Texas County resident Jim Bukowsky has launched Southern Missouri Financial Group. Opened in May, the new business will hold a grand opening from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday at its South U.S. 63 office.
Susan Warkentin is client administrator and office manager.
Bukowsky was formerly with and AG Edwards/Wachovia as a financial adviser before Wells Fargo decided to move its Houston office to Rolla. Earlier, he was the trust and investment management officer for First National Bank in southern Missouri.
“It was very apparent to me that this type of service was urgently needed in our area,” Bukowsky said. “I wanted to be readily available to my clients and didn’t expect them to drive to Rolla for my services.”
As graduate of St. Louis University, he holds an undergraduate and master’s degrees in business administration and finance. He has also completed advanced studies at the Cannon Financial Institute in South Carolina, Foundations of Leadership in North Carolina, Merrill Lynch Investment Advisors Institute in New York and the Wachovia Securities Financial Advisors Institute in St. Louis. He holds a chartered retirement planning counselor designation from the College for Financial Planning in Denver. He also has his life insurance licenses, is licensed for variable and fixed annuities and holds a Series 7 and 66 securities registration.
The services offered by SMFG include financial and investment advising as well as retirement services.
“Being an independent allows us the freedom to do what is in our client’s best interest, instead of what a big corporation is dictating,” Bukowsky said.
Southern Missouri Financial Groups’ Investment Advisory Services are offered through Woodbury Financial which is an independent broker dealer owned by the Hartford. SMFG and Woodbury Securities are not affiliated entities.
Bukowsky is an active member of the Houston Lions Club, Houston Area Chamber of Commerce, the Eagles Club and serves on the board of directors for the Texas County Memorial Hospital Healthcare Foundation.
Jim and his wife, Tara, reside in Solo.