Financial Guidance Group, Inc.

For Carl von dem Bussche, helping people attain their financial goals is rewarding work. As President and Founder of Financial Guidance Group, Carl takes a comprehensive approach to financial planning. He sees his role as helping people make well-informed decisions about their finances. His goal is to help his clients avoid major financial setbacks, simplify their financial lives and achieve peace of mind through professional management of their finances.

With more than 30 years of experience in the financial planning field, Carl was one of the first fee-only planners in the Tampa area. He has been fee-only since 1995, and he is still one of the few planners who provide comprehensive planning that examines client goals, taxes, cash flow, insurance, estate planning, retirement planning, and investments. Carl is a staunch advocate of the fee-only planning model.

He believes there is an inherit conflict of interest when a planner stands to gain financially from the products they recommend. Commissioned planners and brokers are compensated for the number of transactions they perform, not the quality of their advice.

Other financial professionals rely on Carl's knowledge and experience. Carl has served as an expert witness on financial matters and has served as an industry arbitrator for the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD).

Carl received his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification from the CFP Board of Standards after completing a professional course of study through the College for Financial Planning in Denver, CO. He is a NAPFA-Registered Advisor™ and active member of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) – the nation's premier organization of comprehensive fee-only planners – where he has served as a member of the South Region’s Board of Directors and facilitates various educational workshops.

Carl has earned the AIF® credential – which stands for “Accredited Fiduciary Advisor” – from the Center for Fiduciary Studies. He has also earned a 5-Star rating from the Paladin Registry, an independent screening organization and consumer watchdog.

Carl was born and raised in the Tampa Bay area. When he is not working, Carl enjoys spending time with his wife of 34 years, Cindy, their granddaughter Aubrey Mae and their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Jack.

Christoph joined Financial Guidance Group, Inc. full-time in April of 2005 after working as a team leader in the back office of the Tampa, FL headquartered broker/dealer, Invest Financial Corporation. Christoph completed his NASD Series 7 exam in 2004 and his NASD Series 66 exam in 2005. He graduated college in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Clearwater Christian College. Christoph earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ mark of distinction in 2006 and is a member of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA). Christoph also worked as an intern for Financial Guidance Group, Inc. during college. Chirstoph and his wife Tiffany reside in Dunedin, Florida.

Diane Campbell came to Florida early in her life. She is a graduate of Clearwater Christian College with a B.S. degree in Business Education. Her background includes teaching business courses on the high school and college level, working in banking for seven years in accounting and as a secretary, and working for a trucking company as assistant Human Resource Director, Supervisor of Payroll and in the accounting department. She enjoys a challenge and loves to use her organizational skills. Diane also holds an active real estate license and is a published author of books, articles, poetry and short stories. She is actively involved in teaching children at her church, singing in the choir, and writing programs. She does solo work at church and sings with the Clearwater Chorus, based at Ruth Eckerd Hall. In her “spare” time she enjoys sewing, floral arranging, scrap booking and going to car shows with her husband of 40 years. They have two daughters and four granddaughters.

Cindy is responsible for Client Relationship Management. Also a Pinellas County native, Cindy ensures that client office visits; meeting functions and social contact is handled with excellence, care and proficiency. She is a graduate of St. Petersburg College and attended the University of South Florida, majoring in Music. Cindy enjoys her role as homemaker, wife, mother and Nana to her granddaughter, Aubrey Mae.

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.