Stewart H. Welch III
CFP®, AEP® — Founder
Stewart H. Welch III founded The Welch Group in 1984, drawn to the then-emerging fee-only financial planning model and motivated by the opportunity to help families make thoughtful financial decisions across generations with their best interests at heart. Over the decades, he has witnessed this vision come to fruition as the firm has had the honor of serving multiple generations of numerous client families.
With more than forty years of industry experience, Stewart provides valuable insights from his work with entrepreneurs, physicians, business owners, and affluent families. His expertise ranges from helping clients navigate business growth and the purchases of new homes to wealth preservation and legacy planning. He has also authored several financial books, most recently the seventh edition of J.K. Lasser’s New Rules for Estate, Retirement, and Tax Planning, published by John Wiley & Sons (NY, NY).
In addition to his work with the firm, Stewart has dedicated significant time to civic and charitable leadership, including nine years as the mayor of the City of Mountain Brook. He also established The Welch Group Foundation to support local and global charitable organizations and faith-based causes. Outside of his professional responsibilities, he enjoys tennis, fitness training, reading, writing, hunting, and fishing.
Education
- Bachelor of Science in Marketing, The University of Alabama
Designations & Certifications
- CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® practitioner
- Accredited Estate Planner®
Professional Affiliations
- Past Chair, CFP® Board of Standards, Inc., Ethics Committee
- Past Member, CFP® Board of Standards, Inc., Board of Directors
- Member and Past President, Birmingham Estate Planning Council
- Member and Past President, Financial Planning Association of North Alabama
- Past Member, Charles Schwab & Co. Institutional Advisory Board
Community Involvement
- Former Mayor, City of Mountain Brook
- Founder and Co-chairman, The Welch Group Foundation
Publications
Books authored, or co-authored, by Stewart Welch III include:
- “J.K. Lasser’s New Rules for Estate, Retirement and Tax Planning” (John Wiley & Sons, Inc., NY, NY)
- “50 Rules of Success”
- “THINK Like a Self-Made Millionaire: 10 Secrets to Success” (Morgan James Publishing, NY, NY)
- “100 Tips for Creating a Champagne Retirement on a Shoestring Budget”
- “The Complete Idiot’s Guide To Getting Rich” (Alpha Books, NY, NY)
- “J.K. Lasser’s Estate Planning for Baby Boomers and Retirees” (Macmillan, USA)
- “10 Minute Guide to Personal Finances for Newlyweds” (Macmillan/Spectrum)
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