Charlie Smith is a Chartered Financial Consultant and Investment Advisor Representative who is affiliated with Questar Asset Management, a registered investment advisor firm located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is also a Chartered Life Underwriter and an Accredited Estate Planner.

 

Charlie has over 40 years experience in the financial services industry, having served as a financial advisor, agency builder, insurance industry executive in Washington, D.C. and as CEO of The Cumberland Financial Group LLC.

 

 

 

Charlie graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1962 with an AB degree. He subsequently earned a Bachelor of Divinity degree and a Master of Theology degree from Southeastern Theological Seminary at Wake Forest, North Carolina.   In 1971 Charlie enrolled in the advanced studies program of The American College, in Bryn Mar, Pennsylvania, where he was awarded The Chartered Life Underwriter designation in 1976 and The Chartered Financial Consultant designation in 1984. He also holds a graduate certificate in Financial Counseling from The American College and in 1988 the national association of estate planning councils awarded Charlie the designation, Accredited Estate Planner.

 

 

 

Charlie joined Prudential Financial in 1969 as an agent/advisor in the company’s Charlotte, North Carolina agency. Charlie quickly excelled ranking among the company’s top advisors his first year.   During the summer of 1971 Charlie was offered a management position with the company and in 1976 he was named Managing Director of Prudential’s Palm Beach Agency a position he held for 23 years. Under his leadership, the agency grew to become one of the most successful Prudential agencies in America. The Palm Beach Agency garnered15 President’s Citations, led the company in MDRT qualifiers and promoted six associates to various home office positions.

 

During his years in field management Charlie served as President of five industry associations and in 1997 was elected President of GAMA International. Following his Presidential year Charlie became the CEO of GAMA International, a position he held until 2003. In 2004 Charlie was chosen to serve as Chairman of the industry’s Task Force for the Future.

 

A gifted speaker and writer, Charlie was a frequent, main platform speaker at industry meetings.   Over his career he has addressed over 45 insurance companies in the U.S. and in 12 foreign countries. 

 

 

 

Charlie’s community service includes membership on the Board of Directors of the Chemical Trust Company of Florida, the Advisory Board of the Rinker School of business at Palm Beach Atlantic College where he served as founder of the Life Work Planning Institute.  In the early 1990’s he served as Chair of Planned Giving for Northwood University where he was a frequent speaker in the college’s University program.

 

Charlie currently serves on the Board of the United Way of Camden County, the Board of Elders at the First Presbyterian Church of St. Marys, the Board of St. Marys Downtown Development Authority and the Board of The Camden County Chamber of Commerce. He is a member of Leadership Camden County Class of 2008 and an active member of the Rotary Club of Camden County.

 

 

 

In 1999 Charlie received the American Free Enterprise Companion Medal from Palm Beach Atlantic College in recognition of his distinguished service to the college and the community.

 

In 2005 Charlie received the highest honor in the financial services industry, the prestigious John Newton Russell Memorial Award, in recognition of his lifelong service and contribution to the life insurance industry. 

 

In December of 2005, the Round Table of New York honored Charlie with its Lifetime Achievement Award. 

 

In March of 2007 Charlie became the 44th inductee into GAMA International’s Management Hall of Fame.

 

 

 

First Presbyterian Church of St. Marys

Gama International

Rotary Club of Camden County

The Camden County Chamber of Commerce

The Camden—Kings Bay Navy League

The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors

The Society of Financial Service Professionals

United Way of Camden County

 

 

 

Charlie and his wife Mary have 6 children and 13 grand children.