Dan Blake is a seasoned financial planning professional with over thirty years of experience helping clients plan for their future. After serving in the U.S. Marine Corp., Dan began his career in financial services with a local public accounting firm and then went on to join Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) in 1987. He loved the challenge of managing a variety of functions including sales, finance, research and client service, which led to his founding of Southtowns Financial Group in 1994. His client focus is evident in that he insists on regular client meetings to review and update financial positions and adjust financial plans as necessary. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including a number of the financial services industry’s highest honors. Married and a father of four, Dan enjoys time spent visiting his children around the country. Additionally, Dan is a skier, triathlete, and continuous student of financial services. He is involved with the Jesuit Church of Buffalo, St. Michael’s. He and his wife, Susan, live in Buffalo, NY and enjoy spending their time biking, hiking and skiing in the Aspen Snowmass ski areas of Carbondale, CO.
Credentials
Designations Earned/Licensing:
- Retirement Income Certified Professional ®, Designation, American College, 2017
- Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) Designation, 2015
- NYS Property & Casualty Insurance Broker License (P&C), 2012
- Certified Family Business Specialist (CFBS), American College, 2010
- Accredited Asset Management Specialist® (AAMS), 2009
- FINRA Series 65 (Investment Advisors Law) Registration, 2009
- FINRA Series 7 (General Securities Rep) Registration, 2001
- Certified Financial Planner® *(CFP®) Certificant, College for Financial Planning, 1996
- FINRA Series 62 (Corporate Securities Rep) Registration, 1995
- Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) Designation, American College, 1994
- Chartered Life Underwriter® (CLU®) Designation, American College, 1993
- New York State Notary Public, 1987
- FINRA Series 6 (Investment Company Products/Variable Contracts Limited Representative) Registration, 1987
- FINRA Series 63 (Uniform Securities Agent State Law Examination) Registration, 1987
- NYS Life, Accident & Health License (LAH), 1987
Professional Organizations
MassMutual ELIF (Exceptional Life In-Force) Recognition, 2010
MassMutual Top of the Council, 2002-present
MassMutual Blue Chip Council, 1999-present
MassMutual Leaders Club, 1993-present
Million Dollar Round Table Qualifier 1990-Present
Buffalo Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (BAIFA)
Financial Planning Counselors of Western New York
Education
M.S. (Financial Services), College of Financial Planning, 2003
MBA, National University, 1986
B.S. (Accounting), Canisius College, 1980
St. Francis High School, 1976