A Philosophy of HOPE
No matter your age or income, you deserve an opportunity to achieve financial stability and peace of mind. HOPE is for financial freedom with a commitment to helping everyone be the best version of themselves.
We take the time to understand your needs, explain different options, and earn your trust before offering possible solutions. This allows us to develop a meaningful, financial strategy focused on finding the best solution for you.
HOPE is Here for You
At HOPE, we adhere to the cardinal virtues of a financial advisor, and we live by the virtue theory of ethics, which includes prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance. As your fiduciary asset manager, we have three important duties in service to you: duty of prudence, duty of care, and duty of loyalty.
HOPE Code of Ethics
Evan Cole
AIF®, CPFA®, C(K)P Investment & Retirement Fiduciary Advisor, Accredited Investment Fiduciary®
Evan is an Accredited Investment Fiduciary® designee. As an Accredited Investment Fiduciary®, he offers clear information, objective advice, and a variety of services for a justified fee with full disclosure and transparency. He helps you become financially independent by enabling you to plan and control your financial future. Evan specializes in the design and implementation of all types of retirement plans and client portfolios and uses: individual stocks, exchange traded funds, managed money, mutual funds, annuities, and insurance to help meet your needs and objectives.
Evan began his financial career with American General, a full-service retirement planning company. While there, he received numerous awards and promotions. He started his own advisory so he could pursue an independent and conflict-free approach when advising clients. Evan holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of New Hampshire and multiple securities and life insurance licenses. Evan has served on the board of People Reaching Out, a substance abuse prevention organization.
A.W. “Chip” Stites.
Retired: CFP, Investment Specialist. Previous Licenses: Series 7, 24, 53, 60, 65, AND 66. RR, Registered Investment Advisor.
Mr. Stites began his financial services career in 1978 selling life insurance door to door in the coal fields of West Virginia. Asking simple questions, he realized quickly that what people wanted was to understand how to save money effectively and efficiently. So began a journey that has lasted to this day. After getting multiple designations and licenses he began learning the inner workings of insurance, annuities, mutual funds, exchange traded funds, closed end funds, stocks, preferred stocks, and bonds, among others. His curiosity about the seeming complexity of his chosen profession led him to read the experts of the age. Graham, Lynch, Buffett, Siegel, Lichtenfeld, Bogle, Bahnsen, Sinek and others. His desire was to find a simple, inexpensive, easily understandable, repeatable method of investing that average person can use exclusively to their own benefit. In 2015 he sold his business to Evan Cole as he continued his search. Having created and refined a method of investing anyone can use effectively and efficiently; he has gone back to work with Evan to assist him in helping others succeed financially.
Karen Garcia
Advisor Administrator
Karen’s career started in retail. She spent 29 years in the corporate offices of a midwest department store chain, working with vendors and management in buying and planning. After bankruptcy forced the company to close, Karen relocated from Wisconsin to Arizona to be near family. This is where Karen started a new career in the financial industry. She served as Marketing Director for a small firm where she excelled in customer service by promoting the firm to potential clients, building strong relationships with existing clients through monthly newsletters, and making clients feel valued with all acts of kindness.
When Karen is not at the office helping clients, she works her side business as an affiliate with Rising Phoenix Boutique. She also enjoys spending time with her Shorkie dog, Pablo, catching one of her nephew's hockey and soccer games, or watching her niece's flag competition and theatre events. One of her favorite quotes is from Gandhi, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” Karen’s philosophy is to make more deposits in this life than withdrawals. She looks forward to meeting and working with all the H.O.P.E. clients both current and future.
Commonwealth Teams
We are proud to partner with Commonwealth Financial Network®. For over 40 years, Commonwealth Financial Network has fueled independent advisors like us. Their support allows us to offer superior service to our clients by providing technology, tools, and guidance so we can focus on your financial goals. Visit these links to learn more about our support teams that help us better serve your needs.
