena, Calif.
Now that she is back in her hometown, the Certified Financial Planner said another highlight has included the chance to work alongside her mother, Jana Harrigan, who is a client service coordinator at the office.
Niki Hayman, a 2009 BHS graduate, also is a client service coordinator at the Bellefontaine office. Seven team member work at the California offices as well.
After high school, Simmons attended The Ohio State University and graduated with a master’s degree in counseling. Following college graduation, she worked at OSU and then as a school guidance counselor in Ohio before her West Coast move in 2011.
That counseling background has proved helpful as she assists clients working through the stressors of managing finances.
“There are a lot of emotions that come with money, and I’m glad that I have the counseling background so that I can help clients navigate the difficult decisions. I feel like it serves me well.”
The city native also is an Accredited Portfolio Management Advisor and one of the only Certified Divorce Financial Analysts in Logan County. Her counseling skills are especially helpful when she is able to come alongside clients working through the challenges inherent with a divorce, she said.
Simmons related she enjoys working with clients who come in for a variety of reasons, from helping individuals plan for retirement, to those who are just getting started in their careers and are making financial plans for their families.
“We offer a free consult and can help people reach their financial goals and establish a budget in a number of areas, including saving for their children’s education to home improvements and managing the ‘what if’s’ in life,” she said.
The Aurora Wealth Advisors financial advisor said she also is passionate about offering financial literacy education to young people in the community. She has been a featured presenter on the topic for the Logan County Young Professionals and also is working with Logan County 4-H regarding similar upcoming opportunities.
“I started in this profession at age 31, and if I could, I would love to go back to the young adult me and provide advice on avoiding credit card debit and other financial literacy topics,” she said.
Also in the community, Simmons is involved as a Discovery Riders volunteer, serves on the Bellefontaine Rotary Club membership committee and is a Logan County Chamber of Commerce member and Logan County Young Professionals member.
She can be reached at (937) 593-2255 or by e-mail at [email protected]. Her website is www.ameripriseadvisors.com/jessica.x.simmons and she also operates a Facebook page for the business.