Everyone needs to plan his or her financial future, and that’s where experts like Steve Thalheimer of Thalheimer Financial Planning, an independent, fee-only planning firm come in.

“I’ve been helping clients in the D.C. area gain control over their financial lives for more than 10 years,” says Thalheimer, who Washingtonian magazine has named one of the top 33 financial planners in the area.

Many financial planners target high net-worth individuals, but Thalheimer serves middle-income clients. “I don’t have a minimum asset requirement to work with me, but charge flat fees based upon overall complexity,” he explains. “I bill myself as the best person to serve the half-million dollar client – and I’ve also worked with people who have less than that.”

“I believe in ongoing, integrated, holistic, comprehensive financial planning,” Thalheimer says. He helps clients overcome financial hurdles, as he says, “When life comes at you” with challenges like unemployment and the recent economic downturn.  He also helps clients plan for the contingencies of death and disability, to measure the impact of a new career, and convert IRA assets or refinance a mortgage. “Planning is not done in isolation – it’s a process, not a single event.”

Though some states are becoming friendlier to the gay community, “We are still lacking equality at the federal level. There is a real need to plan comprehensively for gay, lesbian, non-traditional clients.”

Most of Thalheimer’s clients come from word-of-mouth referrals and professional partners, such as those found at CAGLCC, a useful network for professionals.

“In financial planning, one needs a team of people,” such as attorneys, estate planners, insurers and tax specialists. “The chamber has been useful for me in meeting new partners to help solve client problems.”

Steve Thalheimer can be reached here.

CAGLCC programs and events

The Chamber is launching a new program designed to support the employees of association and non-profit sectors of the LGBT community. The Association and Non-Profit Staff Initiative will provide a forum for participants to make peer-to-peer connections aimed at career growth, pursue new directions by learning what’s happening in the association and non-profit sector and identify opportunities for professional advancement. Joseph L. Kolb, President, the Graphic Issue, Design & Illustration, who is leading the effort on behalf of the CAGLCC Board of Directors says, “We’re looking to broaden relationships with other professionals; and also discover and develop leadership skills that are a necessity for the 21st century.”

The Washington area has the greatest concentration of associations and non-profit organizations in the country. In a sector defined by variety and diversification, the LGBT community is sometimes isolated and under-represented. Brad Weaber, CMP, executive vice president, event services, SmithBucklin says, “Diversity abounds in the global association marketplace and a natural synergy exists with the creation of the CAGLCC Association Group.”

The first event, a luncheon, will be held at AARP, the Brickfield, on Oct. 7 at 11:30 a.m. Register here.

CAGLCC member news

Gus Elfving, Principal & Pack Leader of Pet Peeps, has accepted the position of Membership Committee Chair for the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters. More info is here.

Scott Roewer, president, Solutions by Scott LLC, co-authored the just-released “Get Organized Today,” a practical book to help you live a more organized life. The book is available here.